The Ruthless Magnate's Virgin Mistress

Nikolai was hugely impressed by her honesty and her attitude. She knew how to network and she was willing to share the praise and rewards of a successful outcome.

‘If you want the house, it’s yours,’ Abbey imparted. ‘You have an invitation to view it this afternoon if you like.’

‘Yes, I will, but I already know I want the house. I attended a party there once. It was held by the previous owner after he had carried out extensive renovations.’

Abbey ran through the house’s many attributes from the number of bedrooms to the massive garaging space and the basement swimming pool.

‘You’ve done spectacularly well,’ Nikolai delivered, closing his hands over Abbey’s and drawing her to him for emphasis. ‘I’m very pleased.’

Abbey connected with his gorgeous dark eyes and her tummy somersaulted as if she were on a big dipper ride. Breathing normally was suddenly a challenge. His high voltage sexuality engulfed her like a dangerous force field and memories assailed her. Only hours had passed since she had shared intimacies with Nikolai that she had never dreamt she would share with any man. Soft colour warmed her cheeks and heat curled low in her pelvis, making her legs tremble.

‘You want me, lubimaya,’ Nikolai pronounced with satisfaction.

Glancing away, Abbey took a measured step back from him. ‘Let’s keep that aspect of our relationship out of the office,’ she urged tautly. ‘It makes me feel uncomfortable.’

Nikolai frowned. ‘I don’t like rules and restrictions.’

Abbey forced a smile. ‘But there’s a right way and a wrong way of doing everything and I like to be sensible.’

‘Passion should be cherished,’ Nikolai countered.

‘In private. It’s too public here,’ she argued daringly. ‘Tell me about tomorrow night’s party.’

‘Sveta did a breakdown of the guest list.’ Nikolai handed her a small file. ‘I think she’s made some appointments for you as well.’

As Nikolai employed the phone Abbey was ready to gnash her teeth in frustration. Meeting Nikolai’s demands really was turning into a round-the-clock occupation. The useful information on various important business guests was paired with a list of beauty appointments that threatened to take up a good part of the following day.

Abbey slapped the sheet down on Nikolai’s desk. ‘I can’t keep up with this and you and work as well. There aren’t enough hours in the day! You are a very unreasonable man. I’m not a trophy girlfriend! And I flatly refuse to be made to feel like a kept woman. I’ve got better things to do with my time than spend the day being groomed like a pet poodle before I can be seen out with you in public!’

‘Exactly what are you so angry about?’

Purple eyes luminous with furious frustration, Abbey spread both arms in a helplessly expansive gesture. ‘You’re taking over my whole life!’

‘Am I? You left my bed at six-thirty this morning and didn’t even stay to breakfast,’ Nikolai reminded her.

‘And you’re still furious about that even though I was meeting with the owner of the house you want to buy?’ Abbey demanded hotly. ‘Does that strike you as reasonable behaviour?’

Nikolai grasped one of her slender hands in a firm hold and used his strength to inexorably pull her closer. ‘I want you with me, milaya moya. What’s wrong with that?’

The deep, dark note in his accented drawl thrummed down her sensitive spine like a sensual wake-up call. Ensnared by the brilliance of his dark, deep-set gaze, she snatched in a quivering breath. ‘Nothing, but—’

‘And the beauty appointments and the clothes? I don’t want you to be made to feel inadequate beside my well-groomed guests. To date, you haven’t even been at home long enough to have your new wardrobe delivered,’ Nikolai reminded her. ‘You demand too much of yourself. Give your keys to Sveta and she’ll organise delivery for you.’

Abbey felt uneasily as though the ground beneath her once sensible feet were being sliced away, leaving her teetering on the edge of an abyss. He wasn’t letting her reinforce her independence. Nor was he giving her space to withdraw. His thumbs were massaging the delicate skin of her inner wrists and her senses were singing. Her body was awakening to his proximity with a shameless range of physical responses that shook her. Her mouth was dry, her heartbeat accelerating at a crazy rate of knots. Her brain was urging her to step away from him as she had earlier, but less scrupulous responses were stronger. She felt as mesmerised as a rabbit caught in car headlights. She braced a hand against the rock-hard wall of his chest and leant in closer.