Devil's Lair (Molotov Obsession #1) - Anna Zaires Page 0,21
free to go to bed, Chloe,” Alina says when Pavel brings out a tray with digestifs, then helps Slava out of his chair and takes him upstairs to get him ready for bed. “Don’t feel compelled to stay here with us. I’m sure you’re tired after such a long day.”
“And I’m sure she can stay for a drink,” I say before Chloe can do more than give Alina a grateful smile. There’s no way I’m letting the girl escape so quickly. “In fact,” I continue, giving my sister a hard look, “weren’t you saying you’re tired? Maybe you should join Pavel in reading Slava a bedtime story and head to bed early yourself.”
Alina wants to argue with me, I can see it, but even she knows it’s not a good idea to push me further right now. She’s become bolder since we left Moscow, freer with her sharp tongue. She thinks that because I temporarily handed over the reins to our brothers, I’ve softened, but she couldn’t be more wrong.
The beast inside me is alive and well… and focused on a sweet new quarry.
“All right,” she says after a tense moment. “In that case, good night. Enjoy your drink.”
She gets up, and Chloe follows her example. “I think I will—”
“Sit,” I say with a commanding gesture, and the girl sinks back down, blinking like a startled fawn as Alina strolls away with one final glare in my direction.
I wait until she’s gone before gracing my quarry with a smile. “So tell me, Chloe…” I reach for the decanters on the tray. “Do you prefer cognac, brandy, or whiskey for your digestif?”
11
Chloe
I stare at Nikolai, my heart thudding heavily. Am I misreading the situation, or did he engineer it so we’d end up alone at the table?
“I… don’t really drink,” I say, my throat dry. The look in his richly colored eyes again makes me feel like a mouse trapped by a very large cat—except no mouse would feel such a pull toward a predatory feline.
I want to touch him almost as much as I want to run away.
He arches his dark eyebrows. “No alcohol ever? I find that hard to believe.”
“That’s not what I meant. It’s just, you know, usually beer or wine at a party…” My voice trails off as he lifts one of the crystal decanters and pours two fingers’ worth of amber-colored liquid into a whiskey glass, then slides it toward me.
“Try this. It’s one of the finest cognacs in the world.”
I hesitantly lift the glass and sniff its contents. I’ve never actually had cognac. Vodka shots a bunch of times, yes. Tequila on a few memorable occasions, for sure. But not cognac—and judging by the strong liquor fumes hitting my nostrils, it’s not something I should drink around Nikolai tonight or on any other night.
Not when I’m so confused about what’s happening between us.
He pours himself a glass as well. “To our new partnership.” He lifts the drink in a toast, and I have no choice but to clink my glass against his. Bringing it to my lips, I take a sip—and break into a coughing fit, my eyes watering as my throat and chest ignite with fire.
Damn, this stuff is strong.
Nikolai watches me, dark amusement glimmering in his gaze. “You really aren’t much of a drinker,” he says when I’ve finally caught my breath. “Try it again, but slower this time. Let it sit in your mouth for a few seconds before you swallow it. Absorb the taste, the texture… the burn.”
This is a bad idea, I know, but I follow his instructions, taking another sip and holding it for a bit before letting it go down my throat. It still scorches my esophagus, but not as much as the first time, and in the wake of the fiery sensation, a pleasant warmth spreads through my limbs.
“Better?” he inquires softly, and I nod, unable to tear my gaze away from his hypnotic stare. Maybe it’s the alcohol already messing with my inhibitions, or the fact that we’re all alone, but this feels oddly like a date… like there’s a sense of intimacy building between us. I want to reach across the table and trace the sensual curve of his lips, to lay my hand on top of his broad palm and feel its strength and warmth.
I want him to kiss me, and if I’m not misjudging the simmering heat in his eyes, that may be what he wants as well.