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Studying my appearance as avidly as I studied his, he muraze over round up "Ya potryasyon" I’m undone

"I could say the same"

"Come" When he put his hand on my hip to lead h the dress beading Was he nervous? Or just that eager?

"Where are we going anyway?"

"Dinner first"

So ere heading outside of the mansion, and I looked like Jessica Rabbit Oh, well See me, love me, motherfleckers "And then?"

"Patience," he murmured with a squeeze of ain, Siberian?--then into our waiting limo As we set out, tension rippled between Sevastyan andBut when I shiown’s slit, his lips parted on an exhalation

Our destination was a posh restaurant called Plaisirs Its patrons were dressed to the nines--yet even they stopped and stared at Sevastyan as alked by, forkfuls of food hovering in midair They even stared at me

The Nebraska girl cleaned up good Feeling more confident, I squared my shoulders and lifted my chin, which seemed to please Sevastyan

Dinner--at what had to be the best table in the house--was a light, sensual affair Lobster, succulent fruits, delectable truffles, petits fours The as so subli my lips

Sevastyan ordered a vodka rocks, but didn’t touch it

I was just tipsy enough to ask, "If you don’t drink, why order it?"

He released a pent-up breath, as if he’d known this question was co eventually "My father was an alcoholic I do not wish to become one," he said in utter understates involve alcohol?"

"Exactly Maybe I do it to test ave a little flutter We were ht direction And suddenly his co cheap booze made perfect sense "Is your father still alive?"

"Nyet" Hard no "It’s a subject I’d rather not discuss" Softening his tone, he said, "Not tonight of all nights"

"Fair enough Soany hint about where you’re takingin ainst the glass

"You’rehappy with me" He sounded surprised