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herself in their path.
    “Can you excuse us, honey?” Prentiss fluttered her lashes at Wren.
    “No, she can’t. We’re going inside. Good night.”
    “This is what you’re digging up now? Come on, Gregori.” She turned her attention to Wren. “You know you’re temporary, right? He’ll replace you in a week or two.”
    Wren just looked her over and a twinge of pity bloomed. Just a small one and not big enough for her to resist when Gregori kept her at his side.
    “Move aside, Prentiss. We’re done. You know it. You wanted it, you got it and you were right.”
    “At least let’s have a drink to celebrate your night.”
    “I’m about to do that.” He continued on inside, pausing at the inner door to speak to the doorman. “Be sure no one gets in if they’re not on the list.”
    Wren blew out a breath but continued on with him to where a bunch of people she had seen around Gregori’s place milled around. And felt out of place and a little nervous.
    “Let’s put our coats away.” He pulled her aside and around a corner. When they were alone in a back hallway he got very close. So close she could smell his skin. “I apologize for her. Her assumption was incorrect and vulgar.”
    Wren licked her lips. “I’m sorry, too. This should be a happy night for you. I’m sorry she tries to hurt you.” She cupped his cheek, smiling and trying to pretend she just had friendly feelings for him. “You deserve more.”
    He closed his eyes, leaning into her palm. “You’ve got a good heart.”
    “I’m only after your cookies.”
    He smiled, his eyes still closed. “You, little bird, are welcome to any and all of my cookies. I’d even share my cake with you.”
    He touched his forehead to hers and shocked her into stillness when he slid his arms around her waist, his palms splayed on her back. Skin to skin. Warmth radiated out from where he held her and she arched into him.
    His eyes opened slowly, a little blurred and she lost her breath as he dipped down to take her mouth in a kiss.
    Not a sweet touch like he’d done at the gallery. He brushed his lips over hers, settling in. Tasting. She opened up on a sigh and he growled in his throat as his tongue traced the curve of her bottom lip.
    His beard scratched against her chin, sending shivers through her. He swallowed her sounds of delight and tickled her tongue with his. His grip on her tightened when she sucked his tongue, the ridge of his cock hard against her belly.
    He tasted like…well like everything she’d imagined he’d taste like. The spice of the Turkish tobacco in the French cigarettes he smoked. A little bit of vodka. Some cinnamon, probably from the gum he’d been chewing. And something else she couldn’t define but was all his anyway.
    Heat raced through her veins. She nipped his bottom lip and he groaned again. She laved the sting with her tongue and tasted the kiss, the need between them and it was her turn to groan.
    He muttered something in Russian at the sound of his name being called back in the main room.
    “Clearly I’m going to have to get a Russian/English dictionary.”
    He opened his eyes again, kissing her one last time. “I probably shouldn’t have done that.”
    “Whyever not? Did I repulse you?”
    He laughed. “No. I’ve wanted to do that for some time now.” He helped her out of her blazer and handed the coats over to the coat check and turned back her way.
    “So? Are you with someone? Is it that?”
    “I’m not with anyone. It’s not what I do. You work for me. It’s best not to cross those lines.”
    “I’m not your employee. I deliver packages for a company your assistant uses. And I’m not even doing that forever, as you well know. Anyway, you crossed the line. You can’t go back now.”
    She sent him a raised brow as they headed back out to the table where his friends waited.

Chapter Five
    He watched her, her taste still on his tongue. His body aching for more. Like a fool. He never should have given