Read The Russian's Assertive Lover (The Tonov Triplets Series Book 2) for Free Online Page B

apologize for anything.”
    “I was not apologizing for Dimitri,” Valov said. “I was actually apologizing for Nikolay.”
    “Nikolay? Why?” He definitely didn't say or do anything lower than what Dimitri had.
    “He obviously upset you when the two of you were talking,” Valov said. “I believe it had to do with your tattoo?”
    Courtney went to rub the ink marring her skin, as if she could rub it off. “Oh,” she said. “Nikolay didn't know he was pressing a nerve. It's okay.” She shrugged. “It's a long story, and I don't really like to talk about it.”
    “I understand,” Valov said, and Courtney was sure that on some strange level he really did.
    “Val, are you coming or not?” Rae called. She was already leaning up against her car.
    “I am coming,” he said. He smiled politely and nodded at Courtney. “Goodnight,” he said.
    “Night,” she smiled and then went to Janet's car, only to have Nikolay fall in step beside her.
    “I am sorry,” he said gruffly, looking down at the ground. “For upsetting you, for Dimitri, for everything.”
    God, he is so hot. “Please don't apologize, Mr. Tonov,” Courtney replied. “It truly isn't necessary.”
    “I really wish you wouldn't call me that,” Nikolay answered. “You've just had dinner with me and my brothers. Why do you insist on addressing me so formally when everyone at the club calls me by my first name?”
    “Because I don't wish to,” Courtney said. “So I'm not going to. That's it.”
    “You’re angry,” his voice was quiet, Courtney almost missed it. She looked up at him and was sure she saw vulnerability in his expression before his usual unreadable look slid back into place.
    “Of course I'm not mad,” Courtney said. “If it is my first night working that you're worried about, then I was just as much at fault as you were and it is best that both of us forget it.”
    “Of course,” Nik said. He stopped just a few feet short of walking her to Janet's car. “Goodnight,” he said.
    She smiled at him. “Goodnight.” As she got in, she breathed a sigh of relief, until Janet fired off a barrage of questions at her.
    “You kissed your boss and you didn't tell me?” she shouted. “What the hell is wrong with you? What was it like? Was he good? Are you guys sleeping together?”
    “Sorry, I didn't tell you,” Courtney mumbled. “A lot of things are wrong with me, and I want to forget the kiss. Yes, he was amazing. And no, we're definitely not sleeping together.”
    “If it was amazing, then why do you want to forget about it?” she asked.
    “Because he's my boss! Do you know how many things are wrong with this scenario? Besides, we're not even attracted to each other. It was just a bad night for both of us.”
    “You wouldn't have said the kiss was amazing if you weren't attracted to him,” Janet shot back. “You would have said there was no spark. So don't even try to bullshit me.” There was a bit of a pause before she said, “They're not all like Gary, Court.”
    “I know that,” Courtney snapped. “Rationally, I know that but do you really think I'll find a prince in a guy who parades half-naked women around in front of slime balls for profit? I don't think so.”
    “Okay, so maybe strip club owner isn't ideal,” she said. “But he took the time to apologize to you tonight, didn't he? And, if he didn't have a soul, he wouldn't have felt so terrible about that little midnight kiss the two of you shared.”
    “He doesn't feel terrible. He's just worried about a sexual harassment suit.”
    “Uh huh,” Janet said dryly. “You keep telling yourself that.

*****
    Nikolay shut his apartment door and took several ragged breaths. He was surprised to see her in the pub tonight and despite her conservative attire, he could think of nothing else other than peeling those jeans off her.
    No. It's always the innocent-looking ones who are dangerous. If I let her, she'll betray me too. He let out a slow, shaky breath as