Page 18 of Dangerous Liaisons
“I only worry, my friend. It has been four years since Nikolai passed.Nothing states you must forever be alone. He would not want you to be unhappy, but you must be careful. This thing with Xavier…”
“I told you, it’s nothing.”
“Then you are free to choose another as well.”
“You are incorrigible,” Isabella laughed.
Kira shrugged, following her from the room. “You are a powerful and beautiful woman. Any man would be a fool to not want in your bed. Sometimes you must take what you want.”
“Kira!”
“It is a fact. Eddie does not mind this.”
“Is that why you’ve allowed him to put a hickey on you?”
The Russian stopped dead in her tracks, and she had no choice but to turn to look at her.
“What is this term you speak of?”
Isabella motioned to the side of her neck, past her ear. “A hickey, a mark left by a man when he bites or sucks the skin,” she chuckled as she continued to her room. “Check the bathroom mirror,” she hesitated. “Please do not break anything.”
She had barely changed clothes when the sound of loud cursing in Russian echoed from the hallway.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Crimson Bar and Winery was a mere two weeks away from opening. Isabella slid the sunglasses from her face and glanced around the bar, impressed by how much work the MC had already put into the renovations. Several club members were working inside. She spotted Hunter. She knew if he was there, it wouldn’t be long before Ava appeared. It was amusing how devoted the brunette was to the biker. She still couldn’t help but wonder how much the woman kept from her husband. She would not question it; she hadenough on her plate.
Her gaze lingered on Eddie helping Hunter with the backsplash of the bar. He seemed to be a decent guy. He appeared happy and relaxed, laughing at something Hunter was saying even though Kira had entered moments earlier and ignored him. Her mood swings were legendary, but he didn’t seem phased by them. He would need as much patience as he could muster to handle her. Something shifted in her chest as she observed Xavier moving through the bar, carrying a box of liquor bottles. The way he interacted with the brunette bartender was casual, easy, and it stung more than she expected. She tried to dismiss it, telling herself it was just part of the camaraderie that came with being in the club.
The laughter that echoed from the pair felt inviting, and Xavier leaned in, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. The woman pushed him away, her laughter ringing through the air. It was a stark contrast to the intensity of their previous interactions, and she couldn’t help the twinge of jealousy. She averted her gaze, scanning the rest of the bar to regain her composure. The renovations were impressive—new wooden beams, polished floors, and the walls adorned with a rustic decor that gave the place a warm, inviting feel.
Ava breezed in from the stockroom, her energy infectious as she approached Hunter, and they exchanged playful banter. Their connection was undeniable, and itmade her think of the potential bond she could have with Xavier, if only things were different.
Forcing herself to shake off the earlier feelings, she made her way toward them. “You have exceeded my expectations.”
“Hunter’s been a slave driver,” Ava teased, nudging him playfully.
“Someone has to keep everyone on task,” he shot back. “We’re on a tight schedule with the opening just around the corner.”
“Speaking of which,” Isabella said, her gaze drifting back to Xavier, who was now talking to the other woman. “Do you think we’ll be ready on time?”
“With the way everyone’s working, there’s no way we won’t be.”
Xavier turned, catching her eye for a moment. The air seemed to thicken between them, and there was a spark of connection. Before she could dwell on it, he was back to joking with the surrounding women, laughter spilling from his lips.
She looked away, spotting Kira coming out of the entrance to the winery. “Should you need anything…”
“We have it covered.” Hunter glanced toward the winery. “Business meeting?”
“We won’t be long.”
“Do you need some backup?”
She didn’t miss the sharp look Ava sent in his direction and shook her head. “We will be fine.”
“Take Xavier with you.”
Isabella wanted to argue, but too many people were looking at her, the man in question included. Kira frowned at the suggestion, but she nodded. “Fine.”