Page 11 of Nikolai
Hmmm.This was where he would become scathing.“I drive a Smartcar.”
She braced, because she’d heard it all before.She could afford any car she wanted, and she chosethat?It was barely a car, might as well shop in the toy department, what was it good for?
“Good choice,” he said, and she peered at him to see if he was being sarcastic.
But no.He seemed perfectly serious.“What?”
“City like Naples, a Smartcar is a really good choice.It’s very maneuverable, easy to park, fabulous mileage.”
Well, that was interesting.“If you think it’s such a good choice, what are you doing with this massive monster?”
He reached out and patted the dash, the way a cowboy pets his favorite horse.“Never know when I might need to go out of town and need some power.We’re here.”
He swerved suddenly and parked right in front of her apartment building, in a tight space she couldn’t have managed in one maneuver not even with her tiny Smartcar.She’d been so fascinated by him that she hadn’t even noticed they were in her neighborhood.
Parker reached for the door opener, but he put a hand on her arm, gently, and only for a moment.She stopped.
“I know we’ve only just met, but I’m hoping your honorary aunt can vouch for my morals and respectability.I have a reservation tonight at Il Terrazzone.I’d be honored if you would join me for dinner.”
Parker turned and looked at him, not hiding what she was doing.He just sat there, still, understanding she wanted to take the measure of him.
It was true.He was doing business with Aunt Caroline, who was smart, no-nonsense, and would never hire a man with a reputation of shadiness or dishonesty and would definitely have hired the most competent person she could.
But being good at your job was no guarantee that he would be a good dinner companion.The worst date she’d ever been on had been with a Vice President of one of the ten biggest banks in the world.He’d been obnoxious, touching her all through dinner, bragging about how rich he was, and had used a little violence when kissing her outside the restaurant.She’d had to push him and run around the corner to catch a taxi and her last glimpse of him had been through the rear window as he lifted a fist at her, handsome face twisted with rage.
So professional success and wealth meant nothing.You could be rich and successful and still be a jerk.
And yet…
There had been no bad behavior on his part.He’d been a perfect gentleman, hadn’t made her feel uncomfortable once.Had got her across the street in Neapolitan traffic on a bad day.That earned him serious points.
“Il Terrazzone is one of the nicest restaurants in Naples,” she said.
“So I’ve heard.I was resigned to one of those really nice meals on my own.If I had your company, it would make it memorable.”
Well, put like that… “Yes.I’d like that.”
He grinned, a sudden blossoming of pleasure on his face that made him look ten years younger.
How old was he?He had such an air of command and was clearly at the top of his profession.He had lines on his face, which she now saw were probably more from sun and wind than age.He definitely did not look like the moisturizing type.
Not only that.To be called by the US Consulate was a big deal, and only well-known professionals were called.She’d assumed he was in his forties but now, with that grin, light blue eyes gleaming, she saw he could be closer to her in age.Mid-thirties maybe.
“How old are you?”she blurted out and immediately regretted it.But it was out there.
“Thirty-eight,” he said, without blinking.
She was thirty-two.So.Notthatbig of an age gap.
“Now that we’ve got that out of the way.”Nick kept his hands on the wheel, just turning his head to look at her.“My reservation is at eight.Should I pick you up at seven-thirty?”
“You do realize that is an insanely early hour for dinner in Naples?”
He nodded.“I got that from the hotel concierge, who looked appalled.However, I’m told that the terrace is magnificent with a great view over the Bay.We could have drinks on the terrace until it’s a reasonable hour for dinner in Naples.”
“We could,” she agreed.These days she rarely accepted a dinner date from someone she’d just met.But…her dinner tonight was going to be a slice of mozzarella with cherry tomatoes, a huge peach and half a glass of a dry white wine.Then scrolling to find something on Netflix to watch.
Dinner with Nikolai Garin at Il Terrazzone sounded much better.If it turned out that he was a jerk after all, at least she’d have had a nice meal in a beautiful setting.
