Page 139 of Sins of a King

“Nothing,” I said.

“All it would take is one phone call to Igor to let him know about your behavior.”

I shrugged, letting the sleeve of my T-shirt fall, showing off a naked shoulder. “My word against yours. And who do you think he’ll believe?”

Vlad unclenched his fists and stalked away. He was on simmer. Time to crank him up to a boil.

Chapter 43

The afternoon sun was bright, but the air was still cold and bordering on frigid. Sasha stood guard, sadly unable to engage in snow play.

“Faster!” I yelled, laughing as Vlad tromped through the snow, pulling me on the sled. I heard him mutter in Russian, but damn if he didn’t start jogging.

After a few minutes, I called out, “Stop!” Like a good pack animal, Vlad listened, but glared at me over his shoulder. I nimbly hopped up off the sled and began packing a snowball.

“What are you—”

I fired, catching Vlad in the face. His look of surprised outrage had me laughing and running away. I ducked behind a tree and made another snowball. When he was in my sight, I hit him again before he could react or retaliate. I ran and launched myself at him, so that he had no choice but to catch me. We fell back into the snow, Vlad underneath me. He was breathing hard, his eyes dark. I leaned in close so that our mouths were almost touching.

“What are you going to do, Vlad?” I whispered, letting my breath tease his skin. “Are you going to tell on me?”

I felt his hands tighten at my waist before he lifted me off him. I got up and brushed the snow from my pants. “I’m tired, I’m ready to head back.”

With a firm nod, he led us toward Sasha, the mansion, safety. I enjoyed watching lust tighten him like a coil. I had to make him snap.

“Who wants hot chocolate?” I said when we were back in the house, removing our outerwear and struggling out of our boots.

“I do,” Sasha said.

“And you, Vlad? Would you like some hot chocolate? With marshmallows?” I kept my tone and face innocent.

Vlad’s cell phone rang, and he pulled it out of his pocket and answered it. With a gruff, “Here,” he handed it over to me.

Ah, my daily Dolinsky call.

I took the phone with a smile and said, “Moy korol. Thank you for the sled.”

He chuckled. “You’re quite welcome. Someone has been learning Russian?”

“Sasha has taught me a few choice phrases.”

“What else have you learned?”

“You’ll just have to wait and see.” I flirted.

He sighed. “Yes, I will. I have to stay in town a few more days.”

“No.” I moaned. “Why?”

Dolinsky paused, and I knew he was weighing what to tell me. “We’ve had some trouble with Campbell.”

“Oh? Are you hurt?”

“Your care for me warms my heart,” he drawled. Almost like he didn’t buy that I was concerned for him. He was smart, though. Not to trust me.

“No, I am unharmed,” he went on.

I let out a slow, contrived breath. “Thank God.”