And normally, when I see our sometime business partners Vadik, Kir, and Niko Alekseev from the Russian syndicate, I’m pleased. They’re good guys and Max, Rowan, and I have partnered with them many times over the years. We call them the ‘Bratva Brothers,’ not that they’ll ever know that. It’s just the inside name the guys and I use for them.
When they arrive at my party and Kir’s gaze wanders toward me, he nods in greeting from across the room. But it takes less than a second for him to notice Lu. And he doesn’t look away from her.
I get it. She’s beautiful in a simple, girl-next-door sort of way, and I don’t say that meaning to patronize or condescend. In my day to day, and really, any guys working in syndicates, we don’t meet women like Lu. They just don’t cross our paths. We get a different type of woman—someone who’s more worldly and street smart. Beautiful in a different sort of way.
If there is anything I like in life, it’s a little variety. And Lu offers that in spades. But it’s not only her appearance that’s different.
It’s her innocence. Sure, she tries to act like she’s been around the block, lying about silly things like having tried champagne. And who the hell knows why she arrived at my house on a cold evening with no coat. But it’s clear as day to the guys and me that she’s just now coming into her own. Club Sin has been the perfect place for her to explore that, and we are the perfect members to guide her through her transformation. I don’t know where she started—she’s private about that shit—but I will know at some point.
Because I want to know everything about her. Even the stuff she’s ashamed of. I want to teach her she has nothing, and I mean fuckingnothing, to ever be ashamed of. That’s how perfect she is.
Of course, she doesn’t know we see that in her. It’s pretty clear she thinks she’s pulling one over on us—not in a bad way, she’s just trying to save her pride. Which is exactly why we don’t call her out on it.
At least, we haven’t yet.
Hell yes, we all want to learn more about this woman. Curiosity is driving us crazy. Keeping us up at night.
On one hand, she’s so damn sensual and responsive. But on the other, she doesn’t drink or swear. At least she didn’t until we guys fed her champagne and taught her to sayfuckandpussyto give her a little taste of how bad girls live.
But we know not to ruin a good thing. She’s…unspoiled, and we have no interest in tarnishing that. Why would we? It’s one of the things we like best about her.
And fucking her is pure heaven. There is just something about her flawless skin, and the way she squirms when I’m stroking in and out of her pussy—well, I’ve had to jerk myself every night before I go to sleep, so much so that my pump hand is starting to get sore.
We’ve not known her long, of course, but she is just so… precious that I am barely able to tolerate anyone else—with the exception of Max and Rowan—looking at her with more than just a passing glance.
So, it figures that Kir, having noticed Lu, makes a beeline across the party toward us, his gaze locked on her the entire time, his brothers just behind, nodding and shaking hands with acquaintances. Lu’s been holding my hand in a death grip, clearly feeling out of her element. But I want her to know she belongs anywhere we guys say she does. So, to make her more comfortable, and to send the message to Kir that, as much as I like the guy, he’d better not cometooclose, I sling an arm around her waist and pull her tight to me.
She glances up at me, a look of surprise crossing her face quickly followed by one of gratitude. She blinks her speckled eyes, which reflect the killer blue dress I got her, and smiles, her pink lips stretching into a small but lovely curve.
If there weren’t a hundred guests in my home at that moment, I’d bend her right over the table in my center hall, lift up her long dress, and slide my…
“Greyson. Good to see you,” Kir says, shaking my hand and trying, but failing, not to stare at Lu.
I slap Kir on the back with my free hand, wishing on some sort of uncivilized level I could smack him harder and pull some alpha male bullshit that would make me feel better for a split second. “Glad you could make it. It’s always great to see the Alekseev brothers.”
“And it’s always great to be in this incredible house, Grey,” Vadik says, shaking my hand after Niko.
There’s no doubt they’ve all noticed Lu at this point, but Vadik and Niko are more discreet in their admiration than their brother Kir. “Who’s your lovely friend?” he croons, taking her hand and lifting it to his lips.
My arm involuntarily tightens around Lu’s waist, a movement not lost on her. She politely but firmly draws her hand back, resting it over mine, and lifts her chin.
God bless her.
“I’m Lucinda,” she says in a firm, confident voice.
Lucinda?
Well, shit.
“Lucinda,” Kir says like he’s running his tongue up her body. “Beautiful name. For a beautiful lady.”
“Thank you.”
“And what is it you do, my dear?” he asks.
Okay. Fine. He’s digging. Trying to find out what kind of girl she is and whether she’s available.
“I’m a student,” she says proudly.