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“We have some things to work on, but it was definitely a good start. Seven and the boys were impressive tonight. They made their presence known without scaring anyone off.”

“Thought the same about your guys. You hired well.”

“Just following your lead.” Without giving me a chance to take in the compliment, he looked over to Tabitha and said, “So, I’ve been doing some thinking.”

“About?”

“The house.”

“Oh?” Panic filled her eyes. “What about it?”

“I’m moving out. I’m going to find a place closer to the city.” Without missing a beat, he added, “Nikolai and Viktor are going to do the same.”

“What?” Tabitha’s brows lifted. “Why so sudden?”

“We’ve all talked about it, and it’s not so sudden. Not sudden at all,” he scoffed. “We should’ve done it a long time ago.”

“But…”

“It’s been decided, Mother,” he cut her off. “Now you and Preach don’t have to go back and forth between your place and his. The house is yours.Both of yours.”

Sergei wasn’t one to mince words, so I took it as his way of saying that he and his brothers gave us their blessing. It was something I hoped for but hadn’t expected. They knew all about me and the life I’d led. It wouldn’t be surprising if they hadn’t wanted a man like me with their mother, especially after what she’d been through.

Tabitha must’ve been just as surprised, because she was all but stunned by his offering. She just stood there and stared at him for several moments. And then the tears came, and she reached out and hugged him tight. He grumbled a little under his breath but hugged her right back. “Ah, now, don’t get all emotional on me now.”

She hugged him a moment longer, then released him and said, “You know you don’t have to do this.”

“But we do. And it’s settled. So, just take the house and let this be the end of our little Hallmark moment.”

“Okay. Well, thank you, but if you change your mind…”

“We won’t.” I chuckled as he turned and started back inside. “Good night, Mother.”

“Good night!” she called back, but he was already back inside.

She didn’t move. She just stood there staring at the closed door. After a second, I placed the palm of my hand on the small of her back and asked, “You good?”

“I’m more than good.” Her eyes met mine, and she smiled. “Let’s go home.”

The valet had finally come back with the SUV, so we both got in and I drove us back to her place. As soon as we walked into the house, I reached for her hand and led her into the bedroom. “Do you have any idea what you put me through tonight?”

“What are you talking about?”

“That dress.”

“What about it?”

“You knew what it would do to me, and now, you’re going to get exactly what you were asking for.”

“Oh, really?” Her cheek flushed. “You liked it?”

“I did, and you’re about to see just how much.”

I put one of my hands behind her neck and pressed my mouth against hers. Her lips parted in surprise as I pulled her body close to mine. The kiss was possessive and demanding, leaving no question as to what I had in mind for her.

My mouth roamed over the curve of her neck as I whispered, “You love taunting me, don’t you?”

“Maybe.” My hands greedily moved to her shoulders, easing the straps of her dress down her arms as I caressed her breast. In almost a whisper, I heard her say, “But no more than you love taunting me.”