Tempted by Deception (Deception Trilogy #2) by Rina Kent

“What is it, Lenochka? I thought you wanted to know.”

“I do,” I blurt. “Is the map of Russia?”

“Correct.”

“Do you love it, Russia?”

“What type of question is that? Who doesn’t love their country?”

“I mean, do you love it enough to tattoo it on yourself?”

“No. It’s for another reason.”

“What is it?”

“The vacation I never got to take as a kid.”

“Is that why you have a compass on top of it?”

“That’s to remind me of how far I’ve come.”

“What about the skull.”

“That’s because I’m a thief.”

“A thief?”

“Hmm. How to explain this. The Bratva is also called the Vory, which is to say we’re thieves.”

“So it’s a brotherhood of thieves?”

He dips his finger against my folds. “Something like that.”

I suppress a moan. “Do you like it? Being a thief.”

“I like the surge of adrenaline it brings.”

“So you like the lifestyle?”

“Yes, I do.”

A pang of disappointment hits me at his assertive words. I don’t know why a part of me hoped that he didn’t have a choice in being who he is, that he can quit if he chooses to. But I was only fooling myself. Adrian willingly chose this life because he likes it, and there’s nothing that will deter him from it.

Letting the subject go, I fall into the sensations he’s eliciting in me, how he’s stroking my ass and gliding his fingers through my folds and to my opening.

My eyes flutter closed as I rest my cheek against his naked thigh.

Hot breaths tickle my ear as he whispers, “Don’t fall asleep, Lenochka.”

“Mmm. I’m not.”

“Good. Because I’m going to fuck you so hard, you’ll feel me inside you until tomorrow.”





19





Lia





Adrian made good on his promise.

Getting through rehearsal is torture. I can feel him with every move, every jump, and every damn step. I had to wear boy shorts to cover the welts on my upper thighs. Every time I touch them, I recall last night and the amount of pleasure I got out of it.

The dark type.

The type that’s hushed in corners and kept secret.

Then I recall how I felt when I thought he’d been shot. I shouldn’t have had that reaction. I shouldn’t have been worried, pained, and damn confused.

He’s a mobster, a killer.

But those facts seem to fade day by day whether I like it or not.

After this morning, I feel closer to him more than ever. As if a bridge is building between us slowly but surely. It might be fragile, but it’s there.

Something’s changed.

I could feel it when he fucked me against the shower wall and when we prepared breakfast together like it was a normal occurrence. I felt it when he sat me down on the counter just so he could kiss me. And I sure as hell felt it when he kissed me again before he stepped out.

Those aren’t things a man would do with his whore.

My long day is finally over when Philippe announces it’s a wrap. This is one of our last rehearsals before the opening next week.

I’ve never been this excited about a performance. About taking on a character as complex as Giselle.

Ryan releases me, turns around, and heads to the dressing room without a glance back. I love the type of relationship we have formed since the night at the club—professional. That’s how it was supposed to be from the beginning.

Hannah gets in my face as soon as he’s out of view. “What the fuck did you do to him, bitch?”

I allow myself a taunting smile. “Why don’t you ask him what he did?”

“He won’t talk to me!”

“Doesn’t seem like my problem. He got what was coming to him.” I lean in to whisper, “You deserve each other.”

And with that, I leave her and head to Stephanie.

She smiles, interlacing her arm with mine. “Come with us to this great company opening Matt invited us to.”

“I don’t know, Steph.”

“Don’t leave me alone with Philippe and how he randomly switches to French when he’s drunk, as if the world is fluent in the language.”

“Then curses you when you speak in English?”

“Exactly, girl. Come on, it’ll be just the three of us.”

“Fine.” I don’t have anything to do, anyway, and I need to stop thinking about Adrian for one night.

Or try to.

After this morning, I want to see him again more than I ever have before.

“Yes! I love you forever.” Stephanie walks with me.

I grin back as a response.

She stops in front of my dressing room and pinches my cheek. “You’re glowing more lately.”

“I’m not.”

“Yes, you are. Is your lover the reason why your Giselle is so haunting?”

“I-I don’t have a lover.”

“Of course you do. He’s the reason why you hurry home every night and refuse my and Philippe’s invitations.”

“That’s…how did you know?”

“It’s clear if anyone focuses hard enough. Lately, you seem to be firmly on the ground instead of floating somewhere no one sees you. You need to introduce me to Mr. Hot Stuff.”