Page 15 of Nikolai
Nick pulled out her chair, choosing for her the one that faced the bay, and then sat down to her right, which gave him a view over the entire terrace.He always seemed preternaturally aware of everything, whether walking or driving.
Professional paranoia, she assumed.
Parker sighed as she took in the magnificent view, reputedly the best in the city.She’d never been to Il Terrazzone,not because she couldn’t afford it—though apparently it was wicked expensive—but because she didn’t have anyone to go with.
She did, now.
She sighed again in happiness.Looked around, smiling.“This is gorgeous.”
His eyes had never left her face.“Yes, absolutely gorgeous.”
His meaning was very clear, but somehow non-skeevy.How did he manage that?He smiled, looked behind her.“The waiter is coming up.You said you wanted a drink first?”
She nodded.“Yes, please.”
The idea was enticing.Aperitivo on the terrace, enjoying the sunset, then a spectacular dinner.No hurry, no hurry at all.She was very much in a no-hurry mood.
“Then that’s what we’ll do.”
A waiter dressed like the butler to a prince glided up.Parker turned to Nick.“What would you like?Wine?A Negroni?A cocktail?A spritz?”
He continued watching her.“Whatever you have is fine with me.”
She frowned.“I was going to order a glass of rosé, which you might find boring.”
“Don’t worry.”Nick gave a slow smile.“I am so far from being bored it’s insane.A glass of rosé sounds great.You order the vintage.”
She had a brief consultation with the waiter, and they decided on a Sicilian rosé she was familiar with.“I hope that’s okay with you.”She smiled at Nick.“It’s a really good wine.Donnafugata from Sicily, an estate wine.But, again, if you’d rather have a brandy or a whiskey?—”
He picked up her hand and held it.His hand was huge, warm, heavily calloused, and it felt like she plugged into something big, electric.He nodded at the terrace and the view over the Bay.“Please.This is all so wonderful.I’m absolutely certain you chose a fabulous wine and that I’ll enjoy the hell out of it.”
“I hope so.”
Nick left her hand and lifted his big one to run his thumb between her eyebrows.“There are a lot of things you should frown over.It’s a harsh world.But me not liking a wine you’ve chosen is not one of them.I can tell you, right here and right now, that this is the best situation I’ve been in, in years.A beautiful view, in a beautiful city, sitting with a beautiful and fascinating woman…couldn’t ask for more.”
It was the second time he’d called her beautiful.Without making it a big deal.Because it really wasn’t.It was genetics.Her mother had been a beauty, at least in the photos Parker had of her.And her father, miserable human being that he was, was very handsome.Both had fine features she’d inherited.It didn’t have much to do with her.What did have to do with her was her work—her books and the documentary and Nick had been very flattering and gratifying about those.
She enjoyed his compliments about the documentary more than she enjoyed his compliments on her looks.Though—those were nice, too.
“Signori.”The waiter, holding a bottle of Donnafugata.He deftly uncorked the bottle and held it up.
Nick waved a long finger at her, leaving it up to her to taste it and approve it.Well, at least she knew it was an excellent wine.
The waiter poured a finger, and she sipped.It tasted of sunshine, fruit and happiness.She nodded.
The waiter poured them both generous measures.Nick indicated that he should leave the bottle, and the waiter put it in a bucket stand with ice.
“Really good stuff,” Nick said after sipping.“Thanks.I wouldn’t have known to order it.The advantages of being with a local.I might have missed out on this.”
“Maybe not.”Parker smiled.“The waiter might have suggested this wine with the meal.It’s one of the pricier ones.”
Nick shrugged, as if that didn’t mean anything to him.Maybe it didn’t.
Nick took another sip, put it down.She liked that he wasn’t gulping it.It was definitely a wine to savor.
He cocked his head.“You said you were talking to your publisher.Are you writing another book?”
Oh man.The way to her heart.“Yes.Yes, I am.”
