by Kay Loren
“You’re right,” he laughed. “Anyways, business. I talked to my boys back home. They’re willing to do it for a small fee.”
“Great,” Nikolai said and then added after a moment, “Ten percent.”
“I was thinking more like thirty,” Michael stated.
“Thirty?” Nikolai laughed. “I assume you get a cut of that?”
“Of course.”
“On top of what you’re already getting?”
Michael shrugged. “They don’t need to know that. It’s my deal.”
Michael was screwing over his own family back in Naples. He was more vindictive than Nikolai had initially assumed. It was bad enough that Michael was already defying his family code and going into the drug business but now he was acting entitled as if he could demand a certain percentage.
“Twenty,” Nikolai countered. “That’s the highest I’ll go.”
After thinking it over Michael nodded, “Twenty.”
The girl came with Nikolai’s drink just in time. She handed it to him and he clinked his glass with Michael’s as a signal of their agreement. He took a small sip of the burning amber liquid, feeling the girl’s eyes on him even though Michael’s hands were all over her.
“Daisy! Come here!” Michael gestured over to a blonde girl dressed in a skimpy, tight, pink dress that barely covered her butt. “Give some company to my friend here.”
The girl smiled and sat on Nikolai’s lap, pecking him on the cheek with her red pout. She tried to kiss him in the mouth but he held her firmly by the waist to get her to sit still. She draped her arm over his shoulder and pouted when he didn’t want to go further than that.
“She looks like that piece of ass from the other night huh?” Michael laughed referring to Jacqueline from a few nights prior.
Nikolai could only nod, not wanting to drag it out further. He hated talking about his personal life with anyone. He could tell Michael was trying to get nosy.
“Or are you still hung up on Nikki?” he laughed with a raise of his glass. “She’s another fine piece of ass. If she wasn’t like a sister to my fiancé I might have given it a go too.”
The heat radiating from Sergei was undeniable. Nikolai could feel the tension rolling off of him like smoke. Sergei was quite taken with Nikki and Nikolai knew it took all his strength not to fly over and attack Michael over the comment. Nikolai was equally seething yet he was proud that Sergei held his composure.
Nikolai pressed his lips together trying to diffuse the tension. “You’re a lucky man Michael. Don’t we all wish to find a good woman to settle down with.”
Michael rolled his eyes and bared his teeth. “She’s a piece of work, my fiancé.”
“She hasn’t fucked him in weeks,” the girl on Michael’s lap stated.
That was unexpected, Nikolai thought to himself before he saw Michael’s eyes widen in anger.
In a quick flash, Michael pushed the girl off of him and slapped her across the face. Everyone watched as his hand connected to her cheek a total of four times. He grabbed her by the back of the hair, sneering into her ear before he pushed her away. Her teary eyes flashed at Nikolai for a quick moment and he saw that her lip was busted.
Nikolai was taken aback by Michael’s violence. Her comment was rude but she didn’t deserve such treatment. He watched as one of Michael’s henchmen shoved her out of the room and slammed the door behind her.
“I’m sorry Nik,” Michael apologized straightening out his suit. “When they got a big mouth you have to put a stop to it quick.”
Nikolai stood causing the girl on his lap to scramble off and stand. She clung onto Nikolai and sneakily tried to put a hand in the back of his pants.
“I understand,” Nikolai said even though he wanted to pummel Michael in the face. “I’m going to get going.”
“Where you off to?” Michael said after a sip of his drink. “The party is just beginning. Stay. I think I have a Russian dancer around here than you can dip your wick into. You’ll like her.”
Just as Michael was scanning the room for the girl Nikolai cut in. “I must go. I have a plane to catch.”
Michael did not hear him but instead grabbed the girl that was pressed up against Nikolai’s side. She made a pout when Nikolai handed her off to Michael but it was quickly replaced with a sly smile as she slid her tongue into Michael’s mouth. She tugged on Michael’s belt and he grinned.
“You’re missing out,” he chuckled as the girl pulled him in the direction of one of the back rooms.
“Next time,” Nikolai said before he left the room. He couldn’t have gotten out of there any quicker.
The whole ride home Nikolai wondered why Michael still felt the need to cheat when he had the perfect woman back home. What he would have given for Audrina to be his. He would not even look at another woman let alone entertain the thought of one if he had her by his side.
And the thought of Audrina not sleeping with Michael filled him with hope. Perhaps she’ll leave him.
Nikolai glanced at Sergei in the dashboard mirror seeing the anger etched onto his face.
“Pay no mind to the pig,” Nikolai said in their native tongue. “He would fuck a wall if there was a hole in it.”
Sergei sighed. “Can I speak feely Boss?”
“Don’t you always,” Nikolai stated.
“It angers me that everyone thinks you slept with Nikki,” he admitted. “And then that bastard saying he would have had her too. I never wanted to kill someone more in my life.”
Nikolai pressed his lips together. Sergei was like a brother to him and it bothered him that he was so frustrated over a rumor and over a sleazy comment from Michael.
“I know Sergei,” he nodded. “But take solace in the fact that you know the real truth of it all. Nikki would never go for me or Michael. She is yours and when this is all over everyone will know the truth.”
Sergei’s shoulders relaxed a bit. “I know.” He pulled into the parking garage of the building and was instantly perked back up when Nikolai told him to enjoy the rest of the night off. There was still the rest of the night for them both to enjoy themselves.
The elevator couldn’t have opened soon enough. Nikolai punched in the code to the elevator and could feel his nerves intensify as he got closer to his penthouse. He took in a deep breath. It was not like him to get nervous but where Audrina was concerned, he could not help it. He knew she was already inside since he had given her the code and told her to wait until he came home.
The door opened and revealed her silhouette by the large glass window overlooking the city. She turned to him and smiled as he walked into the room. Nikolai’s mouth went dry seeing how sexy she looked in her tight, black dress and knee high boots. The dress wasn’t revealing in any way since it was long sleeved and went to her mid thigh, but the way it hugged her body was appealing to the eye.
“Hi,” she smiled shyly when he stood less than a foot away from her. She watched him with smoky painted eyes. Her makeup made her honeyed eyes look like flames surrounded by a hazy darkness.
“You look stunning,” Nikolai nodded in approval and let out an inward groan upon seeing the top of the stockings peeking out from the side of her dress. The small glimpse of her milky skin drove him wild.
Audrina looked down at her appearance with a small smile. Then she looked around the penthouse with a sigh. “I haven’t been here since the first night I met you.”
“Pleasant memories,” he nodded with a smile, recalling their one night stand. He noticed her cheeks redden and her lips curve upward. “Did you get yourself a drink?”
“I just got here,” she stated. “Right before you came in actually.”
Nikolai walked over to the bar and she followed along.
“Champagne?”
“Please,” she nodded once and stood close by watching his hands as he popped off the cork.
“Sit down,” he gestured over to the three couches nearby.
She placed her small purse on the gla
ss table and sat, waiting for him to join her. He poured two glasses of champagne and joined her on the opposite arm chair next to the love seat she sat on. Her knee brushed up against his slightly, sending a pleasant tingle throughout him. He handed her a glass and she watched him with a quizzical expression on her face.
“What?”
She pointed to one side of her face, “Your cheek.”
Nikolai reached a hand to the cheek she gestured to and muttered under his breath seeing the flaming red smear on his fingertips. He pulled a handkerchief from the hidden breast pocket of his jacket and wiped his cheek raw.
“I’m sorry about that,” he apologized when he saw her frown. He tried to explain the situation but she cut him off with her hand.
“It’s none of my business,” she pressed her lips together.
He unbuttoned his jacket and leaned back in the chair. He didn’t know how to go about the current quiet state they shared between them. She took a deep breath and polished off her drink in three quick gulps.
“I don’t know what I am doing,” she chuckled after setting her glass on the table.
“What do you mean?” he asked setting his glass next to hers.
She shook her head and looked around the room. Every where she looked but at him. “I’m with Michael… I’m engaged. I’m supposed to be happy.”
He wanted badly to tell her what Michael was currently doing but he kept his mouth shut. That was not his business. He waited for her to continue seeing her struggle internally with her words.
“But I can’t stop thinking about you,” she whispered. “I know it’s wrong. I want you so bad. It’s driving me crazy.”
Nikolai licked his lower lip, feeling himself tightening in all places. “Then leave him,” he stated as if it was that simple.
“It’s complicated,” she said after a moment of thought. “I know we slept together a few times already and I’ve tried to leave him but, it’s so hard… I feel like I’m trapped near the surface and close to breathing the air but the water sucks me in deeper each time I move.”
Hearing her speak her true feelings pained him. The way she expressed her self made her appear docile and vulnerable. Nikolai just wanted to scoop her up in his arms and comfort her till all her worries went away.
“When I’m with you I can breathe and forget about everything,” she whispered. She caught herself before she said anything further. Then, she put her face in her hands and stood. “I’m such a fool. I’m going to go.”
Quickly jumping to his feet, he reached out for her just as she grabbed her bag off the table. His lips crashed against hers in an urgent need and she fisted her hands into his hair giving him back the same passion and intensity he bestowed upon her. They were a mingle of lips, tongue and caresses as they continued to kiss.
“Don’t go,” he whispered against her neck.
“Make me stay,” she gasped feeling his hands travel up her thighs, feeling the silk of her stockings.
He held her face in one hand and watched her burning gaze. He wanted her and he was sure she wanted him too. She reached up to his cheek and stroked her finger over the sticky residue the lipstick left behind.
“There’s no one else,” he whispered.
She pressed her lips together as she tied to rub off the remainder of the residue. “I didn’t ask.”
He pinned her hands behind her back, her breasts pushing up against his chest. He pressed a kiss to her lips. “I only want you.”
She freed one of her hands from his gentle grasp and placed it on his cheek. “And I want you Nikolai,” she crashed her lips against his once more.
Clothes flew left and right as their mouths mingled together. They didn’t even make it to the bedroom. He pinned her to the cold marble floor and peeled off her remaining lacy thong. He tossed it to the side and leaned down kissing her soft, warm skin. He loved the feel of her smooth skin pressed up against him.
“My boots,” she giggled and tried to take them off even though he was on top of her.
“Leave them on,” he said and claimed her lips again.
He let out a low groan when he entered her, feeling her already ready for him. She was always ready for him. She closed her eyes, arching her back as he slowly went deeper into her. He stopped when he felt her bare skin against the hilt of his pelvis. He eased out of her until only his tip remained and then he slammed into her. She cried out clutching onto his arms as he began his assault.
Slowly entering her for the first few strokes, followed by a quick slam of his pelvis. She moaned with each thrust of his hips and coaxed him deeper into her with a hand clutching his backside. She kept up with each one of his thrusts as he found a rhythm and pumped himself faster into her. He was lost in her, watching her gaze burn into him as she looked up into his eyes.
“Oh God Nikolai!” she cried out soon after.
He watched as her eyes screwed tightly shut and she shook beneath him, convulsing. Her walls tightened around him making him growl as he kept on, one stroke after another until he found his release and poured himself into her.
They laid on the cold floor looking up at the dark ceiling as they regained their breath. The house was quiet although the faint sounds of the city could be heard far away. Audrina ran her fingers up and down his torso while he stroked his thumb on her side softly. He felt a sense of peace with her close to him.
“Stay the night,” he whispered.
“I can’t.”
“Is Michael home?” he asked already knowing the answer. No doubt he is still with the dancer from the club.
“I don’t know,” she shrugged. “He doesn’t really come home most nights.”
Nikolai turned to her. The floor was uncomfortable on his side but he did not care. “Would it matter if you didn’t come home either?”
Audrina giggled and turned to face him. “I don’t know.”
“Does he question if you get in late?” he asked curiously.
She shrugged, “Not if I keep in contact with him. I told him I’m with Nikki tonight. He doesn’t mind. He likes her a lot.”
Nikolai thought back to the sleazy comment Michael had made about Nikki earlier. He would pay for that one day. “Tell him you’re going to stay the night with her then.” He didn’t want to put Nikki in the middle of their situation, but he really wanted Audrina to stay just one night with him.
She raised an eyebrow and bit her lip, considering the idea. She grabbed Nikolai’s hand and glanced at the watch on his wrist. “It’s eleven.”
“And?” he shrugged, hoping she would stay.
“Hand me my purse,” She gestured over to the table that they laid next to. She took the bag from his hand and pulled out her phone, quickly texting Nikki. The ping sound from the phone sounded quickly after and Audrina grinned. She took a deep sigh before texting again. Nikolai knew she texted Michael.
He too responded quickly and she chuckled after setting her phone down. “Looks like I’m yours the rest of the night.”
Nikolai kissed her hard. “Let’s go to my room.” He pulled her up with him and walked with her to his bedroom where they went at it all night long. He had the stamina of a bull and she matched his appetite.
When the night was over, she laid sprawled out across his chest, their legs intertwined. She was sound asleep and Nikolai found himself asleep quickly after as well which was surprising given that he hardly had a good night’s rest in months. She was the drug he didn’t know he yearned for and it scared him.
Chapter Twelve
Nikolai held Audrina in his arms, her back to his front, their hands clasped together in front of them. She giggled as she felt his cool breath tickle her earlobe and his hardness press firmly against her back.
"Now just swing it back and slowly," Nikolai instructed.
Audrina swung the club back and hit the little, white golf ball, causing it to roll a few inches from the hole. It was far better than her last few attempts.
"See," Nikolai smiled again
st Audrina's neck. "You're getting better."
"Thanks to my wonderful teacher," she batted her long eyelashes flirtatiously at him.
Nikolai hid his shy smile with a forced cough. Even though he was only thirty-three years old, he acted like a young boy around Audrina. He always let down his cold hard exterior around her and he was more playful.
Ever since the night they met up at his penthouse, they fell into a routine of seeing each other at least twice a week. Since her and Michael were at odds and he was always gone, it made it easier for them to sneak around. It got to the point where she actually started staying a night or two at Nikolai’s place and telling Michael she was with Nikki.
He didn’t seem to care. As long as she wasn’t on him about his late nights and constant absence, he didn’t ask her any questions. She was just glad she got to spend whatever time she could with Nikolai.
"Now you have to tell me the name of your favorite movie," she said.
Nikolai chuckled. "Do I have to?"
"Yes," she replied with an exaggerated sigh. "I told you, every time one of us makes a goal, we have to share something about ourselves… It lets us get to know each other better."
"You know me better than anyone else," he replied. "And besides… you didn't make goal now or the few before that… I believe you've been….what is the word… ah yes, cheating."
"I'm not cheating… I'm learning," she pouted, trying hard to hide a smile at his last comment.
"I’ll make an exception," he said. "I do not have one but I did enjoy Rocky."
Audrina stifled a giggle. She was really enjoying getting to know the little things about him. She laughed that he loved all things related to fishes and the sea. She loved that he knew how to sail a boat: the fact that he enjoyed reading fantasy books in his spare time. He enjoyed rock ‘n’ roll music and loved animals. The more he revealed about himself the more she found herself falling for him.
