Satin Princess(40)

“Jessa?” Courtney asks.

“Hmm?”

“Did you hear me?”

“Huh?” I ask, turning to her.

Courtney purses her lips. “You can’t overdo it.”

“Oh, right. Yeah, I heard you.”

“No intense exertion.”

“Got it.”

She gives me a knowing look. “That means no, shall we call them, ‘adult activities.’” That gets my attention. I stop short and turn to her. She nods, a firm glint in her eye. “I know it will be hard but—”

“It’s not hard,” I say quickly, feeling my face flush. “I mean, I’m just… sex is not an issue. Anton and I are not—we’re not actually a couple. So there won’t be any sex taking place.”

I hate that I sound the way I feel: bitterly disappointed.

“But you are having his baby, aren’t you?” Courtney checks.

“I… well, yes. But it was more of a one night type of thing.”

Or two. But she doesn’t really need to know that.

“Ah. I see.”

“That was probably more information than you needed.”

She shrugs. “I did ask.” She gives me a generous smile and hands me my vitamins for the morning. I swallow the handful of colorful pills quickly with a gulp of water and then hand the glass back to her.

“I’m gonna explore the suite,” I say.

“Sure, but not too fast.”

I’m pretty sure she’s joking, but I roll my eyes as I walk away.

The suite is bigger than I imagined when I was confined to bed. My room opens into the sitting area, a lushly appointed room with leather and a TV that seems to melt right into the wall, like it was grown there instead of hung. Beyond that, I see a small study branching off and a neat kitchen decked out in gleaming white. But the show stealer is the massive sunroom. It’s encased in glass, ceiling included, and every inch of the place glows.

I’m basking in the heat, wishing that Anton was here, when I hear heavy footsteps behind me. Hope flares in my chest, but when I turn around, I see that it’s Yulian.

“Oh… hi.”

He gives me a knowing smile. “Disappointed?"

“No.”

He just laughs. “I’ve seen that expression enough times to be able to recognize it, Jessa,” he says. “Trust me, I can always tell when a woman is hoping for Anton and gets me instead.”

“That can’t be true. You’re a good-looking man.”

“Why, thank you,” he says in his easy manner, giving me a mocking half-bow. “But when you compare me with Anton, I look like the frog who’s waiting to be turned into a prince. Hasn’t happened yet.”

I smile. “There’s still hope.”

I’m suddenly conscious of the fact that I’m standing here in my nightgown. The neckline falls low over my chest and the hemline brushes the tops of my thighs. It's soft as can be, but entirely too clingy and sheer to be worn in polite company.

I’m even more aware of my state of undress when Yulian’s eyes dip to my breasts. To his credit, he forces them back up to my face almost immediately.

Anton and I aren't exactly a couple—I literally just said those words to Courtney—but still, I feel an uneasy sense of guilt. Like I’ve done something wrong.

“If you’ll excuse me… I’m going to go change.”

“Sure. How about a drive once you’re ready?” he asks.

I turn to him enthusiastically. “I’d love that!”

He laughs. “See you downstairs in fifteen?”

“I’ll be there in ten.”





*



As it turns out, I’m ready in nine. I take the fastest shower known to man and then I pick my outfit carefully.

I’ve been cooped up in bed for so long that I feel like looking pretty. To that end, I choose a romantic, off-white dress with a deep V neck and beige buttons that run down the front.

I comb out my hair, add a touch of blush, slip on my ankle-height brown leather boots, and whisk downstairs.

It’s the first time I’ve walked through the hotel, however—while conscious, at least—and I’m momentarily floored by how fancy it is. I try not to look intimidated as I make my way to the main entrance. You belong here. You belong here.

But that thought gets promptly undercut when I manage to get lost twice before the concierge takes pity and leads me to the gleaming double doors of the entrance.

When I step outside, Yulian is leaning against the side of his car waiting for me.

I meant what I said: he’s definitely an attractive man, but I can’t help comparing him to Anton. They’re very similar in build. Both tall and broad-shouldered, both dark-haired and stormy-eyed.

But there are subtle differences if you know where to look. Anton is broader at the shoulders and narrower in the waist. Yulian is a little blockier, a little rougher around the edges.

But he isn't without his charms. He has a charming playboy vibe, the kind of man who flirts shamelessly with everything on two legs just for the sheer pleasure of seeing women blush, whereas Anton is more brooding detachment.

I already know which one is my type. Even if Yulian is the easier brother to strike up a conversation with.