I guess not, but I still don't believe you. So why did you come here from that beautiful city?
Have you been there?
Last year. I studied for a year in Moscow and went to St Petersberg by train to have a look. It really is a very special place.
I came here to better myself, he said proudly. I had a bad start in life. My dad was killed in the Chechen war and my mother never got over it. I found her one day. Asleep in the kitchen, except she wasn't asleep. She'd taken an overdose. His eyes stared into the distance for a few seconds before focusing on her again.
Nicki was shocked. She'd had a relatively easy time of it in comparison. Her parents were both still alive and reasonably well off. Jesus that's horrible. Poor you, she put her hand on his. Does it pain you to talk about it?
No. Not nowadays anyway. It was nine years ago and time heals.
So have you got any relatives?
No, I'm all alone in the world, he said as if he liked it that way.
Well, if you've had so many girlfriends, you probably haven't had time for relatives.
I guess not. He liked her. She was beautiful and had the same sense of humor. He liked the oval shape of her eyes and the way her hands moved when she talked.
Andrey, it's almost five and where I'm from it's okay to have a drink after five. Would you join me? She was beginning to enjoy herself and didn't want their conversation to end. In addition, she was hopeful he could point her in the direction of Maxim Sokolov. She had it on good authority that this was one of Sokolov's restaurants.
Okay, but you're my guest. Mel, a couple of glasses please. The waitress put two small glasses in front of them and handed him a bottle of vodka. In Russia we drink vodka, do you like it?
Nicki hardly ever drunk anything alcoholic and she wasn't at all sure she could stomach a drink as strong as vodka. Yes, of course, I love it.
The way he concentrated as he poured the drinks fascinated her. He reminded her of a young boy she used to sit next to in kindergarten. When he drew a picture, he always held his tongue between his lips. Andrey was doing just that.
Nazdrovje, he said. We drink it in one go.
Nazdrovje. Nicki opened her mouth and downed it in one. Jesus, that stings, she hissed as her eyes began to water.
He laughed. You're not so cool after all are you. He put his hand on her shoulder and looked into her eyes. You'll live, he said as she coughed uncontrollably.
Let me buy you dinner, she said once she'd recovered. I'm enjoying out chat. What she really mean, was that she was enjoying being with him. His easy manner and good looks had aroused her, and she didn't want it to end. After a glass if vodka she was less focused on getting information about Sokolov and more interested in Andrey and his gorgeous body.
He'd talked her into trying one more vodka, but this time, she'd taken her time to drink it. He'd downed it one and poured himself another which he took with them to a table next to the window. Mel came over and lit the candle that was standing in the middle of the table in a brass candlestick.
How romantic, Nicki said. The vodka had warmed her, and any inhibitions she may have had were gone.
I think today was my lucky day? he said.
What do you mean?
You. You are beautiful. Very beautiful.
Nicki smiled and put her hand onto his. And you've made quite an impression on me.
They both ate steak with fresh salad. Afterwards, he asked Nicki if she wanted anything else. What she wanted she dare not ask for. But he did.
Come up to my apartment with me. I live above the restaurant.
Don't you have to work? she asked buying herself some time to think if this was a good idea.
It’s eight, and it's quiet. Mel and the chef can handle it. If it isn't busy by now, it won't be later.
Okay then let's go. Strange, she thought. I have never done this in my life. Never have I gone to a man's apartment on the first date. Maybe that's why you've only had one boyfriend and he's had sixteen girlfriends. .
His apartment was wonderful. It was under the gable and looked out to the ocean. The end wall was made of glass and had a door in it, which led onto a balcony. He'd placed the sofa so he could look out over the ocean. At the back was a small kitchen and in the middle of the room was a double bed. Nicki noticed how clean it was. That was a good sign she thought, remembering Nathan and his disgusting car.
She stood and looked out over the veranda to the ocean. It was almost dark, and the seafront lights were glistening on the water. A gull came and sat on the veranda rail before impatiently flying off again. When Andrey had made them each a mug of tea, he stood next to her.
Beautiful isn't it?
Yes, very.
He put the mugs down on the floor and put his arm around her. She turned her head to him, and he kissed her. It was a gentle kiss of exploration. When she opened her mouth to him, he put his tongue into her. They kissed for several minutes, neither of them in a hurry to the next stage. When he eventually made a move, she helped him. She stood back from him, took off her cardigan and began to open her blouse. He quickly took off his T-shirt and when he did, it made her stop. There wasn't an ounce of fat on him. All she could see was brown skin on top of perfectly formed muscles. She had never seen a man with a ribbed stomach. It made her hornier still.