Chapter 32
Kinsley
Everyone Needs Someone
Marcus took my hand gently and pulled. “Come with me. Alek needs a moment.”
“But what’s wrong with him?”
I asked, refusing to budge.
I’d never seen Alek that way. He was clearly in pain. I didn’t even have time to process what the hell happened with Nik. One minute, he was standing there looking crazed and indifferent, and the moment I opened my mouth, he pounced on me.
“It’s a migraine, Ms. Taylor. He’ll be fine in a little while. It’s a residual part of work. Why don’t we get you to your room?”
Marcus was insistent that I go.
“Then maybe he shouldn’t be doing that kind of work if it makes him sick.”
He squeezed my hand, and I sucked in my breath when my eyes met his. I’d seen that look before. In the soft hazel eyes looking back at me, I saw exhaustion. It was the look of a man who had seen too much—knew too much. It was the burden of the helpers of the world. Owen had worn that look for the first six months after he rescued me.
Then I realized that all four of them were wearing black. Marcus usually wore a tailored suit, cut to perfection. But now he had on jeans and a T-shirt as black as night.
Somewhere deep inside, I made the connection that whatever they’d done involved that vigilante business my manager told me about. I couldn’t leave now. Hoping I wouldn’t regret my decision later, I grabbed Marcus’s arm.
“I’d like to do something nice for Alek, Nik, and Ivan to thank them. Could you help?”
A plan was forming in my mind, and the more I thought about it, the more excited I got.
He smiled, and the fatigue left his eyes a little. “I’ll see what I can do. Why don’t you tell me what you have in mind first?”
An hour later, I went in search of Sarah. She was in her room, scrolling social media. I filled her in on the plan.
“I seriously don’t know what you did with my best friend, but I’m so on board. Another round and naughtier, to boot?”
“Yes, I promise. Would you mind letting Jenna in on it? Maybe text her. She seemed a bit busy earlier. I have a feeling she’ll take it better coming from you.”
“I can do that. She seems completely comfortable with the Kings.”
She let the statement hang in the air like she was wondering what I was thinking. I nodded, the first inkling of nerves creeping in.
“This isn’t me and Alek getting into a relationship. It’s just hanging out. No, not friends with benefits, either.”
I stopped her before she could ask. “Jenna has nothing to be worried about.”
“Okay, if you say so. I’ll talk to her before dinner,”
Sarah finally relented, looking like she didn’t believe me.
Pushing away the rush of emotions, I went to check on Alek. I opened his door and slipped inside. He was lying on his stomach in the middle of the bed. Almost like he’d collapsed on it. He was naked, and I couldn’t tear my eyes from his backside.
The muscles across his body looked like they were carved out of stone. Like a masterpiece on display in a gallery. He was far superior to the images in the books and videos I’d seen. He had beautiful hard lines and smooth, tanned skin, and my hands itched to touch him.
My heart caught in my chest. He looked so different like this—vulnerable, almost. Without even thinking, I sat on the bed next to him and trailed my fingers over the shaved parts of his head.
He groaned, making me pull my hand back. “Kitten, what are you doing here?”
he whispered.
“Checking on you. I was worried.”
“That’s sweet of you. My head isn’t hurting as much. I need about thirty more minutes, and then I’ll be ready to go down to dinner.”
I threaded my fingers through his hair and massaged his scalp. He let out a long sigh that made me smile. “I’ve made arrangements to have it brought up. Everything is taken care of already. Take as much time as you need.”
“You made arrangements without discussing it with me?”
He tried to sound stern, but the heaviness in his voice betrayed his weariness.
“Well, I talked to Marcus. Ivan looked like he wanted to be alone, and with the noises coming from Jenna’s room…Yeah, let’s just say, hopefully, Jenna was able to fix Nik.”
I flushed, thinking about what I’d heard.
Alek grunted, making me chuckle.
“Scoot over,”
I told him.
He gently shuffled over as I positioned my body with my back against the headboard. The plush cushion provided the stability I needed. Once I was settled, I reached out to him and pulled his head into my lap. My fingers brushed against his temple in a gentle caress. He carefully drew the sheet over his lower body, covering his taut muscles, and sighed under my touch.
Moaning, he said, “Damn, that feels so good. Can I put you on my payroll to do this for me on a regular?”
“It depends on how often you don black. I already work two jobs, you know.”
“I’ll pay you five times as much as both of those jobs if you’ll make yourself available for me. Ouch,”
he yelped as I pulled his hair.
“I’m not a Jenna. I’d need a schedule, and it can’t interrupt dance or choir practice. And I insist on no Sundays.”
“Now look who is insisting on things. Choir practice is on Wednesdays, right?”
“Yes, how did you kno—never mind.”
He kissed my knee, forcing a gasp past my lips.
“Imagine the scandal if they knew you were in bed with a naked man,”
he teased.
“You’re not funny. Have you no shame? I’m over here trying to do my Christian duty, taking care of the sick.”
“You’re right about one thing. I have a sickness, and it dwells deep inside me. But I don’t need anyone to take care of me, kitten,”
he mumbled.
I continued to comb my fingers through his hair. His strands pulled taut as I gave them a gentle tug, and he looked up. The weariness staring back made my heart hurt. Liar, I wanted to say.
“Everyone needs someone to take care of them. I suggest you find someone soon, Reaper, before you’re lost forever.”
“I’m already lost. That shit happened a long time ago.”
He closed his eyes, and I continued to rub his head and play with his hair.
I found myself lost in a moment of quiet intimacy, content to simply be present with him in some small way. The rhythm of his breathing slowed, and he drifted off to sleep.
A soft melody began in the recesses of my head, a lullaby of sorts. Where it came from, I didn’t know, but with a voice barely above a whisper, the words flowed in Russian. Goose bumps erupted across my arms and tears formed in my eyes.
What did he mean about a sickness inside him? Was it physical, mental, or emotional? A combination of them all?
“Well, well, well. What do we have here?”
Nikolai murmured.
Lost in my thoughts, I startled as his voice broke through the peaceful haze. The suddenness of it jolted me. It took a minute for my brain to register his presence. Blinking in surprise, I faced him, offering a hesitant smile.
How much time had passed?
He’d showered, that much I could tell, as he smelled like soap and that delicious combination of coffee and leather. My heart raced as the memory of him ravaging me earlier flooded my mind.
I couldn’t help but recall the intensity of his kisses. The way he gripped me possessively and the words he uttered in my ear. A flush of heat rose in my cheeks, and I gulped nervously.
“Don’t worry, the Crow has been satisfied for now. You needn’t fear me, malyshka.”
“That remains to be seen,”
I remarked dryly.
“Scout’s honor.”
He put his hands up in a salute of some sort. “But I have to say, I’m beginning to think you might be the dangerous one here?”
“You’re joking, right?”
He was the one who practically attacked me, and god knows where it would have ended if Ivan and Alek hadn’t stepped in. There was a hint of teasing in his tone, but also a layer of suspicion. And his next words were all the proof I needed.
“What exactly are you doing to my brother, hmm?”
“Nothing,”
I stammered, feeling flustered.
His words hung in the air between us, a challenge wrapped in unspoken accusations.
“Doesn’t look like nothing to me.”
His eyes pierced mine, and I stilled my hands. Alek shifted under me and moaned my name in his sleep.
“See, that’s what I’m talking about. You’re invading his sleep now too. What’s next, baby girl?”
His mood shifted entirely, and I shivered. He sat next to Alek, and his cheek twitched as he stared down at his brother.
“They’re getting worse.”
Concern filled his face, and he turned his piercing green eyes on me. I sucked in my breath at the internal struggle etched into his handsome face, where an intense amount of love and protectiveness reflected. A whole new side of Nikolai King emerged right before my eyes.
And then, as if he could read my mind, he quickly covered his emotions and once more pivoted back to playful. His easy smile returned as if nothing had happened. It was skillful deflection at its finest. I couldn’t help but admire the ease with which he wielded it.
Wonder if he taught lessons? I was sure I could use them.
“I swear, though, I’ve never seen him this relaxed after, ever.”
He moved closer and lifted his hand to my hair, brushing it back off my shoulder. “You’re definitely doing something. Only time will tell if it’s a good thing or not.”
He reached up and caressed my face, letting his thumb trail over my lower lip. A surge of anticipation and yearning shook me. What the hell was happening here? His eyes still held a hint of longing as he continued to stare at me. I blinked rapidly, not understanding these games.
After several minutes, he spoke. “Marcus wanted to know when you want dinner brought up.”
The smirk on his face said it all. With a nervous laugh, I stumbled over my words.
“Yeah, about that.”
His amused expression only exacerbated my flustered state. Had I been too eager in my approach? It had not gone unnoticed, that was for sure, because he was waiting for me to answer. He raised an eyebrow in my direction. Damn, he made me nervous.
Trying to laugh it off, I scrambled to find my words. “It was a bit cheeky, to be honest. And I must say the wait is killing me. I’m starving.”
My eyes drifted to Alek’s face lying in my lap. “But I hate to wake him. Maybe we can have his brought up later?”
I jumped when Alek spoke.
“I’m awake, and we can have it brought up anytime,”
he grumbled, shifting.
I went to move his head to get up, but he grabbed me tighter. “Not done with you yet. Crow, you can leave. We’ll talk later.”
Tension raced back into Alek’s body, and I didn’t miss the look of guilt that passed over Nik’s face. I had no idea what was transpiring between them. But I was smart enough to understand they had a hierarchy of sorts, and Alek was unhappy with Nik. It probably had to do with earlier, I surmised.
I watched Nik’s retreating body as he left, but my attention was pulled back to Alek as he brushed his lips against my knee. He kissed his way up my leg, rising and dragging the sheet up with him. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he leaned over and kissed my lips softly.
“Thanks, kitten. Now it’s my turn to ask you to leave. You’ve got me hard as fuck once more. It’s taking everything in me not to take advantage of the fact you’re in my bed. Go get dinner sorted. I’ll be out soon.”
Leaning over once more, he kissed me deeply. My chest rose and fell with a heavy sigh as I pulled back and touched his face. “Tell me you’re at least feeling better. I’ve got something planned for later but want to make sure you’re up for it,”
I whispered, my face flushing at his wicked grin.
“I find myself always up for you. Go now,”
he growled, dropping the sheet and walking into his bathroom.
I scrambled off the bed and dashed to his door. Stepping outside, I leaned against it, trying to still my heart. My eyes were closed, and I was startled when Nikolai spoke.
Was he waiting for me?
I glanced around nervously and shifted before him.
“I’m sorry about earlier. Please say you’ll forgive me.”
My heart fluttered at the gentleness of his voice. He stepped closer, stroking my hair. His other hand cupped my jaw. I met his intense stare, and my heart flipped again. He should absolutely not be looking at me like this. My eyes darted up and down the hall as I prayed that no one was there to see. His low, deep laugh told me everything.
“Run along, baby girl. I hear you have something wicked up your sleeve for this evening. You probably should have asked to see the cards before putting your plan in motion. It’s too late now. Jenna won’t let you hear the end of it if you go all saintly on us.”
“I’m no saint, Crow.”
“Something tells me there is a hint of truth in that statement. For my sake, I hope so.”
He gave me a half smile, where only the right side of his mouth turned up, and his eyes danced wickedly.
He pressed his lips to mine, ravishing me once more with a kiss so devastating that I forgot anyone could see us. I even forgot that Alek could open his door and see me kissing his brother like a dirty whore. As abruptly as he began, he stopped.
Then, without a second glance, he opened Alek’s door and disappeared inside, leaving me confused and breathless.