Chapter 9

Emily’s POV

To my surprise, he took me to a hole in the wall diner that was open 24 hours. A waiter walked to our table and gave us menus. Unfortunately, everything was in Russian and I glanced up at Alexei, too embarrassed to ask him but as if he could see that I had no idea what to say he chuckled.

“What do you want?” I shrugged, “Something chicken or beef.” He nodded and looked down at the menu. The waiter came back a few minutes later and asked if we were ready to order. Alexei nodded and started the order.

The waiter nodded and left, I raised an eyebrow at him. “Just wait.” I frowned, not knowing what to expect. “Okay, but if you kill me, I’ll haunt your ass.” He laughed causing a few people to look our way. I blushed and bowed my head.

“So, why do you have to get married? If you don’t mind me asking.” I sighed and rubbed my cold hands together. “Well, I’m from London and my father is the owner of a few media places. He isn’t like a billionaire or anything but the people know of him and they don’t want me, a girl to solely run his company. They want a man by my side. So to keep customers, my father said that I had to get married.

Alexei nodded, “My brother is 13 years younger than me and can’t take over the business. My best friend Rayon’s father is a lawyer and he is very well known in Most of England. So my father said I have to marry Rayon.

The waiter came to our table with 2 glasses of white hot chocolate and 2 burgers. One chicken and one beef. I grinned at Alexei and he shook his head.

“Rayon loves me. And I love him but not in the same way he loves me. For him getting married is a dream come true, for me it’s like putting me in a cage. So I’m going to marry him, wait until my brother is old enough to take over the business and then I’ll divorce Rayon, I know It will break his heart and probably end our friendship, but I can’t be with someone forever if I don’t love them.

Alexei kept quiet and we ate in silence. The burger was really good. I only realized I was starving when the waiter placed the food in front of me. Bite after bite I started getting nervous. What was Alexei going to think of me?

“I sort of get it. I had to take over the family business and I’m still, to this day, fighting my mother on getting married. She one of those people that just want grandkids and therefore sets me up with every eligible woman in half of Russia.

We laughed and continued eating. When we were finished, Alexei asked for the bill. “You know, I can’t imagine you getting married.” He nodded and said, “I know right? But I’ll probably just to it for the family part. My mother isn’t getting any younger and neither am I.

My heart pinched but I ignored it. He paid for the food and we walked out of the small restaurant. I wrapped my arm around his torso for heat and placed his strong muscular arm around my neck. We walked in silence to his car.

I was about to open the door when he grabbed me and kissed me. My back rested against the side of his car. I grabbed his hair and tugged. Damnit, he knew how to kiss. His hands glided down my sides to my legs.

I felt all of him against me and my whole body was heating up. No longer was I cold and all I could think about was him. This kiss lasted much longer then what was publicly appropriate. He released my lips and I sighed, keeping my eyes closed.

I rested my head against his chest which was moving up and down just as fast as mine. My heart was pounding like a tattoo against my rib at a painful speed. “Sorry, I’ve been wanting to do that since you opened the door in pink polka dot socks.

I giggled softly, still out of breath. He moved and opened my door before rounding the car. I slipped in and closed the door to keep the cold out. My body was still on fire but I knew after a few minutes the cold would overwhelm me once again.

We drove back to the hotel and my heart started beating fast again. I knew what was about to happen. I knew that the moment we got to his room, my clothes would leave my body and he would do things to me that were unthinkable.

« • x • x • x • »

We got to his room and I was just about ready to jump him when he asked if I’d like coffee. “Coffee?” He nodded and put the kettle on. Okay, he was stalling, but why? If I wasn’t mistaken that kiss against his car was only supposed to be the beginning.

I shook my head and moved closer to him and asked once again, “Coffee?” He smirked and said, “Yes, Coffee.” I shook my head once again and then asked if I could use the bathroom. He pointed to his room.

The room was as big as my whole room downstairs. The bathroom was even bigger than my bathroom. I glanced at the mirror and fixed my hair, then made sure my makeup was still okay. I decided to do something bold. I pulled my jeans down, pulled my panties down and then placed them in the jacket’s pocket.

I pulled the jeans back on, at first feeling uncomfortable and almost decided to put them back but decided against it. After everything was fixed I walked out of the room and back into the living room. Alexei was on the balcony, with his phone.

He looked angry and when he glanced up to see me, he spared a smile before continuing the conversation. It didn’t last much longer and he came back into the room, “My apologies, it was work and I had to answer. Let’s sit on the couch.

I took the seat next to him and his cold arm touched me. I shivered put it around me, hoping to warm it up.

**Copyright © 2020 by Grace Write**

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