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Anna blinked at him. “You want me to do to Headless Horseman country and do what?”
Ivan looked up at her. “Discuss romance and erotic passages in Russian literature. Let me prove to you how sensual it is. If I haven’t convinced you by the end of the week, I’ll ask the director to give you back your time slot next semester.”
Anna looked at him. It was a chance to get away with Ivan alone, with no students, no family, or other distractions. It was a chance to actually sit and talk and maybe, just maybe, finally tell him how she feels about him. She bit her lower lip. “And if you do convince me?”
Ivan shrugged. “I keep the spot, and we enjoy a new understanding of one another.”
A new understanding of one another. How long had they been dancing around the proverbial elephant in the room? How much longer were they going to ignore what was in between them? This was Anna’s chance to let him know how she felt finally. “All right. You have until we return to the city to convince me that Russian literature is erotic, romantic, and sensual. I don’t know how you plan on accomplishing this, but I’m willing to take the chance…if for no other reason than to get my time slot back.” She tapped her glass against his, sealing the deal. “I don’t know how you plan to do it, but I’ll enjoy watching you try.” She finished off her beer.
“Let’s get out of here then. I’ll pick you up tomorrow afternoon. Pack some hiking clothes, you know, the usual stuff you need for walks in the woods in the cooler evenings. I’ll get the groceries. Be ready by three.”
“Three it is.” Anna picked up the check and started towards the bar. “You’ve got your work cut out for you, Ivan Petrov. You better make this good,” she challenged.
Ivan finished his own drink and slid from the booth. He had no idea how he was going to convince her, but he could wing it until something came to mind. He liked a challenge, especially if that challenge was Anna Cassidine.
Chapter Two
“Wait. You’re going to Sleepy Hollow with Ivan? To…explore Russian literature.”
“That is what I said.” Anna looked at her best friend, Amy, as she continued sorting out the clothes she planned to take with her. August was always a strange month in the Hudson Valley. The days could be in the 80s, while the nights could drop as low as the 50s. The Petrov family home was one of the old historic houses in Sleepy Hollow, not one of the famous ones, but one that dated back to the Revolutionary War. It was well cared for and modern, a two-story colonial that had been renovated over the years. On the outside, the red brick face still showed signs of age, but inside, it was comfortable and cozy. Anna folded a light-weight sweater and added it to her duffle bag. “It’s nothing like you’re thinking,” she stated.
Amy harumphed. “It’s exactly what I’m thinking. Ivan Petrov has been trying to get in your knickers since the two of you were first-year students in college. And you’ve been smitten with him since the first day he uttered his name with that heavy Russian accent.” Amy stood and walked towards Anna. “I am Ivan Petrov, from Moscow,” she stated, imitating Ivan. “And you are a beautiful American woman. Could you fall in love with someone like me?”
Anna stared at Amy. “Your accent is terrible. You need to lower the pitch of your voice. Make it a little gruffer.”
“Like this?” Amy asked, suddenly sounding like Dolph Lundgren. “I will take you down, Rocky Balboa.”
It was enough to send Anna into a fit of giggles. She lightly pushed Amy away from her when her friend started making kissing noises at her. “I assure you, it’s all academic. He made a bet with me that he could prove to me that Russian literature was anything but dark and depressing.”
“How?” Amy tossed her long, curly hair over her shoulder, crossing her arms over her chest. She knew Ivan was in love with Anna, even if Anna didn’t. They were all friends, and he’d confided in her years before about how he felt. This was about more than just convincing Anna that Russian literature was good. This was about winning her best friend’s heart.
“I don’t know how he plans on doing it other than I’ll be reading a lot of authors whose names I can barely pronounce,” Anna stated. She turned to her dresser and began tossing underwear into the bag.
Amy walked over to the bag and retrieved the panties. “Uh…no. You’re going to be with Ivan, and you’re going to need something way more sexier than these,” she stated. She carried the undies back to Anna’s dresser and began to go through the lingerie. “Girl, do you not have anything more appropriate for a week with the Russian hunk?”
“Um…I’m not planning on Ivan seeing my underwear,” Anna protested as she picked up the offending undergarments and put them back in her bag.
Amy threw her hands up in the air. “That’s it. We’re going shopping. This is the perfect opportunity for you to find out what your best friend is packing in his tight blue jeans.”
“Amy!”
Amy looked at her watch. They had enough time to get to the lingerie store, grab a bite, and finish packing before Ivan showed up to pick up Anna. “I’m trying to get you laid.” She tossed Anna her purse. “Whether you want to get laid or not.” She grabbed Anna’s arm and tugged her out of her apartment. “You can thank me later. Or shoot me if he doesn’t live up to your expectations in bed.”
“You’re assuming we’re going to sleep together!” Anna sighed as she fell into step with the other woman.
“You’re sleeping together.” Amy held up her hand, flagging down a taxi. Shoving Anna into the car, she got in and gave the driver the address to Victoria’s Secret in Times Square. “And if you don’t, I’m taking you to the hospital myself and having you committed.” She grinned. “Cause, let’s face it. Ivan is a hunk; you have the hots for him, and it’s time for you to just give in to what all of us see right in front of us.”
“Which is what?” Anna grumbled.
“You and Ivan Petrov are in love, and it’s about time one of you did something about it.” Amy chuckled. “You can play his game.”
“I don’t want to play any games. I just want my time slot back,” Anna groused. She watched the people walking on the sidewalks of New York City, going about their lives. She always wondered who they were and what they did for a living. Did they have a family? Were they married? Did they find the love they always wanted, or were they single and carefree? Were they happy? Were they sad? She stopped the thoughts before they could take any deeper hold. Her questioning was starting to sound like one of those Russian novels she found so dark and depressing.
“Besides, you are both consenting adults. What happens in Sleepy Hollow stays in Sleepy Hollow, right?”
Right, indeed. Anna sighed. She knew Amy was right, and she had to decide now before her credit card took a hit with all the sexy clothing Amy was about to make her buy. “I don’t want whatever happens between us to ruin our friendship,” she finally admitted. She shifted in her seat to look at her friend.
“Might I interject, ladies?” the cabbie asked.
