“Natasha. . .” he said after a long silence. He kept his gaze trained on Nikki’s sleeping face. “About last night?” Natasha tensed, and she lowered her eyes to the ice-cold glass of mango juice in her hands.

"I just. .. I never meant. ." He stopped again, and the silence annoyed her until she couldn't stand it anymore. His beautiful blue eyes finally rose to greet hers.

"Listen, Natasha," he went on, breaking the silence, hoping his expression was saying the same thing that he was hearing in his own voice. "I know how much you hate me. In fact, given what you think about me, I can even...