I stared at my reflection in my bedroom mirror, shocked at how beautiful the woman looking back was. Mr. Maslow had sent a stylist and hairdresser over to my apartment within an hour after I’d gotten off work. They’d dressed, primped, and polished me to within an inch of my life, but the results were amazing.
Half of my hair was pulled into an elaborate knot at the back of my head, and the rest flowed around my shoulders in big, soft curls. My makeup was red-carpet worthy, with cat-eyes I’d never be able to replicate. Finally, my dress was a jaw-dropping black sheath that fell to the floor and shimmered with thousands of sequins. It had straps, and a modest neckline, but the back plunged to a point just above the curve of my ass.
I’d never felt so glamorous and sexy.
I just hoped Mr. Maslow liked it.
The memory of his kiss flashed through my mind, and I touched my fingertips to my lips as my heart raced. He’d never kissed me before, and I would have never guessed he’d do so with such tenderness and care. It had almost seemed … loving. On top of that soul-searing moment, he’d also called me by my name. I wasn’t sure he realized he’d done it, but I couldn’t forget the way it had rolled off his tongue so naturally. Or how I’d shivered in pleasure at the sound of it.
What was happening between us? This afternoon had felt like more than sex. I’d felt a connection to him, somehow. Even on my knees, with his cock in my mouth, I’d never felt more wanted or cherished by a man.
Now that I wasn’t consumed by anger toward him for ignoring me, I could recognize my own feelings that had grown over the last few weeks. It wasn’t just lust that Mr. Maslow provoked in me. He fascinated me and challenged me. He fulfilled desires in me that I hadn’t even known I’d possessed. He could be tender and rough, commanding and considerate. He was intelligent and creative, and a fair boss whose employees adored him.
Somehow, without meaning to, I had fallen for him.
And the guilt over it was eating me alive.
All this time, I’d been lying to him and spying on him. I’d been feeding information about his plans for McAllister Holdings to one of his rivals because I had no other choice if I wanted to keep my head above water.
Suddenly, the woman in the mirror wasn’t quite so beautiful. She was a conniving liar, stringing along a good man who deserved so much more. I shouldn’t go to this gala with him. It was a bad idea. Yet, I didn’t think I had it in me to deny him. I was tempted to tell him the truth, but what good would that do me? He’d likely toss me on my ass into the street, taking my job and his affection from me. He could even have me arrested.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I shook my head.
No, I couldn’t tell him. I was a coward as well as a liar, but I couldn’t risk losing him. Not yet. Someday, I had no doubt everything would blow up in my face, but for tonight, I could pretend I was just a regular woman with no baggage enjoying the company of the man who was stealing her heart.
A knock on the door tugged me from my troubled thoughts, and I turned just as Khloe opened my door to poke her head
into the room.
“Jesus Christ, Winter, you’re a fucking babe.” My roommate gawked, eyeing me up and down. A mischievous little grin curled her lips, and she continued, “Just wanted to let you know there’s a very gorgeous man with just a dash of a Russian accent waiting for you in the other room.”
My heart began beating frantically. Mr. Maslow was here. In my apartment. Waiting to take me out. My cheeks heated like a teenage girl getting picked up for prom by her crush.
“Do I really look okay?” I asked in a shaky voice, touching my dress and hair uncertainly.
She nodded enthusiastically, her black curls bouncing around her beautiful face. “Dude, you’re tempting me right now, and I’m not into tits and vag at all. Your Mr. Maslow is going to either shit or cum in his pants when he sees you. Maybe both.”
I crinkled my nose. “That’s disgusting.”
Khloe shrugged. “I’m just saying he won’t be in full control of his bodily functions. Now hurry your hot ass up. He’s fun to look at but doesn’t seem much for small talk. It’s awkward as fuck out here.”
“Okay, I’m coming right out,” I assured her. I turned back to my mirror and checked my makeup before grabbing my clutch and hurrying out of the room. When I stepped into the living room, I froze at the sight of Dmitry. He was gorgeous in a black tux and bowtie, with his jet-black hair brushed back and a shadow of a beard darkening his jaw. His whole appearance and demeanor screamed wealth and sex, and my body reacted instantly. My nipples grew to hard points, and my core clenched with desire.
His eyes widened at the sight of me and his jaw went slack as he looked me up and down. His gaze darkened with hunger, and I bit my lip as I slowly approached him, wondering how in the world we’d even make it to the gala without jumping each other.
“Hello, Mr. Maslow,” I greeted softly when I stood directly in front of him.
“Ms. Rivers.” He nodded his head, his nostrils flaring as he seemed to struggle to maintain his composure. “You look incredible.”
“She does, doesn’t she?” Khloe hollered from where she was hiding in the kitchen.
I couldn’t bite back her snort of laughter. Mr. Maslow raised one dark eyebrow, but the corner of his mouth tilted into a half-grin.
“Shall we, krasavitsa?” He offered me his arm. I took it with a bashful smile, dropping my gaze from his. Why was I so nervous? After everything we’d done together already, I should be well beyond shyness with him. He tugged me into his side and bent down to brush his lips over the shell of my ear. “If this event wasn’t so important to the firm, I’d skip it and drag you back home so I could peel that dress from you and fuck you till dawn.”
I gasped, the tingling in my core growing to a throbbing that had me squeezing my thighs together. Suddenly, I wasn’t as keen to go to the gala. I didn’t think I’d be able to function, I wanted him so badly.
He smirked down at me as though he could read my mind.