My thoughts drift as I work on my latest painting. I put down my paintbrush, unable to concentrate. Cat was testy with me after I refused to fuck her yesterday. I could see she was down after her endorphins crashed; we should have spent more time talking.

There’s a lot we have in common… the kids and our enjoyment of outdoor life spring to mind. I could have asked her to share her other interests with me. I was a prick to treat her like she’s just a fuck buddy; she’s more than that. She’s my friend, and it feels good to have a friend after so long. I hope I haven’t screwed things up.

I stare at the canvas in front of me, so different to my usual work. Eric wasn’t sure about it when he saw it yesterday afternoon, but I don’t give a flying fuck. I’m painting this one for myself, and I fucking love it.

I pick up my phone and check to see if he’s messaged me. His visit was brief, but he said he’d find out if there’s any way for me to meet with Gleb on neutral ground. Somewhere far from here, maybe even abroad. It might take a while to set up... Hmm, I hope Eric isn’t spinning me a line. He’s two-faced, goes with his job, and he’d say anything to keep me calm.

But I’m not calm.

I’m not calm at all.

I’ve kept my distance from my brother the past three and a half years. I haven’t seen him since he returned to Moscow, shortly after I discovered the truth. A bitter taste fills my mouth. I looked up to Gleb my whole life. I thought he was a god, but he was the devil in disguise.

My hands clench into fists. Gleb’s contacts want to take their revenge, and the fuckers would stop at nothing to use Ben against me. If they found out about Catrin and Becca, they’d try to use them as well. I might have to put myself in the firing line to keep them safe. It’s a no-win situation, but I can’t see any other way out of it.

Just thinking about Catrin makes me want to see her. Fuck it, I don’t want to lose her... I don’t want to lose what’s growing between us. What if she wants to end our friendship? She wasn’t at the school gates this morning. Was she avoiding me?

I go to wash the paint off my hands, grab my keys, and head over to her cottage.

She answers the door like she did yesterday, her gaze wide with surprise.

“Would you like to have lunch with me?” My question comes out of the blue. I hadn’t even thought about what to say before I got here.

“Thank you.” Her smile wavers.

“Only heated up soup and a couple of ham sandwiches,” I apologise. “Cooking is not one of my skills.”

She looks at me and then looks away again. “I’ll just grab my coat.”

Within minutes, she’s sitting at my kitchen table sipping from a glass of sparkling water while I stir a pot of minestrone that’s come straight out of a can. I come right out and say it. “I missed seeing you at the school this morning.”

“Becca had a sleep over at Aldridge House last night, so she went in with Olivia and Jack.”

“Ah.” I pour the soup into two bowls and quickly spread butter on bread slices before placing the ham between them.

I sit opposite and start to eat, watching her surreptitiously as she does likewise. An uncomfortable silence hangs in the air between us.

She takes a deep, steadying breath. “Tell me more about your wife.” Her brows crease, but sympathy shines in her eyes. “That’s if it’s not too painful for you.”

“Victoria was taller than you,” I huff out a sigh. “Blonde, and she had beautiful eyes like you, except they were blue not green.”

“Becca looks just like Josh did. She’s a constant reminder, but in a nice way.” Her voice is soft. “Ben looks like you.”

My face twitches as my jaw tightens. “He might look like me but thank God he hasn’t inherited my personality.”

“The Brute,” she whispers.

“Ha. You’ve got me there.” I laugh. “I know that’s my nickname in the village.”

She’s thoughtful for a moment, then asks, “Did you play at BDSM with Victoria?”

“She was a natural submissive.” A lump comes into my throat, and I swallow it down quickly. “How about you and Josh? Did you ever try anything kinky?”

“We got together when we were teenagers, so it never occurred to us.”

“Do you have any siblings?”

“One sister. Megan.” Cat’s eyes meet mine and hold firm. “Five years younger than me. Just graduated from uni and is training to be a primary school teacher. As you’ve probably gathered, I come from an ordinary family.”

I want to tell her I came from humble origins; but I don’t, of course. I think about the small flat in Moscow where we lived until Papa made his billions. Wealth is an illusion most of the time. It can buy you a certain lifestyle, that’s all.

We lapse into silence again, but it’s more relaxed now. After finishing our lunch, she helps me stack our plates in the dishwasher.

“Can I see your paintings?” she asks out of the blue as we head towards my living room.

“Why not?” I take her hand and lead her into my studio, turning on the lights as we step across the threshold.

“Wow,” she says. “Just wow.” Her eyes are bright, and she lays a hand over her heart. “This is stunning. So powerful.” She stands back, her gaze sweeping over the blues and greens.

“It’s inspired by you,” I tell her. “By your beautiful eyes.”

“Wow,” she says again. “I don’t know what to say.”

I grab a sketchbook and a stick of charcoal. “Stand still. I want to capture your profile.”

She does as I ask, standing like a statue while I draw. It only takes a couple of minutes and then I’m done. I show her the result, and she blushes beautifully. Then she turns and walks towards a second canvas, propped against the wall. “This one is so violent,” she shudders. “It’s hard to believe you could have painted it too.”

“It’s what I’m known for, the anonymous me that is. Apparently, buyers can’t get enough of them.” I jut out my chin. “They’re going to be disappointed, I’m afraid. This one will be the last.”

“I’m not an expert, but I do know what I like. Your new work is much more appealing.”

“Eric isn’t sure it will sell.” I give a dismissive shrug of my shoulders. “Doesn’t matter. I don’t need the money, and I can hang this one and future work in the cottage.”

We return to the living area. She glances at me shyly but doesn’t speak.

Lust stirs in my loins.