Polar Opposites (In Aeternum Book 4) (17 page)

“Your hands are like magic and you want me to think?”

“And converse.”

“Just don’t stop touching.”

“No plans to do that. Now, answer my question.”

Bailey had to think hard about what he’d asked. “Languages.”

“Uh-hmmm.”

His touch was utterly blissful and she closed her eyes, allowing the pleasure to take center stage.

“English and Spanish.”

“I got that already.” An amused chuckle accompanied his statement. “What else?”

“I speak…oh God, yeah right there…passable Arabic, not fluent but I can make it without being taken advantage of.”

“Is that all?”

She rolled her shoulders and burrowed deeper into the mattress. “No.”

“What else?”

“German.” She moaned throatily as his strong and talented fingers worked out the kinks and tightness in her lower back. “Portuguese. Italian. French.”

“You”—he kissed her spine—“are an”—another kiss—“amazing woman.”

“Hmm.”

He moved his hands lower as he slid over her ass and down her legs. Bailey couldn’t help it, she tuned out everything but the experience. He might have longed to talk while this happened but he was too good, the encounter too drugging for her to continue any hope of concentration.

Chapter Thirteen

Ivan readjusted the woman on his chest. Bailey settled back into him instantly. He loved how she allowed her body to meld into his. Were he to prognosticate about their future, he had them married with a few children running underfoot. A girl who looked like Bailey with those expressive gold eyes. Four kids would be perfect. A large family so the house was full of laughter and life.

“Four kids, what?”

He tipped his head and found those golden eyes watching him. As usual, they created this incredible wealth of emotion within him. Something about her.

“I thought you were asleep.”
And I didn’t think I spoke out loud.
He wasn’t ready to tell her what he’d been envisioning.

“Mention of four kids kind of punctured my slumber.”

News he would address later. He kissed her instead. “Go back to sleep.”

“Won’t your mother be less than pleased to learn I spent the night in your room?”

“I moved us to yours early this morning.”

Confusion leeched into her expression. “You moved me and I didn’t wake?”

He didn’t even try to contain the smirk. “I wore you out.”

“Sound proud of that.”

Ivan waggled his brows and grinned. “Fuck yeah.” He untangled their bodies and climbed from the bed. “Took me a long time, so to know you were too exhausted to wake up is a prideful bit of knowledge.”

She stretched, the sheet dipping to expose the tops of her breasts. His cock stirred again at the sight.

“Isn’t pride a sin?”

“So is gluttony.” He tugged on the sheet, exposing her nakedness. “Something you are more than welcome to accuse me of. I am a glutton when it comes to you.” He lifted her foot to kiss her ankle. “Go back to sleep. I’ll be back in a bit.”

“Okay.” Bailey closed her eyes and he drew the coverings over her, ignoring the lust pounding through him with every pump of his heart.

Ivan grabbed his clothes, put them on and quietly departed. In his rooms he showered and put on clean clothes then left, clean-shaven.

His mother was in the kitchen as he had figured she would be.

“Good morning, Mama.”

She smiled at him from where she stood at the counter chopping vegetables. “Morning. Where’s Bailey?”

He shrugged. “Still in her room?”

“Do you really think she is the one for you? Roman told me he spoke to you about her.”

Ivan experienced a bolt of anger. He didn’t appreciate people meddling in his life. Glass in hand, he opened the fridge for some juice.

“Nope, I don’t.”

The chopping halted. “You don’t think she is?” His mother’s question was drenched with confusion.

“No. I don’t think it.” He closed the refrigerator and stared at the woman who had given him life. “I know it.”

“You two have nothing in common.” She picked up the knife only to immediately drop it. “She will only break your heart. I married an outsider. Your father didn’t understand anything about our ways, our customs. He wanted the money. She will be the same.”

“She is nothing like
him
.”

“So she’s not interested in your money? What you inherit when I’m gone? I find that hard to believe. You make a lot and will get even more.”

Her derision got his back up. “She has homes throughout the world. Money isn’t an issue with her. I think she makes more than I do.”

Can’t assume it’s cheap to kill who she’s sent after.

“I don’t think that matters.”

“Mama, I love you and I’m sorry for what that bastard did to you but it doesn’t mean everyone who isn’t one of us will hurt either of us.”

She scoffed. “You need a good Russian girl.”

He drank his juice and walked to the sink. “Tell you what. I will do my best to give you half-Russian grandchildren.”

“What about her parents?”

“Thought you talked to Uncle Roman?”

“I did.”

“Then you know.”

She picked up her knife again. “Wasn’t sure if that was true.”

“I have no reason to lie to you or Uncle Roman.” He went to the door, kissing her cheek on the way. “She’s what you see, Mama. A lovely woman who has my heart.” Ivan left.

He jogged out the front to grab the paper. On the way down the steps to where the paper lay, he slowed and took in the sounds of morning life in St Petersburg. It wasn’t rife with the noise of living downtown for they had some property, but some noise still reached them.

A beautiful place to either visit or live. Ivan swiped the paper and made his way back inside.

“Do you want breakfast?” she called from the kitchen.

“I can make it, Mama. Don’t worry.”

“It will be ready in twenty minutes.”

He sighed. “Yes, Mama.” There was no point in arguing with her on it.

“Tell Bailey to get up as well.”

“On my way.”

Ivan took the stairs two at a time, the paper left behind on the entry table. At Bailey’s door, he opened it and stepped inside quietly. The room was bright, courtesy of the sun streaming through the window.

“Bailey?” He checked the bathroom, which was also empty.

He stood in her room, hands on hips. The bed was made. Lips pursed, he went to the window and peered out. There. Out in the front yard.

He crossed his arms and leaned against the sill. She was doing some kind of martial art. One he couldn’t name. It wasn’t a world he was part of.

Whatever it is, she’s sexy and graceful while doing it.

Ivan made his way down to the porch. He could feel the intensity of her workout concentration. Taking a seat, he observed her, her fluidity, and he noted how there were no wasted movements.

Poignant. The word he would use to describe the image.

“Need something?”

Bailey’s question shook him free of the focus that had surrounded him.

“Breakfast,” he said. “Time to come eat.”

She stopped and put a hand against her throat. “I’ll be right there, just need to shower.”

He pushed to his feet. “Want me to wash your back?”

Her smile brightened her face and, in turn, his day. “Your mother’s awake, right?”

“Yes.”

“And she’s seen you already?”

“Yes.”

“Then no. You don’t need to show up as if you’d just gotten out of the shower. Especially when that’s how I’ll look.”

He approached and kissed her. “Water conservation?”

She chuckled. “Nope. I’ll see you in the kitchen.” Bailey trotted into the house and disappeared. “Give me ten,” she called behind her.

“Damn,” he muttered playfully.

True to her word, Bailey showed up ten minutes later. Ivan paused in carrying the fruit to the table. She had dressed for a day of being a tourist, comfortable and functional. Her hair was drawn back from her face by a braided gold hair accessory. He noticed it when she turned to speak with his mother.

Breakfast was lighthearted but even so he watched his mother, unwilling to allow her to be rude or mean to Bailey. They cleaned up and Bailey waited out by the car for him. He watched her pull out a phone.

“Are you gone all day?” His mother spoke Russian, as she tended to do when Bailey wasn’t around.

“Most. Why? Did you require my assistance with something?”

“I wanted you to accompany me somewhere this morning.”

He had plans. With a smile to hide his disappointment, he nodded. “Let me talk to Bailey.”

“Thank you.”

When Ivan walked out, Bailey was still on the phone, but she hung up and faced him.

“What’s wrong?”

He admired her intuitiveness. “My mother needs my help this morning.” Ivan reached for her. “I’m sorry, I know we had plans.”

“She’s your mother. Go help her. I’m capable of exploring on my own.”

“Are you sure? Want me to drop you somewhere?”

“No, I’m good. I’ll walk for a bit then grab a taxi.” She kissed the corner of his mouth. “See you later.”

Bailey walked toward the street and with a wave over her shoulder, vanished from view. Ivan shoved his hands into his jean pockets and rocked back on his heels. Expelling a large sigh, he returned inside and tried to figure her out.

She didn’t get upset nor did she try to insert herself in his business. He’d said his mother needed him and she took it as such without question.

Back in the house, he prepared to call for his mother but shut his mouth when she walked into view, purse in hand.

“Come on.”

“Where are we going?”

“I need you to come with me. Where’s Bailey?”

“Went exploring. Why?”

“If she was staying here, I didn’t wish to lock her out.”

“Don’t worry, I’m guessing she’ll be gone most of the day.”

“Okay.”

Ivan assisted his mother into the car then slipped behind the wheel. “Where to?”

* * * *

Bailey gazed around The Hermitage, amazed by the art available to her. She currently stood in the Winter Palace and was witness to the collections in the building.

Her phone vibrated against her thigh and she pulled it from her pocket. Kevin McNeal.

“Did I miss my check-in?”

“Hello to you as well.” His dry tone had her smiling.

“What do you need?”

“Perhaps I wanted to say hi.”

“I’m trying to enjoy my day, McNeal. What do you need?”

He sighed. “When are you going to be done with this vacation of yours?”

“Not for a while. Why?”

“I want you back at work.”

She stepped back and moved to the next item hanging on the wall. “Why? It’s not like I live close even if I’m working. Do you have something which needs to be attended to?”

“Yes.”

“Luckily you have others to send. I like being on vacation. I should have gone on one a long time ago.”

“Bailey, you’re needed here.”

She cocked her head to the side. “Why?”

“Can’t you just take my word on it?”

“I could, but no.”

“Christ, woman, can you ever make things easy?”

“I do. I am a very simple person, McNeal. You know this. I don’t do well with complications. In fact, I avoid them. With extreme prejudice.”

“So what’s with the nerd scientist?”

Bailey located a bench and sat, bracing her free hand behind her. “I am not beholden to you in such a way I’m required to answer that. Surely you know this?”

“I’m your boss but I was—” He hemmed, hawed, and cleared his throat. “Where are you going after you leave St Petersburg?”

“Don’t know.”

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

“Exactly what I said, and what is your reason for keeping tabs on me?”

“It’s not hard for me to track a cell, Bailey.” He had a point there.

“If you’re following my progress, why do I need to call and update you?”

“A cell phone doesn’t tell me
how
you are, Bailey.” There was some slight chastisement in his tone this time.

“I’m sure there is more than desire on your part to know how I am doing as a reason for this call. How about you let me in on it so I can get back to what I was doing.”

“I need you to do something for me.”

She tracked an extremely pregnant woman who waddled from piece to piece, hands upon the small of her back. Bailey thought of her discussion with Anabelle Lee.

“I’m sure you do. What is it?”

Did she want a baby? There was no biological clock raging inside her, demanding it. She liked her life how it was.

“Bailey.” McNeal sounded exasperated and she realized she’d gotten lost in her own thoughts, tuning him out.

“Repeat that.”

A groan of frustration this time. “I know my request is a bit unorthodox but I need you to do it.”

I should have paid attention.
“Say it again, I want to make sure I have it all.”

“I need you to go to the coordinates I’ll provide.”

She sat up, curiosity piqued. This wasn’t anything she’d expected. Bailey paused and narrowed her eyes. “I won’t do any more retrievals.”

“You’re on vacation, I merely need you to check on a person for me.”

“A person.” She rubbed her eye. “A very vague statement.”

“I need you to do you and not ask questions.”

More frustration but this time with a hint of desperation was how she would label it.

“This is not my typical job. ‘Check on’ is open for a variety of interpretations. Look at and make sure there is life. Meet and discuss to assess well-being. Plus plenty more. I will need more than ‘check on’ if you require me to do this.”

“I could order you.”

“Doesn’t change the fact you would still need to explain what you mean by ‘check on’ in greater depth.”

His muttered cursing came then a loud thump. Bailey rose and walked to another painting, activating her hands-free then placing both hands and her phone back in her pockets. Whatever this was to be and whoever this person was, it was important and heartily personal to McNeal. Given he was one of the few she honestly respected, she wouldn’t push his answer, allowing him to speak in his own time.