Chapter 13 – Blair
The next morning, I lay sprawled on my belly, the sheets draped loosely over my waist. My thighs were left bare—exposed, my hair a tangled mess, and my skin still tinged with his warmth. The intoxicating scent of his cologne lingered in the air, wrapping around me like silk.
I lay there, basking in the comfort and warmth his king-sized bed provided. The memory of last night came rushing into my head, those erotic images flashing in my mind, occupying every thought.
My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, my heart raced in my chest, but despite myself, I couldn’t deny the satisfaction I felt. My body was still aching, and my cunt was still a bit sore—but none of that could be compared to the fulfillment that coursed through me.
I heaved a heavy sigh, suppressing the smile breaking out of me. I should hate myself for giving in to the temptation of last night. I should beat myself up and feel nothing but repulsion toward him. But surprisingly, that wasn’t the case.
In all honesty, I’d never felt more alive in my entire life. It was like a veil had been lifted off my eyes, and I could see more clearly now. Crazy how I felt different—brand new, relished, and fulfilled.
Nik was the last person I ever thought I’d give my innocence to. And although I lost my virginity the way I always envisioned, the feeling was like nothing I’d ever felt before. I still couldn’t get over the fact that Nikolai Tarasov had it in him to be gentle at something.
His kisses, touch, and caresses were perfect! He knew exactly where to touch me and how, as if he understood the anatomy of a woman’s body. And indeed, he did. The experience was everything I expected—and more—the initial pain, followed by the sweet sensation that came after.
Until last night, I never realized how much I’d been missing out on all this time. I didn’t hold myself back because I had no one to do it with. Quite the opposite, I had lots of boys and men trying to get between my legs.
I just never felt ready—besides, I was too occupied with work to focus on insignificant and fleeting pleasures. I thought sex was overhyped and decided to save myself for the right man. Only to end up giving it to the wrong one.
However, as reckless as that decision seemed, I didn’t regret it as much as I thought I would. Instead, I felt embarrassed for wanting more, for craving the man I was supposed to resent.
Alone in bed, I closed my eyes, replaying the moment over and over again. He was gentle but possessive, skilled at inducing sheer pleasure and making a woman go mad. His tongue was enough to make me have an orgasm—how was that possible? I thought it only existed in books and porn, not in real life.
I felt my muscles relax as I reminisced on how he made a woman out of me without even trying so hard. Every cell in my body was alive, the burden in my chest was lighter, and my stress and tension felt like they had melted away.
Nik didn’t just claim me last night; he burned himself into my memory and left a lasting mark of ownership on my soul. Now I was left wondering whether he was the monster I thought he was, because the version of him with me last night was human. Not a monster.
“Good morning.” His husky voice stopped my heart for a second.
My eyes widened in shock. I thought he’d left for work already since I woke up alone in bed. Reflexively, I sat up with my back against the headboard, fingers clutching the sheets over my breasts.
He furrowed his brows, seemingly amused that I was trying to hide what he had already seen and claimed as his.
“Good morning,” I greeted him, my voice barely above a whisper, too shy to hold his gaze.
He was standing across the bed, all dressed up in his signature suit and expensive cologne. One hand was buried in his pocket; the other held a mug of freshly brewed steaming coffee. His gaze was pinned on me even while taking a sip.
However, something was different about the way he looked at me this morning. His expression was softer, and his eyes didn’t have the usual mocking glint that always flickered in their depths.
I struggled to meet his gaze, but the awkward silence between us wasn’t helping at all. The tension in the air was palpable, and with each passing second, it grew more and more intense.
I thought he was going to mock me or boast about how he’d finally claimed my body despite how much I hated him. I steeled myself, ready to be embarrassed by his demeaning words, thinking he might remind me of the wild things I said in the heat of passion.
He took my innocence and could easily laugh at me for being so cheap. But he didn’t do any of that—just stared at me like he was seeing me for the very first time.
A single knock startled me, and I clutched the sheets tighter, tugging at them to ensure my naked body was covered. Before either of us could respond, the door swung open, and one of Nik’s men walked right in.
“Morning, Boss,” he greeted him, eyes fixed on the iPad screen in his hand.
I lowered my head in shame, fingers scratching the back of my head while he spoke to Nik. I wished I could just disappear before he finally noticed me.
Too late.
He paused, his eyes shifting toward the bed.
I raised my head and met his gaze in time to watch a slow grin tug at his lips. “Well, look who finally found a way to keep the boss entertained.” A mocking chuckle fell from his lips. “At least now we know you’re good for something.”
My eyes narrowed, brows furrowing together, but before I could even speak, Nik intervened.
“Speak to her like that again, and they’ll never find your body.” His voice was calm but cold as ice, his expression dark with displeasure.
Even the man was shocked by Nik’s response.
“She’s mine, and you will treat her as such,” he added. “Do you understand?” The warning was strict and stern.
The man straightened, a flicker of fear in his eyes. “Yes, sir.” He quickly glanced at me and apologized. “Apologies.”
I honestly wasn’t sure how to feel about this; should I feel protected or owned? Whatever the case, though, he did stand up for me and put that arrogant prick in his place.
Now, I was totally confused.
But even in the midst of all that conundrum, a faint voice inside me still reminded me of the mission.
Don’t get distracted, Blair. Focus. We’re one step closer now. Nik’s starting to see you in a different light, and we can use that. We can weaponize it to get what we need.
***
Later that evening, he took me out again, but this time it wasn’t to a club. It was for a public unveiling. He got me another dress specifically for the event—a red, long-sleeved, off-the-shoulder silk wrap with a daring slit that revealed my thighs with each step.
My hair was piled up into a neat bun on top of my head, my natural makeup blending with my skin tone. Despite the heels that lifted me inches from the floor, I still looked relatively small walking by his side.
He locked my hand in his elbow as we glided through the guests, all dressed to impress. His black tux gleamed under the soft light, his polished shoes glinting as he moved. Heads turned in our direction—some stared in awe, others in confusion, probably wondering who the mystery girl with Nik was.
I caught glimpses of envy and jealousy among many of the women at this gathering tonight. They looked at me as though I stole their man, and a part of me kind of enjoyed the attention. I wasn’t always the spotlight type of girl, but tonight, I loved the attention I was getting.
However, this wasn’t just personal; it was work-related. I’d never been this close to the likes of Nik Tarasov before. Yet, here I was, surrounded by the group of sharks and vipers I’d been trying to take down for a long time.
Perhaps being bought by this man wasn’t a curse at all. It was a blessing—one I was determined to utilize.
The hall was packed with some of the city’s ‘most important’ figures: political leaders, so-called philanthropists and humanitarians, et cetera.
They were all in bed with Mafia organizations for personal gain. These bastards were the city’s real problem. They pretended to care about the people when, in actual fact, they only cared about their pockets.
This gathering was proof that those who had sworn to serve the people were making dirty deals with devils in suits behind closed doors. They knew what these Mafia men were doing—all the atrocities and crimes they were guilty of. But they’d all been bribed to look away. Assholes.
Waiters wove through the crowd in their black and white uniforms, each balancing trays of champagne and canapes. A live band in a corner played classical music, its gentle rhythm floating in the air.
Nik exchanged pleasantries with a couple of men briefly before leading me toward a private table near the balcony. A couple waved at us from over there, suggesting they were either friends, family, or possibly business associates.
At first, I was a bit skeptical about hanging out with them. But after we got the table and they received us with a warm welcome, I had a change of heart. These people seemed nice; they were Russians and most probably Mafia too. However, the energy at the table was so raw, natural, and fun.
Anton and his wife, Larisa, were an old, effortlessly glamorous couple who bickered like it was foreplay.
Anton looked like he was in his sixties with gray hair and a well-trimmed beard.
Larisa, on the other hand, a gorgeous blonde with amazing blue eyes, seemed to be in her late forties or early fifties.
But she was so beautiful I couldn’t stop staring at her.
There was another man at the table, a younger one—maybe the same age as Nik. His name was Daniil, a sharp-witted associate with a great sense of humor.
Together, these three cracked me up even when I tried to hold back my laughter. I hadn’t seen Nik so free before. It was like with this company, he wasn’t the brute and monster that I thought he was. He was just an average guy having a good time with his folks.