His low chuckle rumbled through my core. “You are very perceptive, aren’t you?”
It should’ve been irritating at the very least. Instead, I barely managed a nonchalant scoff. “You’re not very subtle.”
His laugh rolled over my skin like molten chocolate, rich and sinfully decadent.
“That’s because you’re throwing me off my game.” It should’ve been an accusation, but his sharp grin glinted with delight. “You don’t even know how dangerous you are.”
I tried to shrug off the heat that bloomed beneath the surface of my skin. “I’m not dangerous at all. I just think you’re not used to being challenged.”
He cocked his head at me. “No, usually I don’t like being challenged. But I do like you, Allie.”
My stomach did a funny flip, even as the ache in the center of my chest throbbed with fresh pain. Max’s dark eyes flashed through my mind, and I remembered the low rasp of my name leaving his lips after he kissed me for the first time.
The moment soured, and I eased back into my chair, pulling away from the chemistry I shared with Niko.
His eyes glittered, but he allowed me to retreat. The hungry tilt to his square jaw let me know that the billionaire was still very much enticed by what he perceived as my shyness.
But I wasn’t pulling away because I was shy; I was devastated, wounded deep inside.
Damn Max and the pain he’d inflicted.
I did my best to shove all thoughts of his fierce black stare and hungry growl from my mind, focusing on my date. It was coming to an end, and I owed Niko my full attention.
After he’d paid the bill, he ushered me outside the restaurant. His big hand spanned the small of my back, sending pulses of heat through my body. Traitorous guilt threaded through my physical desire, making my stomach twist.
I hated this. I hated Max for doing this to me.
So, when Niko applied gentle pressure and turned my body into his, I didn’t resist. I wouldn’t allow Max’s betrayal to sour my potential intimacy with other men. Especially a man as intent and stunning as Nikolai Ivanov.
He brushed a stray lock of hair back from my cheek, his fingertips whispering over my soft skin. Feminine awareness crackled over my flesh, tingling from where he touched me before trailing down my spine in little shivery sparks.
“I had a great time tonight.” His voice was impossibly deep and rumbly. Those thick fingers traced the line of my jaw and came to rest beneath my chin.
My head tipped back, and my breath caught in my throat. Niko’s aquamarine eyes glittered, and his sensual mouth curved in a slightly cocky, confident smirk. He knew the effect he had on me. The wicked tilt to his lips told me he liked my reaction.
I went utterly still, entranced by those shockingly blue eyes, azure ringed in indigo. He focused on me like I was the only woman in the world, and warmth flooded my belly. My lips parted on a breathy little gasp, desperate to breathe him in. He smelled of expensive cologne: tobacco and spice; something deeply masculine and a little forbidden.
He slowly dipped his head, trapping me with that featherlight touch beneath my chin. I could’ve easily broken free. I could’ve stopped the kiss before it began.
That sick little twist of guilt twinged my stomach, and it bloomed into a sudden wave of anger. I had nothing to feel guilty about.
I had a heartbeat to notice Niko’s stunning eyes flare with surprise when I surged up onto my toes and met his lips with mine. My kiss was almost harsh, demanding and a little defiant. I defied Max’s hold over me. I defied the pain in my heart.
Instead, I focused on Niko’s intoxicating scent and the feel of his hot tongue teasing my lips. They tingled at his skillful kiss. He knew how to handle a woman’s body, and he quickly took control. My ferocity ebbed, and I fell into the sensual sensations of his mouth on mine.
His hand still rested on the small of my back, holding me firmly against his hard, imposing body. For an awful moment, I recalled Max’s rippling muscles beneath my tender touch. I curled my fingers into Niko’s shirt and tugged him closer, determined to lose myself in him.
His other hand left my chin to cup my nape, his long fingers easing into my hair to hold me more firmly in place.
My scalp tingled with the memory of how Max had gripped my hair the first time he’d kissed me, when he’d claimed me with such desperate hunger that it seemed he needed me more than oxygen. I’d burned for him, melting into his harsh, demanding hold and offering him everything.
A shudder of revulsion suddenly rolled through my body. This was all wrong. I couldn’t bear Niko’s kiss for a second longer.