Chapter 9
Nikolai
The thought of death had never bothered me before. That it weighed heavily on my mind wasn’t just an irritant. It was a weakness and one I couldn’t afford.
Much like the beautiful redhead with the large emerald green eyes reflecting both her sadness as well as the powerful tiger I knew lived inside.
She was a woman that I couldn’t erase from my mind any more than I could the primal male desire that remained in my loins.
My pulse quickened from the thought of her radiant smile, the lilting sound of her laughter.
I’d watched her over the months, her actions demure and structured at first. She’d been terrified to ask questions, slinking away when I’d attempted to pull her into one of the discussions.
Then she’d come alive, allowing her true personality to shine through.
That’s the moment I’d started down a dark path of need, my hunger growing exponentially every day she was in my class.
Chloe had no idea that I was a savage man, my thoughts bordering on heinous.
While I’d managed to control my desires then, being with her here in this secluded cabin had stripped away all sense of decency.
There was such an incredible magnetic pull that I found it difficult to maintain any concept of humanity. I took another gulp of the whiskey, hoping it would calm my nerves as well as my libido. While the smooth liquor had appeased the rage, it had done little to soothe my sadistic needs.
The earlier conversation had obviously troubled her, much like the entire twenty-four hours had done.
At least she remained calm, no longer attempting to break free of her chains.
She’d returned to the house after I’d promised to keep her alive.
I had no business in doing so as I knew exactly what to expect.
My instinct refused to back down. It was simply a matter of time.
I took a deep breath, enjoying the scent of fresh pine and the clean night air.
There was a distinct chill, the crisp sensations invigorating.
I had to plan for an attack, finding an entirely different method of leaving the area.
That I would do in the morning. If I hadn’t heard from Ivan, I’d assume that he had no intentions of risking any additional help.
Fine. I would deal with the situation entirely alone.
My thoughts drifted once again to Chloe.
My inability to get her out of my mind should be enough of an impetus to take her somewhere far removed from this location and from me.
It was nothing but selfish to keep her locked down or to pretend on any level that this was anything other than what it was.
Biding time.
Yet my body continued to shake, my fingers twitching to be able to take her without reservation.
I wanted nothing more than to explore every inch of her body, taking time to trail my fingers along her finely molded jaw, sliding them between the softness of her breasts.
And I wanted to taste every inch of her, dragging my tongue over every bit of porcelain skin.
My cock hadn’t stopped aching, the burn in my balls making it even more difficult to think clearly. Damn it. I had to get her out of my system. Maybe fucking her once again would do the trick.
I closed my eyes, moving the glass from hand to hand.
The tear I’d seen trickling down her beautiful face had only reminded me of her vulnerability, even though she repeatedly displayed defiance.
It was an act and one she’d perfected because of whatever had occurred with her parents.
She was a delicate flower, so perfect in every way that even the need to have her surrender to my will seemed blasphemous, a horrible deed required by a monstrous human being.
However, the little flower was hiding secrets of her own, a pain that had given her more strength than she understood. That would be tested on every level.
Hearing her sobbing in the bathroom had unleashed my fury at having to rip away her life.
That alone had almost destroyed me, pushing me over an edge I hadn’t gone over in so long.
The woman had unceremoniously found a way through my layers of darkness.
However, there was no sense in falling into a self-deprecating moment. That would do no good for either of us.
After taking a deep breath, I walked back inside, determined to manage at least a couple of hours of sleep. While crude, I’d provided enough deterrents in order to buy at least a few minutes in order to get out of the house quickly if necessary.
The warm glow of the fire was enough to highlight the woman standing at the bottom of the stairs.
She seemed surprised to see me, her mouth twisting as she fisted her hands.
The effort had allowed them to disappear under the oversized man’s flannel shirt.
She stood in her bare feet, only a few buttons fastened.
And dear fucking God, no woman had ever looked so beautiful.
“I’m sorry. I hope your friend doesn’t mind I borrowed this. I didn’t really think about buying anything to sleep in,” Chloe half whispered, twisting her body from side to side.
The simple move was enough to push my cock against my zipper. Even my damn pulse had quickened, the fire burning in my belly more pronounced than before. “Of course. He won’t mind.”
She nodded, obviously nervous in my presence. “Okay, good. I was just getting some… water. If that’s okay, I mean.”
“You have free rein of the house, Chloe. Please, get what you need.” I locked the door then moved toward the fireplace, forcing myself to study the fire.
I didn’t need to hear her moving into the kitchen or the way the refrigerator door was opened to feel her presence all around me.
She was the firestorm building in my system, her scent lingering long after it should have gone away.
I pulled the Heckler & Koch from the small of my back, engaging the safety then placing it on the hearth.
The damn bastards had better not fuck with me tonight.
After a few seconds, I heard the simple creak of the bottom stair. “Well, goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Chloe.” I took several deep breaths, doing everything I could to push her out of my mind. Flexing my fingers, I stared down at them, growling from the twitches that continued. I was out of my fucking mind, but I could no longer stop the beast from feasting. “Chloe. Wait.”
“Yes?”
Her voice floated in my mind, ringing in my ears. The taste of her. The feel of her. The need for her. “Come. Here.”
My command was just as dark and dangerous as my intentions. I threw back the rest of the whiskey, placing the glass on the hearth before turning around. She was still hesitant, the flicker of light allowing me to see the questions in her eyes.
Yet she came to me, moving ever so slowly as if in her mind, she was doing everything she could to tempt me. The little vixen made my mouth water. There was no turning back.
She belonged to me.
Not only for tonight.
For as long as we were both alive.
When she was only inches away, I took another deep inhale, savoring her subtle yet powerful scent.
“Closer,” I commanded.
Her entire body quivered, a single twitch on the corner of her mouth another statement of her seductive beauty. She took her time closing the distance, tilting her head so she could still maintain eye contact. So brave yet so innocent.
The combination was irresistible.
As I towered over her, I reached out, brushing the backs of my fingers across her cheek. Instantly, a single but beautiful moan slipped past her luscious lips. They were perfect in every way, the curvature providing lurid images of her mouth wrapped around the tip of my cock.
She continued to quiver but she nuzzled my hand, her long eyelashes fluttering against her cheek.
I rubbed my thumb back and forth, struggling with my needs as well as my emotions.
The electricity shot through both of us, a wildfire of almost desperate desire.
Every hair stood up on my body from the way her gaze had pierced my armor.
There was no way I could drag the beast back into his lair even if I wanted.
After wrapping my hand around the back of her neck, I dragged her against the heat of my body. She planted her hands on my chest, the way she dug her fingers into me sizzling every muscle. I brought her onto her toes then lowered my head, crushing my mouth over hers.
She struggled in my hold, undulating her body until the friction was ready to drive me mad.
When she finally clung to my shirt, whimpering into the kiss, I lost the last of my resolve.
I thrust my tongue inside, dominating hers with ease.
While she provided resistance at first, her body soon melded against mine, soft whimpers able to escape from around our moment of passion.
I shifted my other hand down her back, sliding it under the ridiculously large shirt, cupping her firm buttocks. There was nothing more I wanted than to feast on her pretty pink pussy, sinking my tongue inside her tight channel. That would happen soon enough.
Chloe continued to wiggle against me, her moans escalating.
The taste of her was sweet and tangy at the same time, the combination a reminder that the woman was exactly the same way.
I couldn’t seem to get enough of her, swishing my tongue back and forth, the tip finally hitting the back of her throat.
Every muscle was tense, my heart thudding rapidly against my chest. Just the touch of her alone was enough to sear every nerve ending. Whether or not she had any idea the kind of reaction she caused simply didn’t matter.
I would take her in every hole.
I would slide my tongue past her swollen folds.
And I would fill her with my seed.
When I broke the kiss, I kept our lips mere centimeters apart, blowing hot air across her mouth then dragging my tongue around her lips.
“Oh…” she mewed, the sound reverberating deep beneath my skin.