Chapter 24 Nikolai
NIKOLAI
I stand in the kitchen, the steam from two mugs of coffee curling into the air, and I drag in a breath that actually reaches the bottom of my lungs.
When was the last time I could do that?
When was the last time I felt the weight lift, even for a moment?
It’s the magic of this Alaskan hideaway.
I love it here. Unfortunately, I don’t live here. My life is back in New York. Lived in a penthouse overlooking a glittering Manhattan. It’s where I wear my reputation as armor. The ruthless businessman. The untouchable boss. The man who took an empire and made it even more formidable.
But here, it's easy to pretend I'm someone else.
That I’m not a part of an alliance of men and women who run the world from the shadows.
That the secret I’m keeping from Holly couldn’t blow everything apart.
I hear footsteps, and I turn.
And the moment I see her, I can’t hold back the smile.
She's so fucking beautiful.
Fresh from the shower, she’s wearing one of my shirts. And hopefully not much underneath.
"That coffee smells so good," she says, her eyes shining.
I cross to her, unable to stop myself, and cup her face in my hands. Her skin is warm and soft, and when I kiss her, she melts into me with a sigh that makes my heart stutter.
When I pull back, I press the coffee mug into her hands. "Careful, it's hot."
She takes a grateful sip, her eyes closing in appreciation. "You're a god."
“A god?” I give her a wicked grin. "Tell me more."
"You made me come four times in the last twelve hours. I’m sure that qualifies you for some kind of divine status." She grins at me over the rim of the mug, playful and unguarded, and Christ, I want to keep her like this forever.
Just me and her in this magical place.
If only things were different.
I wrap my fingers around hers and gently pull her from the kitchen. She follows, her laugh making me think of how badly I want to hear that sound every day for the rest of my life.
“Where are you taking me?”
“You’ll have to wait,” I tease as I lead her toward the glow of the Christmas tree.
We sink down together at its base, the scent of pine surrounding us as colored lights dance across her face.
"What are you up to?" she asks, sensing my intent.
"I have something for you."
Her eyes widen. "Really?"
I laugh, loving her innocent excitement. "Really."
Reaching into the balsam branches of the tree, I retrieve the small box I hid in there earlier when I came down to make coffee.
She opens the box, and her lips part with surprise.
Inside is a key. It’s old and ornate, and made of tarnished brass.
"It's the original key to the lodge," I explain. "From when it was first built, over a hundred years ago. Obviously everything's electronic now. But this..." I reach out and brush my thumb over the worn metal. "This is from a simpler time. When all you needed was a key to come home."
She stares at it, her throat working as she swallows.
"I'm giving you access to my life, malyshka. To this place. To me." The words come easier than they I ever dreamed they would. "To my world."
"Nikolai..."
"And I’m asking you for yours. I know I have no right. But I’m going to ask you anyway. Be in my world because you want to be, malyshka. Stay with me because you feel this too."
She sets the box aside carefully, then climbs onto my lap and straddles my hips. Her hands frame my face, and when she kisses me it's soft and sweet and filled with emotion I can feel.
"Yes," she whispers against my lips. “A thousand times, yes.”
I slide my hands up her thighs, bunching the shirt at her hips. She's not wearing anything underneath, and my cock appreciates the discovery very much.
She gives me a wicked grin.
"Malyshka..."
She rocks against me, and I groan at the friction. At the heat of her already wet and ready through my sweatpants.
She reaches between us and frees my cock with practiced ease, and I watch, transfixed, as she positions herself above me and then slowly sinks down.
And every coherent thought I have scatters like ash in the wind.