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In leaving Anna’s bed he’d given up the greatest pleasure he’d ever known He’d even told her why he was leaving, but apparently she hadn’t believed hiry at his sacrifice
He clenched his jaw Hell, how could she have felt otherwise after what Lindsey had told her?
Furious, he rose fro to the opposite wall of one-sided s that overlooked the lass, he stared down at the wide expanse of elegant nineteenth-century Russian architecture, the soaring ceilings with high crystal chandeliers and gilded columns, packed in with slot amblers
He spotted Lindsey weaving through the crowds, rushing toward the eerie store in the Moskva Shopping Complex within the casino Even after he’d ordered her to wait for hi Unbelievable
He missed Anna
Anna, the perfect secretary Anna, who’d read his mind Anna, who’d solved problems before he’d even known they existed
He’d first met her in New York, when Victor Sinistyn had pitched that ridiculous idea for an Elvis-the had been an utter waste of his time With twenty boutique hotels around the world, Stavrakis Resorts were known for their elegance, not for their go-go dancers
Nikos had noticed Sinistyn’s executive assistant, with her cool efficiency and aristocratic demeanor He’d needed so a billion-dollar business while still e of his co and discretion, ouldn’t let herself be bullied—not even by him
Anna Rostoff had been everything he’d wanted andher away frorief, for the man had been a furious thorn in his side ever since But Sinistyn’s enmity had been a sether, traveling around the world in his private jet, often working around the clock She’d never complained She’d never failed him She’d never ly When he’d found out she was sending er sister in New York, he’d given her a raise that had sent her salary skyrocketing deep into six figures
He’d known by then that she was indispensable to his empire Indispensable to him
“I’ainst the doorway She’d stashed the lingerie bag so chest “I was…um…”
“Stuck in traffic?” he said laconically
“Right Stuck in traffic” She looked relieved “You know Las Vegas Boulevard is a nightmare this time of day”
“Don’t worry” Standing over his desk, he leaned forward and gave her a lazy smile “You’re just in time”
“In time?” Her eyes lit up, and her hips swayed as she caht hit her tanned face as she stretched a manicured hand to caress his cheek “Past time, I’d say”
He removed Lindsey’s hand
“Stop it, Lindsey It’s not going to happen”
The desire for release was strong in hiet, to bury himself in flesh and curves and the hot scent of wo her throat for plunder, to possess herspark of desire in her eyes…
He wanted a woman God, yes Just not this one
He wanted the wo him
Undeterred, Lindsey stroked his thigh “Why do you think I took this stupid job? I knoe’d be perfect together I’ll make you wild I’ll et that tramp—”
He cut her off, his tone ruthlessly cold “You told Anna that ere lovers When she was pregnant and vulnerable you lied to her I want to hear it from your mouth”
“All right” Lindsey dropped the seductive pose, and her young, pretty face took on the hard, calculating look of a hustler “But, the way I see it, I was doing you a favor”
He turned to his desk and pressed a button Two guards appeared at his door
“Please escort Miss Miller out of the casino,” he said coldly “Her employment here is done”
The color drained fro her pale beneath her tan “What?”
“A severance check will be waiting for you at the casino office downstairs You’ll find I’ve been enerous than you deserve”
“You can’t be serious!”
“For every aret to subtract a thousand dollars from your check”
She sucked in her breath “Fine!” She turned on her designer heel and stalked out, grabbing her shopping bag just outside the door She stopped and glared at him