Chapter 11 - Nikolai
Anoushka's soft moans fill my ears as I devour her mouth, our tongues tangling like lovers lost for far too long. Her hands fist in my hair, nails scraping my scalp and igniting sparks of pleasure-pain down my spine.
Pleasure from how she feels in my arms, pain from all those days we’ve denied each other this ecstasy.
I grip her waist, fingers digging into the lush curves I've only dreamed of until now, and grind into her. She lifts one leg and wraps it around my calf, opening herself to me in invitation.
"Nikolai," she gasps against my lips.
That's all the encouragement I need. I grip her thighs and lift, carrying her over to my desk and settling her on the edge. Papers and pens scatter to the floor, forgotten.
Anoushka arches into me, her breasts crushed against my chest. "Please."
I look down at her blue-green eyes, watching me with a tenderness so soft and unexpected that I wonder if it’s the same woman I married.
The ache between my legs intensifies at her breathy plea. I slide my hands up the hem of her dress ever so slowly, allowing her time to stop me if she so needs. But she only parts them wider and pushes herself further up the desk, making space for me.
“Anoushka,” I whisper softly in her ear, gently biting down on it as my fingers brush the soft skin of her inner thighs. She shudders and tilts back her hair, the smell of her patchouli shampoo soaking into my skin. She’s so responsive, so ready.
And so mine.
I tear my mouth away from her ear, trailing kisses along her jaw. She tilts her head to the side, baring the long, pale column of her neck. The urge to mark her, to claim her in the most primal way, surges through me, but I hold it at bay, wanting to take it slow for her until she shows me she’s ready for more.
I've never wanted anything as much as I want her in this moment. The rest of the world fades away, and there is only Anoushka—her scent, her taste, her soft cries of pleasure. I move down and place myself between her legs, looking up at her. She gives me a slight nod and bites her lower lip, closing her eyes and leaning back on her elbows. I slide my hands higher, nudging her lace panties aside. She's soft and soaked, ready for me. I dip a finger inside her, groaning at the feel of her tight, wet heat enveloping me.
Anoushka throws her head back, lips parted in a silent cry. I add another finger, thrusting into her creases. Her inner muscles clench around me, drawing me in deeper.
I quicken the pace of my fingers, rubbing my thumb over her clit. Her breaths come in short, sharp pants as she chases her release. But there’s so much more I can do for her.
I slide my tongue across the length of her pussy and her legs tremble. She bucks, taken by the unexpected sensation. I watch as she opens her eyes, her pupils blasted wide with pleasure.
I give her a grin before sliding my tongue into her, my finger massaging her clit. She blushes and closes her eyes again, now lying flat on the desk.
I take my spare hand and reach out under her, gripping her ass tight.
“Oh my god,” she moans.
I change tactics. With my fingers now plunging inside her and my mouth sucking and licking her, Anoushka is now gasping and moaning uncontrollably. Her heavenly scent fills the air and hits me right at my cock.
I feel myself getting hard, my trousers constricting my length.
The things she does to me.
“Faster, Nikolai,” she commands.
I grin as I curve my finger and dab at the wall just below her clit, hitting her g-spot, hitting her g-spot. She arches off the table, her hands fisting in my hair as a strangled cry catches in her throat. Her inner walls clamp down hard, trembling around my fingers as she shatters. I work her through the aftershocks, prolonging her pleasure until she collapses back onto the desk, exhausted and sated.
Only then do I slide my fingers from her warmth, getting off my knees. I lean over her on the desk and brush a strand of hair from her flushed cheek. "That was quite something," I murmur.
Her eyelids flutter open, eyes soft with tenderness yet also playful. “Who said we’re done?” she whispers, sitting up.
I raise an eyebrow, and she raises one back with one side curved into a half-smile. God, she looks like she’s thinking things I want to bring into action. Dirty things.
My boner getting harder, I grab her thighs and pull her closer until my crotch hits against her pussy, her legs on either side of me. She reaches for my belt and unbuckles it when…
My god damn phone starts blaring.
Anoushka groans and flicks back her hair, scrunching her pretty little face in her signature bratty expression when she doesn’t get what she wants. "What now?"
I frown at the caller ID. It's Dima. Something must be wrong for him to disturb me during work hours. Usually, we catch up on business at the end of the day, between eight and nine p.m.
"I have to take this," I say with regret. "It's Dima.”
Her lips form a moue of disappointment, but she nods in understanding.
I step away to answer the call, my senses still attuned to Anoushka, angry at this interruption. "Talk to me."
"Nikolai, we have a situation here at Pass Code," Dima says grimly. "I need to speak to you in person. Right away.”
Shit. This complicates matters. Whatever could have happened for Dima to call an urgent meeting?
"I'm on my way," I reply.
Dima hangs up without another word.
I return to Anoushka, taking both her hands in mine. "I have to go check on one of my other clubs, Pass Code. Dima says there’s a situation."
Her eyes flash with disappointment, but she jumps off the table in search of her panties. I watch as she bends over and avert my gaze when she proceeds to put it on.
“I’ll just go back home then,” she says, standing up, her hair a beautiful mess falling down her shoulders.
I frown. We came here together, and my security detail would need to come with me in case there is trouble at the club. I can’t have her take a cab.
“No,” I say, deciding already. “You’re coming with me. It’s safer that way.”
She looks like she’s about to protest, but after everything that happened today, she decides to go along with my plans.
***
I arrive at the club to find Dima and some of our club security waiting, grim expressions on their faces. I notice Dima frown when he sees Anoushka by my side.
“What’s she doing here?” he asks, narrowing his eyes.
“Who? My wife?” I say rather fiercely, daring him to say more.
Dima barely changes his expression but says no more. “Follow me,” he guides me to my office, but I notice how he didn’t look at Anoushka. I take her hand, bringing her along.
Once inside, I turn to face Dima. “What’s all this about?”
"The Smirnovs were here," Dima says. "Demanding to speak with me."
"How many?" I ask.
"Five. They came to burn the place down, Nikolai. Something about how you banned Yuri from all our clubs. They said they’d show us, but we managed to fight them off. Tell me, this can’t be true.”
My hands curl into fists. Yuri always had a small ego, and clearly, today, he’s shown me just how fragile that is.
“That coward,” I clench my jaw. “Sent his men here instead of to La Fantasia? Picking a brawl with you when his fight stands with me?”
“He’s a powerful man, Nikolai,” Dima stares right at me with steel-grey eyes. “He’s threatened to ruin all the businesses we invest in. You must call him and explain it’s a misunderstanding. We can’t afford to anger him.”
"He was disrespecting my staff and customers," I reply evenly. "He had to go."
"Did he now?" Damien tilts his head, looking at me with skepticism. "We’ve had difficult clients before, but I don’t recall you blacklisting them before.”
Beside me, Anoushka shuffles on her feet, and I reach out to grab her hand to help her remain calm. Whatever happened is my responsibility, and I will keep it as that. I keep my expression blank. "I built this business, Dima. He is dangerous, and my decision stands."
Dima crosses his arms. “And what exactly did he do?”
I’m about to give him a bullshit story when I hear Anoushka’s voice ramble by my side. She speaks so fast that there’s no time to cover for her.
“It was my fault,” she says. “I was walking around, and he tried to be inappropriate with me. He cornered me when Nikolai came around.”
“Anoushka,” I sigh, shaking my head. She doesn’t understand that Dima’s not married. He’d never understand the fierce protectiveness I feel toward her.
And I’m proven right when Dima's expression turns cold. He crosses his arms and stares right at me. "You're risking all our connections, Nikolai. You're acting without thinking of the consequences."
"This is about more than business," I say sternly. "Yuri was a threat to my wife.”
"Brother," he says, prowling closer until we're nose to nose. "Don't tell me you've lost your head over this Zolotov princess."
Beside me, Anoushka stiffens, taken aback by how Dima speaks.
“Dima,” I let out his name in a warning, slightly shaking my head. Dima frowns but steps back. “She is my wife. She’s one of us now. While I understand that the business matters to you, to us, I’ll have you remember that Orlov’s come above all else.”
Dima holds my gaze, looking for any sign of the brother he remembered who would never choose a woman over the business. Finally, he shrugs, backing away. "Have it your way—for now. But remember, she’s also a Zolotov.” His eyes flicker over to Anoushka’s, who fearfully diverts her own. “And the Zolotovs are bound to betray you. If not now, then… " He leaves the threat hanging.
“I think we’re done here,” I growl. “My decision is final.”
With that, I take my wife right out of Dima’s office and back to the safety of our home, where she belongs.