Page 29 of Fallen Prince
Daddy laughed. Did it sound forced? “I’m sure the kids don’t want to be set up by their parents.”
My stomach dropped.Oh, no.Mikhail wanted to set me up with his son? I didn’t think I’d be able to remain composed if flirting was involved. I didn’t even know how to flirt; I rarely went on dates, and I’d never had so much as a casual relationship. Living in my father’s overprotective shadow, only a couple guys had worked up the courage to ask me out during my college years. I was pretty sure the mayor of New York had scared them off quickly. That, or it was just me and my social anxiety that made me too awkward to date.
This summer was supposed to be my opportunityto experiment and build my confidence with men. But I’d been so busy with my internship that I hadn’t gotten a chance to practice dating.
My teeth sank into my lower lip, and I quickly pressed them together to stifle the nervous tic. I had no idea how to act charming around a guy my age, but I couldn’t allow myself to appear awkward and standoffish in front of important donors.
I flexed and released my fingers at the small of my back, struggling to conceal the sudden tremor that manifested along with the spike of anxiety.
“Is there something wrong with my son?” Mikhail asked, his voice cold enough to frost our champagne glasses.
“Of course not,” Daddy said quickly, his charismatic smile sliding firmly back into place. “He’s a Harvard man, right? Very impressive.”
“Yes,” Mikhail replied, his tone still icy. “He just graduated and is now working at our family’s organization.”
“Another bright young person following in their father’s footsteps,” Mike interjected, coming in with the assist. His voice hitched slightly, but he still managed to support my dad despite how intimidated he was by Mikhail. He really was a great friend. “Allie, I’m sure you’ll get along great.”
It’s not like I have to marry him,I told myself, struggling to calm the butterflies in my stomach. I could meet a guy and be polite to him, just like I would talk to any other important person at this event. It didn’t matter if his dad wanted to set us up; I didn’t have to go out with him. All I had to do was get through the next fifteen minutes or so before I could politely excuse myself and rejoin my friends.
“Niko.” Daddy’s gaze glinted at something over my shoulder. The hard warning in his eyes belied his broad, charming smile. “It’s great to see you again.”
I turned to face the Russian businessman’s son, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. Nikolai Ivanov was stunning. His sable hair was effortlessly styled, pushed back off his brow to reveal the full impact of his perfectly masculine face. He was all hard planes and slightly rough edges, with designer stubble shadowing his square jaw. Aquamarine eyes glittered at me, ringed in indigo that made them shine all the brighter. At well over six feet tall, he towered over me as he approached.
He might even be taller than Max. And judging by the way his tux fit close to his massive frame, he was every bit as heavily muscled as my dark stalker.
A shiver raced over my skin. Why was I thinking about Max? I had to focus on maintaining mycomposure. The last thing I needed was to think about the scarred, damaged man who’d kidnapped and interrogated me in his basement.
I shoved him from my mind and focused on Nikolai. It wasn’t difficult; as he brushed against the edge of my personal space, his powerful, confident bearing practically pulsed over my flesh. His shockingly blue gaze swept my features, not dipping any lower than my modest sweetheart neckline. Despite the respectful appraisal, my skin tingled everywhere his eyes trailed over me.
I’d never enjoyed the attention of a man this beautiful, and my body was reacting strangely. My belly quivered, and something hot zinged down my spine to warm my insides.
“Nikolai, this is Allie.” Mikhail introduced us. “She’s Ron’s daughter. She’s a very impressive young woman, and I wanted you to meet.” His voice dropped deeper on the last, ringing with command.
Oh, god.He really did want to set us up.
My stomach did a funny flip.
Nikolai extended his hand, and I accepted it automatically. Long, warm fingers engulfed mine in a gentle handshake. I returned it firmly, like my father had taught me, and a dazzling smile illuminated his features. “It’s nice to meet you, Allie.”
“You too.” Was that my voice? It sounded far too breathless and weirdly husky.
“Allie is interning at the U.S. Attorney’s office,” Mikhail continued. “Where do you attend college?” he asked me.
I realized I’d held on to Nikolai’s hand for a second too long, and I snatched mine away, my cheeks heating. I turned back to his father, willing my features to arrange in a polite smile. I barely managed it.
“NYU,” I supplied.
His thin lips quirked in a frown. “Not Ivy League?”
The slight disapproval in his tone helped wash away some of the weird jitteriness that’d fizzed through my veins. “No, I didn’t want to go Ivy,” I asserted evenly.
“It’s Ron’s alma mater,” Mike interjected, providing more help.
I shot him a grateful glance, and I could’ve sworn his lashes twitched in the hint of a wink.
“Oh, yes.” The furrow eased from Mikhail’s brow. “I’d forgotten.”
“My dad thinks Harvard is the only good university in the country,” Nikolai explained. “I’m sure your resume must be very impressive if yousecured an internship at the U.S. Attorney’s office.”
