Page 1 of Scarred Temptation

CHAPTER 1

Isabel

“You do understand what you’re doing is called kidnapping. In every language.”

I sensed Maxsim’s presence, the heat of his body sending a wave of electricity through mine that no blindfold could block out.

Yet as he inched even closer, my breath was captured much like he’d done with my body months before.

Now he was also doing so with my heart.

“YA mogu delat’ vso, chto zakhochu, potomu chto ty prinadlezhish’ mne.”

The thrill of his seductive, velvety voice caused a simple thrill to course through me from the uncertainty of what he had planned. All while the tickling vibrations of his deep baritone against my cheek seconds before he blew into my ear pushed me into dark cravings.

He had a way of unleashing sinful desires I’d never experienced before.

“As I’ve told you before, neither speaking Russian nor your sexy accent has any effect on me. None whatsoever. And no, you can’t do whatever you want because you think you own me. Do you want to know why?”

There was a light breeze cutting through the thick humidity, carrying several delicate scents that I’d yet been able to recognize. Although I was certain I’d gathered a whiff of both gardenia and night-blooming jasmine. Two of my favorite flowers.

“I am Maxsim Aristov. I can do whatever I want, my lady.”

I laughed, offering a throaty version of my usual voice while continuing to try to decipher where he’d taken me. The man was full of surprises, more so than I would have ever believed upon first meeting him. Up until recently I would have never believed he’d push aside work for even one day, let alone a surprise, secretive, and undoubtedly luxurious few days out of the city.

Who was I kidding? The long flight was a dead giveaway we were halfway across the world, but the pilot had obviously been in on the carefully planned getaway. Maxsim had simply shown up at my door, demanded I grab a few items, and we’d been off. There were suitcases already in the vehicle, items he’d purchased that I hadn’t been allowed to see, and not a word had been offered about our destination.

“How much further?” I asked while tugging hair from my face, the long strands whipping back and forth in the heavy breeze of his insane driving. The man should have been a racecar driver. One other hint was that we were not on a traditional road, the bumps and lurches indicating somewhere more primitive than the maintained streets of a typical city.

The limited knowledge made the entire scenario that much more exciting.

“Not far. Be a good girl and when we arrive, I’ll remove your mask.” He was obviously enjoying himself, taking a few seconds to crawl his fingers along the inside of my thigh before squeezing my leg.

A promise of delights to come.

“Japan,” I teased, fairly certain he wouldn’t choose the country.

“Too densely populated.”

“Australia.”

“You hate bugs the size of my hand and Australia is known for having nightmarish creatures.”

“More nightmarish than you?”

“Very funny.”

I laughed, biting my lower lip as I did. He was right. I loathed bugs of any kind, especially water bugs, which my southern city was famous for. “Moscow.”

His disgruntled growl brought a laugh. “I think you know the answer, moy prednachertannyy angel.”

His fated angel. Every time he used the sweet, telling name he’d called me from the beginning of our toxic and amazing relationship, I shivered. Today was no exception. “Yes, I do.”

In a fit of rage he’d had early in my knowing him, I’d heard he’d never return to his home country. Not under any circumstances. A subject that was off limits to everyone, including the woman who adored him.

I forced myself to stop guessing wildly. I separated the air into clean categories: earthy first, then the sweet, sugary notes hovering underneath. The mixture of fragrances was fruity but not crisp like apples. The scents were dense, syrupy, and tropical; coconut, perhaps, or even mangos creating delicious fantasies.

As soon as I leaned my head against the headrest, he downshifted. Perhaps we were almost to our destination. When something fell against my arm, my shriek was immediately followed with his deep, husky laugh.