Dichotomy

Alessia watched Irina slip out the door and the door swung farther open. Nickolai stepped over the threshold and Alessia's lungs seemed to freeze.

He was dressed in black slacks that fit him perfectly, accentuating his long, powerful legs. A black silk shirt, unbuttoned just enough to offer a tantalizing glimpse of his tanned throat, clung to his broad shoulders and chest. His dark hair was cut short and perfectly parted, not a strand out of place. His strong, chiseled jaw was smooth, without a hint of stubble, emphasizing the sharp angles of his face.

He looked expensive. Powerful. Dangerous.

Nicolai's steel-gray eyes raked over her form as she stood under his scrutiny. A smile bloomed on his sensuous lips, an expression she'd never seen on his face before. It was more disconcerting than his usual serious demeanor, making her heart race in a way she wasn't entirely comfortable examining.

"Alessia," he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine. "I hope you enjoyed your bath