“It’s not,” Nadia assured him. “It’s insane, and much too fast. But I feel the same way.”
“What’s wrong, then?”
“Our families wouldn’t like it. Would you be embarrassed to introduce me to your father?”
“No,” Nikolai said. “He already knows. It’s...it’s not a problem.”
He took a quick sip of his wine. Nadia had the feeling once more that he wasn’t being entirely honest. She believed him when he said that he cared for her. But everything else...she wasn’t so sure.
“My father’s going to adore you just as much as I do,” Nikolai said firmly.
That, at least, sounded like the truth.
* * *
22
Nikolai
Nikolai had never struggled so hard in his life to keep his composure.
Nadia was worse than his father—her ability to find the tiniest cracks in his facade was disconcerting to say the least.
He knew that he would, indeed, have to introduce her to his father soon, and he dreaded that moment. As long as it was just him and Nadia alone, he could be honest with her in speaking only about himself and how he felt about her.
But if they went out for dinner with Zavier, Nikolai would have to collaborate with his father in deceiving Nadia, in trying to entrap her in this scheme to increase their legitimacy.
God, he wished he’d never agreed to it. He wanted to pursue Nadia on his own terms, not with ulterior motives.
But he was stuck now. And would it matter in the end? If he genuinely loved Nadia, what did it matter if it also helped them get the Crimea Bridge?
That’s what he tried to tell himself, while his stomach rolled over so hard that he could barely eat his food.
He didn’t want to eat anyway. He’d rather watch Nadia cutting up her chicken cutlet and sneaking little bites to the cat in her lap.
The black cat looked just like her—the same sleek, dark hair and brilliant green eyes.
He’d love to make Nadia his little pet...bend her over and have his way with her, like he did at the bathhouse.
He hadn’t stopped thinking about it since.
Even this crowded little restaurant had far too many people around them—he wanted Nadia all to himself, as quickly as possible.
Once they finished eating, he didn’t make the mistake of driving Nadia back home to the watchful eye of her aunt as he had the night before. Instead, he took her up to Sparrow Hills, a high point about seventy meters above the banks of the Moscow River. They could see the vast sprawl of city lights spread out below them, as well as the illuminated spires of the university behind them.
He parked the car and, leaning across the seats, pulled the lever that reclined Nadia’s seat all the way back. He pinned her down in the soft, cream-colored leather, and began to unbutton the front of her blouse.
He had never really noticed what women wore before he met Nadia. She had such an eye for what would highlight her most irresistible features. Right now, she was wearing a pale lilac blouse, so light and silky that he could have crumpled it in his hand. It clung to her slim figure, and the pale color made her skin glow like burnished bronze by comparison.
As he undid the buttons one by one, he uncovered the round swells of her breasts in a semi-transparent bra. He could see the shadow of her dark nipples, already achingly hard and straining against the thin material.
He dropped his mouth to her chest, taking one of her nipples in his mouth, through the thin material of the bra. He licked and sucked, making her arch her back and moan with excitement.
At the same time, he slipped his hand up her smooth thigh, under the hem of her skirt. He found her panties and pulled them to the side, stroking her soft pussy lips.
Now she was squirming so hard that he had to pin her arms over her head to keep her in place.
“Hold still,” he growled in her ear.
