Page 43 of Stalk Me

My mind drifts to this morning—Nikolai’s hands pinning my wrists, his mouth on my neck, the way he growled “mine” against my skin. Heat pools low in my belly.

“And there you go again, getting all dreamy-eyed.” Tash’s voice snaps me back. “Should I leave you alone with your thoughts?”

“Stop it.” I throw my napkin at her, laughing despite myself. But even as we return to lighter topics, my thoughts circle back to steel-gray eyes and possessive hands.

17

NIKOLAI

Iarrive precisely at eight, knowing Sofia will be ready. My Maybach purrs to a stop outside her building, the tinted windows concealing me from prying eyes. Through the surveillance feed on my phone, I watch her do one final check of her appearance—a vision in a deep burgundy dress that skims her curves.

As I stride to her door, I adjust my cufflinks. The moment she opens it, my breath catches. The dress is even more stunning in person, the neckline dipping just low enough to make my fingers itch to trace it.

“Malishka.” I draw her close, breathing in her jasmine perfume. “You look exquisite.”

A blush stains her cheeks. “You clean up pretty well yourself.”

I guide her to the car with my hand on her back. “I have somewhere special planned for tonight.”

“Going to tell me where?”

“Patience.” I help her into the car, savoring how the dress rides up slightly. “It’s a surprise.”

We wind through Boston’s streets until we reach the harbor. I’ve arranged a private dining room at La Perla, a discreetrestaurant in a restored Victorian mansion. The owner owes me several favors, so tonight, the entire west wing is ours alone.

Sofia’s eyes widen as we enter a separate entrance and climb a spiral staircase to a candlelit room with panoramic lake views. A single table draped in white linen awaits us, champagne already chilling.

“This is incredible.” She moves to the window, cityscape reflecting in her eyes.

I come up behind her, hands settling on her hips. “Only the best for you.” My lips find that spot behind her ear that makes her shiver. “And complete privacy to enjoy our evening together.”

She leans back against my chest, tension melting as I trail kisses down her neck. “You’ve thought of everything.”

“I always do.” I turn her to face me, savoring how the candlelight plays across her features. “Now, shall we begin?”

I press the discreet button under the table, summoning the wait staff. They enter silently, bearing silver-domed plates and crystal champagne glasses.

“I took the liberty of ordering for us.” I watch Sofia’s face as the servers reveal each course. Her eyes widen at the sight of fresh burrata with heirloom tomatoes—the same dish she orders every time she visits that small Italian place in the North End.

“How did you...” She trails off as they present the next plate: butter-poached lobster with black truffle risotto. The exact preparation she favored at her last three charity dinners.

The wine steward pours her favorite Bordeaux, a rare vintage I had imported for tonight. Sofia’s fingers trace the stem of her glass, her other hand trembling slightly.

“These are all my favorites. Every single dish.” Her gaze meets mine, a mix of wonder and wariness in those green-gold eyes. “How could you possibly know?”

I lean forward, letting my fingers brush against hers across the table. “I make it my business to know everything about you. Your preferences, your habits, your desires.” I lift her hand to my lips, kissing her palm. “Nothing about you is insignificant to me.”

She shivers but doesn’t pull away. “That’s either incredibly romantic or terrifying.”

“Perhaps both.” I release her hand and gesture to the food. “Shall we?”

I watch Sofia savor each bite of the burrata, her lips closing around the fork in a way that makes my cock twitch. She catches me staring, and a pink flush spreads across her chest.

“The food is incredible,” she says, reaching for her wine.

“Only the finest.” I sample my dish, though my appetite is entirely for something else. My plans for later make it difficult to focus on the meal. “Try the lobster.”

She takes a bite, and a small moan escapes her throat. The sound goes straight to my cock. I shift in my chair, adjusting my suddenly too-tight trousers.

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