Chapter Two

Finley saw relief cross Michail's face, almost like he thought she wouldn't want to go with him. Finley wasn't naïve, she knew nothing had changed. He was still a Petrov and she was still an O'Shea. Just the fact that he was here was probably a mistake, but she would take what he had to offer. Even if it was just a few hours. A few hours with Michail were better than a lifetime with some men, and Finley was tired of wondering. She wanted to know what it felt like to spend time with him. To be touched by him. Then she would know, and then she could move on.

Michail took her hand and tugged her towards the door. "I don't suppose you'll let me punch that asshole that kept putting his hands on you."

Finley laughed. "No, he is definitely not worth wasting any of our time together on. But I should let them know I've left."

Michail gave her a sly smile. "It's taken care of." A little shiver went down her spine. Just the way he said it made Finley think Brock wouldn't be having a great night.

Michail led her towards a hidden back entrance that afforded the members privacy and discretion. No security cameras in this place. They descended the steep, narrow stairs. Michail making sure she didn't trip in her ridiculously high heels. Finley vaguely wondered what it was with men and high heels. She'd have to ask Nikko. Of course, the shoes Michail had given her had trackers in them, she wondered if the ones Nikko gave her did too. The bizarreness of her life caused her to smile. Here she was sneaking down some back staircase with a mobster wondering if her shoes had trackers in them. It was a strange life, and one she wouldn't trade for anything.

Dimitri was waiting outside. He gave her a nod, which surprised her. Maybe Dimitri was thawing a little. She had tackled crazy Ivan and wrestled a gun out of his hand when he tried to kill Michail. She smiled at him, and she would have sworn she saw a ghost of a smile on his face before he opened the door.

Finley climbed into the limo followed by Michail. They sat opposite of each other. Neither really sure what to do next. Finley had no idea where they were going, and she really didn't care.

The minute the door of the limo was closed, it felt like the space shrunk. The air felt heavy, and Finley had to will herself to just breathe. Was it wrong that she really hoped he would just jump her in the back of the limo? She'd never had sex in the back of a limo before, but she found herself thinking it was really something she'd like to try. She knew it was all in her head, but given her thoughts, it felt like the last year had been nothing but extended foreplay, and what she wanted now was him. All of him. For a man that had only ever given her a proper kiss twice, his mere presence could ignite her.

Michail gave her a look that said he knew exactly what she was thinking. "Would you like some champagne?"

Finley pulled in a slow shaky breath. How did he make the offer of champagne sound like an offer for raw, hot, scorch-the-earth sex? Finley was completely seduced by the smoldering heat in his eyes, and his provocative tone. She was busy mentally undressing him, wondering if his skin would feel as smooth as it looked when his voice penetrated her fuzzy brain.

"Krasotka, champagne?" He was smiling at her.

Finley just nodded, because she was pretty sure her mouth was so dry, she couldn't speak.

Michail poured her a glass, and handed it to her. Their fingers brushed, and heat pooled liquid and hot low in her belly. Finley thought it was entirely possible she might just spontaneously combust being this close to him.

Michail held up his glass in a salute. "Congratulations on finishing your first year."

Finley clinked her glass to his and took a sip, letting the fizzy liquid slide down her parched throat. Taking a minute to calm her nerves.

"Thank you." She managed to croak out.

"Do you like it?" Michail asked.

Finley realized she'd probably never had a normal conversation with Michail. It was hard not to just stare at those lips and wish he was putting them to better use. Snap out of it she thought. You're acting like a raving lunatic. Nothing like being socially awkward.

"I do." Finley's voice was a little shaky, so she took another sip of champagne. "I really enjoy the law."

"But not the people." Michail guessed. Of course, having seen Brock and Sara that wouldn't be too hard to deduce.

Finley shrugged. "Some of them are fine, but they're all just so." Her voice trailed off looking for the right word. The polite word.

"Boring." Michail supplied grinning at her.

Finley laughed. "I was going to say normal, but yeah boring works too."

Michail lifted one shoulder. "Normal is boring for people like us. You live twice the life of those people, and that experience and passion is what will make you an amazing lawyer. I heard you snagged a very impressive internship this summer. Already your contacts and experience are working in your favor."

Finley wasn't even going to bother to ask how Michail knew about that. Finley nodded. "I did. I'm excited about it. Excited to see the law in action. It's one thing to read about it in books and sit in lectures, and another to see it in action."

"Have you decided what you want to specialize in?"

"I have, definitely criminal law. Corporate law is a snooze fest." Finley punctuated that statement with a roll of her eyes.

"I hope that is defense and not prosecution." Michail laughed. It was a rich sound that tugged at her heart. It was one of those rare unguarded, genuine laughs.

"Definitely defense. While I think prosecutors are probably necessary, the entire justice system is just so perverted and biased these days. Prosecutors no longer look for truth or justice, they are focused on winning at all costs. They don't seem to care if they destroy people's lives or put innocent people in jail. I find it distasteful." Finley scrunched up her nose. "Besides my family would disown me."

Michail locked eyes with her. "Declan?"

Finley felt her stomach do a little flip. Of course, Michail knew about Declan. She refused to be embarrassed or apologize. She cared about Declan, and Declan was important to her. He was part of her history, and it was possible he was her future. Declan had been present in her life for the last year, which was more than she could say about Michail.

Finley held his gaze. "Declan, Nikko, the McShanes, all my family." Finley swallowed past the lump in her throat. "And you."

Finley saw Michail's eyes darken. Way to just put it all out there she thought. Finley wasn't sure when the filter between her brain and her mouth had turned off, but clearly it had.

"And me." Michail confirmed.

Finley could feel her pulse pounding in her throat. "How are you?"

Michail cocked his head to the side and thought about it for a second. "Alive." A beat went by. "Something I owe to you. Ivan would have killed me if it wasn't for you. Of course, when you attacked Ivan, you damn near scared me to death." Michail raised his eyebrows and gave her a pointed look that said he thought she was crazy. "But you were absolutely magnificent, you know that?" He conceded.

The Ivan thing had been pure instinct. Pure blinding rage had driven her to attack him. The scary part, what had driven her wasn't revenge for her father, but fear for Michail. She couldn't imagine losing him.

"A woman like that is always going to need something more than a bunch of boring lawyer types, yes." The silk in his voice slid over her body like a caress, and the intensity in his eyes burned into her. Finley pressed her thighs together in a futile attempt to ease the ache that was slowly building between them.

Michail was right about that. She would always need more than just boring lawyer types. None of the men that she had ever been drawn to were safe. Safe was mind numbing and boring.

Suddenly it felt very hot in the limo, and Finley could feel her skin flush and sweat mist her skin. Michail was definitely an antidote to boring lawyer types. There was nothing domesticated about him. He radiated strength and power. Being near him, swamped her senses.

Finley felt the limo come to a stop. Michail reached over and took her glass from her.

"We're here." He announced.

Finley still had no idea where here was, but she didn't really care as long as it meant she could spend time with Michail. She wanted to know more about his life, but she understood he was guarded. He had to be. It's what kept him alive.

Dimitri opened the door. Michail climbed out and held out his hand to her. She took it and a little zing of electricity went up her arm at his touch. Finley managed to climb out of the limo without tripping or flashing the world, which she thought was a monumental feat considering her whole body was humming and her mind was reeling.

Finley turned to find they were at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum. It was way past closing time for the museum, so she was surprised when Michail tugged her hand and walked up the stairs with her. She might have been more intrigued by the fact he seemed confident they were going inside, if she wasn't so distracted by the fact he was holding her hand.

When they got to the top of the stairs, he was greeted by a security guard. "Mr. Petrov, right this way." The guard led them inside and badged them into the elevator. As the elevator doors closed Finley looked over at Michail.

"I know a guy." He just shrugged. Finley figured he knew a lot of guys.

The doors popped open and Michail tugged her out of the elevator. He hadn't let go of her hand since they got out of the limo. It was almost like he was terrified if he let go, she would disappear. Finley could appreciate the feeling.

They stepped out into the Gem and Mineral collection. "I thought you might like a private tour. Maybe celebrate your latest job."

"Thank you. This is amazing. I love coming here, but usually there are so many people I don't really get to enjoy it." Finley was deeply touched that he would bring her here, but wondered how he knew this was one of her favorite museums to visit.

"How do you know about my latest job anyway?" Finley eyed him suspiciously.

"I hear things." He replied. Finley figured that was the understatement of the century.

"I can't believe you liberated that ring. That was some impressive security." The fact Michail was impressed was evident in his tone.

Finley just shrugged. "His security was pretty sophisticated, or at least it relied on a lot of tech. Lasers and biometrics mainly. Of course, that wasn't too surprising. He did own a tech company. Like so many people it was the fact he bragged about it, that was the giveaway. It was easy enough to find the flaws by just asking the right questions and pretending to be interested."

Michail gave her a knowing smile. "Ah yes, so many men seem to have loose lips around pretty women."

A blush crept onto her cheeks. "Yeah, he didn't hold his liquor well either. He actually bragged about scamming the insurance company. That it was a victimless crime. He said it was a great way to get quick cash for his company." Finley rolled her eyes. "Then, he justified the whole thing by saying his tech company was too important to go under. What he really meant was he wanted to keep funding his lifestyle." She shook her head. "He was a real piece of work. The ring was beautiful though. A guy like that didn't deserve to own such a beautiful piece of jewelry anyway."

You should have seen it." Awe was evident in Finley's voice. "The ruby was over thirty-two carats. It was this amazing flame red color. It was really spectacular. Of course, for the seven million he paid at auction, it should have been I guess."

I imagine the insurance company was pretty happy that they didn't have to write a seven-million-dollar check." Michail said dryly.

Finley nodded. "That they were." Finley thought for a minute. "The job took a lot of planning, but it was worth it. Not just the recovery fee, although that was nice. I like the idea that maybe the next person that owns the ring will showcase it, not just lock it in a vault and brag about it. That they will own it because they appreciate the beauty of it."

Finley's recovery fee was ten percent of the value. It had been a major win for her, and a major infusion of cash, but the job had been about more than just the money, although the money brought independence. Finley wanted to make her own way in the world and not rely on Declan or the trust he had set up for her.

"What happened to the owner?"

"His company was in bad shape financially, and eventually it was sold to a competitor. He's currently under investigation not just for insurance fraud, but also some creative accounting at his software firm." Finley responded.

"I trust you are being careful? Guys like that tend to be soft, but they can be nasty." Concern was evident in his voice.

"I am." Neither of them pointed out that Finley had also used an alias when she went to work at Viktor's restaurant, and that hadn't stopped Michail from finding out about her. Of course, Finley figured Michail's skills were on a completely different playing field.

"How much research goes into the job?" Michail enquired as they moved through the exhibits.

The little swell of pride went through her. Finley found it flattering and intriguing that Michail seemed genuinely interested in her. He wanted to know how law school was going. He was asking about her job. He didn't seem to just be making small talk. He really listened to what she was saying.

"It depends, but usually enough to be able to authenticate the item with a reasonable degree of certainty. Breaking in and stealing a fake, is high risk for no reward, so I usually want to be pretty certain that what I found is real. Art is harder. Gemstones easier. I studied with a gemologist to learn the basics."

"A gemologist?" Michail's lip twitched up.

"OK, so he's also a fence, but he's very good at spotting fakes." Finley was smiling at him. She liked this side of Michail. He was relaxed. Teasing her, but also interested.

"What do you like about insurance and repo work?"

Finley thought about it for a minute. "I like the challenge. The planning. I like making things right. It feels like a little bit of justice in an unjust world."

"And you like the thrill, the adrenaline." It was more of a statement than a question. Michail got it. And Michail was right. There was a rush that came with pulling off a job. A certain adrenaline high that no drug could match. The heightened sense of awareness, colors were brighter, and time slowed down.

Finley nodded her head. "Yes. And, it pays the bills. Usually." She scrunched up her nose and lifted one shoulder in a half shrug. Finley was glad Michail didn't lecture her that it was dangerous work. Then again, his whole life was dangerous, so really her work probably seemed tame to him.

"I would have thought Declan would have set up a trust for you and your mother. Taken care you so you didn't struggle." Irritation made his voice harder.

"Oh, he did. I just didn't want his money."

Surprise flashed across Michail's face.

"I needed a job that was flexible, paid well, and didn't require forty hours of work a week. I had to care for my mom, and I had school. I didn't exactly have a lot of marketable skills, and this job utilized some of my more unique talents." Finley was grinning at him. "It seemed like a good fit."

Michail smiled back. "You are very talented and skilled krasotka. I particularly like the calling card. It has flair."

Finley's startled eyes locked with Michail. "How do you know about that?"

Michail just cocked his eyebrow up and looked at her. OK, so Michail had lots of eyes and ears.

"Why the Justice XI tarot card?" He asked.

"It means the deserving side of justice. I guess I want to remind myself why I am doing this work. It's not just about the money. I'm doing it to right some of the wrongs in the world." Finley paused for a moment. "And to remind the owner that the law applies to them as well. They don't get to just cheat and steal their way through life."

She gave a derisive snort. "I know it seems weird considering how I grew up."

It probably also seemed weird, since she was dating the head of the Irish mob. Declan and her relationship with him sat between them for a moment. Neither one of them acknowledged it, because really what was there to say? It was clear Michail knew she had been dating Declan. He had practically pushed her to him last year. It wasn't like Michail had been much of a fixture in her life. He had been radio silent for a year. She honestly wasn't even sure she would ever see him again.

Finley moved to fill the awkward silence between them. "Justice and the law are often two very different things, but in this case they seem aligned. Why do you ask?"

Michail raised her hand to his lips. "Because everything about you matters to me." His gaze was focused and intensely hot.

That simple touch and honest statement sparked fierce lust. Finley's skin tingled from the magnetic pull between them. She forced herself to swallow past the lump lodged in her throat. His statement was unexpected, but not unwelcome. Maybe Michail had thought of her over the last year. Missed her.

As if reading her thoughts, Michail tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and led her to the next display. "I've thought of you often over the last year. I wanted to see you, but it just wasn't possible. It wasn't safe for you. I had to make do with just checking up on you. Maybe I went a little overboard." He turned and looked at her and smiled. "I think I sound like a stalker. I promise, I'm not."

Finley let out a bark of laughter. "No Michail, you don't sound like a stalker. It's sweet, and I understand. I really do. I grew up in the syndicate too. I get it."

"That you did. Sometimes I forget that you too were born to this life." Michail said it almost as if he was musing to himself. Reminding himself. A little skitter went through Finley.

They stopped and looked at the Napoleon diamond necklace, a gift to his second wife to celebrate the birth of their son. It was gorgeous with its pear and oval shaped diamonds set in a single strand. The brilliance of the diamonds evident in how it sparkled in the light. Finley wondered what it must have been like to wear such a beautiful piece of jewelry. Was it just a reminder that it was a loveless marriage? One designed solely to produce an heir and create alliances. When the Archduchess looked at it, did she just see duty, or did she see the beauty and brilliance of nature captured in the design.

They walked on. "How are things?" Finley kept her question vague. She figured Michail could be as specific or as detailed as he wanted that way. It wasn't lost on her that he had deflected the same question earlier. She was a little surprised when he answered.

"Better, I think. It was dicey at first. Lots of people angling for positions, loyalties were unclear but things have settled down. With Viktor back in the mix, it has stabilized. Viktor has been a good asset. He's helped move parts of the business in a better direction. Eased some of the power struggles."

"How has that been. With you in charge and Viktor taking orders from you?"

Michail shrugged. "It has been fine. Viktor never wanted to be the head of the family. Viktor is a businessman. Viktor and I were always close, even as children. I respect him and his talent and he respects mine."

Finley was a little afraid she didn't want to know exactly what Michail's talents were. She had no doubt he was brilliant and ruthless. The Petrovs and the Lucianos had come to agreement last year, and there seemed to be an unspoken rule between Michail and Declan. They stayed out of each other's space and business. They largely co-existed by ignoring each other.

"You grew up with Viktor?" Finley couldn't keep the surprise out of her voice. She wasn't sure why it surprised her, but it did. She knew they were cousins, but somehow, she couldn't really picture them as a family.

"Yes. Viktor was older, but we all grew up together. Even Ivan. Although Ivan was difficult, even as a child. Viktor and I were close. He took me under his wing like a little brother. Life in my family was often difficult." Michail's voice trailed off as his thoughts drifted. "My father had a bad temper and he took it out on my mother and me. Viktor was the buffer. I spent more time at their house than my own. Sometimes I think maybe if I had been home more, things might have been different."

"No Michail you were just a child. What your father did was unspeakable, but it wasn't your fault." Finley's voice was tinged with sadness. Every time she thought about what Michail had been through it squeezed her heart. He had deserved so much more, but sometimes that was just life. You lived with the hand you were dealt. Finley was intimately acquainted with that fact.

Michail just shrugged. "Maybe."

"How old were you?" Finley asked. "When your mother died?" Finley didn't finish the last part. How old was Michail when he killed his father, after his father beat his mother to death.

"I was fifteen." Michail's voice was soft, reflective.

So much tragedy for such a young life she thought. She gave his arm a squeeze. Michail had seen so much, lived through so much.

"How old are you?" Finley blurted out and then blushed because she knew it was rude.

Michail chuckled. "I'm twenty-nine krasotka. I only seem like an old man."

"No, I didn't mean it that way. It's just you have so much responsibility." Finley was stammering.

"Much like you, I grew up in this life. I was groomed from a very early age to take over. I would have much preferred for my uncle to have lived to old age and put it all off for many years, but that was not to be. Ivan was the wild card that thrust us all into roles we were not yet prepared for, but in the end, it has worked out. As much as it could anyway."

Finley was surprised by the ease with which Michail just accepted things. She had often regretted things that had shaped her life. Been angry and driven for revenge, but Michail seemed to be more balanced and accepting. She figured that was a skill that had served him well over the years.

"If you had a choice, what would you have wanted to do?"

Michail just shrugged. "I don't know. I never really thought about it, because it was never a choice."

Michail stopped and turned to face her. He took her face in his hands and locked eyes with her. "You, krasotka, have a choice. You can become a lawyer or whatever else you want to be and walk away from all of this. You can walk away from Declan, Nikko. All of it."

"And you?" Finley's voice was a whisper.

"And me." Michail confirmed.

Finley shook her head. "That's too high of a price." And it was. Giving up Nikko, Declan, Michail. No, they were her family, her people. If she had to pick between the Brocks of the world and Michail. She would pick the Michails of the world every time. While they might be damaged and broken, they were beautiful souls.

"Besides normal is overrated. I never really fit in anywhere else anyway." Her voice sounded wistful, even to her own ears.

Michail held her gaze for a minute and then leaned forward and kissed her. It was not a restrained kiss or a polite kiss. It was a crushing kiss that conveyed how much he had missed her. He claimed her with his mouth consuming her like a raging wildfire. His tongue stroking inside of her mouth, mirroring what he wanted to be doing to her body.

Finley wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed against him, trying to quell the fire that was racing through her veins and threatening to ignite her in the middle of the museum. She felt his hard muscular leg push between her thighs and it took all her willpower not to start rubbing against him. She just barely managed not to climb up his body.

Michail stepped back, his chest heaving, out a breath. His eyes were blazing with desire. Finley could see the muscle in his jaw tick as he worked to regain control. He seemed surprised by his reaction, caught off guard with the level of desire and need between them. Michail was a man that was used to being in control, and tonight it was clear he was not in control. That fact gave Finley a heady sense of power and a small smile crossed her face. Michail was as affected by her as she was by him.

They continued to wander through the museum looking at the impressive gem collection, or at least pretending to. Finley was completely consumed by the closeness of Michail. His scent tickled her nose, and her skin still tingled from his touch. Her lips felt swollen from his kisses, and she resisted the urge to reach up and touch them. She could still feel his lips on hers. Awareness shimmered all around them.

"I think my favorite may be either the Post emerald necklace or the Star sapphire necklace." Finley mused.

"Not the hope diamond?" Michail asked.

Finley shook her head. "No, too much misery around that one. Besides, I like the richer deeper hues. I'm mean don't get me wrong, diamonds are beautiful, but I prefer the deep reds of rubies, the brilliant green of emeralds, and the feel of the ocean from a sapphire."

Michail was smiling at her.

"Sorry." Finley mumbled, embarrassed.

"Why? I love your flair and zest for life beautiful girl. You make the world a more interesting place."

Warmth spread through Finley and she pulled her hand out from around his arm and slipped her hand in his. They walked through the rest of the hall hand-in-hand, their footsteps echoing on the marble floor. Just the two of them in their own little cocoon. At least for tonight.

The guard came by and nodded to Michail.

"I'm sorry, but we need to wrap this up now. Maybe we can come back another time?" Michail's tone was apologetic.

While Finley didn't want it to end, it had been incredibly thoughtful and she was amazed he had been able to arrange it at all. Every stolen moment of this night had been amazing, and it wasn't lost on her that he had said they could do it again. She hoped that meant he wanted to see her again, but maybe he was just being polite.

"I'd like that. This has been wonderful. And perfect. Thank you." She gave his hand a squeeze.

They wrapped up the tour and headed out into the night. Dimitri was waiting outside with the limo the exhaust curling up into the cool night. Finley felt a hitch in her gait as they headed to the limo. It felt a little ominous. Her throat constricted, and she swallowed hard. Was this it? Was the evening over, and Michail would drop her home. Dread started to seep through her. She didn't want the night to be over just yet.

Michail helped her into the limo and followed her in. The world buzzed around them, but couldn't intrude. They stared at each other, neither speaking. The world safely locked outside. Finley thought maybe if they didn't speak, he couldn't tell her goodbye.

The silence dragged on for a minute that felt like an eternity. Finley's thoughts were racing. Should she just tell him what she wanted. Should she show him? The limo was a quiet intimate space. The interior was dimly lit and the windows were tinted. No one could see them. No one would know.

Screw this Finley thought. She shifted across the divide between them moving to straddle him, shoving the hem of her dress up to allow her to rest her knees on either side of his hips.

Michail quickly reached over and hit the button and the privacy panel went up between them and Dimitri. Finley figured she should be grateful, but frankly she didn't really care.

Finley wrapped her arms around Michail's neck and fisted her hands in his hair. It was as silky as it looked. She pulled him to her and kissed him. His spicy, masculine scent wrapping around her. Michail kissed her back with fierce intensity. She could feel him hard, prodding against the juncture of her legs. Her hands roamed down his muscular chest and his hard abs feeling him through his shirt, forming a picture of what he would look like naked.

She felt his hands slide down her back and grip her waist. Michail pushed back to look at her. His hands sliding down her arms, capturing her wrists and pulling them away from his body. Finley sucked in a sharp breath, surprised. Embarrassed.

"Krasotka what are you doing?" Michail was breathing hard and his silky voice was rough. It sounded more like a growl.

Irritation rolled through her like a wave. Her eyes narrowed and she glared at him. "What am I doing? Seriously? That's your question?" Finley blew out a frustrated breath. Was it not obvious what she was doing? She was literally throwing herself at him.

"I'm sorry, maybe I'm misreading all the signs and this is all just one big tease for you. One minute you're kissing me like you're starving and the next you're pushing me away. Sorry Michail, I don't downshift that fast. I thought you wanted this too."

Now she was just angry and hurt. Finley shifted and started to get off of him. Finley was done. All she wanted was to just go home and forget about Michail. This running hot, then cold, then hot just didn't work for her. Her blood was boiling for him all the time, and the uncertainty was just torture she didn't need to keep putting herself through. If she wanted to go hang out and be hot and bothered around unattainable men, she always had Nikko. She didn't need more drama or rejection in her life.

Michail grasp her hips, anchoring her in place. "No krasotka, you misunderstand." Michail was shaking his head. "I want you; I want this, but not like this. I want to do this right. I need you to be sure because this is." His voice trailed off as he tried to find the right words.

Finley gave him a humorless smile. "You want me to understand I'm a one-night stand. It's fine Michail. I understand, and I'm fine with it. I'd rather have you one time than not at all."

There it was in all its raw glory. Finley could feel the heat creeping up her neck and flushing her cheeks. It was embarrassing to be this pathetic. Fine with taking scraps. Maybe Michail was right and this was a mistake.

She saw a furrow appear between his brows and he was shaking his head. "No, that's the thing. You are not a one-night stand. You never could be, even if I never get to see you again." He cupped her face in his hands forcing her to look at him. "There is nothing about you that is just one night for me. I want you for a thousand nights, and when that is done, I'd want you for another thousand, and then another. That's what I need you to understand, but there are limitations right now. Limitations that may always be there. I don't' want you to be disappointed. I never want to do anything that would hurt you."

That imploring gaze captured her and she felt her pulse quicken. She wasn't sure she was even breathing. Disappointed? How could she ever be disappointed with time spent with Michail. It didn't matter if it was one minute, one hour, or one lifetime she wanted it. Whatever he had to give, she would take it.

"Oh." That was her brilliant response because she really couldn't think of anything else. Her emotions were too raw. Her desire was too overwhelming. Instead, she ground down with her hips on his hard length giving him her answer. Finley didn't care about limitations, she cared about possibilities. She heard his breath hiss out between his teeth.

Michail reached over and hit the intercom button. "Dimitri, please check me into my regular suite." Michail's eyes locked with Finley. "And, take the long route."

Michail gripped her thighs sliding his hands upward under her dress, and then around to cup her ass.

Finley watched his eyes go dark as it dawned on him. "Are you trying to kill me?" He hissed. Finley just smiled. "You don't have on any damn panties. You have been walking around all night with no panties." His voice was husky with need.

Finley bit her bottom lip. That was true. She didn't have a bra on either, but she figured he'd find that out for himself soon enough. Nikko might be good with picking out dresses and shoes, but not so great with remembering lingerie. She figured that was either an oversight or it had been by design. With Nikko you never knew.

Finley pressed her lips to his, tugging his hair to bring him closer. Drinking him in, tasting him. She felt his hand slip between her thighs and she groaned against his lips when he pushed a finger inside her. She felt herself clench around him pressing down on his hand, wanting more. Much more.

"I've barely touched you." Surprise evident in his voice at finding her drenched. Sure, she thought, maybe Michail had barely touched her physically but being near him, hearing that silken voice had been like one long erotic caress all night.

He continued to kiss her as he used the pad of his thumb to massage slow, soft, perfect circles with just the right amount of pressure. His tongue mimicking his fingers, causing waves of heat to ripple through her. Everything in her core tightened and clenched as his fingers marched forward in their steady, unhurried rhythm.

Finley heard herself whimper as she canted her hips forward pressing against his hand, riding the maddening circles he was making with his fingers. Her nipples sensitive and raw as they strained and rubbed against the material of her dress. Her breasts felt heavy and ached to be touched, as she rocked her hips against his hand.

Her eyes locked with Michail's. They were heavy with desire and something else. Something she couldn't quite name. Finley suddenly felt too exposed. Laid bare. They were eye-to-eye mere inches apart, as the rest of the world hummed around them oblivious. The only sound in the limo was her ragged breath. The air was heavy with a combination of his delicious spicy smell and the heady scent of desire. The moment was too intimate, and she closed her eyes.

"No krasotka, look at me. Don't shut me out." His authoritative command pulsed through her and she opened her eyes.

Searing pleasure began to build as he continued to rub the tender aching spot with perfect pressure. She knew he felt the shift in her body when he locked eyes with her. He held her gaze as she fell apart. His possession causing her to tremble and cry out unable to look away, the moment was intense and raw with emotion. He held her focus as he stroked the last tremors of pleasure from her.

Michail brushed soft kisses across her lips, his tongue stroking into her mouth soothing her. Her breathing was ragged and she couldn't really name the rollercoaster of emotions coursing through her.

"Wow." Finley finally breathed.

"Yeah." He whispered against her mouth. "You are definitely going to kill me."

He held her for a long moment as her breathing returned to normal. Then he shifted her off of him and helped her pull her dress down, and right her clothes.

She realized they had come to a stop. She was grateful he had the presence of mind to help straighten her clothes, because her brain wasn't functioning. It had short circuited, the sensations in her body overwhelming her brain and taking control. She was pretty sure she was incapable of rational thought.

The door to the limo opened and a uniformed gentleman offered his hand to her. Finley was sure she looked like a woman that had just had an earth-shattering orgasm in the back of a limo. She could feel the mist of sweat across her overheated skin, her pulse racing, and her lips felt swollen from Michail's kisses. The air in the limo felt humid and smelled like sex, but if the man noticed, it didn't show. She figured discretion was one of his many talents.

He helped her out and then greeted Michail.

"Mr. Petrov your suite is ready."

"Thank you, Ralph." Michail replied.

If Ralph thought it was odd that they didn't have any luggage, nothing betrayed that fact. His service was smooth and efficient.

Finley vaguely wondered if Ralph didn't seem fazed by Michail showing up unexpectedly with a woman and no luggage, because it was a regular occurrence. She had no doubt Michail regularly had his pick of female company. She knew she didn't have any right to be jealous, but irritation still spiked through her. She didn't want to be just one of a thousand. She wanted something about this night to be special. The truth was, she wanted to be special to Michail. The yardstick he would use to measure every other night and every other woman from this moment forward. She didn't want Michail to just get over her. She wanted to be that indelible mark in his life, just like he was in hers.

Michail must have felt her body stiffen because he leaned close and whispered in her ear. "I use this place for business. I don't bring women here. It's not like that."

Finley felt herself marginally relax. She reminded herself they were adults and they both had lives. They were choosing to share this moment together, and that is what she should focus on. What happened before, or what would happen after didn't matter. This was about the two of them together in this moment. No regrets, ever. Michail had been clear, and she had accepted the limitations. Somehow even with all that rationalization, it seemed like she might be on a collision course with heartbreak.

They followed Ralph through the lobby of the Ritz-Carlton. Finley barely registered the opulence of the hotel with its crystal chandeliers, sophisticated, yet understated, color palette, and polished marble floors. She vaguely heard the clicking of her heels as they crossed to a private elevator. Her legs still felt weak and she was grateful for the support of Michail's arm around her. He felt warm and strong.

Suddenly it all felt very real, and anticipation hummed through her. A whisper of a thought went through her head that this might be a really bad idea. She was already in deep when it came to Michail. What if this was the line that she crossed, and could never come back from. Would he own all of her after this? Nothing held back. Would he own her body, her thoughts, and her heart? It was a terrifying thought, mainly because she didn't care. The price just might be worth it.