Mafia Enforcer's Sassy Lover (The Karzhov Crime Family Series Book 4) Read online

  Frowning, Tori bit her lower lip. Would she come back and argue with him? Ah, this girl knew nothing of discipline, of the need to take orders given to her. At last she gave a slow, thoughtful nod, but she did not answer. “Tori, you aren’t listening to me?” He waited until she looked at him again before asking, “Why does the possibility of you working less hours worry you?”

  “Well, duh! I get paid by the hour. Less hours means less money.”

  Kostya waved that issue away. “I will make sure that you are paid a salary from now on. No more hourly wages for management, which is what you should be here.”

  Her eyes brightened and a smile quivered at the corner of her mouth. “Really? That would be great…I mean, uhm…”

  A slow blush spread over her face. Kos again had to resist offering her back a smile. “Thank you is sufficient. For now.”

  She bit her lower lip and frowned, as if she was trying to wrap her thoughts around the idea that he could be nice when he chose to be. But he started to wonder just why did she need money so badly? And what was she not telling him still?

  He let out a breath. He should not care so much about this girl. He barely knew her, and while her body might tempt him, he knew he should keep his distance from her. But when had he ever been a man to listen to caution and reason?

  Chapter 12

  For what seemed a very long time to Tori, Kostya said nothing. He just sat there, staring at her. She wanted to fidget. She wanted to tell him to stop doing that. But she was trying to control her mouth, and she also felt like she’d be showing some kind of weakness to be the first to break the silence.

  Finally, he asked, “Contacts?”

  Tori jolted and blinked. “What?”

  “Your eyes? They are contacts, no?”

  “No, they are my eyes! I admit they’re a little unusual in color, but they’re natural.” She could feel her face warming. She wasn’t used to talking about herself. When—actually, more like if—she was dating anyone, she just listened to any compliments, and a lot of times she didn’t pay much attention. Guys would say anything to get you to spread your legs. Besides, she knew what she looked like and was happy with that.

  Eyes narrowing, Kostya seemed to be studying her with a silent and frank appraisal. She could see heat in his eyes—interest in her. She began to squirm. When was the last time she’d had a hot guy staring at her like this? She remembered the feel of his smooth chest beneath her fingertips. He didn’t have much hair on his chest and she liked that. But she also liked the rough stubble shading his jaw line. Rough and smooth—that was Kostya. His voice seemed like aged whiskey, but his manners…okay, he wasn’t as bad as Raul about mauling her. He’d let her get dressed, after all. She found herself staring his chest—and wondering what other tats he might have on other parts of his body.

  Her breathing picked up as she began her own little fantasy.

  First, she’d unbutton his shirt again, only this time she’d strip it off him. She’d trace his various tattoos with her fingertips. After she finished that she’d use her lips to map his body, to study every muscle and line. She’d go over him and breath in his scent and take her time savoring all that smooth roughness of his.

  And he…he would return the favor. She could imagine him playing with her breasts and her piercings, using his lips to tug, tease and torment her. Oh, yeah, he’d be god at that. She could imagine him as a guy who would take his time, who had patience to spare—hell, just look at how he could sit there, silent as a big cat. She’d let him learn all of the spots that turned her on, and they…

  She blew out a breath. Okay, time to stop that kind of fantasy. She was getting herself wet and twisted, and she really shouldn’t be going there. But with her muscles loose and warm after that bath and the two glasses of wine she’d had with dinner, she was in a mood for a guy. But she really shouldn’t be thinking about this guy—her boss of all things.

  Kostya seemed to be watching her, and she wondered if he had a clue about what was going on in her head. She knew her breathing had quickened. So had his. She was also pretty sure he was hard, even if he did keep one leg crossed over the other. The man seemed to have iron control, and it was taking more of hers than she wanted to admit to stay seated. She really, really should get up, stretch, head off to bed—and sleep. Nothing else.

  Kostya’s nostrils flared and he said, in a low voice that echoed through her, “Tori, what are you thinking?”

  She didn’t want to break the mood between them.

  She sucked in a breath. Should she tell him the truth? She had a feeling he’d know a lie in an instant. She met his stare and a hot sizzle ran through her body. She hadn’t been with anyone in months, and she had to admit this Russian pushed all the right buttons for her.

  He stood and walked over to stand in front of her, so close she could smell his aftershave—the hint of something musky and masculine. She pulled in a deep breath and stood. Reached out for him, she cupped his jaw. She liked the way his beard scraped against her palm. She wet her lips. “I’m thinking how I want to feel that against me. Everywhere!”

  Kostya stood very still as she stroked his face. He didn’t touch her, but he didn’t move away. “Just to make sure we are both on the same page here. I offered no commitments. I would be happy to indulge your needs—and my own. But we would just be… two people who happened to stoke each other’s fires. And who help each other put them out.”

  “I want you,” she told him. She’d never had any trouble telling any guy what she wanted. Some guys couldn’t handle it.

  Kostya’s eyes dilated as if he not only could handle it, but loved it. “How is this going to work?” he asked.

  Tori smiled. “Do you really need me to give you a play by play tutorial?” Pulling her hands away from his face, she let her fingertips graze his chest. She started undoing the buttons as she had earlier. This could become a habit, she thought. Oh, well, at least she wasn’t a chain smoker or a druggie.

  Kostya grinned. “I think I have that part all figured out. In fact, I may need to give you a few pointers. I was inquiring how this was going to affect our working relationship.”

  Tori shrugged. “Do you want it to affect it?” She toyed with his belt buckle.

  Kostya grabbed her wandering fingers. “During business hours, we need to keep things professional. We both have jobs to do.”

  If he kept talking to her, she was going to melt. She licked her bottom lip and pulled her fingers from his grip. Her skin seemed to be too tight—and on fire. If he didn’t kiss her soon, she was going to grab his head and drag his mouth down to hers. “Got all your questions answered?” she asked. She heard the need in her voice, low and urgent.

  He must have heard it too, but he seemed amused by her. “For now. Why?” He still hadn’t touched her, hadn’t put his hands on her. He was going to drive her crazy.

  She grabbed the edges of his unbuttoned shirt. “Just wondering if we were going to play twenty questions for the rest of the night?”

  Kostya grin’s faded. His eyes darkened. He leaned close and bit her earlobe. Tori pulled in a sharp breath. Whispering in her ear, he said, “I have much better games in mind to play with you.”

  Tori tipped her head back, offering up her neck—she wanted to feel his mouth on her, his teeth, his hands. She wished now she had on something sexy and low cut and not a sweatshirt. She grabbed for his belt again and undid the buckle. Fingers shaking, she undid his zipper. She could feel the hot bulge behind his silk boxers. She couldn’t wait to get her hands on him.

  Kostya pushed her down and onto the couch. She let herself fall backwards. He leaned over her and told her, “Touch me.”

  Tori had no problem with that request. She dipped her hands beneath his boxers, letting her fingers mold to his hard length. He’s huge! She smiled as she thought about how much pleasure he was going to bring her.

  Kostya pushed her sweatshirt above her breasts. He stopped there and smiled. “Black lace. I app
rove, milaya moya.”

  “What does that mean?” she asked. She got the words out around gasping breaths. He nibbled on her jaw and licked. She let out a sigh.

  Lifting his head, he told her, “It means I am going to eat you alive…my dear.”

  He lowered his head to toy with one of the nipple rings beneath the lace bra. He tugged on it with his teeth and drew the hard tip into his mouth to suck hard.

  Tori arched. “Oh, yeah…” She let the words out on another gasp. Her breasts had always been sensitive. “You’re doing everything just right.”

  Kostya undid her jeans and stroked her skin. She tightened her hand on him. She wanted more skin—more of him. Pushed against his chest, she forced him up and away. She lifted her hips and shucked her jeans, wishing she’d left her tennis shoes off. Her jeans caught on her shoes.

  Kostya chuckled, a low, deep laugh. “Allow me, milaya moya.” Kneeling, he undid the laces and dragged off her hi-tops. He stood and stripped with an efficiency that took her breath. His body left her wanting to stroke every inch of skin.

  He seemed made of nothing but hard muscle—and tattoos. Ink swirled around his arms and legs. But the angle on his chest dominated all the other. The angel almost seemed to move on its own as his chest rose and fell and his muscles worked.

  “See something you like?” he asked.

  She smiled. “Oh, yeah—a big something.

  Reaching down, he grabbed his pants and dug out his wallet. Tori glimpse a condom packet. She propped herself on her elbows. “What are you—a boy scout?” He stared at her. She waved a hand. “You know—always prepared.”

  He nodded. “Something like that.” He ripped open the foil package.

  Tori watched him start to slip on the condom. She put her hands over his. “Let me,” she said. She smoothed the condom over his hard length. Leaning back again, she spread her thighs and lifted her arms to welcome him. “Come on, big boy. Let’s see if you know how to use what God gave you.”

  The wet warmth between her legs told her she was more than ready for him, but when he pushed inside her, she gasped. He was big—and long. He pulled out and pushed again. Pulling back, he asked her, “Harder?”

  She had to gasp for air—and she nodded.

  He plunged in again, angling his hips and hitting deep. She gave a small cry and dug her fingernails into his back. “Yeah,” she said, whispering the word.

  Setting a hard, fast pace, he pushed into her again and again. She’d never had a guy with this much stamina. She knew she’d be sore tomorrow, but tonight—oh, tonight. Pushing deep, Kostya held still and leaned down to take a nipple ring into his mouth again. He pulled even harder on the ring and she gave a cry.

  “More, milaya moya?”

  “As much as you can give me.”

  With a grin, he straightened. Holding her hips, he turned her so she straddled his lap. “Your turn to work, milaya moya.

  Smiling, she pushed up and sank down. It still wasn’t enough, so she started to work her hips, making small circles. He reached down and found her clit and started to rub. Leaning back, she gave a cry and the world blanked out around her.

  When she could open her eyes again, she saw Kostya staring up at her, his eyes glittering. “My turn now.” Holding her by the waist, he stood. She didn’t know how he managed it, but he carried her to the kitchen table and put her butt down on the cold wood. She shivered. He pressed her hands above her head. “Open for me now—wider.”

  She spread her legs wide. He held her wrists with one hand and hooked another under her knee to pull her even wider. Then he plunged deep into her.

  She gave a cry, but Kostya ignored her squirming and her moans. He set a punishing pace, drove into her, harder and harder. Just when she thought he might split her in two, he gave a small groan and pushed deeper. The world blazed into a spiral of pleasure again, shooting up her spine.

  Kostya lay on her, his weight heavy but comforting.

  It was odd. She felt more like they’d been lovers for years. But they’d only known each other for hours. She’d never met a man who knew what needed—how she wanted her sex hard and rough. She’d never had a guy who could bring her pleasure so intense that her body still tingled.

  Over her, she could hear Kostya breathing hard. He held himself still inside her, and she could feel he was only starting to soften. Lifting himself up, he stared down at her.

  “What just happened?” she asked. She wanted to crying, laugh, and yelling all at once. Sure, she’d had sex before. Some of it had been pretty good. But nothing…nothing had ever left her this satisfied. She felt…as if he had touched her soul.

  Kostya’s voice echoed her own confusion. He shook his head. “I don’t know. I’ve never…”

  He let the words trail off. He pushed off her and headed back to the living room and his clothing.

  Muscles a little sore, Tori eased herself off the table. She’d never be able to look at that table the same—or eat off it. She followed Kostya and gathered up her clothing as quickly as she could.

  Heading back to her room, she had to stop when Kostya called after her. He came over and touched her cheek.

  That was when she realized he’d never kissed her mouth. Not once. He’d had his lips on her neck, on her breasts, and just about anywhere else he could reach, but he hadn’t really kissed her. He’d treated her like a hooker.

  She backed up a step. “See you tomorrow. Thanks for the stress relief.” She fled back to the bedroom. Flicking on the lights, she dumped her clothing on the floor and locked the door. Not that that would stop a guy like Kostya, but it might slow him down.

  She heard his heavy step in the hallway. He paused.

  She wondered if he was as shaken up by the sex between them as she was—and if he was already wanting more the same way she was.

  With a shiver, she rubbed her arms. They had taken and given pleasure to each other and that was it. Great sex and who knew the Russians were that good at it. She shook her head.

  She heard Kostya head away from her door. She let out a long breath.

  Tomorrow things would be back to her giving Kostya attitude and him giving her crap over it. She nodded. She’d just play it cool. Kostya didn’t know he’d not just shaken her body—he’d shaken her entire world.

  But she was not getting involved with this Russian.

  No way.

  Chapter 13

  Tori spent a sleepless night. She pounded her pillow five times. She tossed and turned. She tried sleeping in more clothing and then in less. When the clock flicked over to five in the morning, she gave up. Heading into the bathroom, she took a shower. She dried, fluffed her hair, dressed in jeans and a sleeveless T-shirt and stepped out of the bedroom. She hoped she wouldn’t run into Kostya for a few hours. She needed to calm her mind and the best way to do that was with work.

  Walking briskly, she headed for her office. After checking over the harvesting schedule and calling a few vendors who supplied fertilizer and piping to make repairs to the watering system she strolled into the warehouse to tend the plants. She tied on a green apron and pulled on worn leather gloves. She liked this part—the pruning, staking, and tying up the plants. She didn’t even mind the smell. But she didn’t care to smoke or use the plants at all. She’d figured out soon after coming to work for Terrence that handling the plants, even getting the juices on her hands, left her lazy and stupid. She’d bought the leather gloves her second day on the job. She’d also convinced Terrence it was vital to the health of the plants to have their caretakers sober, so all the workers here wore gloves now.

  She kept the warehouse at a constant temperature of seventy-two with high humidity. Tori had decided after only her first week on the job she would rather be comfortable than sticky from excess sweat. In the summer it was easy to move from inside to outside, but in the winter, Tori would rather be inside and warm instead of outside in the snow and cold.

  Plugging in her earbuds, she turned up the music and los
t track of everything but the plants. The repetition of checking them, snipping off dead leaves, calmed her. Humming with the music, she shook her hips and sang a few of the lyrics. She also thought how now that she was on salary—if Kostya kept his promise—she’d have all the cash she needed in just a couple of paychecks. She’d taken stock of her funds yesterday morning and she was only about five hundred dollars shy of her goal.

  “Soon, David! I’m coming for you soon.” She sang the words instead of the song lyrics.

  From behind her left shoulder a deep voice asked, “Who is David””

  Tori gave a yelp, a jump and jerked out her earbuds. She scrambled away and pressed a hand to her chest. “What in the hell do you think you’re doing sneaking up on me like that?” She leaned against one of the wooden plant tables. And she kicked herself for showing any kind of fear.

  Kostya held out his palms. Like her, he’d put on a light T-shirt and jeans. He looked…okay, he looked great. The black T-shirt stretched tight over his muscles and showed off the tats on his arms and gave a glimpse of the tat coming up his neck. He hadn’t shaved, and he still managed a scruffy sexiness. He smiled. “I didn’t mean to scare you, milaya moya. Were you singing or talking to yourself?”

  She pulled in a breath and shook her head.

  Kostya narrowed his eyes. “Now who is this David?”

  Tori’s head snapped up. She shook her head. She had been operating under a dark cloud for so long she couldn’t even fathom the idea of sharing her troubles with anyone.

  She waved a hand. “Oh…just an…an old boyfriend. I like to have this fantasy that someday I’ll be coming to get him. You know—cut off his balls and feed them to him type of stuff. He was a real jerk. Dumb. Not a nice guy. But he’s…he’s in Alaska now. Or he was last I heard. He might have traveled to Mexico for all I know. I mean…I lost touch with him.” She was rambling. She knew it. Kostya had gone from smiling to frowning. But she didn’t want him thinking he could take care of her ex-boyfriend for her—not that David was that. She bit her lower lip.