Expose' (Born Bratva Book 3) by Suzanne Steele Page A

is indeed similar to the one in the boutique, with one important difference. It is made of a thinner, sheer fabric that catches the light and reveals a surprisingly clear outline of Logan’s delicate curves as she undresses and slides the gown over her body. Damn, I like this girl—a lot. I smile to myself as I sit back and enjoy the show.

Logan
    I’m grateful for the screen that offers refuge from Kodiak’s penetrating gaze as I slip the gown over my head. The blood red silk slithers to the floor like water. Nothing trashy, just luxurious fabric that clings to my body like a second skin. I have to admit, I look good, even sort of sexy. I have never looked like this before in my life. And it’ll probably never happen again, so I might as well enjoy myself.
    Svetlana has given me a look that isn’t overdone; a soft, beautiful, and yet very sexy look. I laugh as I think to myself how everyone she works on probably wants to sweep her up and hide her away as their own personal miracle worker. I step out and almost bump into Kodiak where he stands just beyond the edge of the screen.
    “What’s so funny?” he asks with a scowl.
    “I was just thinking that Svetlana probably has a big fan club.”
    “You don’t need her for me to find you to be beautiful,” he says as he trails his fingertips down my cheek before briefly cradling my jaw in his hand. “You, Logan, are that rare breed of woman who needs no makeup or artifice to reveal her true glory.” He means what he’s saying, he really, really means it, wow. This guy could have any woman he wants and yet he seems to have eyes for only me. I’m still rolling that thought around in my head when he says smugly, “Your dress is missing one thing.” He walks over to his nightstand and picks something up.
    “That must be the one thing you wouldn’t let me see you buy,” I tease him. At one point during our shopping excursion, he had had left Gilbert and me in the car with a bodyguard while he shopped somewhere else. Of course he was accompanied by his bodyguard. I’m glad Lukyan is so protective of Kodiak. If Kodiak’s life is half as dangerous as I think it is, the bodyguard isn’t a luxury; he’s a damned necessity.
    He approaches me with a heated look, holding a large, flat, black velvet box. His eyes twinkle and he makes no move to open the box and reveal its contents. He’s enjoying making me wait, damn him.
    “Let me see,” I say eagerly, curious in spite of myself. When he finally opens the box, I’m enthralled by what is revealed.
    “How did you know, Kodiak?” No one knows what my favorite stone is because no one has ever cared enough to be interested. “I’m serious, how did you know green amber is my favorite stone?” He’s still eyeing me with that poker face of his, giving me no clue as to how he found out. It’s an incredibly thoughtful gesture – and it’s also a psychological control play designed to convey a message: not only is he guarding me, but he can find out any inside information about me he wants.
    This guy is confusing as hell. I run my fingers over the huge green amber stone that is set in gold and surrounded by yellow diamonds. A fossilized leaf in the middle of the stone makes the piece unique. But this isn’t just about the stone, it’s about Kodiak taking the time to find out what I like. I’m not sure what to make of it; he’s so in control and uber-alpha about just about everything, and then he turns around and does something like this.
    “A one of a kind piece for a one of a kind girl,” he murmurs. “It was a choice between a fossilized leaf and a spider.” His lip curves in a cocky smirk as he continues, “I just don’t see you as a black widow, lyubov moya .”
    “What does that mean?” I ask. He just smiles cryptically, lifts the necklace from the box and hands me the matching earrings. He steps behind me and I pull my hair to the side so he can fasten the necklace. His fingers are warm against my