“Forgive me. I couldn’t resist,” he laughed.
“I walked right into that one, didn’t I?”
“No. I don’t entertain my staff here.”
Max’s eyes were laser focused on mine. They were soft and playful–and irresistibly beautiful–like they were the night we’d first met.
“Stop it,” I said.
“Stop what?” he countered, playfully.
“You know what I’m talking about.”
“Why, councilor, I don’t know what you mean.”
“Uh-huh. Cut it out. I’m not going to sleep with you again.”
“Not even if I promise you a raise?” he teased.
“That depends on the raise.”
Max laughed and clapped his hands together. A waiter appeared out of nowhere.
“We’ll have our steak now, thanks,” he said to the young man.
“I had no idea you were such a big deal, Mr. Mikhailov,” I teased.
“There’s a lot about me you don’t know.”
The waiter carved the steak and served Max and me.
“Priyatnogo appetita,” Max smiled.
“Thank you. It smells so good.”
The waiter brought out a large pepper mill and offered us freshly cracked black pepper. I was a sucker for black pepper. I prayed that Max wouldn’t hear the feral noises my stomach was making.
“So,” Max said once we were alone again, “tell me more about yourself.”
“What would you like to know?”
“I don’t know. The usual stuff people talk about, I suppose. Did you grow up here? Do you have siblings? Was I the best fuck you’ve ever had?”
I nearly choked on my steak. Max burst out laughing, amused at my embarrassment.
“Funny guy,” I said sarcastically.
“So I’ve been told.”
There was that look again. Damn it! He was so fucking sexy.
“Yes, I grew up in LA. No, I’m an only child. And you weren’t half shabby.”
“I can do much better, you know.”
“You reckon?”
“Uh-huh.”