“Shall we, kitten?” Alek led me over to a table, and his brothers and their dates joined us shortly after.
Alek pointed the chief out. “I’ll introduce you to him later. That beautiful woman with short hair is his lovely wife. You’ll love her. She has a way with people.”
I studied the couple. They were looking into each other’s eyes at the moment, blocking out anyone else. Then the chief looked over toward us and smiled brightly. He lifted his glass to Alek and then whispered something to his wife. Her face lit up with laughter as she glanced over at us. My face flushed; they were talking about me.Wonderful.
“What is it, Kinsley, that has you looking so flustered?” Nikolai interrupted my inner tirade.
“It’s nothing,” I lied, glancing away.
Another waiter came to take our drink order. My nerves were shaky, so I ordered another glass of wine.
“How do you know Alek?” Jenna asked almost right away. She kept her tone light, but I glanced at Nik and saw him watching her closely.
“Somehow, he heard about my world-famous Danishes and came to see me at the café where I work. I haven’t been able to get rid of him since.”
“Those must be some Danishes,” Ivan remarked with a wink, his voice lowered.
“I’ve yet to have any. I’m hoping that will change after tonight,” Alek said, leaning over to brush a piece of my hair back.
“Don’t count on it. I honestly only came so I can report you to the chief.” I toasted him and took a sip of my wine.
“The night is still young. Don’t say no this early,” Alek said.
There was that hint of promise again. The words were innocent enough, but the look in his eyes was dark and dangerous. Would it be so wrong to indulge a little? My resolve wavered once more with a simple look from him. Emotions swirled inside me. I’d liken it to being carried along by a turbulent river current.
The attraction I had for him was scary but exciting all at the same time. I may have died twice over, figuratively, but that didn’t mean I was dead inside. If others could overcome trauma and have healthy relationships, why not me?
With little to no effort on his part, my apprehension melted. I could do worse. How many girls lost their virginity to bumbling boyfriends in high school? Ones who had no idea what they were doing? There was no doubt, if I were to decide to sleep with Aleksandr King, it would be amazing. I had a feeling he’d know exactly what to do with me.
“What’s that look for?” He leaned in, the movement sensual and confident.
Yeah, he’d know what to do with me.
“I think I may have lost my mind. Do you happen to know where I may have misplaced it?” I leaned further in, closing the distance. The move surprised him, and his eyes flashed with desire.
As the words slipped out of my mouth, a mix of nervousness and curiosity flooded my mind. The constant tug-of-war of my thoughts left me wondering if I could do this.
With a flicker of intrigue filling his eyes, and that undeniable attraction he always seemed to level at me, he said, “Kotyonok, I’ll help you find anything you’ve ever lost if you’ll keep looking at me that way.”
His voice was laced with a sensuality that had my knees weak, and it was a good thing we were sitting. Despite the vulnerability peering into my eyes, layers of skepticism lingered within.
It danced with the uncertainty and shadows of my past. Could someone like Aleksandr, a player, truly be interested in the real me? Or was he merely using his charm and wit to unravel the secrets I held?
“Um, I wonder how true that statement is,” I mumbled.
It was a subtle way of expressing my doubts and guarding my heart, even as I found myself drawn to him. Self-preservation whispered cautionary tales, reminding me of the dangers of trusting too easily.
“Stick around and I’ll show you.” He cupped my face; his thumb ran across my bottom lip.
The waiter came by with our drinks and to take our food order, disrupting the moment as he cleared his throat and looked at Alek.
Without even looking at the man, he answered, “The lady will start with a side salad, no dressing.” My eyes widened as he moved his hand to trace my hairline. “For dinner, she’ll have the filet mignon, medium-rare, baked potato with only butter and extra cheese.”
My mouth dropped open, and he winked. How the hell did he know what I would have ordered? He looked at me with a brilliant smile.
“Did I guess right? I can tell from the look on your face you’re wondering how? Let me put your mind at ease. I showed the menu to your friend. She was kind enough to tell me. Seems, hands down, you are a meat-and-potatoes kind of girl.”
My eyes flashed to Sarah; she shrugged her shoulders with a huge grin. She was probably thinking she was helping get me laid. Little did she know, I didn’t need help in that area. She turned her attention back to the menu. Glancing at Ivan, I noticed he, too, was still looking. Nikolai’s eyes were taking in the room.
