the bar. “Maybe some champagne to celebrate the holiday?”
Every single word out of Aleksei's mouth dripped with sex. He hadn't even slipped in any innuendos or anything. It was just the way his voice was, all husky and lazy, like he'd just gotten out of bed, or had the most amazing orgasm.
He could read the back of a cereal box to her and she'd happily just hand over her panties. She very clearly already needed a new pair since hers were more than a little damp. “Yeah. Champagne sounds good.”
She stood and half-stumbled over her chair. Aleksei caught her by the elbow so she didn't topple over and that completely non-sexual touch zinged through her. A breathy whimper escaped her lips even though she was pretty sure she'd forgotten how to breathe.
He got up from his own seat without his gaze ever veering from her mouth. Good Gods. Was he this tall a minute ago?
“Yes, Helena,” he said a bit too loudly. “I will help you get that bottle of champagne, of course. Show me where it is.”
Okay. That was awkward and obvious. No, not at all. Whatever. The whole lot of her friends had been pushing her to get some action. If it was clear she and this hunka-hunka were instantly hot for each other, they'd probably all cheer her on if it appeared she was going to get it on in the bar storage room.
“Yeah. I don't think I can reach the bottles on the top shelf all by myself.” Helena glanced at the table, but without actually looking at a single person. “Be back in a minute.”
“Take your time, dear,” Selena said in a too-knowing tone.
“I'd let him pop my cork,” one of the girls whispered.
Geez. The sooner she heard Aleksei's proposition, the better. At this point, if the two of them didn't come back all hot and bothered, they'd probably get booed out of the rest of dinner. Helena led him well past the place they actually kept the alcohol and into the back bar.
“What's up?” She was doing her best to act casual in case this wasn't a sexy-times proposal. She leaned against the wall, propped one foot up, and folded her arms.
Aleksei's gaze zeroed in on her foot and followed the line of her leg up, up, up, dragging his wolfy stare across every inch of her body like he was going to eat her up. Helena would not be opposed to that plan.
Maybe she should suggest a no strings attached fling. Or even better, no strings attached sex, but make it look to everyone else that they were heading into serious relationship territory. That would get Selena and the girls off her back. Aleksei would probably go for it, right? He was a dude, of course he would.
Now, let's see. How to suggest it to him without sounding eager? She should be very casual about it so as not to scare him off and make him think she wanted anything more.
He was already fucking her with his eyes. Yummy. Probably it would be easiest just to blurt out her idea and see how he reacted. Helena put on her best come hither bedroom eyes, licked her lips, and was just about to ask him. She didn't get the chance.
Aleksei growled dark and deep in his chest, she could feel it. He moved so fast she barely registered it until he was right up into her personal space bubble. His arms wrapped around her waist, and pulled her flush to him. He lowered his face and brushed his lips across hers so lightly she wasn't even sure if it was his skin or the electricity between them. Either way, her body was fritzing all over the place.
“Lisichka, keep looking at me exactly like that as I ask you this question.”
Yeah. No problem. It didn't matter what the question was. With their bodies pressed together like this she couldn't stop looking at him like the tastiest piece of pie on the planet, even if she wanted to.
“Good. Just like that. Looks like we've both got a room full of people pushing us toward each other. I'd sure as hell like to get a certain matchmaker off my back. If you and I pretend to hook up, we'll both be free to live our lives however the fuck we want. You game?”
What was that saying about sex-addled brains thinking alike? Great minds, it was great minds and they were completely on the same wave length. This