by Aliyah Burke
And, deep in his belly, Nik knew it was a wrong one. A cool, calculating expression settled upon her face before she spun on her heel and walked away. He took two strides before Kit’s grip on his arm tightened. Turning to look at her, Nik couldn’t hold back the growl of anger that rose at the slight shake of her head.
“Times are different, Nik,” Kit reminded him quietly.
What is she doing here? Staring off in the direction Cleo had disappeared, Nik couldn’t believe he wasn’t running after her. Deep breaths were ingested as he struggled for control. He longed to roar in frustration and anger. As he strapped Evie and Marc in their seats, he’d barely calmed down any.
“I take it she’s the one,” Kit said on the drive home.
“Yes.” His hand clenched into a fist, and he forced himself to relax.
“Tell me about her,” Kit pried.
Nik obliged.
It had to be a dream. Right?
Cleo groaned and smacked her hand on the brick wall of her room. “What are the chances I was imagining that? Or that the fact he’s holding kids with another woman makes me wonder if he really lied about everything.”
She shook and sank against the mattress. “My God, they’re like six years old.” Tears welled up. “What is it about me? Do I attract the wrong kind of man?”
Her watch beeped, and she jumped up. Glancing at her face in the mirror, Cleo made sure there were no traces of tears. Come on, Cleo. Pull it together.
Even as she walked across the snowy grounds, her mind couldn’t let go of the picture of Nik. She’d dreamt about him night after night once she’d left him in Russia on the tarmac. Seeing him yesterday at the mall had been a shock. To say the least. And, yet, all she could think was how handsome he was and how cozy he appeared with that woman and kids. The woman had looked vaguely familiar to her, but Cleo couldn’t place it.
“Damn you, Nik!” she muttered under her breath as she glanced again at her watch. With a deep breath, Cleo reached up, tugged her stocking cap farther down over her ears and picked up her pace a bit more.
Five minutes later, Cleo was smiling at Dr. Richard Dubonsky from her seat across from his desk. Her gaze traveled over him. He wore a sand-hued turtleneck and navy blue slacks. Shadowed blue eyes gazed back at her, and his dark hair, a bit grayer at the temples, gave him an air of distinction. He leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers.
“Thank you for agreeing to come out here and give me…us…a chance to present our offer. I’ve said it before and will again. You are an absolute delight, Cleo Laurens, and regardless of your decision, I wish you nothing but the best in your future.”
“Thank you for the opportunity to be here. It is an amazing campus and program.”
Dr. Dubonsky beamed. He got to his feet, and she followed suit. Cleo sighed when he held her coat for her. “I’ll walk you down,” he said, opening the door.
They were silent in the elevator. In the lobby, Cleo looked around and sighed, again. I’ve been doing that a lot.
“Have a safe trip home, Cleo, and thank you again for coming. We have a car waiting to take you to the airport. I put them on standby.” He grinned and winked. “Thought you might one last look around.”
Sheesh. He’s good. “I’ll do that. Thank you, Dr. Dubonsky, for such wonderful hospitality. I’ll let you know of my decision as soon as possible.”
He reached for her hand and shook it. “Let Dr. Baldaev down gently.” Cleo stifled her amusement. “It’s been a true pleasure, Miss Laurens. A real pleasure.”
“Goodbye,” she said, pushing through the door and out into the cold Wyoming morning. Cleo tugged her gloves on and zipped up her jacket a bit more against the wind. I need to do some serious thinking. Chewing on the inside of her cheek, Cleo turned her feet toward a small park area. She mulled things over as she walked, sidestepping students heading to class and those just enjoying the winter weather.
“Well, it’d be a lot colder than southern California,” she muttered, brushing the snow off a bench and sitting down. A sharp breath was ingested as the cold spiked through her. Her discomfort quickly faded, and she smiled over the group of coeds playing football.
“It is beautiful here,” she admitted.
Her phone chimed at her, and with a smile, she reached in her pocket and answered it, knowing full well who it was because of the ringtone.
“Hey, Kenya.”
“How are you?” her friend asked.
“I love it here. It’s amazing. So crisp and clean. Oh, and cold, can’t forget cold.”
Kenya laughed gently. “Thinking about Russia and the hotty Cam met?”
Am I ever! She smiled over Kenya’s use of “Cam”. Lane had always been Cam to Kenya and still was. Shoving back the pain of seeing him with another woman along with not one, but two kids, Cleo stretched out her legs and released a dry chuckle. “He’s a hell of a hard man to forget, Kenya.”
“Sweetie, I wish there were something I could say.”
“I’ll be okay. Honest. I’m just trying to decide about here and California.”
Kenya squealed. “I’m so excited for you. Not that I had any doubt they would love you even more once you met them. Tell me about the good doctor. Is he as hot as his voice makes him?”
Cleo laughed. Kenya knew how to switch topics and knew Cleo well enough to understand when it was needed. “Kenya, he’s a colleague. I can’t think like that.”
She tsked. “You just got finished telling me you needed to think about it. So, technically, he’s not a close enough colleague to claim that. Not to mention you’re hedging, which means he is good looking.”
I’ve been outmaneuvered. “You’re such a pain; you do know that, right?”
“Spill.”
“Pushy…damn. Yes, he’s attractive. Satisfied?”
“Not even close. But I’ll drag it out of you tonight when you get home. I just wanted to touch bases with you. Travel safely, and I’ll see you, later.”
“Thanks, Kenya.”
“What else is family for? Love you.” And she was gone.
“Bye,” Cleo whispered to the air. Though not bound by blood, Kenya was her sister in the truest sense of the word. Pushing to her feet, Cleo took another deep breath. I should get going.
The cold wind swirled around her; she stiffened as the scents of crisp outdoors and virile male teased her senses. Nik! Her body cried out. I’m losing it.
“Snežinka.”
The single word floated on the air and across her skin. She didn’t move. She couldn’t. The crunch of boots on snow the only sound she could pick up on, noise from the football game faded into nothingness.
“Snežinka.”
Again, the single word skated along a band of crushed velvet. And her body reacted as if she lay naked upon silks and satins. The heat at her back made her swallow hard. Composing her face, Cleo rotated so she stood face to face with a man she could never forget. Would never forget.
“Hello, Nikolas,” she murmured, immediately lost in the allure of his brown eyes.
Something dangerous flickered in their depths, and Cleo fought the urge to step back.
“‘Hello, Nikolas?’ That’s all you have to say to me?” His tone was angry, and his accent even more pronounced. “That’s not a welcome, Cleo.”
Her limbs trembled and Cleo knew the cold had nothing to do with it. “It’s the best I can do.” Why?! There were so many questions she wanted answers to. Swallowing back her emotions, Cleo sent him a tight smile. “Excuse me; I have to get going.”
She turned to walk off; however, she didn’t even get one step away. Nik’s hand clamped down around her arm, and although, he didn’t hurt her, that touch frazzled her. She blinked and found Nik now situated before her.
With a whimper, she dropped her gaze. Nik stood feet braced apart. He had his heavy boots on, jeans, which highlighted the power in his legs, and a dark shirt was stretched over his impressive chest. Over all that, she found another wool pea
coat. Flames licked along her skin. Meeting his gaze, Cleo had to restrain herself from physically moving closer. He murmured something in Russian and stepped even nearer.
“Why would you walk away from me?” Although, the question was soft it was lined with steel.
“I have to go. I have a plane to catch.” Don’t you have kids?
“Do you know how surprised I was when I saw you?”
Anger rushed up. “I can just imagine,” she snapped.
Nik narrowed his eyes. “Those people, Cleopatra, were my niece and nephew and the love of my brother’s life.” He leaned toward her ear. “Had you answered any one of my calls, I would have told you, then.”
She never lowered her gaze, even though embarrassment at her actions washed over her. “Well, I didn’t pick up.”
His eyes flashed dangerously, but he remained silent. Cleo licked her lips and shifted her feet. In the next breath, Nik had hauled her up against his chest and covered her mouth with his. Liquid heat flowed through her veins. His tongue thrust deep into her mouth, and she pressed tighter, her fingers digging into the material of his coat. Lust roared through her, her breasts grew heavy with need, moisture pooled between her legs, and her senses were all going haywire from being in his arms one more time.
Nik ended the kiss, dragging his teeth along her lower lip. When they could see eye to eye, Cleo barely stopped another round of shivers from swamping her. There was a mix of emotions in his rich brown gaze. Passion. Determination. Possessiveness.
“I have to go, Nik.”
A low rumble of frustration sounded in his chest, and in response, Cleo slid her arms around his lean waist and held him tight. God, he feels so right. Turning her head so her ear was against his chest, Cleo struggled with her feelings. Nikolas Andreyevich affected her on so many levels.
“I really dislike that sentence from you, snežinka. I really do.”
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled. His lips brushed along her forehead, and she swallowed hard pushing her lust for him away.
“We need to talk, Cleo.”
“I have to grab my bags and wait for my ride. We can walk ‘n’ talk.”
His response was to lay another spine-tingling, toe-curling kiss on her. Dazed and lightheaded, Cleo found herself on her feet, and Nik staring at her with an arrogant smirk on his face.
“Why are you here?” she asked him as they began to walk. Her insides fluttered when he took her hand.
“Wyoming because it’s where my brother and his wife live. This campus because it’s where she teaches, and she remembered seeing you with some professor.”
Her pulse increased at his darkly sinful answer. He came for me! “She teaches here?” Cleo realized that’s where she’d seen her before. Here on campus. She snuck a glance at him and nearly tripped over her feet at the heat in his gaze as he watched her.
“Yes. I want to know more about why you’re here.”
Cleo could have been deaf and still heard the order in his tone. And she didn’t hesitate to answer. “Dr. Dubonsky called me while I was with you in Russia and asked me to consider working here. So, I’ve been here getting a feel for the campus and whatnot.”
“And?”
She shrugged. “And what? There’s one in Cali I have left to check out, too, but right now, I have a plane to catch.”
Cleo unlocked the door to her room and walked over to the twin bed, which held her bags. With a quick scan of the small quarters, she made sure all was packed. Then, she moved to the bathroom and packed her toiletries. Looking in the mirror, Cleo found it hard to breathe when she met Nik’s waiting gaze.
Desire rushed over her, and she almost dropped the objects in her had. Nik had removed his coat, and she ate up the mouthwatering specimen he was. Damn, I never really believed men like him existed. Still not sure. He held her stare and strode up, each step flawless and predatory. Nik at her back made her feel safe and protected. Not to mention, feminine and horny.
“I can’t let you go, Cleo.” His gaze hardened. “I won’t.”
Dragging her eyes away his, she stuffed the small bag full. “I’m not an object, Nik. Nor am I something you put in a cage to keep.” She turned and touched his cheek. “I really have to go.” His gaze became black and was as unforgiving as she’d ever seen. Something low, guttural, and Russian slid from his mouth. “I don’t speak Russian, Nik.” With a sigh, Cleo stepped by him and put the last item in her suitcase before zipping it shut.
“Cleo.”
Facing him, Cleo found him leaning against a wall, watching her. “Yes, Nik?”
“Come here.”
Deep down, she longed to refuse. But, with a mind of their own, her feet took her closer to the man who had more control over her than she cared to admit. When it came to this man, she admitted she was shameless. I’ll take whatever he gives, and I still crave more.
“What?” she asked.
His hands cupped her face, thumbs skated along her cheeks, and he lowered his head seconds before firm lips skimmed along the edge of her ear.
“Do you have any idea what you do to me, snežinka?” He sucked her earlobe into his mouth and nipped it lightly. Lust pulsed through her veins like blood. She whimpered. “I look at you and want to remove every article of clothing and make love to you forever. I hear your voice, and my world is brighter.”
Her legs trembled. “Nik.” That single word slid from her on a breathless sigh.
His deep, sensual voice wove over her as he murmured in a language she didn’t understand. It didn’t matter. A web of seduction settled around her and filled her with a powerful need. Cleo arched deeper into him, her desire for the man torturing her with his silken touches and whispered words nearly overflowing. Nik trailed his hands down over her ass and pulled her up against his straining erection.
Her eyes were heavy lidded with desire. “Nik,” she begged, needing to be joined with him in totality. To once again find the completion she’d found only in his arms.
“Snežinka,” he murmured. “I want you more than I want my next breath. What about you having to leave?””
It was on the tip of her tongue to say, “To hell with leaving,” but she didn’t. Raspy, heavy breaths lingered between them. Cleo licked her lips and stepped back a bit.
“I have to go.” Her reluctance was palpable even to her.
“By the gods, I don’t want to let you,” he said in a graveled timbre.
Then, don’t. “I wish we had more time.” Her eyes raked his form. “Man, do I. But I have to go.”
“Let me see you before I go back to Russia.”
Cleo noticed the barely controlled possessiveness in the depths of his eyes. “I’m not staying here in Wyoming. I live in Tennessee.”
“Address.” He moved away to give her some pen and paper.
“I don’t know.”
“Cleo.” The way her name rumbled off his tongue made her shiver. Here was a man on the verge of losing control.
“Not that I won’t, I can’t. Nik, I’m moving when I get back. Tonight, I’m staying at Kenya’s. Tomorrow, I move my things. I have two apartments to choose from, so I don’t have the addy memorized.”
Her answer must have appeased him for she saw some tenseness flow from his powerful body.
“Let me help,” he said, moving closer.
“I thought you were visiting your brother.”
He lifted his shoulder in a lazy ripple. “I’ll come help you, and I’d love for you to meet him and his family.”
“No. I can’t have you waste money like that.” His hand covered her mouth.
“Cleopatra Laurens. Money is not a concern to me. You are. I want to be with you. Allow me to be at your side.”
Nipping at one finger covering her mouth, Cleo watched his eyes. It wasn’t just primal lust she saw; there was need, raw need. A need for her. “Yes.” Writing down the airport, she said, “Call me with your time.”
An amused grin filled his face, and he whipped out his cell
phone. “Let’s go,” he whispered to her.
Cleo slipped on her coat and grabbed one bag while Nik took the heavier of the two. Closing the door behind her, they headed out into the cold. Cleo noticed a dark car with tinted windows and recognized the driver as the man who’d picked her up.
Nik continued to speak in Russian as he handed over her bag. “I’ll be just a moment,” she said to the driver when Nik held the door for her.
Ending his call, Nik brushed his lips over her cheek. “Get in.”
That’s it? Nothing more?
“Snežinka, I’m coming with you.” He nudged her, again.
Shocked, Cleo slid in and inhaled sharply when his large body sucked all the oxygen from the interior. “Why? What if you can’t get a seat? And where are you staying? Clothes? You have no clothing.”
He silenced her with a dominant and potent kiss. “I’ll get a seat. I can stay at a hotel, and I’ll purchase some more clothing.”
Cleo sighed, sinking into him as he draped an arm around her. Really? Do I want to argue with him? His fingers drew idle patterns on her arm, and Cleo found herself beginning to doze as his comforting heat cocooned her.
Arm in arm, she walked with Nik into the airport. She waited off to the side as he headed off to attempt to purchase a ticket. He grinned, moving back to her, and dragged a hand along her ass. “Aren’t we in luck; I have one.”
Again, she waited as he got stopped by security, courtesy of a last-minute ticket. Cleo took in the way Nik drew attention, especially after he lost his heavy coat and stood there arms spread for the wand. She could hear the murmurs of feminine appreciation.
Back off, bitches, that tall hunk of sexiness is mine!
As if he heard her thoughts, Nik raised his gaze and pinned her with his heavy-lidded stare. Her insides melted and dissolved when he winked. She didn’t move, just watched as he was cleared to go on and gather his stuff. Nik prowled straight for her, stopping immediately before her. He traced along her jaw before kissing her. Cleo felt lightheaded all over again.
