But they were just words. Her body betrayed her true feelings, her face warm, heat simmering in her belly, desire gathering between her thighs.
Surrender.
God help her, she wanted to.
She set the card down and picked up the wrapped package. It was light, and she opened the wrapping paper, wondering who had wrapped it for Lyonya. It seemed impossible he might have done it himself until she realized it actually wouldn’t have surprised her.
The man was full of secrets, full of hidden talents and interests.
She left the wrapping paper on the counter and was left holding a narrow velvet box. She opened it, then sucked in a breath as she registered the object inside.
The bracelet resembled a gold rope, with interlocking circles that met at a massive square-cut ruby encircled with diamonds.
“Oh my god…”
Zoya sniffed next to her, peering over her shoulder. “Gaudy, isn’t it?”
Kira remembered the words on the card. Had he handwritten it himself or did he have an assistant for these things?
Somehow she thought the former.
“I think it’s beautiful,” Kira said, working to remove it from the box. “And the card says it was his mother’s.”
She draped the bracelet around her wrist and worked to fasten it by propping her arm against her stomach.
“For heaven’s sake,” Zoya said, rolling her eyes. “If you’re going to wear this bribe at least let me help you put it on.”
“Bribe? What could I possibly have that Lyonya wants? That he doesn’t already have?” Kira asked.
Zoya lifted her eyebrows, a suggestive smirk playing across her features. “I think you know very well what he wants.”
Her cheeks burned. “Maybe he’s just being nice.”
“Nice? The Lion? Ha!”
She stuffed down an uncharacteristic surge of defensiveness. Kira should have been used to Zoya’s cynicism, but somehow, she didn’t like that it was directed at Lyonya.
True, he had left her weak and trembling, had aroused her to the point of pain and then left her hanging.
But there had been something else between them before the interlude on the terrace. Something warm and familiar. Something too close to affection to be called anything else.
Was she letting him play her? Letting the sheer force of his overpowering virility, the way he played her body like a seasoned musician, lull her into a false sense of security?
“I suppose time will tell,” Kira said stiffly. They so rarely argued. It felt strange to be at odds with Zoya.
“You are supposed to use your wiles to your own gain,” Zoya reminded her.
“What makes you think I’m not?” Kira snapped. Hurt flashed in Zoya’s eyes and Kira leaned in to kiss her dry cheek. “I know you worry about me, and I love you for it, but this is business I must handle my way.”
Zoya was like a mother to her, but Kira was a woman now. She would make up her own mind about her husband.
Besides, giving Lyonya a chance didn’t have to mean letting her guard down. She could continue working to her own ends. She could hold something back.
She would.