Page 30 of Ruthless Rustanovs

EVA liked The R’s flagship restaurant much more when it was dimly lit and filled with people. They were once more shown to a table by the window, but this time the sun was setting, casting the beach beyond the window in a romantic orange light.

Alexei insisted on pulling out her chair himself in yet another romantic gesture.

“Thanks,” she said as she took her seat. “But you really don’t have to fuss over me.”

He sat across from her, responding in his usual stern way. “I like fussing over you. Do not deny me the pleasure.”

She smiled. “Well, when you put it that way…I don’t want to be rude.”

They were interrupted by their server who recited the specials of the day. “Do you need a few more minutes to decide?” he asked.

“Nanh, I’m good with the best steak you have,” Eva answered, handing back the menu.

“I will have the same,” Alexei said, handing over his menu as well.

After the server left, Eva took his hands in hers and leaned forward to whisper, “Um, remind me why I was giving you such a hard time about bringing me back here, again? Because that sunset is gorgeous.”

“I have no idea,” he whispered back. “Maybe you should listen to me more often.”

Her eyes twinkled with amusement. “Last I checked, I’ve been listening to you plenty this vacation. My back’s still hurting from listening to you in the shower, on the living room floor, and on that dang deck chair this morning.”

“Well then, after dinner you have my permission to listen to me in a bed. It is the least I can do.”

Her lips twitched with the effort to keep from laughing. “Thank you, kind sir. You’re so good to me.”

The amused light faded from Alexei’s eyes. “Eva, I could be good to you. Even better than now.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” she said. “But I look forward to you proving me wrong before our vacation is over.”

He didn’t wink or even smile back. “I am transferring ownership of Drummond Oil to you.”

Her heart thudded into her stomach. “What!?”

“I do not like the way you are treated in your small town. This will give you the leverage you need to demand respect without needing to run away again.” He said this casually as if he were granting her a small favor rather than handing her ownership of a multi-million-dollar company.

Eva blinked at him. “Are you pulling my leg?”

“I do not tell jokes ever, but this is the second time tonight I have had to tell someone I am not joking.”

Though she was curious about the first time, she stayed on topic. “Lexie, I don’t know anything about running a corporation.”

“I will help you,” he answered. “I have been thinking of building a second headquarters for Rustanov Enterprises, and Dallas is as good a city as any other. Of course, I will also retain a large percentage of stock in Drummond Oil and have a seat on your board.”

Eva sat back in her seat and shook her head. “Which means we’d be in business together. Permanently.” No, she couldn’t let that happen.

“Would that be so bad?” Something flashed in his eyes, something that looked a lot like hurt.

“This is so generous of you. But I don’t want to be in business with Rustanov Enterprises.”

His face hardened. “You mean you don’t want to be in business with me.”

She shook her head again. “It’s not a good idea for us to see each other after these two weeks.”

“Because of Aaron?”

“Because of Aaron, because I’m not cut out to run a business of this size even with you acting as a consultant, because we agreed this would only be for two weeks.”

His nostrils flared. “What spell has this man weaved over you?”

“Alexei…”

“That you would turn down such an opportunity.”

“One I didn’t ask for,” she whispered fiercely, angry at him for putting her in this position.

“That you would run away with him rather than stand up to your father and, more importantly, for yourself.”

“I’m not running away—”

“That you would deny us—”

She couldn’t take it anymore. “There is no us! We’re just pretending, remember! We’re not a couple.”

“I am sick of pretending,” he said. “I want you in my life beyond Sunday.”

“Well, you can’t have me! I’m not some company you can just take over. I have a life and people I care about and you are pushing my buttons so hard right now.”

In the furious silence that followed, the server arrived with their steaks. But sensing the tension at the table, he set their plates in front of them and beat a hasty retreat.

After the man left, Alexei picked up his fork and knife and said, “I am a man of my word. I will cease pushing your buttons now per our agreement.”

Eva had won, but it sure didn’t feel like it when she grabbed her steak knife and fork. They ate their dinner in awful silence. And though she couldn’t say for sure that Alexei didn’t enjoy his steak, hers tasted like rubber in her mouth.