Sasha: The Awakening (The Wallflower Series Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

ambience was not nearly as stuffy as she had presumed and she automatically let out a breath of relief. Feeling her relax at his side, Carter only smiled.
    “The person I’m looking for will probably be surrounded. So we may have to slowly make our way over.”
    She looked up at him. “What’s our strategy?” Sasha asked in a playful manner.
    Leaning further into her, he grinned mischievously. “Well, why don’t we work counterclockwise around the fountain? Being bombarded probably won’t give him much opportunity to move throughout the night and we don’t want to seem too eager. I can’t lay all my cards on the table at once.”
    Teasingly, she patted him on the cheek. “Poker face.”
    When they mirrored each other with the same blank stare, they couldn’t help but to burst out in laughter, receiving rather odd looks from those around them. “Yeah, we’re going to need time to work on that one. It may be best to take the long route,” she sputtered between chuckles.
    Despite their mission, Sasha found herself enjoying being in Carter’s company and seeing his easygoing nature with others. She could tell immediately why he was good at his job; people couldn’t help but respond to his warm smile and approachable nature. She was happy to be his companion for the night.
    She was listening to him tell a joke when the hairs at the back of her neck stirred in warning. Curious as to her body’s innate response, she searched for the cause but came up short. The same feeling coursed through her continuously throughout the night as they made their way closer to the large group formed around who she supposed was the marketing manager Carter had come to see. From what she had heard from several others that night, the public relations firm was not only one of the best in the country but had easily gained a foothold in the international market within the past few years. And at the forefront of this change was the most sought after guest tonight. Yet having not heard his name, she was growing suspicious.
    In her mind, the pieces were slowly coming together but even as she bothered to consider who he was, she continually denied it to herself. Boston was too big of a city and they had never run into each other before. There were probably many famous marketing managers at top-notch PR firms. What were the chances? But the infuriating feeling of being watched had yet to go away. Finally, she asked,
    “Carter? Who exactly is the man you came to see?”
    He grinned. “You know, I never did tell you his name. Maybe you’ve heard of him. Dmitri Durand. His father is Nikolai Vikhrov, the owner of that hotel chain.”
    But by that point, all the color had drained from her cheeks. As soon as she watched his lips form Dmitri’s name, her ears had become almost clogged as panic raced through her veins and she felt the distinct urge to run. Her arm loosened from his hold and she made a faltering step back.
    As Carter began to ask her what was wrong, he felt a familiar set of arms wrap around his neck and ruffle his head playfully. Immediately grinning, he turned to see his friend, unaware of Sasha’s abject look of horror.
    As soon as she saw the tuft of black hair and the familiar stature of the man behind Carter, she gasped and desperately searched for a way out. At the same time, she mentally analyzed why she was reacting so strongly to his presence. But before she could delve deeper into answers, the man holding Carter showed his face and her sense of urgency dissipated slightly.
    “Dominic! What the hell man! What are you doing here?” Carter pulled his friend into a hug.
    Returning the friendly embrace, Dominic patted Carter on his shoulder and responded, “You know, I’m always where I have no business being.” Casually, he looked over at Carter’s companion and visibly shook at the sight of the small woman. “Sasha?”
    Shyly and without much sincerity as she was still in a state of anxiety, she smiled, “Hello,