Page 54 of Scarred (Russian Sinners 2)

I won’t go there now.

I lifted my eyes and caught both Nikolai and Tasha staring at me.

They both continued looking at me, and I wondered if I missed something.

“What’s going on?” I asked, glancing between the two. “Did I miss anything?”

“Can we take Uncle Nikolai to our favorite ice cream shop after lunch?” Tasha asked. “I just asked you but you said you won’t go there now.”

I frowned. Did I say that out loud?

“Please, Olivia,” she begged. “Not now, but after lunch.”

I nodded. “Yes, darling. I’m sorry; I was thinking about something else and didn’t hear your question.”

I purposely avoided Nikolai’s eyes.

“What were you thinking about?” her question was perfectly innocent.

“Nothing important,” I told her quickly. “Now tell me, what ice cream flavor are you thinking about getting? I think I’m going to give lemon a try.”

She giggled. “Is it because of your new favorite song that says when life gives you lemons to put them in your drink?”

I had to laugh. She was too smart.

“No,” I answered chuckling. “I just want to try a different ice cream flavor.”

“What about you, Uncle Nikolai?” she asked.

“Hmmm,” he pretended like he was thinking with a twinkle in those mesmerizing eyes. “I think I’ll give strawberry a try. It reminds me of Olivia’s hair.”

Tasha chuckled thinking it was the funniest thing while I felt heat rush to my cheeks. I had a feeling he was referring to last night. And holy shit, it made me so freaking hot.

That will not do, not at all!

His eyes watched me intently and I tried to keep my cool which wasn’t easy, considering my body kept heating up with him so close to me.

I could smell his cologne and my body trembled in response. He took a sip of his drink and my eyes lingered on those kissable lips. Over the rim of my glass, he caught my eyes on his. Why did I keep glancing at him? Like he was a blinding light and I was a moth that would get caught in it and burned alive.

“Are you enjoying today?” he asked me.

“Hmmm,” I replied noncommittally. Let him figure out what that meant. Because damn it, my brain was fried from all this hotness. I needed a mental check immediately.

He carried on like I just told him I was having the time of life. “We will finish our boat ride and head home. Then I’ll take you out to dinner this evening while Tasha stays home.”

“Yes,” she squealed. “Are you having a date?”

“No, it’s not a date,” I replied firmly. Tasha’s obsession with romance was so out of the realm.

“Yes,” he replied at the same time.

She looked a bit confused between two of us as if trying to decide which answer to go with.

“It’s a surprise date,” she exclaimed and I couldn’t help but to roll my eyes. I should have known she’d come up with a solution.

“Mr. Smirnov,” I started, attempting to wedge distance between us, but he cut me off. I couldn’t just swoon right into the sunset with him. Shit, but I really wanted to. My body wanted to as well, demanding a repeat of last night’s pleasure.

“Nikolai,” he corrected me. “I think we should be on a first name basis after everything.”

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