Page 7 of Diamond Don

3

KAT

I struggle to stifle a sigh as I attempt to untangle myself from the gorgeous hunk of a man holding me in his arms.

The universe has a perverse sense of humor. There is no other plausible explanation for why it would drop this tall drink of water in my lap right now at the worst possible time.

It’s unfair, especially considering how often I find myself parched nowadays. To no one’s surprise, being at the stronzo’s beck and call doesn’t leave me much time for dating.

On any other day and at any other time, nothing would delight me more than spending the evening getting to know a man this handsome better. Sadly, the museum’s gardens are not the right place to entertain this idea, and tonight most definitely isn’t the right time.

Sooner or later, someone is bound to notice that a certain red diamond is missing. I have no intention of sticking around to see that unfold.

Still grasping my upper arms, the man in question looks into my eyes for a moment before allowing his gaze to examine the rest of me. He towers over me even though I’m wearing my favorite four-inch high heels.

As discreetly as possible in my current circumstances, I take in the rest of him. I find no faults—from his luscious dark hair to his prohibitively expensive Italian leather shoes.

Of course, I can’t help letting my eyes linger here and there during my thorough examination of him. That’s how I notice his eyes are a brown as deep and dark as his gorgeous hair. They sparkle with undisguised intelligence and with a hint of humor. His broad shoulders and powerful hands are truly the stuff of dreams.

Unable to stop myself, I stare at his mouth, mesmerized by the way his lips, framed by his dark facial hair, twitch with barely contained amusement before he smiles at me.

Sexy, sexy mouth.

He seems exceedingly pleased with himself, and I have no problem admitting that it is a good look on him.

All at once, I am aware of the delicious feel of the roughened calluses on his hands as they graze the skin of my arms, where he still touches me.

Life is so unfair.

“Forgive me,” he says. His voice makes me want to moan with pleasure. It’s deep and yet almost melodic. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“No harm, no foul. Thanks for catching me,” I say. As soon as the words leave my lips, I have to resist the urge to groan. No harm, no foul? That’s my witty comeback?

He smiles again, and heat pools low in my abdomen. It’s the best and the worst feeling in the world. What I wouldn’t give for the chance to stay and maybe kiss those lips…

Not the Flame of Mir. And definitely not A.J.’s life. Or my freedom, for that matter.

“Anytime,” he says, that panty-dropper smirk still front-and-center on his gorgeous face. “I’m Nikolai, by the way.”

Still unable to pry my eyes from his mesmerizing mouth, I sigh loudly.

“Well, Nik—you don’t mind if I call you Nik, do you? It’s truly my pleasure to meet you. No. Really. Trust me.”

My reply seems to amuse him. His smirk melts into a full-on grin. Frankly, it’s some breathtaking stuff.

Sweet baby Jesus. I’m doomed.

“Won’t you tell me your name?” Nikolai asks. He blatantly ignores my attempts to remove myself from his arms.

I detect a slight accent. Slavic? Russian, maybe? Whatever it is, I can’t get enough of it. It’s as sweet as honey. I could spend the rest of the night listening to him talk about nothing at all. Of course, that’s precisely why I have to leave—right now.

“Sorry, Nik. But no, I won’t. Meeting you has been lovely, but I must go. I’d love to stay and get to know you better, but I’m afraid that won’t be possible. Places to go, people to see, yada yada yada. You know how it is.”

I try to extricate myself from him again, intending to show him I mean business. Nikolai lets go of my arms, and I simultaneously feel relief and disappointment. It’s a short-lived rush of emotions since he almost immediately grabs my right hand with his left one. He caresses my knuckles with his thumb as the palm of his hand brushes against mine.

“Well, you must stay a little longer. I insist,” he says. “The night’s still young, after all. I hear there’ll be fireworks later. You wouldn’t want to miss the show.”

Nikolai brings my hand to his lips, staring into my eyes.

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