Turning to Sevastyan, I joked, "There must be a million dollars' worth of jewelry here."
When he held up his palms in a what're-you-gonna-do? gesture, I cried, "Oh, my God. There is!" I inhaled a shaky breath. This situation was too wild--and overwhelming. I now lived in a palace. I truly was not going back to school tomorrow; instead I'd be playing chess with my billionaire father.
This was my "new life" for the "foreseeable future."
I crossed to a set of balcony doors, opening them for fresh air. I drank in the sight as a mist began to fall over manicured gardens and landscaping lights came to life all across the property.
When Sevastyan joined me at the balcony rail, that feeling of connection swept me up again. But he was all coolness toward me.
"What's that building?" I asked him, indicating a two-story manor catty-corner to this wing. As with the lake folly, its colors and architecture complemented this palace. There was a sleek black Mercedes in the drive, much like the one he'd rented in Lincoln.
"My home," he said shortly.
"You live on the property?"
"Da. Though I have an apartment in Moscow," he said in a pointed tone, no doubt referring to my comment about searching his place--and doing other things. Such as watching him masturbate.
I swallowed, peering up at him, filled with questions about the man. What was he thinking at this moment? How'd he get that sexy scar down his lips? Who'd broken his nose?
Had anyone ever kissed that slightly askew bridge for him? "You must have missed this place while slumming in Lincoln."
Shrug. "I return downstairs now."
I followed him back inside. "What do you need to talk to Paxan about so urgently?"
Over his shoulder, he said, "I do have private concerns with him, Natalie."
I narrowed my eyes. "You're going to tell him about us, aren't you?"
He swung his head around at me. "There is no us," he said with such vehemence that I almost flinched.
"You know what I mean."
"I'm going to admit that I behaved inappropriately with you. I owe him that."
I had a great feeling about Kovalev, but the truth was that I didn't know him well. What type of punishment would an infraction like this bring? "How mad will he be?" I couldn't picture Kovalev losing his cool, but then I also couldn't picture him blackmailing politicians.
"At you? Not at all. As for me, he can't be more angry than I am at myself."
Sevastyan was starting to piss me off. I strode up to him. "Look, I just got here, and everything is wonderful with Paxan. Why rock the boat when you and I barely did anything? I held off on despoiling you. You were relatively safe from my clutches."
Stony gaze.
"Please, I'm asking you not to make a big deal out of something so trivial."
"Trivial?" He closed the slight distance between us until we stood toe-to-toe. "Maybe for two experienced adults. But you're hardly experienced, are you?" His breaths quickened along with mine. Tension sparked the air around us. Oh, God, his intoxicating scent hit me just as I recalled his fierce virgin-or-not promise and his admission: What was supposed to sate my appetite has only whetted it.
Chin raised, I bowed up to him until a sheet of paper wouldn't have fit between us. "Just because I haven't had sex doesn't mean I was a nun."
He cocked his head to the side, gaze flicking over my face, like he was trying to read me and coming up empty. I knew the feeling.
"And if my virginity is such a sticking point with you," I said, "that's an easy fix."
His fists clenched. "You mean with another man?"
That show of jealousy thrilled me, so I reminded him, "You could have done it." When I'd been wet and ready for him. Curiosity about how he would relieve me of my virginity seized me; I could only imagine what kinds of tricks this man had in his bag. A long exhalation escaped my lips, and I found myself saying, "You still could."
He took a step back, as if what I had might be catching. "Perhaps I want to tell Paxan so it doesn't happen again."
"You're that certain you don't want it to?"
"Yes," he said, but he'd started twirling that thumb ring. Maybe that tell also indicated when he was lying?
"Was I just a job to you, Sevastyan?"
He gazed to the right of me as he answered, "That's all you can be."
"Do you wish you'd never been sent to America for me?"
He faced me fully. "Every second of the day," he said, no longer touching his ring.
CHAPTER 14
Buzzzzzzzz.
My suite had a doorbell? As I hastened to the doors, which were a haul from my bedroom, I wondered if Sevastyan had come to get me. Though I'd been hurt at first by his parting words, I'd assured myself that he was trying to be a good enforcer, walking away from the taboo woman.
Spirits buoyed, I'd investigated my suite, getting ready for tonight. After taking a bath in a tub larger than most family pools, I'd gamely explored all the clothes, shoes, handbags, and cosmetics.
Though the lingerie on the plane hadn't been over-the-top sexy, the selection in my new wardrobe ran the gamut. I'd gone for daring--thigh-highs, a black silk thong, and matching demi-cup bra--just in case Sevastyan apologized for being a dick and admitted taboo was just his speed (a girl can dream!).
For the banquet, I'd decided to err on the side of dressy, selecting a formfitting wrap dress in royal-blue silk. The color made my eyes look more aqua than green.
I'd pulled my hair up, the better to show off my pounded-gold choker and chandelier earrings. Though I wasn't a makeup buff, I'd even opted for mascara and lip gloss.
At the door, I smoothed my dress, then opened up. "Filip?"
"I thought I'd escort you to the feast." He was dressed in the latest style, drainpipe pants and a slim-fit jacket. With his tie a little loose, his look said: Ivy Leaguer who started the party early. "You look ravishing, Cuz." He took my hand and kissed it.
If Sevastyan had done the same, I would've jumped like the man had live wires attached to his skin. But with Filip there was none of that spark. "Thanks, Filip."
Out in the hall, he offered his arm. "Were you disappointed to see me at the door?"
"What? No," I lied.
"I'm afraid our grim friend Sevastyan declined to come get you."
"Did he, then?" Burn.
It made sense, though. The man wished he'd never met me; why wouldn't he avoid me? How quick he'd been to tell me, "There is no us."
Filip frowned down at me. "I've never seen him so put off by a pretty girl before. But all things considered, I suppose we shouldn't blame him."
"All things considered? What do you mean?" My black heels sank into the plush rug as we made our way down the hallway to the staircase.
"He was the boss's main heir before you came along."
I shrugged noncommittally, though I knew this wasn't the cause of Sevastyan's chilliness. Manalyzing again, Nat?
The truth was that I didn't know anything about him.
Filip continued, "Now Kovalev has taken such a shine to you, he called for his lawyers today to change his will. As of an hour ago, you're officially a billion-heiress."
"How do you know that?" We reached the stairs, descending.
He grinned. "I have ways, Cuz."
Why the rush to change his will? "I never asked for that. I don't want any of Kovalev's money." Just thinking about having to deal with that kind of wealth, and the accompanying responsibility, made my necklace feel tight around my throat.
I liked the simple life; people with that kind of money didn't lead simple lives. "And I have no intention of horning in on Sevastyan's inheritance."
"Natalie, I never meant to imply that." He looked mortified, like I'd pantsed him. "I'm so sorry if I offended."
"Oh, Filip, I'm just being overly sensitive." I confided to him, "The money actually freaks me out."
"That's a good problem to have, no? Don't fret, you'll get everything worked out with Kovalev. He's a consider
ate man. He'll do whatever it takes to make you comfortable here."
"I'm sure you're right." Wanting to change the subject, I said, "You and Sevastyan don't seem to get along."
Filip gave me a you-have-no-idea expression. "He's like a vicious guard dog around Kovalev, not surprising since the man plucked Sevastyan off the streets."
That was where Kovalev had found him? The idea of Sevastyan living on the streets as a boy broke my heart. No wonder I couldn't get a sense of him. Sevastyan was a blend of street and privilege.
"He doesn't like anyone near Kovalev but himself." With a charming quirk of his brow, Filip said, "I'd probably admire the trait more if he didn't use it against me." When we reached the main floor, Filip steered me down an airy foyer.
"And why doesn't Sevastyan like you?"
"He resents my education. He never had formal schooling, you know. He hates any reminder of that. Chip on his shoulder the size of Siberia."