Polar Opposites (In Aeternum Book 4) (15 page)

“Actually, I would love to lie down for a bit,” Bailey chimed in. “I didn’t sleep much on the plane.”

His mother gestured Bailey forward and said, “I understand. Come along, Ivan, bring the bags.”

Ivan dutifully followed and trailed his mother and his girlfriend inside his ancestral home. They both had rooms on the second floor, separate but within close proximity. Bailey didn’t make any questioning looks over that, just gave his mother a smile.

“This is beautiful, thank you so much for your hospitality.”

His mother patted Bailey’s hand. “You are friend of Ivan. We see you after you rest. Explore anywhere.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” Bailey gave him a small nod before she closed the door on them.

His mother walked off down the hall. “Come, Ivan.” This time she spoke Russian.

They went back downstairs and sat in the large living room. There was tea, coffee and pastries. He settled in with a drink in one hand and a plate of sweets in the other.

“She’s not Jaydee.”

The statement shocked him such, he nearly dropped his drink. It still wobbled in his hand.

“No, she’s not. Jaydee is married with children. Why would you think it was going to be her?”

“You sounded so happy when you said you were bringing a girlfriend.”

He tilted his head to the side. “I am happy. With Bailey.”

“Are you still in love with Jaydee?”

He took a drink of his coffee. Was he? “No.”

“You didn’t answer immediately. I think maybe you are not sure.”

“Whether I am or not, doesn’t matter. Like I said, she’s married and they have triplets.”

“What does this one do?” She smoothed her dress and sipped her tea. Ever the lady, his mother.

“We work for the same organization.”

“So she is a scientist like you? Did you meet in your lab?” A frown. “Are you her boss and taking advantage of that position with her?”

“Calm down. She’s not a scientist. We don’t even work in the same department. Our business is large so not everyone works together. So, no, I’m not her boss and I’m definitely not taking advantage of her.”
I don’t know if anyone could take advantage of her. Except perhaps…
Nope, he wasn’t going there right now.

She ate a little bit, dabbed the corners of her mouth then said, “You have nothing in common then? At least with Jaydee you were both scientists. So what does she do?”

And it got a little tricky. He couldn’t very well tell her she killed people. “She acquires things for them.”

“Is that why she travels so much? She’s off getting these items?”

“Yes.”

“What was she acquiring in Madagascar when the two of you met?”

Me.
He shook his head. “I don’t ask, she doesn’t talk a lot about her job. Neither do I. You know I work in top secret stuff so it’s just easier not to discuss work.”

“I can understand that.” She stood and lifted the tray. “I am so glad you’re back home, Ivan. I can see you’re also tired, so get some rest. We’ll catch up later.”

“I’m not tired,” he protested.

“Then you can come with me and tell me what else you’ve been up to, but I have to start tonight’s meal.”

“I’d love to help.”

* * * *

Two hours later, Ivan was out walking around on the property. He couldn’t describe how wonderful it felt to be home. He loved his country and the place where he’d grown up.

His mother still had a good chunk of land with the house and so he walked around it, taking his time and allowing the feeling of home to settle in him. He leaned against a tree to readjust his shoe and looked up to find Bailey standing there.

“Hey.”

She smiled and walked toward him. “Hi.”

“Did you get some rest?”

“I did, thank you.” She gazed about. “You have a very beautiful home, Ivan. Thank you for inviting me.”

He crooked his finger at her. “I’m glad you agreed to come.”

She slowly approached him and slipped her arms around his waist prior to resting her head against his chest. “I haven’t been to Russia in a long time. And then it wasn’t even to St Petersburg.”

He drew back and stared down at her. “Where were you?”

“Arkhangel’sk.”

Her accent was near perfect. “Archangel? What the hell were you doing there?”

She stepped free of his touch. “My job. I’ve also been to Moscow but I don’t tend to get sent there. All I recall is that it’s a beautiful city at night. I had more time in Moscow and saw a few things, also beautiful.”

“You never cease to amaze me, Bailey.”

She gazed up at the sky. “Why is that?”

He shook his head. “You just do. Come walk with me. Let me show you my home.”

She slid her hand into his. “Okay.”

They walked toward the back end of the property.

“Tell me where else you have houses.”

“No houses, only apartments.”

He filed that away. “Okay, so where are they? Other than Chile.”

“I also have ones in Paris and Brisbane.”

“What about the United States?”

“Chicago and one in Southern California.”

“Any others?”

“Five isn’t enough for you?”

“Is it enough for you?” he countered.

“Yes, if it wasn’t I would have more.”

“Where do you stay more often than not?”

“Santiago. But I move around. Depends on where my mission was and my condition after plays into my decision of where to stay as well.”

Ivan didn’t respond, he just tightened his hold on her hand. Bailey Hyde was a unique woman. He wasn’t entirely sure why she did what she did, nor had he figured out her thought process yet. It was a journey he was looking forward to, however.

* * * *

“You’re where?” McNeal didn’t sound pleased.

“St Petersburg.” Bailey sat on the stone bench in Ivan’s mother’s garden and watched the birds fight for the food in the feeders. Some played in the stone basin that made up a bath.

“I’m guessing this isn’t the one in Florida.”

“Well, when they stamped my passport it said Russia but I suppose they could have been wrong.”

“Why are you in Russia?”

“Does it matter, McNeal? I’m on my vacation and am calling you as I said I would. Be happy with that.”

“I’d be happier if you weren’t with him.”

“Luckily for both of us, we don’t answer to you about our relationships. Is that all?”

“Got somewhere to be?”

“Actually yes, he’s taking me sightseeing, I’m just waiting for him to bring the car around.”

“You’re sounding domesticated.”

“And you still sound like an ass. What’s your problem with Ivan, McNeal? This is your fault, you know. You’re the one who sent me on that first retrieval to begin with. Had you allowed me to keep to my normal job, I wouldn’t have met him. So I guess I should be thanking you. Bye.” She hung up and chuckled as she envisioned his expression.

“Ready?” Ivan asked from behind her.

“I am.” She stood and slid her phone into her pocket. “Where are you taking me?”

“I thought we’d go to one of the parks today. Sosnovka. And the Summer Garden.”

“Let’s go.” She double-checked to make sure her passport sat in another pocket then went around the bench and walked beside Ivan. “I’ve heard about the marble sculptures in the Summer Garden. Can’t wait to see them in person.”

“Who was on the phone?” He draped an arm around her shoulder.

“McNeal.”

“And he wanted?”

“Me not to be in St Petersburg.”

Ivan slowed and halted her. “He has a problem with me?”

“Knowing McNeal, yes. He has a problem with most people. So I told him we didn’t answer to him and thanked him for allowing us to meet.”

“You didn’t.”

“Actually I did. It wasn’t a lie. Had he not sent me, I wouldn’t have met you.” She wasn’t sure how she liked that knowledge. “Let’s go.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

She cocked her head to the side. “With what? It’s fact. That’s all there is to it. Nothing to feel one way or the other about.”
Despite what my heart may be saying.

“Things are so simple for you, aren’t they, Bailey?”

“I like simple.”

They began walking again. She ogled him in her periphery. Ivan was a man you didn’t see then look away from. He drew your eye. Or rather, he drew hers. Repeatedly.

Today his chinos fitted his lower body in a way that made her think of things best suited to being behind closed doors instead of heading to a public area. His black shirt offset his blond hair and ice-blue eyes spectacularly.

During the ride to Sosnovka, Ivan kept her entertained with tales of his childhood.

“Where’s your father?”

He shifted gears and sighed. “He ran off with some young woman when I was five. I was the only child so it’s just Mama and myself.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry about. I barely knew him. He was always gone. With his whores, from what Mama says.”

She listened to his intonation and discovered no bitterness. Just an acceptance of how things had been.

“But you have a big family? How does that work?”

“Mama came from a family of thirteen, so I have lots of aunts and uncles, cousins and the like. When I was younger, she kept me away from them for a good while. She didn’t want to have the sympathetic looks for having lost her husband.”

“How’d she lose him if he was the one who left?”

“The shame of not keeping her husband. Some were judgmental.”

She grunted. Large families were apparently complicated.

“What?”

“Seems to me if they were her family they should have been supportive because he didn’t honor his vows. Not blaming her.”

Ivan’s smile warmed her. “I agree. Unfortunately, there are always some who feel it is the woman’s job to keep the man happy and satisfied at home so he won’t look elsewhere. Then again, some feel men have the right to look elsewhere despite being married.”

She angled herself to stare at him. “And what is your stance on such a thing?”

“Well, a woman who keeps her man satisfied is a definite plus, and you know it’s not too shabby to be able to go out and—” He burst into laughter. “Sorry, but your facial expression is priceless. I couldn’t resist.”

She crossed her arms and glared. “You know you’re going to pay for that.”

His grin was pure sin. “I do hope so. Will there be ropes?” He parked the car in the lot and shut it off.”

Bailey smirked. “I’ve never had to tie a man to keep him in my bed. Don’t plan on starting now. If you need to be tied up then you don’t want to be there with me.” She climbed out before shutting the door with her hip.

Ivan was at her side in seconds. He crowded her against the side, nibbling along her neckline. “I will stay in your bed willingly. Any time. Just say the word.”

“Humph. You still didn’t say where you stood on that.”

He took her arm. “Baby, I’m all man but I will treat the one I’m with like she’s a queen and deserves the moon. To be disrespectful to a woman is not my way. Never has been nor will it ever be.”

She pushed up on her toes and kissed him. “Good answer.”

Lacing their fingers, she led him toward the front entrance. Sosnovka was beautiful and she had a lovely time. It was huge, covering two hundred and forty hectares. She needed so much more time there. After they’d visited there he took her, as promised, to the Summer Garden and she spent her time checking out the marble statues.

“You like art,” he said as she moved from one statue on to the next one.

“I love it. Even though the statues out here are the replicas, it doesn’t matter. I especially enjoyed some of the remaining fountains depicting scenes from Aesop’s Fables.”

“Do you collect art?”

“I do, paintings.” She moved on to another Venetian sculpture.

“What type of paintings?”

“Landscape, mostly. I find it calming to have nature scenes around me.”

“Why don’t you have a place in the country if you enjoy it so much?”

“Easier to hide in a city. When I’m done with Theta Corps, I plan on having something with acreage. Not sure where. Haven’t figured out if I want mountains or ocean. Or just open fields or a thick forest surrounding me.”

“When are you finishing with Theta Corps?”

“I don’t know, when it no longer works for me. Haven’t really thought about it.”

“I see.”

Bailey knew he had more inquisitions but she didn’t want to play twenty questions right now. So she didn’t encourage more about that. “What’s your favorite thing to do here?”

They sat on a bench and she watched people as they wandered by.

“I haven’t been in a while, but I really enjoy the Scarlet Sails celebration.”

“Scarlet Sails?”

“It’s amazing, held during the White Nights Festival. The water show is incredible. There’s also fireworks and concerts. But the ships all have the red sails. Beneath the fireworks exploding above, it’s one hell of a view.” He kissed her temple. “It’s also one huge draw, gets big stars and entertainers as well.”

“I’ll put it on my wish list.”

“I’d love to go to it with you.” He stood and drew her up with him. “Let’s go. I want you to myself tonight. Tomorrow we have a party with everyone.”

“And you don’t want to share?”

“Not tonight.”

His words created a swell of desire. She smiled and leaned her head against his arm. “Sounds fine to me.”

Ivan took her out to a lovely restaurant for a romantic dinner then back to his home. His mother had made herself scarce and they didn’t even run into her. After changing from her dress into pants and a shirt, they went out for another walk and Ivan laid out a blanket for them to share as they gazed up at the brilliant stars.

He held her in his arms as if she was the most precious of possessions. For once, Bailey allowed herself to truly relax. Not to be listening for someone sneaking up on her from behind or potentially stepping on her as she lay in wait for her target. There was none of that, just her and Ivan. Together.

Chapter Twelve

Laughter filled the air and Ivan smiled as he stood beside his uncle Roman as the man expertly worked the grill.