He deflected. “Tell me about your night.”

I had to gush: “The polish is the most brilliant thing I have ever seen in my whole entire life. We shocked ourselves.” I hiccupped.

“You’ve got it all over your face and hair.”

“A small price to pay.” With a condescending pat on his chest, I said, “Máxim, I’m a very important person here. Basically the life of the wedding. But with great power comes great responsibility.” Had I said that last sentence in Spanish?

He chuckled, all his anger gone. “Very important, hmm? What graffiti did you write on the limo? Do I need to go back and take care of it?”

“We settled on ‘He offered his honor, she honored his offer; all night long, he’s on her and off her.’ ”

He laughed, pulling me into the bathroom to start the steam shower. “Come, solnyshko. Let’s get you cleaned up. Hold on to my shoulders.” After he removed my heels, he rose, turning me around. He untied the string of my blouse, saying, “Been wanting to do this all night.” He dragged the garment off and pulled me to face him, whistling low at my black see-through demi-cup bra. “I like this little number.” Then he brushed a forefinger over one nipple. “You were good for me tonight?”

“Very good.”

He carefully removed my jewelry. “Did Jess behave herself with you? Or did she hit on you?”

I cocked out a hip. “Of course she did. I’m a hot mamí! But I told her I was with you. And she and I got into a fight anyway.”

“Why would you two fight?”

“She insisted we should write stuff on the inside of the limo too. I tried to explain the law of diminishing returns, and she told me to eat a dick.”

Why did he keep laughing at me? He reached around to unzip my skirt. “And now I get to care for my drunken female. Still more uncharted territory for me.” He pulled my skirt down, leaving me in only my new lingerie set.

“Drunken? I’m fine.”

“Indeed.” His gaze roamed over my garters and hose, my demi bra and tiny thong. “If I’d known you were hiding this, we wouldn’t have made it out of the suite.” He unclasped my bra and tossed it away, giving both nipples a sweet nuzzle. Then he unfastened my garters, kneeling to roll down my hose and peel my thong to my ankles. With a groan, he pressed a heated kiss to my bare mons, inhaling my scent.

I threaded my fingers through his hair. “Umm. I love your mouth.” More slurring?

He made a sound of frustration, rising once more. “Despite your sexy garters, I’m going to give you a reprieve tonight, which means I’m a better man than I’d ever suspected. Come on, in you go.” He led me to the shower, then stripped to follow me in.

The leather lead around his neck caught my attention. I sighed, “You had that on?”

“You wore those earrings, and I wore the key.”

“It drives me crazy to see it on you.”

He gave me his devilish grin. “I had an idea.” He lathered up a washcloth and gently scrubbed my forehead and cheeks.

I raised my face. “You gave me the earrings, but I didn’t give you the key.”

“In a way you did.”

Because I was participating in his kinks? “Hmm. Do you like me when I wear my belt?”

“Oh, I do.” The washcloth descended to my neck.

“You like me when I cook and sing?”

“I like you very much when you cook and sing.” He soaped up my breasts, his breaths coming quicker.

“Did you like me around your brother and your friends?”

“When you quipped that you were a thief of hearts, I would’ve sworn you are.”

“Aww. I like you too. I’ve learned about you.”

Had he tensed? “I wondered if others would speak of me to you.”

“Huh? Qué cosa? I’m talking about during our two weeks.” In a proud tone, I said, “If it’s past twelve, today is our anniversary. We met two weeks ago.” This was important—I wish I wasn’t slurring so much!

“Ah, so it is. And what have you learned?” He washed my belly, making the muscles trip.

“I can tell your real smiles from your fake ones. When you half-smile, you always curve the left corner of your lips. You don’t overpronate when you run. Your eyes get lively when you’re amused but also when your brain is engaged. You need your brain engaged as much as you need sex. You write the number seven with the sexiest little slash. I make you happy, and you can speed-read.”

“My clever Cat.” With his free hand, he stroked between my legs.

I sucked in a breath. “Natalie let it slip that you’re a member of a sex club in Paris.”

His fingers roved. “That’s true. Anyone who is rich enough and has those leanings is a member of Le Libertin. I’ll take you next week.”

“Can’t go. Or I’ll break rule number three.”

“You have rules, do you? How many?” His forefinger tickled my clit.

“S-six critical ones. If you follow the rules you live to fight another day.” He’d think I meant figuratively.

“Tell me about them, love.”

“If I tell you about the rules, I’d break rule number one. Besides, I need to talk to you about something else.”

“Of course. What is it?”

“You know how you said everybody wants something from you? I do too.”