So Over You (Chicago Rebels #2)(34)

That was some mighty fine hairsplitting, but she let it slide.

“I’m sorry because I failed you during your first sexual experience, Bella. I should have made it better for you.”

His regret seemed genuine. She knew she was supposed to love seeing this arrogant man brought down a peg and filled with remorse, but she didn’t like it. Not at all.

However, she secretly loved that he called her Bella.

“Well, I didn’t tell you I was a virgin. You didn’t have all the facts, so—”

He held up a hand. “No, I didn’t, but that is no excuse. I was young and horny and excited because I wanted you more than anything. It was a time in our lives when anything seemed possible, yes? We were healthy, strong, and hot for each other, but I didn’t take the time to discover how to please you. Any decent man would have done that. Perhaps I thought there would be more time to do so.” He looked out the window, pain in the set of his beautiful mouth.

“Vadim, about what happened. After.” My father, your exile.

“Let us not rehash the past.” He returned his gaze to her. “Everything occurs for a reason. We end up where we are supposed to be.”

True, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t be sorry that her father had banished him and put a stutter step in his promising career. Also, there was a finality about his words. They couldn’t go back to those halcyon days of teenage infatuation and lust. They were all grown up, burdened with responsibilities.

“Vadim, some of the things I said before when I was talking to Violet . . .”

“About the quality of my lovemaking?”

Did he have to talk like a dissolute duke? No one should be able to say “lovemaking” with a straight face and make it sound so . . . sexy.

“Right. That. Well, I was pissed at your attitude that day in the rink, and it made me petty.”

“Bringing the Ukrainians into it was a low blow, Isobel.”

She rolled her lips in. Must not laugh. Must not laugh.

“You’ve always been so touchy about your neighbors.”

“So you have not slept with the Ukrainian delegation at the Games?”

“Not the entire delegation.” She grinned, and Lord love a duck, he grinned right back at her. Dangerous heat bloomed all over her body. Maybe she should flip to the AC, because any more Smiles of Devastation from the Russian and she would melt into the seat.

“I—I probably should get going. So, see you for practice tomorrow?”

He merely held her gaze. “Isobel, I am not nineteen years old anymore.”

Didn’t she know it. “Got that.”

“In the last eight years, I have worked on improving myself. I am a better skater, and no one can beat me in a face-off. I know more about wine than any self-respecting hockey player should. I recognize designers on red carpets.” He leaned in, his breath warm even in the heated car. “I have improved in all areas.”

She swallowed. “I’m sure all your girlfriends appreciate it. Especially the designers thing.”

His shrug was that of a man who considered himself woefully underappreciated.

“I would like to apologize. Properly.”

Her lungs went on hiatus. He couldn’t mean what she thought he meant. “Apology accepted,” she said cheerfully, though it came out chipmunk style. Alvin would be so proud.

“You choose to act clueless about what I mean?”

“Are you offering to apologize with your penis?”

“It is my most improved area.” He said it with such sincerity that she laughed, but immediately turned serious again because this was not a laughing matter.

“We tried it, and it didn’t work, Vadim. In fact, I’d say it was disastrous.”

“You’re overstating the situation. It wasn’t that bad.”

She practically dislocated her eyeballs trying not to roll them. “Famous last lines in the history of seduction.”

“We were kids. Neither of us knew what we were doing. I can guarantee we will not have the same problem.”

“Vadim, you know I can’t get involved with you. Even if I wanted to, which I don’t, it’s a terrible idea.”

“So you like Kelly?”

“No comment.”

“You do like him. Perhaps you are thinking this will be a good match for you. I suppose he is . . . nice.”

That was her word for Kelly, and Vadim had no right to use it, especially when he made it sound like dog food.

“As if you’re qualified to know that.”

“I can recognize nice. It is very easy for a man to spot what he is not.”

“You’re not nice?”

He laughed mirthlessly. “Would you like to argue this point with me?”

“I’m sure all your girlfriends think you’re nice.” Don’t defend the man from himself!

“They think I am attractive, rich, and . . .” He paused and shrugged. “That is it. That is what they think.”

“How sad for you,” she said sarcastically. Though she did think it sad if that was truly what he believed.

“So we are agreed. You are looking for nice.”

“Most everyone is, Vadim. No one wants a creep.”

He inclined his head until it almost touched hers. “The opposite of nice does not have to be a bad thing. Not when it comes to certain areas. Sex, for example.”