Chapter 4

DANILL

Is meeting her face-to-face and going home with her the wisest decision?

Certainly not.

Will it be the most fulfilling? Only time will tell.

I'm not the type to keep something for long without trying it out first. So instead of waiting to have Wanger's daughter for myself after taking care of him, I seize the opportunity and have her now.

Consider it a test drive of the future.

If I don't wish to keep her for myself, there are other things I could do with her. However, based on how this evening is going so far, it seems very promising. Maybe I won't have to steal her; perhaps she'll willingly choose to stay with me.

Apparently, she doesn't want to get in the car with me. It seems that's a boundary she has set. But she's willing to let me have sex with her in her own home. Being in the same car is just too much for her. I almost laugh, but instead, I smile and nod.

I don't argue with her because I do want to have sex with her. The rest doesn't matter. She should be terrified of me, and if I were in her shoes, I would be. I'm the last person anyone should trust.

As I pull up to her place, I smile. It's an apartment, as I expected, but seeing the entire building makes me realize that it's a nice space. However, what makes it special is that it's located on the beach and has a luxurious feel. I can recognize quality when I see it.

I know what's expensive and what's cheap imitation.

This place is the real deal.

Perhaps I'll buy it once I take care of Barry. That way, we can escape from West Hollywood West whenever we want and enjoy the fresh sea air.

Exiting my car, I jog towards her and open her door. She doesn't immediately get out. Instead, she turns to me, her lips slightly parted as she gazes up at me from the driver's seat.

"You opened the door for me," she whispers.

Leaning down slightly, I extend my hand. "You're a good little kroshka, and I'll open more than just that for you," I offer in a low voice.

She gasps, sounding as though I've offended her, but I know I haven't. I can tell by the sparkle in her eyes that she wants what my words imply. Her lips curve into a grin, and she nods once, then takes my hand and slides her legs over the seat. Her heels touch the pavement as she stands directly in front of me.

Wrapping my arm around her waist, I pull her close to my chest. She tilts her head back, her lips slightly parted as she looks up at me. She looks like she needs to be kissed, like she wants it, craves it. But I don't give in to her temptations.

Not yet.

Taking a step back, I hold her hand and together we make our way up to her apartment. Though I use the term "apartment" loosely because it's not what I imagined from the outside. When I walk inside, I'm surprised to find that her place is at least three thousand square feet and spans two stories.

It's more like a penthouse than an apartment. What surprises me even more is that she has lived here alone since she was just fifteen. It's a pretty big space for a young girl to stay all by herself.

I wonder if she's stronger than she appears on the surface. She portrays herself as a party girl, but I believe there's more to her. Tonight, I intend to find out if there's something deeper beneath her exterior. I'll start tonight, and then I'll decide if she's worth getting to know further. If she's worth claiming for myself.

HOLLAND

HE'S SO SEXY.

I've dated some incredibly attractive men in my life—celebrities and models I've walked the red carpet with. But I don't think any of them can compare to the man who is now exploring my apartment. I don't know if he's judging the opulence or trying to figure out how I afford this place.

It doesn't matter.

Once he discovers who my father is, he'll learn the truth. I'm nothing special, just a spoiled little rich girl, and he'll either be into that or he'll leave. Unless he already knows who I am? He doesn't give off any vibes that he does. Usually, I can tell, but I can't read this man at all.

I think that if he doesn't already know, he's the type to leave once he finds out.

But this time will be different because I'm going to have sex with him. I don't usually go that far. It never happens, either because I don't let it or they don't. But with him, it's going to happen.

He turns to me, lifting his hand and extending his index finger to touch the tip of my nose. Then he drops his gaze, his eyes meeting mine.

"Come, kroshka."

"What does it mean?" I ask.

His lips twitch into a small smile. "Maybe I'll tell you one day."

"But not today?" I inquire.

He chuckles. "Correct. Let's go... unless?" he says, then turns his head to look back at the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the ocean.

"Unless?" I ask, breathless.

His grin widens. "Unless you want to have sex against that window, maybe even outside? It's a beautiful night." "Danill," I breathe.

He snorts, and before I realize what's happening, his warm hand is wrapped around the front of my throat, gripping firmly.

"Do you want that?" he asks, his tone sharp and almost angry.

"Not really," I whisper, my voice trembling.

He nods, lowering his face closer to mine. He doesn't loosen his grip around my neck, but he doesn't tighten it either. "We only do what you want, Holland. Unless I think you can handle more, and trust me, you'd enjoy it."

"Yeah?" I ask. He nods, but I continue. "Do you think I don't know what I want?"

I'm trying to sound tough, trying to sound certain. Trying to sound like I know exactly what I want and how I want it.

The truth is, it's been so long, and my last boyfriend wasn't nearly as exciting as the mere promise of Danill. I honestly don't know what I want or how I want it, but I won't admit that out loud.

"Oh, kroshka. You have no idea what you want."

I open my mouth to say something, to deny it, but he doesn't let me speak a word. Instead, he presses his mouth against mine, and his tongue invades me. It's the sweetest invasion I've ever experienced.

When his hand releases my throat, I gasp for breath, inhaling his essence. Instantly, I feel lightheaded, wondering what would happen if I only breathed his air. If he were the one giving me life and no one else.

His lips move from mine, trailing down the side of my neck to the hollow of my throat. Closing my eyes, I let my head fall backward. He sucks on my skin, his teeth sinking into my flesh. Then he releases me and takes a step back.

Lifting my head, I look at him. His eyes are downcast, and I raise my hand to touch my neck, realizing that's what he's looking at. There's a moment of silence between us, and I'm not sure what he wants. But I feel an intense urge to walk toward him.

I don't.

Instead, I turn away and kick off my high heels, prancing toward my bedroom. I know he'll follow, or at least I hope he does. Before I lose any of my nerve, I start undressing as I walk.

Slipping off my panties, I leave them in the hallway, then I push my dress down and leave it just outside my bedroom door.

Closing the door behind me, I don't lock it.

Without looking back, I hurry to the bed, completely naked, and toss aside all the decorative pillows, leaving them haphazardly on the floor. I pull back the bedding and slide between the sheets, my skin tingling as the silky fabric touches me. I feel incredibly sexy right now, unlike anything I've ever felt before. I desire him so intensely, and I'm tempted to pleasure myself at the mere thought of him walking through that doorway.

Then I hear a noise.

Lifting my head, I look toward the doorway, and my breath catches at the sight of Danill. He's standing there, wearing nothing but his suit pants. They hang low on his hips, revealing a body even more beautiful than I had imagined.

His long, corded muscles are adorned with tattoos—everywhere.

Absolutely everywhere.

Almost every inch of his torso is covered in intricate designs, a mix of black and gray with hints of color. There are some words in another language, but there are also images.

My gaze slides down his arms and I realize that the backs of his hands are tattooed as well. I hadn’t noticed it before, the club was dark and I wasn’t really looking at his hands, but I am now and they are hot.

So damn hot.

Every inch of him.