Page 8 of Disgraced (Russian Sinners 3)

Scarlett

As I exited the lobby with Anastasia and Olivia, I looked around quickly but didn't see the stranger I ran into anywhere. I felt disappointment, which was totally ridiculous. He didn’t waste any time disappearing, but his words lingered in my mind. Was he serious when he asked me to meet him tonight?

Only one way to find out,I thought to myself.

And damn if he wasn’t hot. His broad shoulders filled that custom suit screaming strength and power. He was tall, much taller than me. There was no mistaking that man was accustomed to getting his way. His chiseled jaw, handsome, clean shaved face was beautiful. I could almost call it the face of a playboy, till you look into his brown eyes. There was determination, harshness there, and something else that I couldn’t quite distinguish. Something vulnerable. He gave vibes of a dangerous version of Casanova. But gosh, when he smiled, I swore my heart melted. Olivia was right; I was swooning. Luckily, I didn’t drool.

It was right there and then I decided to meet him for dinner, assuming he showed up.

I deserved a summer fling with a smoking hot guy. Right? When we got back to the States, my whole world would change. I’d belong to a man I had never met. I didn’t know why it shocked me to hear my father arranged my marriage. When I was seventeen at that! It was what families like mine did. I guess I just thought we would be different, that I was different. But clearly, I wasn’t.

I shifted my thoughts to a much more pleasant topic. The man I just ran into. I regretted not asking for a name. But truthfully, I was so stunned when my eyes met his gaze, I forgot to breathe not to mention all my reason left too. I really hoped he was serious when he said he'd wait for me at seven tonight because I fully intended to be there.

I haven’t as much as flirted with any boys this entire summer. Actually, I haven’t looked at another man since my ex-boyfriend dumped me for refusing to sleep with him. And damn, if that didn’t hurt and feel demeaning. Ever since my father told me that I would marry some man he chose through arrangement, I had hoped for someone to sweep me off my feet and run off with me. I had to scoff at myself for dreaming of a knight in shining armor. Those were way far and few in between.

Unless I actually went out with a man, I was certain not to find a knight in shining armor.So yes, I intended to meet this gorgeous stranger. To hell with everything.

“Should we grab something to eat first?” Anastasia returned my focus to my friends.

“Scarlett is always hungry,” Olivia replied with a teasing smile. “For food and swoony men. So I’d say let’s grab some food.”

“And swoony men will follow,” Anastasia teased, then poked me laughing. “Our first day and you are already enticing men.”

“But did you see him?” I asked.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t,” Anastasia replied dryly. “But Olivia said you were swooning.”

We all burst out laughing. Ok, maybe I wasn’t too discreet when I checked him out. The man was stunningly handsome.

“Ok, let’s grab some food,” I announced, then added in a supposed exasperated tone, “and then sightseeing.”

I linked my arms with both of theirs and pulled them along.

“It won't be that bad, Scarlett,” Anastasia announced happily. That girl loved to sightsee. “Let’s go! Welcome to St. Petersburg!”

All three of us grabbed a quick lunch and then walked for hours. I had no idea what we had seen but it was boring as hell. I couldn’t wait to get back to the hotel. I kept glancing at the time, worried I’d miss my possible seven p.m. meeting.

When we were finally back at the hotel, Anastasia and Olivia made dinner plans. Anastasia loved planned days. She was queen of planning and organization. Olivia was more laid back while I was a catastrophe on two legs. I could decide on something and change my mind in the next hour. But all three of us together, we worked well and got along great.

It was rare that I held back information from them but I decided not to tell them about the potential seven o’clock date with a stranger. I trusted them both with my life but if that guy was just flirting and didn’t show up, I’d feel like the biggest idiot.

So I went along with dinner plans, and if it turned out I had a date after all, I’d shoot them a quick message.

* * *

With barely a minute to spare, I came down into the lobby of our hotel. I was so nervous, more nervous than I’ve ever been. It felt like a first real date ever. Up until now, I dated boys. This man was something entirely different.

Seriously, Scarlett. And you could tell that from all of the sixty seconds we spoke?

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I wore a light pink summer dress with matching sandals. I had my dark hair up in a high ponytail, my cheekbones accenting my face. I opted for no makeup, but now, seeing my face, I wondered if maybe it didn’t make me appear too young.

Too late.

I didn’t have time to change, put on makeup, or change my hair. With my heart in my throat, my eyes traveled around the lobby searching for a familiar handsome stranger and slowly my heart sank.

I mean really, what did I expect? He was probably just doing some light flirting. I was just so desperate for a savior from my predicament that in my head, I already imagined going down the aisle. Now, how pathetic was that!

“Thanks for not standing me up,” a deep voice with a Russian accent spoke right behind me. I whipped around to face my stranger.

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