3. Nina

3

NINA

Of course, Anton Koslov owns Espionage . How fucking ironic.

I sit back in my seat, crossing my leg over my knee as the waitress sets down fresh drinks in front of us. I can’t help but notice the way she completely blanks me. But then again, I’m not the one stuffing hundred-dollar bills into her apron.

If I were her, I would ignore me too.

“How come you’re here drinking tonight?” I take a sip of my ice-cold vodka and tonic.

“I just want to let go of my life for a little while.” Anton swirls the amber liquid around in his glass. His brows pull together in a frown, and he seems to lose himself in his thoughts for a moment.

I take the opportunity to glance over my shoulder at my friends, flashing them a smile to let them know that they don’t need to come and save me.

From the countless empty glasses on the table, they seem to be making full use of Anton’s offer, which I’m sure they will come to regret when we’re taking our fundamentals exam at nine a.m. tomorrow. Something that I will gladly remind them of later.

“I understand that.” I sigh. “That's why I dance.”

“Really?” Anton leans a little closer, his knees almost touching mine.

I keep my posture relaxed and my smile flirty to mask the fact that I’m analyzing every little thing he does.

He might think he can woo me with his wealth and charm, but I grew up being surrounded by men like him. It takes a lot more than a few well-placed compliments to impress me.

Lucky for him, I’m sitting exactly where I need to be. Though to be truthful, if I had no idea the sort of man he is, I’m not sure I could resist spending a night with him.

“Yes.” I set down my drink and place my hands in my lap.

The movement draws Anton’s attention back to my legs, and I make no move to readjust my skirt, which has hitched up my thighs. “I think sometimes we can get caught up in the darkness of it all. Music and dance help to center me, to remind me that life can be like a ballet. It’s all about perspective.”

“Alcohol does the same thing to me.” Anton’s lips twitch at the edges.

I roll my eyes but offer him a smile in return.

“Have you ever been to the ballet, Anton?” I look up at him under my lashes.

“No, I didn’t think it was really my thing. Until today.”

“Is that so?” I chuckle. “I didn’t realize I was that talented.”

“Well, I think I might need a little more convincing before I become a full-fledged groupie.”

I fight a laugh.

“I don’t think ballerinas have groupies.”

“Well, they fucking should.”

It’s a little unnerving how Anton is making me feel like the most special person in the room.

I don’t think I’ve ever been made to feel like that. If anything, I’ve been made to feel the opposite my entire life.

Ever since my mother died, my father has made it his mission to remind me what a waste of space I am because I’m not a son. As if that’s the only way I could be useful to him.

Perhaps if I manage to pull this all off, he’ll finally take me seriously. Not because I have any interest in taking over the family business, but solely for the purpose of proving to him that I’m much more than a pretty face who prances about in a tutu.

“That’s very nice of you to say.” I take another sip of my drink.

“So, does your intense schedule leave much time for relationships?”

“Is that your way of asking if I’m single?”

“A man can never be too sure.” His eyes flick to my lips.

“Well, I’m very trustworthy. I don’t fall into men’s laps if I’m not available.”

“Ah, so you fall in guy’s laps often?” Anton’s lips twitch, and I shake my head, fighting a smile.

“All the time.”

“Here I was, thinking I was special.”

“Sorry to disappoint.” I chuckle, taking another sip of my drink.

As we lose ourselves in an easy conversation, I barely register moving closer to Anton. Our bodies are both angled toward each other with our knees touching. I’m so close that I can smell the scotch on his breath. It’s rich and smooth, like him, and I wonder what it would be like to have a taste?—

Anton’s eyes move beyond me. “It looks like we have company.”

I blink, having almost forgotten that we weren’t the only people in the bar. I straighten and glance over my shoulder to find Emma, Beatrice, and Allie heading our way.

“I apologize in advance,” I state before turning in my seat and grinning at my friends. “Are you guys leaving?”

Allie pouts. “I don’t want to.”

Beatrice sighs, wrapping her arm around Allie’s waist. “You’ll thank me when you pass the exam in the morning.”

Emma eyes Anton warily. “And I don’t want to be a third wheel to you love birds, so I’m heading out too.”

I take the opportunity to move a little closer to Anton, brushing my knee up against his thigh.

Beatrice also eyes Anton suspiciously. “Are you ok to get home?”

I can’t help but chuckle. If only they knew how dangerous he really was…

“I’m fine, Bea. I’ll text you all when I get home, I promise.”

Allie’s eyes are half-closed as she leans against Beatrice. “It’s your turn to bring the coffee tomorrow,”

“I’ll make sure they give you an extra shot.”

“Thanks.” She sighs, resting her head on Bea’s shoulder.

Emma turns to Anton. “Oh, that reminds me! Where do I send a thank you note?”

“Thank you note?” Anton glances at me for an explanation, but I just shrug my shoulders.

“For the hangover I’m going to be sporting in the morning,” Emma clarifies.

Anton’s shoulders shake with silent laughter as he glances at me, and I shake my head.

“If I vomit, I’ll even send you flowers.”

“I feel appreciated.” Anton holds his hand over his heart as he tries to keep a straight face.

“You should. Now, sit very still while I take your photo.”

“Uh…” Anton looks concerned as Emma pulls her phone out of her bra and snaps a photo of him.

I frown at her. “What are you doing?”

“It’s just a precaution.” Emma waves a hand. “You know, just in case you go missing.”

“I wasn’t planning on kidnapping her if that’s what you’re getting at.” Anton sits up straight, his expression suddenly serious.

“It was exactly what I was getting at.” Emma puts her hands on her hips. “So, you have been warned. If anything happens to our girl, I will personally slice off your dick with a carving knife. Which would be a shame, because you seem like you have a very nice dick.”

“Uh…thanks?”

I cover my mouth with my hand to try and stifle my laughter at the look on Anton’s face.

“You’re welcome. Thanks again for the drinks!”

Beatrice offers me a wave. “See you bright and early,”

“Don’t forget the coffee,” Allie mumbles as Emma starts to drag the pair of them away.

I wait until my friends are out of earshot. “I’m sorry about Emma. She doesn’t have much of a filter.”

“I can see why you’re friends with her.” Anton chuckles, causing the dimple to appear in his cheek. “She’s a real force of nature.”

“That's why I keep her around.”

“It’s good that you have people looking out for you.”

“I hope they didn’t ruin your plans of kidnapping me.” I lick my lips as I let my eyes roam over Anton’s body.

“You sound disappointed.”

I shrug. “What can I say, I like being tied up.”

Anton stiffens, and I fight a smile as he shifts in his seat.

I have no doubt that if I glanced down at his lap, I would be able to see the evidence of his arousal.

I wonder if his cock is just as impressive as the rest of his body. The thought has me squeezing my thighs together.

I desperately need to get laid, but tonight is not that night.

He clears his throat. “So, how long have you been in New York?”

I try not to appear smug, but I am secretly enjoying the effect I’m having on him. It will make my job a hell of a lot easier, and the sooner I get my father the information he needs, the sooner I can focus on my real goal of getting to the American Ballet Company.

“Only a few weeks, but it already feels like home.”

“New York has that effect on people. I’ve lived here my whole life, and I have no plans on leaving.”

“It lives up to the hype.”

“Does your family have any plans to come and visit you while you’re here?”

“Do you really want to spend tonight asking me about my family?” I lean forward slightly.

My sweater falls even lower off my shoulder, giving him the perfect view of the curve of my breasts.

“No, I don’t.” His eyes dip to my chest.

“Then what would you like to spend tonight doing, Anton ?” I let my voice become a little breathless.

“There are many things I would like to do.” His voice is thick.

I slightly adjust my body so that my knee brushes against his thigh once more.

“Like what?”

“Firstly, I’d like to take you back to my place,” he murmurs, his voice causing goosebumps to break out all over my skin.

For a moment, I let myself imagine it. This gorgeous, powerful man, spending hours worshiping every inch of my body, leaving me a moaning, writhing mess in the center of his bed.

He looks like he knows exactly what he’s doing. It would make a welcome change compared to the other men I’ve been with.

You are not here to find a quick fuck .

I repeat the words in my head over and over, trying to ignore the way Anton is looking at me.

“Then what?” I bite my lower lip.

“Then I’d like to put your ballet training to the test.”

“Would I be marked on performance? Because I perform very well under pressure.”

“I have no doubt,” Anton grunts.

“Well, that sounds like a wonderful offer, but unfortunately, I’ll have to pass.”

Anton blinks.

I’m sure he doesn’t get very many women turning down the opportunity to spend the night in his bed.

And if it were under any other circumstances, and he wasn’t a murdering bastard, I would be more than happy to ride him until the sun came up. But the reality is, Anton Koslov is my enemy, and I’d do well not to forget that.

Anton frowns. “May I ask why?”

“I have a ballet exam tomorrow morning.” I get to my feet. “Thank you for the drinks,”

As I reach for my clutch off the table, Anton wraps his fingers around my wrist, halting my movements. “Wait.”

I pause, glancing down at him with my eyebrows raised.

He drops his hold on me. “Can I see you again?”

I let my eyes flick to his mouth, letting them glaze over a little. It doesn’t take much, considering how attractive he is.

“Sure.” I bite my lip. “If you can figure out how to find me…”

“Are you serious?”

“Deadly serious.” I reach over him to grab my clutch off the table.

My breasts brush up against his arm and I swear he groans.

“Good night, Anton.” I turn on my heels and saunter through the bar toward the exit.

Anton’s eyes burn through me the entire time, and I know I’ve got him wrapped around my finger.

Too bad he is who he is, or tonight would have gone much differently.

Oh well.

Perhaps if the ballet dream goes to shit, I could be a spy after all.