Page 92 of Sinful Betrayal
“We don’t know that. Check the cupboards to see if he left anything behind.”
Mikhail mutters a few choice words under his breath but after that, we search the place in silence.
I pull the covers off the couch cushions as well as stripping the sheets off the bed while Mikhail searches the kitchen.
We find a few photos and some empty magazines, but that’s it.
“I say we should still take this stuff with us.” I bundle up the clothes that were piled on the bed. “The photos could be useful.”
“I’m starting to think this whole half-brother thing is just an excuse to distract us.” Mikhail takes one last look around the damp apartment.
He stuffs the photos inside his jacket before heading out the door without another word.
I don’t hearanything from Mikhail about what we found at Lev’s apartment in the few days following our search, though Idoubt it will be long until Alexei calls a meeting to discuss our next move.
I just hope he doesn’t decide tonight is the night to do it because I have very important plans.
Nina messaged me earlier to let me know she’ll be home around four, so I’ve made sure that everything is in place for when she gets home.
Alexei put me in touch with a small designer in New York, and she sent over a dress for Nina to wear tonight on our date.
I wanted it to be a complete surprise, so I’ve taken care of everything, from the dinner reservation to the evening entertainment.
Nina’s been surprisingly quiet after I suggested she take over the pool house as a studio, and I’m worried I might have frightened her off with ideas of moving in. So, I figured we should probably go on a real date first before bringing the subject up again.
At six o’clock, I park outside the house and grab the large bouquet of pale pink roses from the passenger seat.
As I climb the front steps, my palms start to sweat.
Am I nervous?
From the way my heart is pounding in my chest as I ring the doorbell, I’d say that I am. But then again, I haven’t taken a woman out on a real date in over a decade, and I want this to go well.
I want to show Nina that I’m willing to give this a try if she is.
The soft clink of heels approaches the door, and the next thing I know, Nina’s standing there, looking like a goddess, and the air leaves my lungs.
The floor-length, midnight-blue dress I picked out for her hugs her toned figure perfectly. The narrow straps show off her delicate shoulders, and the neckline is low enough to accentuate the soft swell of her breasts.
She’s kept her hair loose around her shoulders and her makeup minimal, and I can’t seem to take my eyes off her.
“You rang the doorbell?” She looks confused.
“I’m picking you up for our date.” My mouth suddenly dries as I try not to stare at her like a starving animal. “These are for you.”
Her face lights up as she takes in the enormous bouquet. “They’re beautiful.” She reaches for them and inhales deeply. “Thank you Anton.”
“You’re welcome. I will say, I have great taste.” I openly admire her.
She glances down at the dress and blushes.
“Do you like it?”
Nina looks up at me under her lashes and nods. “I love it,” she whispers. “I love all of this.”
She eyes my tux, and her blush deepens, as if she’s skipping ahead to the end of the evening in her mind, and I smirk.
“This is just the beginning, Nina.”