Chapter 37
Nikolai
A Scavenger Hunt
Stepping out of the club, I was greeted by the late-afternoon sun.
The warm rays were bright compared to the dim interior I’d just left.
I squinted against it, momentarily disoriented, and dug out my sunglasses.
My chest heaved as my lungs filled with outside air.
I tilted my head from side to side and stretched, trying to shake off the day’s stress.
Marcus nodded in greeting as he opened the door, and I slid into the back seat, a sense of anticipation already building within. He pulled out into traffic, and I relaxed against the leather, closing my eyes for a brief moment.
“The parents’ house this evening?” Marcus asked with a shit-eating grin.
My gaze shot to his, and I couldn’t help the smile that formed in response to his. “Of course. And I’m lucky to have the house to myself with her. My parents are dining out tonight.”
“I’m sure the two of you will have the time of your lives,” Marcus said, chuckling.
“That’s the plan, and I sure as hell need it after today,” I mumbled.
“That bad, huh?” His face changed, revealing his newfound concern.
“You don’t know the half of it. I’m sure Alek will fill you in on everything later.”
I sat in silence the rest of the way, thinking about the news we’d received three hours ago. At the start of the day, everything was quiet on the Russian/Kinsley front, but the call we received from one of our cousins a few hours ago shattered that.
Stepan Fedorov had recently announced the upcoming nuptials of his eldest grandson to a prominent, high-power family within his organization. Her identity was being kept quiet for the moment.
The footage we were sent showed both Mikhail and Konstantin Romanov off to the side, and something about the looks on their faces told me that our worst fear may have been materializing. If either of them got their hands on Kinsley, it was over.
We’d never see her again. They had to know she was here, though. Neither of them were stupid. They more than likely had eyes on her already. Alek agreed that we’d need to involve our father on a deeper level. It was the responsible thing to do since she was in his home.
I was startled from my thoughts as Marcus exchanged pleasantries with the guard at the compound. He let us in, and I turned that part of my brain off. Kinsley was the only thing I wanted to focus on. I needed her differently tonight—I craved something sweet and slow.
“Thanks, Marcus,” I said, opening my door as soon as he put the car in park.
“No problem, Boss. Have a great evening, and tell Ms. Taylor I said hi.”
I walked inside, reveling in the sudden quietness.
The constant drum of loud music at the club seemed extra today.
Heading upstairs, I checked the library.
I hovered in the doorway, scanning the empty room.
Odd. There was no soft hum of her voice, no rustle of pages.
I exhaled and turned back for the stairs.
Down the hall, one of the maids rounded the corner with a stack of linens. I moved toward her, my steps quick.
“Renee, have you seen Kinsley?”
“She went into her room a while ago, I believe,” she said.
I thanked her and took off. God, I needed to see her—to hold her and feel her heartbeat against my bare chest. I walked in and called her name, frowning when I didn’t get a response. My eyes fell on the bed. Drawing closer to it, I noticed a note and snatched it up.
Dear Crow,
It’s time for a game. One for just you and I.
It’ll be fun, I promise. Please give it a try.
The reward at the end is all for you,
Flip this over to read your first clue.
The little shit. I shook my head, grinning like a fool.
Just when I didn’t think she could possibly be any more amazing, she pulled this.
The silly girl had been worried that she didn’t know us well enough.
She knew us better than she thought. I eagerly flipped the paper over and read her first clue for an evening scavenger hunt.
You are so damn delicious, sexy, and sweet.
I want to lick you like this frozen treat.
Get a move on, the time is now.
I promise when you find me, you’ll say wow.
The kitchen buzzed with motion—knives tapping, something simmering low. Chef Bonfils spotted me hovering near the threshold and arched a brow. “Did you need something, Master Nik? Dinner will be ready soon.”
“No, actually I’m fine. I need to check the freezer.”
“Do you need some ice? Let me get it for you.” Chef Bonfils moved, but I stepped in front of him.
“I’ve got it, thanks. Do you think you can hold dinner for a bit?”
“Of course. Let Renee know when you’re ready.” He gave me an odd look as I opened the freezer and dug around. I found the popsicles and grinned at the piece of paper taped on the top.
Brr, that’s cold, unlike me.
I’m hot for you, wait and see.
So time to shake that fine-looking ass.
Your next clue is by a whiskey glass.
My expectation only deepened as I hauled ass down to the drawing room.
Right on the bar sat a piece of paper and a glass of single malt whiskey.
I sipped it, savoring it because she’d been the one to pour it for me.
I stared, fascinated. Even her handwriting was small and neat, just like her. I read her next clue.
Do you like it, Crow? Does it quench your thirst?
Don’t take too long with it, or I’ll simply burst.
I’m very needy and really missing you.
So slam it back and walk to the sink for your next clue.
I side-eyed the sink over to the left of the bar, shaking my head as I brought the glass up.
Its taste hit my tongue, smooth as velvet, then flared sharp and oaky at the back of my throat.
I welcomed the burn. Slamming the glass down, I grabbed her next clue.
My phone rang, and looking down at it, I let my grin grow.
“How’s our girl?” Alek asked as soon as I answered.
I smiled at the way his voice softened and how natural it was that she was our girl. Alek had become a happier man under Kinsley’s love and affection. Now that we were settling into things again, it was good to have him back.
If only Ivan would come back around. The night we shared our plan with him, he still insisted it was best for him to stay as far away from her as possible. The unease at hearing him say that hurt. Whatever had happened between them, it hadn’t been small. It had left marks.
“You there?” Alek asked, startling me from my wayward thoughts.
“Yeah, sorry. Apparently, the little shit is missing me. However, she’s got me on a scavenger hunt.”
“Well then, I won’t keep you. Kiss her for me.”
“Will do, Brother.” I paused, noting the worry in his voice. “Alek, we’ll find a way, I promise.”
“I love you, Nikki.”
“Love you too,” I said, then hung up. Turning my attention back to Kinsley, I read her clue, and my cock throbbed with the image.
Soapy and wet, with water all around.
If you hurry, now I may be found.
So scrub-a-dub-dub,
Come find me. Will I be naked in my tub?
Heart racing, I jogged up the stairs, ignoring Renee’s giggles as I passed her. Damn, please let her be in the tub, my brain screamed. Barreling through to the bathroom, I shook my head. No Kinsley, just a note on the ledge.
Nope. Not me, but don’t be discouraged. You’re doing so well.
Here’s a hint. What piece of clothing of mine do you love to smell?
You’re iffy on when you want me to wear them or not.
But I have a drawer full of them, ones that you and your brothers bought.
Panties. The next clue had to be in her panty drawer.
I walked into her room and rummaged through, looking at them.
Sure enough, her next clue sat waiting for me.
I fingered the top pair of silky panties.
Even though I knew she hadn’t worn them, I couldn’t help but imagine tearing them off her sweet body.
Sophisticated and smart is what you are, Crow.
It’s one of the things I love about you, you know?
So your next clue will require you to hunt and look.
It’s in the room where adventures await in the form of a book.
Back up to the library, I went; she was making me work for it. But each step I took gave me something else to focus on other than the news we’d received. Feeling lighter every second, I rushed over to the bookstacks.
I had to search a bit before I found the piece of paper sticking out between two of my father’s books. I noted the names of them, God of War and Dante’s Inferno. I laughed, remembering the earlier conversation I had with him.
This is it, your very last clue.
I’m waiting and longing for you.
So what are you waiting for? Full speed ahead.
Come find me, Crow. I’m in your bed.
God, I loved this girl. I took off for my old bedroom. It had been years since I’d been there. My dick hardened as I envisioned her waiting for me. I paused outside the room to catch my breath, not remembering the last time I was this excited to fuck a girl. I wasn’t prepared for what greeted me.
Candle flames danced, and soft music played in the background. No one had ever done anything like this for me before, and I was overwhelmed by the strange feelings coursing through me. My eyes sought my prize, and there she was.
Lying in the middle of my bed, her perfect body was spread eagle. As I gazed down, I couldn’t help but be filled with awe. Damn, she was pure perfection. Her head snapped in my direction, and I wondered what she was thinking.
A slow ache pulsed low in my gut, tightening everything inside me. I crossed the room, each step heavier than the last, lust curling up my spine. By the time I reached the bed, I could feel the anticipation thrumming in my bones.
“What do we have here?” I asked, not giving her time to answer before I crushed my mouth to hers, devouring her like I needed the taste of her just to breathe.
My hand slid into her hair, and I yanked her head back.
“Mine,” I growled, then took her bottom lip in my teeth and pulled, biting down before releasing it.
“Oh.” The sweetest sound escaped her lips.
“Naked, blindfolded, and tied to my bed. Baby girl, we haven’t even gone over your list.” My voice was gruff and thick with emotion.
“I know,” she moaned, and I caressed her face, trying to savor this moment in time with her. “But now Daddy knows two things not on my hard-limit list.”
“And Daddy is happy to know tying you up is on the table. I have a fondness for this kink and can’t wait to take you deeper into my world.”
“Would that include Shibari, Daddy? I’m very flexible, you know?” Her voice was tender but husky, causing me to groan as I imagined her in several different poses.
“Oh, malyshka, the things I’m going to do to you.” Lust, raw and thick, hung around us. She trembled and shook on my bed as I took my clothes off. The anticipation of being inside her was all-consuming.
“Nik, I want you to touch me,” she begged.
“Do you? Maybe like this?” My lips ran across the sensitive peaks of her nipples, and she whimpered.
Taking one into my mouth, I nibbled on it, pulling it with my teeth. My cock jumped when she groaned. I soothed the sting with wet kisses, while she writhed on the bed, pulling at the silk sheets. As I dragged my tongue down between her cleavage, she gasped, and her breathing turned shallow.
“Or maybe like this?” I kissed down her stomach, stopping at her navel as she arched her back into my kisses.
“Daddy can touch and kiss me any way he likes.”
“And that’s why you drive me crazy. You let me give you pleasure, let me mix pain into it, and then you allow me the privilege of taking care of you after. You’re different from any other woman I’ve ever been with.”
“How so?” she asked, her little voice full of hope.
“It’s hard to put into words. Somewhere in the process of trying to help you heal, I ended up healing parts of myself too.
It’s deeper with you, the connection I feel, knowing you’re my responsibility.
Every moment of aftercare with you bonds me to you.
I think about those moments before I even think about doing anything else with you. It’s—damn, I don’t have words for it.”
“Soul tie. The words you’re looking for are soul tie,” she whispered sweetly.
“Soul tie,” I repeated. It felt foreign and familiar at the same time. I stroked her clit softly, watching her hips move to the rhythm I created.
“There are four kinds, Crow. Physical, emotional, social, and spiritual. We have all of them, you and me. Maybe that’s why it’s different.”
“I’d love to hear more about this thing you say we have, but if I don’t sink my cock into your sweet little body, I’ll go mad. I can’t wait any longer. I need you,” I groaned, sinking my finger into her depths.
Removing it a second later, I climbed on top of her, lying my body flush against hers. “Do you feel that?” I asked, thrusting my hips into hers, letting her feel how hard I was.
“Yes,” she whispered as I rocked my body into hers. The gentle prod of my hard cock at her opening had her begging me sweetly.
The moment I sank into her depths, her mouth fell open. The most beautiful gasp and shudder followed, making me soar.
“Damn, I love the feel of you,” I groaned.
“Don’t move,” she begged. Her voice hitched, and a small sob left her.
I stilled over her, wondering if she was still too sore. “Are you okay, baby?” I asked, tucking her hair back from her forehead.
“Yes, I’m memorizing how you feel inside me. I want to remember this feeling for the rest of my life. It’s so incredible. I’m crazy in love with you, Nikolai King.” She cried as her pussy squeezed my throbbing cock.
“And I’m absolutely batshit crazy for you,” I whispered into her ear, kissing her cheek.
The intense heat and pressure of being inside her became overwhelming. Her nipples brushed against my chest, and I groaned. I withdrew from her and then pushed in again.
“I needed this so bad,” I moaned, despite feeling confused and unsure of myself.
She gripped the sheets tighter, and my mouth slammed down on hers in an overwhelming desire to utterly devour her.