Chapter 26
Nikolai
Her lips were soft against mine, tentative at first, but then the heat surged between us like wildfire.
I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her closer until there was no space left between us.
The chaos of the past moments faded into a distant echo; all that mattered was the taste of her mouth and the warmth of her body pressed against me.
I deepened the kiss, letting my instincts take over.
It felt as if I had been starved for this—her breath mingling with mine, the sweet scent of vanilla still lingering from her baking.
Every second stretched out, holding the world at bay.
Her fingers tangled in my hair, tugging gently as she leaned into me, her trust palpable and intoxicating.
My mind raced. Just moments ago, I had been ready to unleash everything on Mikel, to protect what was mine with ruthless precision. But now, here in this small bubble we’d created together, I wanted to show Mina something different—a passion that wasn’t born from anger but from something deeper.
I broke away for just a heartbeat to catch my breath and to look into her eyes—those wide, expressive eyes that spoke volumes without uttering a word. “I'm sorry he was here,” I murmured, brushing my thumb along her cheek.
She swallowed hard but didn’t pull away; instead; she leaned in again, urgency radiating from her. “He doesn’t scare me anymore,” she said quietly. “Not with you here.”
That statement ignited something primal within me—a fierce need to protect and claim all at once.
I captured her lips again with renewed fervor.
My hands roamed down her back as I lifted her slightly off the ground; she gasped into the kiss but didn’t resist—only clung tighter as if anchoring herself to me.
Her taste became more intoxicating with every movement, and soon we were lost in a rhythm that felt entirely natural—a dance we hadn’t practiced yet knew by heart. It consumed me completely—the feel of her warmth against my chest as if she were made just for me.
She pulled back just enough to meet my gaze, her breath shaky. “How did you know—”
“I heard it in your voice,” I said, my own low and rough with everything I hadn’t been able to say over the phone. I leaned in, letting my lips brush the curve of her neck. She shivered, and the sound she made—soft, involuntary—lit something wild in my chest. “I knew something was wrong.”
The second I kissed her again, she melted into me. Her body arched against mine, her hands tightening at my shoulders. That spark between us ignited like a fuse—fast, hungry, inevitable.
“Will you…” she breathed, her voice catching between shallow exhales, “will you be penalized?”
A smirk tugged at my mouth as I dragged my hand to the hem of her shirt, fingers brushing skin without lifting it. Teasing. Anchoring. “I don’t care.”
“Nikolai,” she said, half-warning, half-plea. Her voice trembled with something that wasn’t fear—it was need, and maybe guilt too. “I won’t… I won’t let you give up hockey…”
I pulled back enough to look her in the eye, my palm cradling her cheek.
“I won’t,” I promised, my voice steadier than I felt.
I pressed a kiss just beneath her eye, then one to her cheek.
“But you’ll always come first.” The truth of it sat heavy in my chest, but right. “And I mean that in every way.”
She blushed then—genuine, unguarded. The kind of blush you didn’t fake. It hit me hard, how beautiful she was when she wasn’t trying to be. That kind of softness? It undid me.
She looked down, hesitating, like she needed a second to believe all of this was real. That I was real. That we were. I didn’t move. I just waited.
She leaned in again, and this time, when we kissed, there was no doubt. No question. Just a promise wrapped in every touch: we were all in, consequences be damned.
Mina's fingers trembled as she tugged at my shirt, her eyes locked onto mine.
I could see the desire burning in her gaze, mixed with a hint of nervousness that only made me want her more.
I let her pull the shirt over my head, my muscles flexing as I helped her along.
Her breath hitched as she took in the sight of me, her hands tracing the lines of my chest, my abs, as if she were committing every inch to memory.
I took my time, letting her explore, even as my own hands itched to do the same.
When she finally looked up at me, her eyes wide and dark with need, I couldn't wait any longer.
I reached for the hem of her shirt, slowly pulling it up and over her head.
Her hair cascaded down her back, and I couldn't resist running my fingers through the soft strands, tugging gently to tilt her head back.
Her breath came in short gasps as I leaned in, kissing her neck, her collarbone, my hands roaming over her smooth skin.
I could feel her heart racing under my touch, and it sent a surge of heat straight to my groin.
I wanted to take my time, to savor every moment, but the urge to have her was overwhelming.
I unhooked her bra with one hand, letting it fall to the floor. Her breasts were perfect, fitting neatly into my palms as I cupped them, my thumbs brushing over her nipples. She moaned softly, arching into my touch, and I couldn't help but smile against her skin.
"You're so fucking beautiful," I murmured, my voice rough with desire. She shivered at the words, her hands gripping my shoulders as if she needed something to hold onto.
I dropped to my knees in front of her, my hands sliding down her sides to grip her hips.
Her breath hitched as I hooked my fingers into the waistband of her jeans, pulling them down along with her underwear.
She stepped out of them, her body trembling slightly as she stood before me, completely bare.
I looked up at her, taking in the sight of her flushed cheeks, her parted lips, her eyes dark with desire. She was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen, and I wanted to worship every inch of her.
I leaned in, pressing a kiss to the inside of her thigh. She gasped, her hands gripping my hair as I trailed kisses up her leg, moving closer to where she wanted me most. I could smell her arousal, and it drove me wild. I wanted to taste her, to feel her come apart under my touch.
When I finally reached her pussy, I couldn't hold back a groan. She was wet and hot, and the first taste of her sent a shockwave of pleasure through my body. I gripped her hips tighter, holding her in place as I feasted on her, my tongue exploring every inch of her.
She moaned and writhed above me, her hands tugging at my hair, her hips bucking against my mouth. The sounds she made were intoxicating, driving me to give her more, to push her higher. I could feel my own desire building, my cock hard and aching, but I ignored it, focusing solely on her pleasure.
I slid a finger inside her, and she cried out, her body clenching around me. I added a second finger, pumping in and out of her as my tongue continued to work her clit. Her moans grew louder, more desperate, and I knew she was close.
"Nikolai," she gasped, her voice barely more than a whisper. "I'm... I'm going to..."
I didn't let up, didn't slow down. I wanted to feel her come, to taste her release. And when she finally did, her body convulsing around my fingers, her cries echoing through the room, it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever witnessed.
I slowed my movements, letting her ride out the waves of her orgasm, my own body aching with need. When she finally stilled, her breath coming in ragged gasps, I looked up at her, a smirk playing at the corners of my mouth.
"You taste fucking decadent," I said, my voice rough with desire. She blushed, her eyes meeting mine with a mixture of shyness and satisfaction.
I stood up, my hands sliding up her body to cup her face. I leaned in, kissing her deeply, letting her taste herself on my lips. She moaned into the kiss, her body pressing against mine, and I knew she was ready for more.
But I wanted to take my time, to savor every moment. I wanted to make her feel as good as she made me feel, to show her that she was worth every second of my attention. And so, I slowed down, my hands exploring her body as if it were a sacred ground, my lips tasting every inch of her skin.
I could feel her heart racing under my touch, and my cock screamed for her attention. I was hard and aching, but I ignored it, focusing solely on her pleasure. I wanted to make her come again, to feel her body convulse around me, to hear her cries of pleasure.
And as I continued to explore her body, to taste her, to touch her, I knew that this was more than just sex. This was something deeper, something more meaningful. And I was ready to dive in headfirst, consequences be damned.
I swept Mina off her feet, carrying her to the couch.
Her breath hitched as I bent her over the arm, her hands gripping the cushions.
The sight of her like that—submissive, trusting—sent a surge of desire through me.
I ran my hands over her smooth skin, tracing the curve of her spine, the swell of her hips.
She shivered beneath my touch, anticipation building with every caress.
I positioned myself behind her, my cock hard and ready.
I could feel her heat, see the way her body trembled with need.
I slid into her with a thrust, a groan escaping my lips as her tight warmth enveloped me.
She gasped, her back arching as she pushed back against me, meeting my movements with her own desperate hunger.
"Nikolai," she breathed. I gripped her hips tighter, my fingers digging into her soft flesh as I began to move. Each thrust was hard, demanding, driven by a primal need to claim her completely. I wanted her to feel every inch of me, to know that she was mine.
Her moans filled the room, each one spurring me on. I could feel her body responding to mine, her muscles clenching around me as I drove deeper and deeper. The sound of our bodies coming together was raw, intense, a symphony of desire that echoed through the quiet house.
"You feel so fucking good," I growled, my voice rough with need. She whimpered in response, her body trembling with every thrust. I could feel her getting closer, her breath coming in ragged gasps, her moans growing louder and more desperate.
I reached around, my fingers finding her clit. I rubbed it in quick, firm circles, matching the rhythm of my thrusts. She cried out, her body convulsing around me as her orgasm hit. Her release was intense, her body shuddering as waves of pleasure washed over her.
But I wasn't finished. I kept moving, my thrusts becoming more urgent, more demanding. I wanted to feel her come again, to push her over the edge until she was completely consumed by pleasure. I could feel my own orgasm building, the pressure growing with each thrust.
"Nikolai, please," she begged, her voice hoarse with need. I could feel her body tensing again, her muscles clenching around me as she neared another climax. I increased the pressure on her clit, my fingers moving faster, harder.
Her second orgasm hit with a force that left her gasping for breath. Her body convulsed around me, her muscles gripping me tightly as she rode out the waves of pleasure.
With a final, deep thrust, I came, my body shuddering with the force of my orgasm. I held her tightly, my fingers digging into her hips as I emptied myself into her. The room filled with the sound of our ragged breaths, the scent of our pleasure lingering in the air.
I collapsed onto the couch, pulling her with me. She curled up against my chest, her body still trembling with the aftershocks of her orgasms. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close as our breaths slowly returned to normal.
"That was... incredible," she whispered, her voice soft against my skin. I could feel her heart beating in time with mine, a rhythm that felt as natural as breathing.
"You're incredible," I murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead. She smiled, her eyes fluttering closed as she nuzzled against me. The room was quiet, the only sound the soft hum of the refrigerator and the distant ticking of a clock.
In that moment, everything felt right. The chaos of the past few hours faded into the background, replaced by a sense of peace and contentment. Mina was safe, she was here with me, and that was all that mattered.
As we lay there, our bodies entwined, I couldn't help but think about what came next.
The consequences of leaving the road trip was still looming, the uncertainty of our future hanging over us like a dark cloud.
But for now, I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the warmth of her body against mine, the soft sound of her breath, the feeling of her heart beating in time with mine.
Whatever came next, we would face it together. And in that moment, that was enough.
Mina almost instantly fell asleep on my shoulder, murmuring under her breath. "I think… I think I love you," she said.
I stiffened at her words, unsure how to respond. My heart raced, a wild thing caught in a cage. Did she really mean it? Could she love me after everything? The thought both thrilled and terrified me.
This wasn’t just some fleeting connection or physical need; there was something deeper at play here. Whatever this was between us felt real—raw and unfiltered. It had the power to break me or set me free.
I glanced down at her peaceful face, the way her lashes fluttered against her cheeks. The vulnerability in that moment hit me hard; she trusted me completely. That trust weighed heavy on my shoulders, a responsibility I couldn’t ignore.
I brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, letting my fingers linger against her skin. What did I know about love? About relationships? My past had taught me to keep walls up, to never let anyone in too close.
But Mina was always the exception.
And the thought didn’t scare me the way it used to.