Page 51 of The Den of Sin

“Really?” her suspicion was written all over her face.

“Yes, seriously.”

“Did you-” She stopped and I waited, holding my breath, hoping she’d continue. “Did you play any games when traveling?”

I thought back to my childhood. My mother was never interested in raising kids. She hired nannies for that. My father was busy with building our businesses, he didn’t have a lot of time for me. And then of course, everything changed when he fell in love with Isabella’s mother. But that answer wouldn’t help us move forward.

“My father and I often played states and capitals when I was a kid. Instead of the U.S., it was the world map. I'd always search for the most remote, unknown countries to get one up on him.”

The way she smiled at me made my chest shift. Yeah, I fucking loved her. I have been falling for her since the moment we met. If she asked me to sign over my companies with that smile on her face, I’d gladly do it. “Did you get one up on him?”

“Only twice.”

“That’s pretty good for a kid.”

“So what’s the painting of?”

An attractive blush creeped up her neck and to her cheeks. “Oh, just a tree.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “You got a souvenir from New Orleans and it’s a painting of a tree?” She nodded, her cheeks turning a deeper red. “What kind of a tree?”

“Ah, you know. The standard kind.”

I glanced at her confused. “Is it an oak tree?” She shook her head, and I chuckled. “Are we playing a game again?”

“If you want.” The way she mumbled her words and her eyes shifted away told me she didn’t want me to know something about the painting. Naturally, it intrigued me even more.

“Okay, there are only a few trees in New Orleans. Is it a magnolia?” She shook her head. “Cypress?”

“No.”

“Pine tree?” Another shake of her head. “Weeping willow?”

“Yes.” Her voice was raspy and her eyes seemingly casually observed the streets we were passing. A deep red colored her neck and cheeks now, and her fingers fidgeted on her lap. If she was watching me, she would have seen a smug smile on my face because her admission gave me hope.

“Have you eaten today, malyshka?” I changed the subject.

“Yes.”

“When?”

“This morning.”

“How about we grab a quick bite?”

She threw me a dubious glance. “A quick bite would be a fast-food place. You don’t strike me as a guy that eats at those places.”

She was right, I didn’t. Smiling, I commented back. “There is a local, hole in the wall restaurant that serves good food and they are quick about it. Want to try it?”

Her eyes shifted to check the time on the dashboard. It was little past three in the afternoon.

“Um, sure. But I have to be back by five.”

“I’ll be sure you are home by five. Plans tonight?”

She nodded. “Yes. Tatiana and I are going to a Halloween costume party.”

I grinned. I would be seeing my little malyshka tonight. I wondered if she knew it was my club and my party. I didn’t think she knew it because if she knew the name, she’d guess it belonged to me. She gave me the name, the night of the Halloween party when I took her virginity.