by Aliyah Burke
Facing her, he noticed how she continued to watch him. Even the fear couldn’t mask the desire and want in her expression in her eyes.
“What, snežinka?” he asked.
She ducked her head. “Why am I thinking about sex, instead of the fact I want to go home?”
Nik glanced down. He wore leather pants and boots. Nothing else. Taking a deep breath, he moved to where she sat plucking at straw. With one hand, he lifted her bent head until their eyes met.
“Do you trust me, snežinka?”
“Yes.” Her admission, although soft, hit with a fierce impact.
“Then, trust me when I say I’ll get you back home.” He cupped her cheek. “By the gods, I swear it.”
She nodded before leaning into his touch. “Doesn’t explain why I’m sitting here staring at you looking all hot ‘n’ sexy instead of totally freaking out. I mean, I’m in…do I want to know… Never mind; don’t tell me. But here I sit, and all I can think is how damn good you look in nothing but your leather pants.” She groaned. “There’s something wrong with me; I was even turned on by your fight.”
Nik fought to keep his smirk contained. It was difficult, but he knew Cleo wouldn’t be pleased if he let her see it. A lot of women loved watching fights. It was one of the reasons tourneys were so popular. With a deep breath, Nik scrutinized the fading evening sky.
“We need to sleep, snežinka.” He skimmed her lips with the pad of his thumb and stood. “Come to bed with me.”
“Tell me something, Nik,” she said, once they were lying together under the animal hide serving as a blanket.
“What?”
“That word you call me. What does it mean?”
He brushed his lips over her temple. “Snowflake. Snežinka means snowflake.”
Cleo sighed heavily and kissed above his heart. “Thank you for telling me.”
Nik knew she was far from appeased. He tightened the hold he had upon her and kissed her forehead. When she burrowed closer, he clenched his jaw and focused on sleep.
Two days later, Nik sat on the back of Tyr, his horse, and glanced down at the village. Cleo lay in the grass nearby, happy to be off the horse. He didn’t want to go, but from what he could tell, there was little choice. I can’t keep Cleo out in the wilderness. Glancing between her and the village, he grunted.
“Cleo, we need to get going.”
“Okay,” she said softly, appearing by his leg.
Nik reached down and helped her up. Once her body leaned against his, Nik put heels to his horse, and they began their approach. People watched but nothing else. Nik stopped and dismounted by a building with the mark of the healer on the sign.
“Good to see you again, Lion,” said a man from the side.
Nik looked and smiled with familiarity at a man he’d battled beside a few times. “Ivan, I didn’t expect to see you here.” The men shook hands.
“This is my home, now. And you?”
“Passing through.”
“Come stay at my home. It’d be an honor to have the Lion of Midnight as a guest.” Ivan looked past him to where Cleo sat. “Your woman is welcome, as well.”
“Thank you.” Nik glanced at Cleo and said in English, “I’ve found us a place to stay for the night.” She never moved, just said “okay” in a tiny voice. He frowned but focused back on Ivan. “Thank you for your offer.”
Soon, he rode beside Ivan until they reached a good-sized home. They chatted and Cleo remained silent. Once alone in the room, Nik brought her in close and forced an eye connection. Despair ruled her gaze. He didn’t ask, just drew her in until she pressed against his chest.
A knock at the door made her jerk, but Nik refused to loosen his hold. “Come,” he barked.
The door swung open, and he faced Ivan’s wife and daughters. “We thought she may like to clean up,” the mother said.
“Thank you.”
Cleo remained where she was until they were once again alone then she drew back. Nik stroked the side of her cheek and led her to the tub of steaming water. She stood mute while he undressed her. Nik kept his lust for her in check and lifted her into the water. With gentle prodding, she sank down then he picked up a cleaning cloth and began to bathe her. He washed her from head to foot, and once he was done, he took her out and dried her before lying down on the bed with her and watching until she slept. Then, he bathed himself and redressed.
Ivan waited for him in the main part of the house.
“Thank you for your welcome,” Nik said, running a hand through his damp hair.
Ivan smiled. “I owe you much more than a roof, food and a bed, my friend. Is this woman you travel with important to you?”
Nik answered immediately, “I’d kill or die for her without hesitation.”
Ivan nodded. “Not to insult, but, perhaps, she would like her hair evened out. Mariska can do that.”
“I’m sure she’d be grateful. I know having it cut like that was not in her plans.”
Blond eyebrows rose. “You did it?”
“Yes.”
Ivan clamped his mouth and stood a smirk on his face. Together, they ventured outside and continued to catch up. Nik was grateful, to see his friend once again, but he longed to get him and Cleo back home. He was no longer driven by bloodlust. He wanted to have a family, be with Cleo as she grew and sheltered their children within her. To hold them in his arms, teach them, keep them safe. That’s what he longed for. Cleo and their future together.
When he grew anxious from being separated from her for so long, the men strode back in. Nik halted by the door when his gaze found Cleo seated upon a three-legged stool by an opening in the wall. Behind her stood Mariska, fixing the mess he’d created of her hair. She sat ramrod straight, her eyes shut.
He watched in silence until they were done. Nik waited for her eyes to open and find him. A slow grin spread across his face when she did. Cleo smiled shyly and touched the hair, which now hovered above her shoulders as opposed to past them down toward the middle of her back.
“Well?” she asked, rising from the stool.
“You’re absolutely beautiful, Cleo,” he vowed. Moving to stand before her, he reached out and trailed his fingers through the shorter strands. “I’m so sorry about this.”
“Hair grows. My head wouldn’t.” Cleo rested her palms against his chest. “Thank you for saving me.” She paused then added, “Can you also thank her for me?”
Bringing her hands up, Nik kissed the palms before relaying her message.
“How well do you know these people, Nik?” she questioned as they moved toward the bedroom.
Nik could hear the stress still in her voice. “Ivan and I have battled at each other’s sides.”
She licked her lips and held his gaze. “No offense, Nik. But, back in these times, loyalties changed quickly.”
How is it I forget she’s a history professor? “None taken, snežinka,” he assured her. “I trust him as much as I trust anyone. And I’m well aware of how fast loyalty changes. Coin is very persuasive.”
“Okay,” she said. “Okay, I can do this.”
Mariska spoke and, with a smile, Nik translated. “She would like to offer you some other clothing if you would like yours cleaned.”
Cleo turned to Mariska and smiled graciously. Soon, Cleo stood with Mariska, in simple clothing. She wore a short-sleeved chemise, the color of Irish cream, which offset perfectly her amazing skin tone. It was worn off the shoulders. Over that, she wore a country dress. A slightly fitted, front lacing, drop waist gown. A black belt cut through the woad hue. To Nik, she was absolutely beautiful. His fingers itched to undo the laces and undress her until she lay sprawled before him. Naked.
Ivan shoved him in the back, and Nik had to clear his throat before he managed to rein in his libido and formulate a sentence. And that was very difficult.
“Krasivyj, snežinka, krasivyj,” he uttered in a low, guttural tone. He walked to her and cupped her face between his hands. Her short hair had
more curl to it and framed her face. Leaning in close, he murmured in her ear, “You make me want to do naughty things to you, Cleo. Lots and lots of naughty things.”
Her lithe body quivered beneath his touch. “Don’t say things like that, Nik,” she admonished in a breathless tone.
“I can’t help it, Cleo. All I can think about is—”
She clamped a hand over his mouth. Nik licked her palm and winked when she yanked her hand away and glared. He shrugged shamelessly.
He stayed near as dinner was prepared and translated when necessary, but to be honest, the women seemed to be doing just fine. Ivan’s kids played on the floor while the two of them talked.
“Where did you get your woman, Lion?”
“She’s a gift from the gods, Ivan,” he replied, his gaze drifting over to where Cleo stood slicing some freshly baked bread.
Dinner was spent with the baby in Cleo’s lap, pulling on her hair. As the meal progressed, Nik continually watched her. How attentive she was to the kids, how she didn’t allow the language barrier to keep her from sharing in the joy. Nik knew it didn’t matter where or when she was, Cleo had an amazing spirit, which shone through.
He sighed contentedly when he latched the door, shutting them in their room. Cleo set the tallow candle down on the table and turned to him. The soft, flickering light highlighted her beauty. Nik closed the distance between them and gazed down at her. Cleo’s eyes sparkled in the light.
“Ya tebya lyublyu, Cleo,” he murmured as he reached for the bow of her ties.
“Nik, wait.”
Wait, hell. He pulled his gaze up from where it had focused on her full breasts threatening to spill over the top of the chemise and stared into her eyes, all motion halting. There in her eyes was no sign of coyness or flirtation, and Nik dropped his hands to rest on the curve of her hips.
“What, Cleo?”
“I know…I know I haven’t been the easiest person lately, and I’m sorry.”
“Baby, you have nothing, I mean, absolutely nothing, to apologize for. This isn’t your time nor your country.”
“Still, you’ve done nothing but keep me safe, and I should be more grateful.” Cleo touched her hair. “Well, that and you gave me a haircut.” Shame rushed in, only to be swept away by the power of her smile. “Point is, Nikolas Andreyevich, if I have to be part of these games the gods are playing, I’m glad you’re with me to keep me safe.”
“I will get you home, Cleo. By the gods, I swear I will.”
“I know you will.” Her lips twitched sardonically. “Sooner, the better, if at all possible…but hey…no pressure.”
Oh, there was pressure, all right. Every second he spent in this time, he could feel himself reverting back to the warrior he’d once been. The one who killed without mercy, and, for the first time, he didn’t want to be. Nik hated the fear and uncertainty in Cleo’s face when she saw him like that.
“As soon as I can,” he vowed.
Cleo slid her hands up the plane of his chest and down his bare arms. Her simple touch aroused him to near exploding. Placing her hands at her sides, Nik moved his own back to the ties on her dress and opened it. His breath caught when he watched the dress pool at her feet, leaving her in nothing but the Irish cream chemise. His cock pressed insistently against his leather pants.
With hands that trembled slightly, he reached for the stays on her chemise. His heart skipped a few beats when it completely revealed her breasts. Nik groaned when the material followed the same path her dress had, leaving her completely naked.
“Cleo.” The moan was low and guttural.
“Lose them.” Her soft command rang.
Nik divested all his clothes within moments and stood before the woman who owned his heart, body, and soul. He felt himself stiffen even more when raw appreciation filled her eyes. With slow, deliberate steps, he erased the distance between them and gathered her to him. Cleo sighed and looped her arms around his neck, bringing their mouths together.
Carrying her to the raised bed along one wall, Nik lowered her to the furs, pressing her deep into them. He moaned against her mouth when she spread her legs, bringing his rigid length in direct contact with her wetness. With a slight readjustment, Nik slid into her heated core in a single thrust.
“Ohhh!” she moaned, arching to take him all the way in.
He bit her lower lip when the feeling rushed him. Her tight muscles gripped him and, yet, welcomed him. She squirmed and exploded around him. Nik pumped into her as her body shuddered with the force of her orgasm. Kissing away the sting of his earlier bite, Nik murmured to her in Russian as he moved. Cleo’s eyes opened, and their gazes met and held. He took her hands in his and placed them on the sides of her head, intertwining their fingers.
Back and forth.
In and out.
Slowly.
Methodically.
Endless.
They moved together in perfect sync. The candle the only light in the room, Nik made long, slow love to his woman. His skin covered in sweat, his heart pounded, and his body craving the release, the completion, only being with this woman could give him. But, he still managed to hold onto his control.
“Nik,” she gasped, her body undulating harder beneath his.
“Right here with you, baby.”
Her fingers tightened around his. “Please.”
“Please what?”
His hips continued to stroke him in and out of her. The room smelled of their combined sweat and sex. In the remaining light, he could see the shine on her amaretto skin.
“Close, Nik. So close. Please…I…I…”
“I’m following you, snežinka. Where you lead, I’ll follow.” The second he spoke them, he knew the words were true. Her eyes drifted closed, and he bent down and murmured on her lips, “Open those beautiful eyes, snežinka. Let me watch you come.”
Cleo’s body jerked, eyes flying wide. Her jaw clenched, and she shifted her hips, hooking her legs higher up on his back. “Please, Nik,” she begged.
He understood and moved a little faster. Cleo’s gasp of raw pleasure shattered the rest of his control. His body pistoned his erection deeper into her, and a low roar built up within him. She kept up, milking him, encouraging him to give her what she craved. Leaning down, Nik nipped her collarbone, and she shuddered. He did it again, harder this time, and her pussy clamped down on his cock as a low, keening began to emerge from her.
She exploded beneath him. Nik kissed her and ate her cries of passion. Cleo stiffened and quivered again, the velvet muscles around him rippling and pushing him over the edge. His balls tightened, and he thrust hard and deep until he, too, erupted with a deep bellow. Completely spent, he collapsed on her, his heart pounding out one hell of a tattoo in his chest. He began to move, only to stop when she grumbled and tightened her legs around him.
“Don’t go. I like your weight on me.”
“I don’t want to crush you,” he reasoned before rolling them so she lay upon him.
“I like that feeling.” Still, she didn’t protest the new position, even when he covered them. Instead, she seemed to burrow closer yet.
“I love you, Cleo.” His whispered words were unanswered. He’d remained silent until the candle hissed its last and ended, cocooning them in darkness. Nik enjoyed the feel of her in his arms, and that’s how he fell asleep.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Cleo stirred and sighed contentedly. She was comfortable. It was all a horrid nightmare. Her face pressed against something hard. Familiar but hard. The masculine scent, which screamed Nik, floated over her, and she snuggled closer. His arms tightened around her, and she felt his lips brush her temple. No rush to get up. One hand idly ran up and down his chest when something froze her solid.
Children running and laughing.
“Shit,” she muttered.
“Just realized where you were?” Nik asked in a comforting voice.
“I was seriously hoping this was all just a bad dream.”
He kissed her before climbing out of bed and walking without shame across to where his pants must have been for he bent down and pulled them on. Despite her frustration at being where she was, Cleo still wasn’t about to miss Nik in a partially dressed state. She rose up on her elbows and smiled at him.
Shafts of morning light poured through the slats of wood shutter-like objects and streamed over his godlike body. His arms were sinewy hard and could hold her as gently as if she truly were that which he called her. A snowflake.
His torso nothing but rippled strength, covered by scars, old and new, Nik gave new meaning to washboard abdominals. Drifting lower, she lingered over the way he wore those black leather pants. Moisture hit her, and she bit back a whimper of longing. Sex. Pure, raw, unadulterated sex was what he reminded her of. With that physique and the heart-stopping eyes he had.
Nik turned his head to wink at her. His eyes heated to near boiling, and a sensual grin lifted one corner of his mouth. She shuddered as her belly clenched with wanton need.
“What are you thinking about, snežinka?” he asked, prowling toward her.
“How freaking good you look,” she admitted.
“Hmmm.” He put his arms out, one either side of her, and pressed close. “Is that so?”
“So,” she squeaked when he nibbled along her neck.
“I like those thoughts. But I have to get going. Time to get you home, snežinka.” Nik kissed her lightly and rose. He slid on a shirt before he disappeared through the door.
Cleo got up and dressed in her own clothes. Running a hand through her shorter hair, she sighed. Wish I could shower. With a deep breath, she left the room and couldn’t stop the smile from coming when the kids ran to her.
Kids.
Children.
Eighteen years of responsibility, at the very least.
One she’d never wanted.
Until now.
She struggled to fight the urge to cover her womb with one hand. The craving to carry Nik’s child within her nearly blindsided her. Along with the unequivocal knowledge she was head-over-heels in love with him.
