Chapter Six

She looked at him questioningly as he pulled up to her hotel.

“There is great restaurant here. You will like, but we have to change clothes. Have to look nice for Restaurant Moskovsky.”

“What? Well, wouldn’t we need a reservation then?”

He glanced over at her with a crooked grin, “I think we will be able to get in.”

“What is your room? I come get you in twenty minutes.”

After she told him, he smiled and waved quickly and went to the elevator on the far left, the one to the Presidential Suite.  She smiled at herself. She had forgotten that he was famous for a little while. Of course, he could get them into the restaurant. They would probably fall over themselves to have him.  She would have to steel her resistance in order to avoid doing that herself.

It was still early afternoon and she didn’t feel that her black silk dress was appropriate, so she pulled out a teal colored slip dress.  It was cocktail length, so long like the black one and it seemed more appropriate for the day time. Besides, it had a halter neckline that made her neck look long and graceful and she always felt pretty with the way the color played on her tanned skin. She added a pair of strappy, silver heels to complete the outfit. Twenty minutes didn’t leave her much time to mess with her unruly waves.  She decided to pull it back from her face with a silver clip and leave the rest of the curls to fall down her bare back.  She just finished dabbing some lipstick on her full lips when there was a knock at the door. Her heart jumped. Suddenly, she was nervous. Don’t be ridiculous, she told herself, it’s just a nice lunch with a nice man. Stop being a jumpy, little girl.

She made a conscious effort to close her mouth before he noticed that she was overcome by his appearance.  She thought he was handsome before, but standing there in his navy blue suit and cerulean blue shirt, he was a feast for the eyes.  He’d decided against a tie and his shirt was open at the next providing just a hint of chest hair.  She took a deep breath. She’d never felt such desire for a man she barely knew before. Two days, she reminded herself, you’ve only known him for two days. 

He wasn’t shy about looking her over. When his eyes met hers, he smiled and said, “You look very beautiful.”

She swallowed quickly and complimented him in return.  He held out his hand to her. Again, she felt that spark as she place her small hand in his huge palm.

The Restaurant Moskovsky was splendidly beautiful. There were archways all around with table hidden in the alcoves. There was an incredible mural painted on the ceiling. There were fireplaces here and there. But it was the view from a few of the select tables that was the most amazing.  The maitre d’ led them to a quiet table by a window with a spectacular view of the Kremlin and Red Square.  Alex spoke to him in Russian, turned to her and asked if she wanted some wine.  She nodded to him.  He spoke again in Russian and she was enchanted by the sound of it. She’d heard it from Parker when he translated for her, but clearly he was not doing it right.  Parker sounded like a braying donkey. Alex sounded like a deep, low song floating on the breeze.  She looked at him with renewed interest, as if she needed more.

“I ordered a light wine. Too early for Vodka,” he winked.

They talked about food and what she liked. When the waiter came, Alex ordered for the both of them. When he was finished the waiter asked Zoey a question in Russian.

“He want to know if you want sour cream on side of blinis. They come with it, but he will separate it for you,” he explained.

“Oh, I don’t mind. He doesn’t need to do anything special for me.”

“My apologies, Miss. I did not realize you were American,” the waiter said in English.  “Is there anything else I can get for you?”

“No,” she smiled. “I’m fine.”

He nodded at her and then at Alex and retired. 

“He didn’t know I was American.  I feel like I’m walking around with a huge sign across me that screams foreigner!”

“No, it not that bad, only whisper of foreigner.”

“Thanks a lot,” she laughed at him.

“The only thing you scream is beautiful.”

She looked up into his eyes, even deeper blue because of his cerulean shirt, blushed and fussed with the napkin in her lap.

Lunch was lovely. Alex had ordered them both beluga caviar blinis to start, then he had lamb chops while she enjoyed a variety of seafood, sea bass, scallops, tiger shrimp, and squid with fried mushrooms. He managed to convince her to try his lamb, a new experience for her.  She was very glad he had ordered the sea food for her instead.  During dinner, he told her about Moscow, about himself, about living in Washington DC and about hockey.  She was intrigued with every aspect of his life.  In turn, she told about her home in New York, her book, her travels.  By the time lunch was over, she was even more enamoured with him. 

When they walked to the elevator, she felt his hand in her hair just before he placed it at her back.  She felt a shock travel through her body at his touch.  Her body certainly didn’t have a problem reacting to him.  She reminded herself again that she’d only known him two days. Two days! 

“Thank you for lunch,” she said as the elevator began to rise.

“You are welcome,” he smiled and she caught him looking at her lips.

The elevator doors opened and he followed her out.

“Are you going to walk me to my door?” she grinned up at him.

“Of course, gentleman always walks lady to the door.”

“And you are a gentleman?” she asked, as they stopped in from of her room.  She turned to face him.

“Have you doubts?” he teased her.

“No, not really,” she looked up into those beautiful blue eyes and felt her resolve slip.

“Can I come in?” he leaned closer to her placing his forearm on the door above her.

“Alex, we just met.”

“Still, I know you want me to come in,” he leaned closer to her, so close she could feel his breath.  She put her hand up on his chest to stop him from coming any closer. She felt how powerful he was, how warm he was. She did want him to come in and he knew it. She knew she would be unable to stop him if he persisted.

He let out a deep breath and pulled away from her slightly.

“Okay, but I am going to kiss you. Give you something to think about.”  He put his large hand at the small of her back and pulled her close to him and pressed his lips to hers. He plunged his tongue into her mouth and kissed her hard and passionately.  Her hand went up to the back of his neck and into his hair.  Feeling his body hard against hers was almost too much. His hand ran up her back and into her hair and he pulled her even closer nearly crushing her against him. Finally, he pulled back from her leaving her lightheaded and breathless.  He seemed a little breathless himself. He sucked on her bottom lip slightly before taking a step back, grinning devilishly.  She blushed, turned and opened her door.

“I see you tomorrow.”

And he walked away, leaving her with quite a lot to think about.