Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
TATIANA
I t’s as if I have lost all control of my body and mind. There is nothing more important to me now than kissing Titus Romanov. I sensed it as soon as I entered the room. The tension—the sexual tension.
I never understood what it was until now. The way he stared at me as if I was his next meal. The swirling lust in his eyes as he watched my approach and the way he reached out to claim me as if it was his right.
He is an enigma, a dark force—a powerful one. Like most storms, he is disruptive, chaotic and deadly and it appears that they are qualities that turn me on.
The way he dealt with my concerns intrigued me. That ring must have cost more than I will ever earn in my lifetime, but he brushed it off as if it’s inconsequential.
I am delirious with fascination for this man and I couldn’t stop what happened next if I tried.
I wasn’t afraid of rejection. It never even crossed my mind because it’s obvious he wants to kiss me. It was a promise hanging between us, but he is too respectful to make the first move.
So, I surprised myself and made it for him.
He releases my hand and slides his hand around my waist, pulling me closer. His hand splayed out on my back, pressing me against him while his tongue twists with mine. His kisses are addictive. Strong, demanding and sensuous. Much like the man himself and I drop my hand from his face and hold the back of his head, deepening the kiss, taking what I want and to hell with the consequences.
My body is reacting to the situation. I have never wanted to kiss a man so badly. I have been kissed before but never like this and when he pulls away, he leaves me breathless.
This time he cups my face in both of his strong hands and stares deeply into my eyes, and I gulp at the lust reflected back at me.
“Sometimes, Tia.” He whispers, his voice deep and full of resolve. “We determine our future with actions rather than words. Tonight you revealed yours, which is why what happens next is down to you.”
“What happens next?”
I’m curious but not afraid and the light dances in his eyes as he whispers huskily, “My interest in you has changed from a business arrangement.”
“How?”
My breath hitches as he says gruffly, “You will become my wife in every sense of the word, and it begins tonight.”
“I don’t understand.” I’m nervous now and he laughs softly, but it’s one that chills me to the bone as he says almost triumphantly, “Because when you test the devil, you had better be ready for the repercussions of that. When you sit beside me at dinner and hold my hand at the opera, you will be picturing what happens when we return here.”
“What happens when we, um, return here?”
I’m fascinated and not afraid. If anything, I’m curious and his eyes flash as he tightens his hold on my face and growls, “I make you mine and once that happens you belong to me until I say otherwise.”
“What if it’s the other way around, Titus?”
I don’t know where this woman has come from because I have never been so bold. I smile, catching him off-guard as I place my hand over his and say with no trace of nerves, “Sometimes an opportunity presents itself and you owe it to yourself to act on it. Maybe I want this, maybe I don’t. Perhaps it will break me, then again it could be the making of me. So, when you sit beside me at dinner and hold my hand at the opera, know one thing, Titus Romanov–”
He says nothing as I lean closer and whisper, “I will count down the hours until you show me exactly what I have been missing all these years.”
A slow smile spreads across his usually controlled one and the light dances in his eyes as he pulls back and nods, as if we just signed an agreement.
He drops my hand, and the air rushes between us, fanning the flames with oxygen, causing the flame to burn higher.
I’m not sure if I can get through this evening because of what will happen when we return. He was right about that. I will think of nothing else than what his touch will be like on my naked skin. How it will feel when I allow him inside me and when it’s over. Will it hurt? Will I be ashamed? Will I cope with it?
Bravado is fast being replaced with fear, but my curiosity is fully in charge now and I can only hope that fear doesn’t win in the end because I doubt that Titus Romanov will change his mind even I do.
I have stepped into a world I don’t belong in. That belief is reinforced several times over as I stand beside Titus in the company of billionaires. The two people we are dining with tonight are well known in the press. Nikolai Mashkov is the owner of Titan oil and responsible for supplying most of the world, sanctions permitting, of course.
His wife is a regular in the gossip columns. She is certainly beautiful and I heard she is descended from royalty and I wouldn’t be surprised. She has a cool reserve that beauty gives you, with an icy smile and apparently no conversation. She stands beside her husband as if she is bored and spends more time glancing around the room to see if anyone more important is around.
I’m not sure why she disliked me on sight because I have never met her, but she does. It’s obvious and I wonder about that.
Her husband doesn’t appear to share her view and heaps a lot of praise on my shoulders for my career, enthusing about past shows he has seen and asking me many questions about the Bolshoi. Possibly that is why she is so cool toward me. Because I am dominating so much of her husband’s attention, whereas my own companion barely glances in her direction.
Dinner is a stilted affair and my mind drifts back to the apartment and to what happens when we return. Titus wasn’t wrong when he told me I wouldn’t be able to think of anything else. He was right. I can’t.
I slip many glances his way and my breath hitches every single time. He is astonishingly desirable. His wealth gives him confidence and his clothes are his smokescreen. His dark good looks are entrancing and his masculinity is like a drug. He is everything I pictured a man should be, and I can’t grasp that he is my man. At least for now.
Nikolai interrupts my thoughts.
“Tell me, Tatiana, how did you both meet?”
My heart rate quickens because the truth is not an option here. I glance nervously at Titus, who appears almost amused as he nods and says slyly, “Yes, Tia, tell Nikolai, it was rather amusing.”
I glare at him, causing him to chuckle because what the hell do I say? Is there an official version that I missed reading?
I clear my throat and reach for the champagne because, as sure as I’m out of my depth right now, I need its reassurance.
“Yes–” I say slowly, “It was rather amusing.”
My mind is working hard because what the hell was amusing about it?
“We were introduced at the Bolshoi. Titus was one of the many admirers who lined up to meet me after the performance.”
I bite back the grin at the image of Titus Romanov lining up for anything and Nikolai appears astonished at that.
“He lined up?” Irina turns and smirks in his direction and I nod.
“Of course. I was told he was a big fan and was desperate to meet me. I mean, I didn’t know who he was at all. He was just one of many who do the same every night.”
I lean forward and smile at Nikolai. “To be honest, it gets kind of boring after a while. There is only so much adulation a woman can take, but I gritted my teeth and got on with the job. Anyway–”
He suppresses his grin and I chance sliding my gaze to Titus, who merely looks amused rather than uncomfortable.
“So–” I roll my eyes. “He made his way to the front of the line and appeared so star-struck he couldn’t speak. He just stared at me in a blind panic, holding a single rose in his hand. I noticed the thorn cutting into his finger and the blood running onto his skin, so I carefully took the flower away and told him I would help clean the wound.”
Irina laughs and appears to be enjoying my tale, and I turn to Titus and smile sweetly. “Well, what can I say? The rest is history because when I helped wash the blood off his hand, something passed between us and if I never believed in love at first sight, I do now.”
Titus takes my hand and his lips twist with amusement. “What Tia left out is the part where she was so nervous she knocked the glass of champagne she was drinking all over my lap and without thinking, attempted to remove my pants at exactly the moment the press photographer passed by. She was caught on camera in an extremely compromising position.”
Irina giggles, obviously loving this, and Nikolai laughs out loud. “I would love to see that photograph?”
“It no longer exists. I politely asked the photographer to delete it and he obliged.”
“I bet he did.” Irina adds and as the waiter arrives with the check, Nikolai snaps his fingers and says casually, “Put it on my account.”
It’s as if money isn’t even a consideration here, just who steps in first to claim the upper hand in paying and Titus smiles. “That is most generous. The next time will be on me.”
“You must come to a gathering we are having on Thursday.” Irina smiles warmly and I wonder what’s changed.
“Thank you.” Titus turns to her. “Please ask your assistant to liaise with mine and we will try to make it work.”
“Of course.”
Nikolai stands and offers his wife his hand.
“We should leave. I understand you have another engagement tonight, but if I may have a brief word while the ladies refresh themselves.”
“Of course.”
Titus takes my hand and we follow them to the restroom area and as I head inside with Irina, I note the two men talk in hushed whispers.
As we step inside the restroom, Irina sighs. “It’s always business with men.”
I’m a little uncomfortable and she must sense it because she turns to me and cocks her head to one side and says thoughtfully, “When I first met you, I believed your arrangement was fabricated.”
My heart beats faster and I try to maintain my composure.
“I see.”
“I was a little cool and I apologize for that. You see–” She turns and removes a lipstick from her clutch bag and reapplies it before saying, “Titus Romanov is a cold bastard who uses women. I guessed you were another in a long line and yet the way he couldn’t tear his eyes off you all night and when I heard how you met, my opinion changed.”
I’m certain she’s got this all wrong, but I’ll go with it, anyway.
“May I offer you a word of advice, Tatiana?”
She catches my nod reflected in the mirror and says huskily, “You have stepped into a world you are unprepared for. Whatever his reasons, Titus will have the agenda all figured out. Be on your guard, but enjoy the ride because if I know him, it will be a short one.”
I’m not sure what to say and if anything I’m irritated, but she smiles and a soft gleam lights her eyes as she whispers, “I have hope with you, Tatiana. You may do the impossible and drag some emotion from the man. If your marriage is the real deal, I applaud you and give you my blessing. If not, well, you will soon learn the indignity of that.”
She snaps her bag closed and smiles. “Until then, you are my newest friend. I will be here to help you navigate the storm and offer any advice I can. With my seal of approval, your transition from the stage to the world stage will be easier, so I urge you to accept my invitation because my desire is to help.”
“You are very kind.”
Despite the strange way she has delivered her speech, I do believe it’s a genuine one and so I nod, grateful for any help at all in these changing times.
When we head out to meet the men, my heart flips when Titus watches my approach. Desire lights his eyes and Irina whispers, “You are one lucky woman. Enjoy every minute while it lasts.”
We say our goodbyes and I leave with my hand firmly clasped in his and as we step outside to his waiting car, I prepare for the next act in our show.