After walking through the exhibit—which she seemed to thoroughly enjoy—they finally left the art center. His current driver, Kir, was waiting by the curb, just like he’d instructed.
He held open the door for Lucy before Kir could get out and do it. When he slid into the backseat after her, she looked almost surprised. Maybe she hadn’t realized he was coming with her. He didn’t care that Viktor had just said to make sure she got to her car safely. He was making sure she got home safely. There wasn’t even a threat against them at the moment, but he still wanted to take care of her. Because she is a good employee, he told himself. That was it.
“Does he know my address?” she murmured, strapping herself in.
He nodded, strapping in as well before telling Kir to head out.
“Did you have fun tonight?” she asked, her dark gaze on him.
“It was fine.” The bright city lights played over her delicate features as they drove toward downtown.
Her mouth quirked up. “That’s not really an answer.”
“It was…business. Not for fun.” Fun would be stripping her naked, making her come, seeing her lose control. He didn’t do relationships. He’d never had time, but lately he found himself thinking he’d make an exception for Lucy. Which, again, was stupid since she was an employee.
Now she shrugged. “So? You can still have fun at events.”
He’d seen her talking to a multitude of people tonight, some clearly for business, but others he knew she was friends with. Because everyone seemed to adore Lucy. It was hard not to. “It was fine,” he said, repeating his earlier statement. He felt stupid and tongue-tied around her. Always.
She gave him one of those frustrated looks and started to respond when her phone dinged from her giant bag, indicating an incoming text. Instantly she reached for it.
“You don’t have to worry about work anymore. It’s okay to go off the clock.” He worried that she might burn out. Maybe they were working her too hard?
She laughed as she responded to the text. “When you and Viktor slow down, I’ll slow down.”
He swallowed hard, looked out the window. It was doubtful he and Viktor would slow their pace anytime soon. Money gave him security and some days he couldn’t seem to make enough. Abram had grown up poor, unlike Viktor. But it didn’t matter. Viktor’d had it bad too. Abram was glad he’d only had limited contact with their father when he was young. After he’d turned eight he’d cut off all contact with the bastard, told his mom he didn’t want to see him again. Thankfully his mom had been more than happy to, even though it had meant cutting off any support from the sperm donor.
He’d assumed Viktor was just like that monster but he’d found out differently when he’d started to dig into him more. Only then had he approached him and had been surprised Viktor had no clue about his existence. It had taken time, but they’d eventually become friends.
Best friends. The first one he’d ever had. Abram didn’t trust many people. Just some of the guys he’d served with from his Marine Corps days. And his brother. No one else.
When he realized Lucy was still texting, he plucked the phone from her hands.
Letting out a soft gasp, she stared at him. “What are you doing?”
“You’re done for the night.”
“Damn it, Mr. Ivanov—”
“Abram. My name is Abram,” he gritted out. She called his brother by his first name. But she’d never called him by his first name. She either completely avoided using his name, or when she was annoyed called him Mr. Ivanov. It was ridiculous and made him insane.
She let out a frustrated growl. “I know that. Please give me my phone. I just need to respond to one thing and then I’m done for the night. Promise.”
“Say my name and you get your phone.”
She blinked at him, her cheeks flushing pink. “What?”
“My first name. Say it.” He knew he was pushing her, should probably stop. But he didn’t care. He felt practically possessed right now with the need to hear her say his damn name. He was also aware of Kir watching him in the rearview mirror curiously.
“Fine, Abram. Can I have my phone now?” She held out her palm, her hand slightly trembling.
He frowned, wondering if he’d frightened her, but…he didn’t think so. Her eyes were slightly dilated and her cheeks were still flushed. She almost looked aroused, but that couldn’t be possible. The woman couldn’t seem to stand him some days. He gave her the phone. “Don’t call me Mr. Ivanov anymore. If you do I’ll start calling you Lucia.”
She simply gave him a dark look as she took the phone and didn’t respond one way or another. For some reason she didn’t like her given name, but he thought it was beautiful. It fit her.