Russian Persuasion

by Laura Hart

  “Good morning, Sadie Duval,” came his familiar voice.

  “Do you know more than one Sadie?”

  “You're the only one.”

  “So why do you call me Sadie Duval?”

  “Because it's your name, and I like the way it sounds.”

  Sadie gave a small dismissive laugh. “Whatever. Anyway, I'm calling to thank you for the bonsai tree. It's totally not something I expected.”

  “That's good. I'm glad you were surprised. Have you ever cared for a bonsai before?”

  “Not really. Harmony was into them for a while, but I was in school then and not around much. I'll figure it out, though. In fact, now that I think about it, she probably still has a book around here somewhere. Anyway, thank you.”

  “You're most welcome. I was going to call you in a few minutes anyway because I have a proposition for you.”

  “What kind of proposition?” she asked cautiously.

  Max ignored her obvious lack of enthusiasm and continued. “I have to go to Dallas to finalize the agreement on our new Galleria space there, and I'm wondering if I could convince you to come with me. We'd be staying two nights in the Weston Galleria, but I'll get us two adjoining rooms if that would make you more comfortable. You can spend time in the Galleria while I tie up things, and then we can do whatever you'd like there in Dallas. What do you think?”

  Sadie's head was spinning. A trip to Dallas with Max! As always seemed to happen when it involved him, she had conflicting feelings. She’d really enjoyed the time they'd spent together so far—well, most of it, at least, but that was the problem. She could feel herself being sucked into something that she wasn't sure fit her plans for life. Ever since Max Orlov had grabbed the guy who'd stolen her bag and then marched him back to her, he'd been causing chaos in her nicely ordered life. He'd been nothing but a gentleman with her, and he was an interesting conversationalist as well as incredibly sexy, but when she was with him, the needle on her internal compass seemed to swing wildly and point her in unfamiliar directions.

  “Sadie? Are you still there?”

  “I'm here,” she sighed. “When are you going?”

  “Early Friday morning if possible. When's Harmony coming back?”

  “Tomorrow evening.”

  “Well, I'll take that as a sign that you're intended to come with me. What do you say?”

  Sadie hesitated while her mind and heart had unfriendly words with each other, but her heart won and she heard herself saying, “All right.”

  “Perfect! I'll let you know more as soon as I have the details locked in.”

  “All right.”

  It wasn't the most enthusiastic acceptance Max had ever had, but he took it gratefully and was smiling broadly to himself as he hung up. He was taking Sadie to Dallas with him this weekend, and if he had his way, their relationship would take a giant step forward while they were there.

  You Have a Wild Imagination

  Sadie popped a grape into her mouth as she moved her body to the music surrounding her in the car. She and Max were speeding north on I-45 heading for a weekend in Dallas, and right now, she was looking out the window and wishing she didn't have such mixed feelings about this trip. Whenever she was with Max, she felt totally comfortable, but whenever they were apart, her brain would start telling her all the ways in which she was making a mistake. When he'd invited her to come for the weekend, her brain had once again started in with warnings, but it had been overruled, and now here she was, sitting next to this man who made her knees weak as they headed for two nights together at the Westin Galleria.

  He'd assured her there'd be no pressure and that he had arranged for adjoining rooms, but even that had set up tension inside her. The part that was afraid to let a man affect her well-planned life was very leery of this devastatingly attractive male next to her, but the modern part knew she was acting like someone's grandmother. Separate rooms? Really?

  He'd said they were adjoining, so she hoped she could play it by ear and maybe have her cake and eat it too. Wow! Even that thought sounded old-fashioned. What was the matter with her? Maybe Shanna was right. Was it possible she'd built a wall around herself? She'd always had boyfriends, but maybe that was the problem. Maybe they were boyfriends, whereas Max was the full deal when it came to men—tall, dark, and handsome, yes, of course, but also so much more. There was an aura about him of self-confidence and control, and it was obvious he didn't shrink from life but rather met it full on and maybe even played with it a bit.

  The other night after the ballet, when he'd held her and kissed her, she'd been overwhelmingly attracted to him. It hadn't been just the intensity of his kisses but also feeling his rock-hard arms and chest as he'd held her to him, the way his dark eyes had seemed to gaze into her very soul—all of it had left her shaken. She pulled herself back to the present and turned to Max. “Do you want a grape?”

  Max smiled and glanced over at her. He still found the American habit of eating all day long somewhat puzzling—amusing even.

  “No, thanks, I'm good,” he said now as he took in, not for the first time, her long legs showing under the short denim skirt she'd chosen for the trip. She preferred casual clothes but looked good in everything he'd seen her in so far. More than good, really. Spectacular.

  “You know, our rooms probably won't be ready for us this early in the day,” she said as she plucked another grape off the small cluster she'd packed in a baggie. “What time is your appointment this afternoon?” She bit the grape in half and then nibbled on the other piece.

  “Three. I thought that would leave us time to get a quick lunch. And I asked for an early check-in.”

  “Asking and getting aren't always the same thing.”

  “I think we'll be fine.” He smiled over at her as if to assure her that everything was under control. Sadie looked at him, so perfect in his traveling clothes and casually in command of his Porsche (two syllables, not one), and wondered if anyone would dare tell him his room wasn't ready.

  “Are you going to shop this afternoon?” he continued.

  “Most of the stores in the Galleria are the same ones we have in Houston, so I'm not really sure. I brought my laptop and might do a little work.”

  “Your blog?” He gave her a half smile.

  “Maybe, but I have some papers I'm supposed to be grading for one of the professors, too, so I might work on that.” Then she gave a little laugh. “I'll wait and see how the weekend turns out before I blog about it.”

  Max didn't answer, so she rummaged in her bag and came up with something new to amuse her mouth. After removing the paper, she stuck one end of it into her mouth, leaving a white stick protruding.

  “What in the world do you have now?” asked Max, glancing sideways at her with a look of both perplexity and amusement on his face.

  “A Tootsie Pop.” She took it out of her mouth and held it up for him to see before sticking it back in.

  “It’s brown and looks remarkably unappetizing,” was his reaction.

  “It's chocolate, and it's the only kind I buy. If there were any justice in this world, chocolate Tootsie Pops would have a Michelin star.”

  Max laughed out loud. “I've heard a lot of strange things in the last year, but that might rank among the top few.” He glanced at her again, his eyes still dancing with laughter.

  “Have you ever had one?” Sadie challenged him, her tone sounding a bit defensive.

  “I've somehow missed that experience.”

  “Then don't judge.” She rummaged in her bag again and pulled out a second Pop, unwrapped it, and held it out to Max, who looked at it as if she were offering him glazed scorpion.

  “That's okay,” he said, leaving her holding the Tootsie Pop.

  “I've already unwrapped it, so you have to take it.”

  “Or you could wrap it up again and eat it yourself later.”

  “But then I'd think you were rude, and I know you wouldn't want that, would you?” She flashed him a mischievous
smile and continued to hold the chocolate pop out.

  Max eyed the offered treat with great distaste but still didn't take it.

  “Don't tell me you're afraid of a little Tootsie Pop.” Sadie laughed as she waved it in the air.

  “Finding something distasteful is hardly the same as being afraid.”

  “But you don't know it's distasteful because you haven't tried it.” Sadie moved her hand closer to his face. “It seems I've found something the great Max Orlov can't do.”

  Max's wasn't looking so amused anymore, but Sadie continued, “If I'm willing to give you one of my favorite treats, the least you can do is try it.”

  Max grabbed the item in question and stuck it in his mouth. His eyebrows were furrowed, and it was obvious he wasn't happy with her taunts. He grimaced as he got his first taste of the treat in question and glanced at Sadie again as if wondering about her sanity.

  Sadie watched as he withdrew the lollipop from his mouth and rubbed his lips together as if to cleanse them. “You've barely given it a try,” she scolded.

  “You're going to owe me big time for this,” he replied as he put the chocolate-flavored ball back into his mouth. Sadie took out her phone and laughed as she snapped a picture of Max with the stick in his mouth. He frowned at her and said, “I have the most overwhelming urge to spank you right now.”

  And there it was again! Sadie froze, hoping he couldn't hear her heart thumping in her chest. She'd spent her whole life avoiding the word 'spank'—being embarrassed by it—and here was this man who used it so casually. It was the third time he'd brought it into a conversation with her. What was the matter with him? Could he read minds and was intentionally tormenting her, or was it simply a horrible coincidence? She turned away and looked out the window, afraid to meet his eyes if he should glance her way again.

  For Max's part, he was an observant man who didn't miss much, and he definitely had not missed the sudden change in Sadie's demeanor. It made him remember her strange reaction in the restaurant when he'd wished a spanking on the unpleasant woman at the next table, and then again how she'd gone quiet and seemed uncomfortable when he'd mentioned spanking after she'd squirted him with the hose. She obviously had a problem with spanking, but what was it?

  His first thought was that maybe she'd been abused as a child, but he quickly discarded that idea. It didn't fit with what he knew about her family, and it didn't quite fit with her reaction either, which was not fear or anger but more discomfort or even embarrassment. It was strange, and he wanted to know more. He didn't know Sadie very well yet, but what he did know, he liked, and he had every intention of getting to know her better. He'd try to find a time this weekend to ask her about it, but for now, it was time to change the subject away from both Tootsie Pops and spanking.

  “What do you feel like eating for dinner tonight?” he asked, hoping she'd turn back around and look at him. She did turn somewhat, and he had to smile because she still had the lollipop stick between her lips, making her look about twelve. She took it out so she could answer.

  “I don't know. How about Russian food?”

  Max looked surprised. “Do you like Russian food?”

  “I've never had much of it. I could try it.”

  Max looked thoughtful. “I'd want to be sure that it was good before I took you. Let's save Russian for back in Houston. How about Swiss?”

  “Fondue?”

  “If you want.”

  “I love fondue.” She smiled as if imagining a pot of simmering oil or melted cheese.

  “Then I guess that's settled.”

  They’d crossed I-20, which was the south part of the I-635 loop around Dallas, and traffic had gotten noticeably heavier, so Max needed to pay closer attention. “What made you think of Swiss food?” asked Sadie as she watched him concentrating.

  “I like Swiss food. I grew up in Switzerland.”

  “You said you went to boarding school there.”

  “I did, but I also grew up there.”

  “Why?”

  “Why what?” He sounded amused.

  “Why did you grow up in Switzerland if you’re Russian?”

  Max paused before answering. “It’s kind of a long story. I don’t want to get into it while I’m driving. I’ll tell you later.”

  “Is Interpol looking for you?” Sadie asked with a big grin on her face. “Do you think I can get a reward for turning you in?”

  Max frowned and shook his head. “You watch too much TV.”

  “I hardly watch any at all,” she objected.

  “Then you have a wild imagination.”

  Max turned west onto the north loop and went several exits before reaching the Galleria. He found the entrance to the Westin and, after having the bags unloaded, turned the car over to a valet. He was in a great mood. He had Sadie here with him and planned to make this weekend count. She was the most interesting woman he’d met in a long time, and he fully intended to get to know her much better.

  “Max Orlov,” he said to the receptionist at the front desk. “I have two adjoining rooms for early check-in.” He took his passport out of his pocket and laid it on the counter.

  “Hey!” exclaimed Sadie as she watched. She reached over and picked up the passport. “This is a Swiss passport.” She looked at him suspiciously. “How come you don’t have a Russian one?”

  Max took the passport out of her hand and laid it back on the counter for the receptionist, who was listening while pretending not to. “I have dual nationality, so I have two passports. When I’m in the States, it’s easier to use the Swiss one.”

  “Are you sure you’re who you say you are?”

  Max laughed. “I think so.”

  “But if you grew up in Switzerland and you have a Swiss passport, why did you tell me you’re Russian?”

  “Because I am,” he replied simply. “Where you live isn’t necessarily who you are.”

  Sadie was still looking at him skeptically, so he added, “Let me get us checked in and then I’ll answer all your questions over lunch.”

  “All right,” she agreed grudgingly. She was a curious type who liked to have all the relevant information, but there was obviously a great deal about Max Orlov that she didn’t yet know.

  Here’s to a Memorable Weekend

  “They have an Oceanaire in the hotel here if you’re interested.”

  Max had been true to his word, and there were two rooms with a door open between them. Sadie was looking out the window in ‘his’ room but she turned around to look at him. “It’s in the hotel itself?” she asked, sounding surprised.

  “Yes.”

  “I’m in if you are,” she answered, sounding happy.

  Max smiled. He remembered the second time he’d seen her and had invited her to eat in the Galleria in Houston. She’d chosen the Oceanaire, saying it was one of her favorite restaurants, although in Houston it was in the mall itself rather than in a hotel.

  Sadie looked at herself in the full-length mirror and frowned. “Maybe I should put on something a bit better.”

  “I think you’re fine for Friday lunch,” he replied, eying her short denim skirt. She looked casual but still put together. As far as he was concerned, she could wear a sack and still look good. He glanced at his watch and added, “We need to go fairly soon, though, since I’ve got my meeting this afternoon.

  “All right.” She picked up her bag and, as they left their room, smiled and added, “Remember, you said I could ask you whatever I wanted over lunch.”

  Once they were seated and had ordered, Sadie sat back in her chair and crossed her arms. “Okay, it’s time to talk. No more dodging the question.”

  Max gave a small laugh. “I didn’t think I had been dodging the question, as you put it. What do you want to know?”

  “Why do you have dual nationality? Why do you use a Swiss passport if you’re Russian?”

  “I have dual nationality because I was born in Switzerland. As a matter of fact, I didn’t set foot in
Russia until I was fifteen.”

  “So why do you call yourself Russian?”

  “Because I am Russian. Who we are and where we are are not the same thing.”

  “So, your parents were Russian and were living in Switzerland?”

  “Yes, as were my grandparents.”

  “But why? Why was everyone in Switzerland if you’re Russian?”

  Max looked at her silently a moment before saying simply, “We were in exile. My family left Russia shortly after the revolution, when it became difficult and even dangerous for them to continue living there. A revolution was probably long overdue, but it got badly out of hand and ended in civil war and then worse. Better-off families were targeted, and my great-great grandparents realized that it was time to leave until things changed again. They sent their oldest son, my great-grandfather, and the other two younger children out. They planned to join them later but never made it.”

  “How old was their oldest son at the time?”

  “He was twenty-one. He’d been a student at the university but was banned from the school by the Bolsheviks. They sent the three kids to Aix-en-Provence because there was a distant relative living there. It was a journey of a couple thousand miles, which took a long time back then. My great-grandfather had to accept the responsibility at age twenty-one of looking after his two younger siblings and keeping them safe. He also had to start a new life for them.”

  “So why are you part Swiss and not part French?”

  The waiter arrived just then with their meals, crab cakes for Sadie and a small steak for Max, but once they’d started eating, Max resumed answering.

  “I would have been if it hadn’t been for World War II. Remembering how quickly things had gone bad back home in St. Petersburg, my family was very sensitive to what was happening around them in Europe. At first, they thought they’d be safe in Provence, but after Germany invaded France and there were rumors that Italy would be invading from the East, they left for Switzerland, which was still possible to do in 1940. By that time my great-grandfather had married and had children. My grandfather was ten when the family settled in Zürich. My father was born there as was I.”