I turned my face, breaking free from his skillful mouth. He immediately eased his hold on me, allowing me space to breathe.
My head spun in the dizzying aftermath of his kiss and my own roiling emotions.
His fingers curled beneath my chin once again, and his pale blue eyes looked down at me with concern. “You okay?”
“Y-yeah.” My voice trembled on the lie. I ran a shaky hand through my hair. “I’m fine. Sorry, I…” I wasn’t sure how to put my feelings into words. I couldn’t possibly tell Niko about Max, and not only because it would hurt too much to speak my dark protector’s name aloud. Max hated Niko’s entire family. I wasn’t sure if the feeling was mutual or if Niko even knew who Max was.
On that night after my dad’s fundraiser—the night I’d first kissed Max—my stalker had materialized out of the shadows and shoved Niko away from me. I didn’t know if the men shared a personal history, or if he was simply another victim of Max’s delusions, his conspiracy theory about the Bratva and my father.
I shook my head sharply, frustrated with my wayward thoughts. Niko had just told me about his family background, and it didn’t seem suspicious, even if he had been cagey about sharing. The man who was regarding me with earnest concern couldn’t be part of a criminal syndicate.
You thought Max was blameless, too, a nasty little voice whispered through my mind.
I still had no idea what Max was truly capable of, but he wasn’t an entirely innocent man. I’d seen his violence firsthand when he beat up Gavin, my bully.
I took a step back from Niko, breaking free from his muscular arms. “Sorry,” I said again. “I should go home.”
His lips pinched, and his brow furrowed. “Will I see you again? I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I just…” I searched for something reasonable to say, a rational explanation for my suddenly anxious behavior. “I don’t like that paparazzi have photographed us without me realizing.” That much was definitely true. I couldn’t bear it if an image of this kiss showed up in the news tomorrow. “We’re in public.”
He offered me a small, wicked smile. “I’ll make sure to take you somewhere more private next time.” His expression softened slightly, his gaze earnest. “And I’ll tell my dad to lay off with the articles. I really am sorry about that.”
Next time? He still wanted to see me after this?
The billionaire was more tenacious than I’d realized. The intent way he watched me let me know that he was just as fascinated by me now as he had been back in the restaurant. The wolf had scented its prey, and he wasn’t nearly prepared to let me go. I’d presented him with a challenge, and Niko wasn’t the type of man to back down from that; he was the type to be excited by it.
“It’s okay,” I heard myself saying, automatically alleviating his concern. “I know it’s not your fault. Thank you for talking to your dad about it.”
“So I’ll see you again?” he prompted, his voice deep and assured, almost a statement rather than a question.
I managed a nod and swallowed down the lump in my throat. I could go out with Niko again. I should go out with him again. I had to get over what’d happened with Max.
Niko’s hand settled on the small of my back, and I forced myself not to flinch. He guided me to the black town car parked at the curb, waiting to take me home. He opened the door for me and held my hand as I slid into the leather seat.
He kept my hand in his for a moment longer, lifting it to his lips and brushing a kiss over my knuckles. “Goodnight, Allie.”
“Goodnight.” I almost choked out the word.
He shot me that wolfish smile, already anticipating future pursuit. He wasn’t at all deterred by what he perceived as my shy behavior, but he was still respectful of my boundaries.
I should be utterly swept away by Niko, but Max had ruined me.
MAX
I found Allie amongst the Modern History books in the New York Public Library. I’d watched her enter the building, but it’d taken me a while to search the maze of shelves until I caught sight of her shining copper hair once again.
It was the middle of the day. I had no business blatantly stalking her like this. It had nothing to do with my mission against her father or even protecting her from my enemies.
White-hot rage blinded me to the risks of stalking the mayor’s daughter in broad daylight.
He had kissed my Allie. Nikolai Ivanov was a dead man walking. I should’ve killed him last night for daring to touch her.
But I’d followed her instead, possessive compulsion driving me to her doorstep to ensure that she got home safely. It’d taken everything in me to stop myself from pounding on her door and pushing my way inside. She would’ve yielded. She’d never been able to resist the maddening chemistry we shared. All I had to do was cage her in my arms and claim her mouth, and she would’ve been mine again.