He helped the littl drunk girl into the living room and sat her down on the couch.
She patted the seat next to her, "Sit." Merri's amber eyes were sparkling, "I want to tell you something."
Nikolai sat down and tilted his head towards her wondering what she was going to say. Merri suddenly wrapped her slender arms around his neck and gazed into his dark eyes, "You are very handsome... the most handsome."
His lips curled up into a smile, "Miss Winslow, you are drunk."
She pouted, "Call me Merri."
He gently loosened her arms around his neck her and she tightened her hold on him.
He helplessly sighed, "Merri, let go." Although his heart was pounding he didn't want to take advantage of his little angel being drunk.
She bit her bottom lip and shook her head, "If I don't tell you now I won't have the courage. I...I like you...I like you so much."
Merri softly kissed his lips and pressed her soft body onto him.
Nikolai felt like fireworks were exploding in his head and his heart was pounding. It was as though he was in a beautiful dream.
He could smell the light fragrance of jasmine and her silky hair was tickling his neck. It took all of his willpower not to deepen the kiss and press her underneath him.
Merri touched his warm lips with her finger and looked at him with the corners of her mouth lifted, "I wanted to kiss you for a long time."
Her delicate face was dyed with a captivating blush as she confessed, " I never believed in love at first sight but when you were watching over me in the hospital room. I fell in love with you. I thought, how could there be such a gentle and kind man."
Nikolai's breathing was erratic and he felt guilty...very guilty. If the little angel hadn't been drugged at the Club and Alexi ordered me to take her to the hospital... Gentle? Kind? Two words that have never been used to describe me.The innocent little fool has no idea how she was deceived.
He held her finger that had just been on his lips and had a serious tone. "You are mistaking being grateful for love."
Merri put her hand on his and gazed at him with pure and clear eyes, "No...no... I'm not. I like you...and I think you like me too."
Nikolai realized at this moment he shouldn't entangle Merri with him. I can't leave Alexi...I can't give her anything and I am not the man she thinks I am.
He unfurled her fingers from his hand, "You are a very beautiful girl and any man would be lucky to have you. It just can't be me."
Merri's eyes were covered with a layer of mist and her eyelashes trembled, "Why not? I only want you."
Nikolai gazed at her seductive appearance and was tempted...very tempted. But, he suppressed his desire and stood up. "I should take you home."
"No. I want to stay like this for a bit..just hold me okay?"
Nikolai calmed his mind and gently held Merri. She was snuggled into his warm embrace with her head resting on his chest. He held her in his arms enjoying the feeling of her soft fragrent body pressed against him. After a few minutes he heard her steady breath and gazed at her face.
Nikolai had a faint smile, the lttle angel fell asleep...
He gently laid her down on the couch and put on his coat then grabbed hers. Once he buttoned up her white cashmere coat he lifted her into his arms and left the apartment.
When they arrived at Merri's apartment Nikolai carried the sleeping girl up the stairs to her apartment. He took the keys from her purse and opened the door. According to Merri, her brother had cram school so he wasn't worried about creating any problems for her.
He glanced around the cozy little living room and smiled.The apartment is as I pictured, warm and comfortable like the little angel.
The door to her bedroom was ajar so he strode into it. Once he laid Merri down on the bed he sat down next to her and covered her with the flowery pink and white quilt. He tenderly brushed back her hair and stared at her delicate face. It was a beautiful dream to think I could have you. But, I will do whatever is needed to protect you.
He leaned down and caressed her cheek, his pitch black eyes overflowing with love. He gently kissed her forehead and moved his lips down kissing her lovingly as though she was the most precious treasure.
He lightly kissed her lips then softly whispered in Russian, "Little angel, you are so sweet and incredibly beautiful. Don't waste your time on an unworthy man like me. You deserve a man much better...A man who isn't surrounded by darkness and evil like I am."
Full of resolve to protect Merri from Alexi he has made up his mind to convince Sydney. I will accept the mission I rejected and if need be die to protect the little angel.
After he left he drove to the Casino to speak with Sydney Long. He didn't have the heart to drug Merri, but didn't want to deliver her to Alexi either. The only man who could stop it was Sydney. He decided he would make a deal with him in order to protect Merri.
Nikolai was in a terrible mood as he entered The Casino. He snapped at Marta who ran over to him, "Scram."
She had a hurt expression, " I have something important to tell you."
He ignored her and quickened his pace throught the crowded casino.
Marta put her hands on her hips as she watched him take long strides across the room to the back stairs. "I paid a lot of money for that information!"
Nikolai knocked on the door to the office and Sydney told him to enter.
Sydney was sitting on the couch with his wife. LingLing running a soft cloth over a small jade statue, she looked up and subtly taunted Nikolai, "It has been a while. Was the last time I saw you? Budapest?"
"No. Prague." He knew very well why she said Budapest but remained expressionless. such a scheming woman...a perfect match for that old fox Sydney.
Sydney squeezed his wife's hand, "Darling, I will see you at home."
LingLing placed the jade in a carved wooden box then stood up. She smoothed the red silk Chegoseum she was wearing and flicked her burgundy hair. As she passed Nikolai she licked her full red lips, "Are you sure it wasn't Budapest."
Nikolai's body stiffened and he clenched the fist in his pocket. His emotionless voice didn't reveal his inner rage, "Positive."
She curled her lips into a sly smile, "Sydney, don't forget to deposit the money."
After she left Sydney laughed, "Don't mind Ling'er she has a warped sense of humor. Why did you want to see me?"
"I will do the job in exchange for a favor."
Sydney leaned forward with his hands on his knees, "You agree?"
"Only if you can control Alexi."
Sydney narrowed his Phoenix eyes, "Explain."
Nikolai told him about Alexi and Merri, only saying he felt that she would be more useful in subduing Karl Wu. He explained he thought Alexi was being selfish and not thinking of the big picture.
Sydney toyed with the red sandalwood Buddhist beads on his wrist. He had a thoughtful expression, "It is unlike Alexi to care for a woman."
"I can't speak for him. I don't know why he would jeopardize what we have built in the city. I know that if she is his woman, he will make an enemy of Karl Wu. If we eliminate Karl Wu, then we are only asking for even more scrutiny. It is not the time to wantonly ignore the fact Miss Winslow should be a chess piece not a woman to warm his bed."
Sydney continued to play with the Budhha beads on his wrist, "You explained your reasoning to Alexi and he told you to send the woman to him?"
"Yes."
"You aren't afraid he will be angry you came to me?"
"He didn't leave me any choice. You know I am loyal to Alexi and I am only asking you to reason with him. I think she can be used to get close to Karl Wu and we can thwart his investigation."
Sydney rubbed the carved sandalwood beads, "To agree to the job you must feel strongly about the situation. Also, I think you have a good point, Alexi can play with any woman, why should a useful pawn be wasted."
Nikolai inwardly breathed a sigh of relief thinking Merri would be safe as long as Sydney felt she was useful.
"Give me the details and I will leave for Kazan tomorrow."
Nikolai had a restless night, every time he closed his eyes he saw Merri's face. His dreams were full of her every expression and the desire he felt when she confessed to him.
In the morning, Merri rubbed her eyes and reached for a bottle of water on the nightstand. Her head was throbbing and after she drank half the bottle she laid back on the pillow.
Although last night was hazy she recalled confessing to Nikolai and being rejected. She had a knot in her heart, why was I so stupid!
Her brother knocked on her bedroom door, "Can I come in?"
Merri's voice was hoarse, "Yeah."
He walked in and tossed her a set of keys. "A man from the garage dropped off the car."
She sat up in the bed and her face sank, in a weak voice she muttered, "Oh."
He laughed, "What kind of reaction is that? Shouldn't you be happy? Didn't you say it would be a week or so?"
"Well...they must have got the part they needed."
She laid back down and pulled up the covers, "I'm going back to sleep."
"Don't you have to go to class?"
"I don't feel too good. I will go this afternoon."
He walked over to the bed and noticed Merri's face was pale, "Were you out drinking last night?"
"No. I think I caught a little cold."
"I will make you a cup of lemon and ginger tea."
"You don't have time. You will miss the bus. I'll make a cup when I get up."
After he left Merri looked at the keys in her hand then curled up under the covers, well..this is for the best, it would have been embarrassing to see him this morning.
Nikolai drove to a private airport and when he parked the car his phone rang. "Did you drop the car off?"
"Yeah."
"Good."
He hesitated, should I call the little angel and tell her I will be out of town for a few days? If I disappear she might think I don't want to see her after last night