Alexei, Her Russian Billionaire

Chapter 3

“So he said you could have it for free?”

Jenny was sitting on the bed. She had already changed into her pyjamas by the time Maya had finally returned home, her makeup scrubbed from her face and her favorite blanket around her shoulders. Maya showered and dressed in her flannel pyjamas, telling Jenny about what had happened at the gallery. Since her encounter with Alexei both of them had been working hard, parting company after the shoot to work on different projects. This was the first time they had seen each other since that morning.

Maya was exhausted but there was a spark of exhilaration. It wasn’t every day she got asked out by men like Alexei Petrov and it did feel good. To think a woman like her could make a man like him want to get out with her was a confidence boost, to say the least.

And she knew Jenny would be just as hyped as she was. It had been a while since she had been on a date and she needed something after that incident with Jonny.

“Yes, I did.”

“And you turned his offer down? Are you mad?”

“I must be.” Maya towel-dried her hair, dropping the towel on the bed before picking up her hair brush. “But I couldn’t take a painting that costs thousands. It would feel weird having it in here knowing I didn’t pay for anything.”

“That would be the best freebie ever.”

“I know. But I couldn’t bring myself to do it.”

Jenny shook her head.

“You’re strange.”

Maya knew that. Now she was wishing she had taken Alexei up on his offer. She sat on the bed, her brush in her hands.

“I said I’d be his guide tomorrow.”

“Whose guide?”

“Alexei’s guide. He asked me to show him around New York as he’s new here and hasn’t had time to look at the sights.”

Jenny stared at her, her eyes wide.

“You said you’d show him around?”

“Yes.”

Jenny whistled.

“Wow, you’re in there. Is he good-looking?”

Maya couldn’t help but laugh. That was all Jenny seemed to care about right now when men were involved in the conversation. She reached for her tablet on her bedside cabinet and took it off sleep. It opened up to the gallery website, which had been revamped since Alexei had taken over.

“His picture is on the updated website for the gallery.”

She had done her research. Alexei was a big name in the art world and he owned two modeling agencies. Maya recognized the American one; she had shot a few campaigns for them when they first started out. They were now really popular and Caroline was often in contention with them to get the best models.

Maya passed the tablet over to Jenny. Jenny stared at the picture of Alexei leaning against a glass window, dressed in a suit and giving the camera a big smile. She sighed and fell onto her back on the bed.

“Oh, my.” She fanned herself with the tablet. “I think I’m going to faint.”

Maya laughed.

“Honestly, Jenny.”

“Seriously. He’s Russian and gorgeous. What more could you want?” She sighed dramatically. “I adore a man with an accent.”

“He’s charming, certainly.” Maya took her tablet back and placed it back on her cabinet. “And I’m just being a guide. It’s not a date.”

Jenny snorted.

“Yeah, keep telling yourself that.”

She sat up and slid off the bed. Maya followed her through the apartment to the lounge, where their spare duvet was set up on the couch. Jenny jumped onto the couch and burrowed under the duvet while Maya searched for the remote.

“By the way, did you see Caz?”

“I did.” Maya sat and turned the DVD player on, switching the TV on. “She’s agreed to take Jonny off the Barbados shoot and replace him with Rodrigo. She texted me earlier to say Rodrigo had agreed to do it.”

“That’s great.” Jenny stretched her legs out as Maya sat back, putting her feet on Maya’s lap. “I like Rodrigo. He’s such a sweetie.”

Maya agreed with that. Rodrigo was lovely and one of the best male models she had worked with. She enjoyed working with him and he would be a breath of fresh air after Jonny.

“He certainly is.” She grinned slyly at Jenny. “A gorgeous man with an accent.”

She knew Jenny had a big crush on Rodrigo and had to hide so she wouldn’t laugh in their faces whenever Jenny encountered the Hispanic model. Even now Jenny’s face was going bright red.

“Well…”

Maya laughed and patted her feet.

“Look, no more talk on guys and accents. Let’s just have our pizza and a night of scary movies.”

That sounded like a good idea. But even as the movie started, Maya wondered if she would be able to stop thinking about Alexei Petrov and his gorgeous accent.

*****

Alexei was wondering if he had bitten off more than he could chew asking Maya to take him around New York to see the sights. Manhattan was big and it was busy. Maya had met him outside Central Park and suggested they walk around Central Park and Times Square before going on to other parts of the city.

Like a fool Alexei had agreed. He thought he was fit and healthy but that was nothing compared to Maya. She had been walking for three hours and didn’t seem to show any sign of stopping. Alexei wondered if being on her feet all day was a factor for it. He spent most of his working day sitting down and it was starting to show.

Maya was very enthusiastic about it all. She showed him all the important buildings that she knew of, giving him details of its history before they moved on. Alexei was surprised at her knowledge; she was clearly not a local but she spoke with much love for the place she called home. He loved hearing her talk. It was one thing he could never get bored of.

And he had been right thinking Maya had a good figure. Dressed in jeans with a black jacket and black t-shirt, finishing off the outfit with black boots, a black handbag and a black leather cap that matched her jacket, Maya looked great. Her figure was trim and she certainly kept herself in shape. Her legs were nice and shapely and she had nicely rounded bre*sts, bre*sts that Alexei tried not to stare at.

His thoughts were drifting towards the erotic, wondering what Maya would look like naked with her legs wrapped around his waist as he feasted on her bre*sts. But that was proving dangerous as his jeans, while not tight, were getting more uncomfortable. He hoped it wasn’t obvious he was walking around half-aroused. If Maya had noticed she didn’t mention it.