by Leslie North
He never got the chance to finish his swing. Nikolai jumped up, grabbed Danil’s arm, and flung him away from her. “If you ever raise your hand to her again, I will personally kill you,” Nikolai said in a quiet, dangerous voice. “Vanya, take him out of here and see that he gets home.”
Nikolai’s heart was racing and didn’t need to analyze it. Katya was his to protect now. “She’s not staying here with you,” Danil argued.
“I don’t believe that is your decision to make. She’s already made her wishes known. Whether or not she remains here with me is yet to be determined, but rest assured, her wishes will be taken into consideration in the matter.”
Vanya grabbed Danil’s arm and began propelling him back towards the elevator doors.
“Nik, don’t do this.”
“Danil, I’m going to do us both a favor and forget the last few minutes ever happened. Once you have had a chance to adjust to everything that has been told you this night, we will talk again. Until then, I suggest you get some sleep.”
Nikolai turned his back on the two men, focusing his attention on Katya who was standing and watching Vanya forcibly remove her uncle from the room. Her expression was one of relief.
As the elevator doors closed, she lifted her eyes to see Nikolai watching her with a fire in his eyes, one that caused her breath to stall in her lungs and make her heart race out of control. She started backing up, wondering if she should have taken her chances with Danil. When Nikolai paced his steps to match her retreat, she knew she was in trouble.
The question was, what kind?
Chapter 7
When she felt her back come up against the wall of windows, Katya steeled her spine and prepared herself for what was to come. She watched his eyes darken as they made a leisurely path up and down her body before coming to rest on her face once more.
Nikolai sensed the mixture of desire and wariness in her and almost smiled. He didn’t mind if she was cautious, as long as she admitted that there was something between them. As he finished his approach, Katya tipped her head back to maintain eye contact, licking her bottom lip nervously.
“You shouldn’t do that,” he told her softly.
“Do what?” she asked, licking her lips again.
“That.”
“Lick my lips?” Katya felt the heat coming off his body as he stood toe-to-toe with her.
“Yes.” Nikolai lifted a hand and let it funnel underneath her hair, letting the strands flow through his fingers.
“Why?” Katya asked, trying not to follow his hand with her head. When his fingers found the nape of her neck, she moaned instinctively in pleasure. She closed her eyes and tilted her head into his hand. The last week had been so stressful. She’d been fighting a headache almost since the moment she’d heard the men outside her house and listened to FBI agents discussing her parents’ murder so clinically, as if it was an everyday occurrence. Her emotions, combined with stress of the unknown, and a severe lack of sleep, all came rushing to the surface as she gave into the need for human contact. She raised her arms, wrapping them around his neck and when he didn’t protest her forwardness Katya laid her head against his chest.
Nikolai could feel the tension in her body and knew it wasn’t all because of physical desire. When she melted against him, he lifted his free hand and began a slow kneading of her shoulders and down both sides of her spine. Soon his other hand joined the massage, as he located and then worked out the sore muscles along her back. As he worked his way down her spine, he felt his own body tightening to an almost unbearable degree.
Fighting for control, he gently tilted his hips away from her, hoping to give himself some relief, only to huff out a laugh when she followed, plastering her hips right up against his once again.
Katya instinctively followed his movements, all too aware of the hardness pushing against her belly, yet not willing to forego the small amount of comfort she felt being so close to him. She knew it was probably wrong, but she needed his nearness. His touch. Anything to make the past two months fade away, if only for a few moments.
Katya didn’t pretend it was anything more than a brief encounter. She’d take what pleasure he could give her tonight, and then tomorrow she’d find her uncle and figure out how to go forward. But tonight, this was hers.
Nikolai was fighting with his conscience as his hands made their way to the small indentions at the base of her spine. His body was demanding he finish what had begun in the club, but his mind was telling him he needed to back off; she was vulnerable and he’s be taking advantage of her if he took things any further this night.
Katya was unaware of his inner struggle, focused on the pleasure she knew he could provide. She reached behind his back, pulling his shirt from his waistband and then quickly started in on the buttons of his shirt. When he moved to stop her, she shook her head, misinterpreting his actions, “No, I want to do this. You promised me I could see the rest of your tattoos later. Later is now.”
Nikolai tried once again to stop her, “Katya, this isn’t a good idea.”
His comment cause her to push back and narrow her eyes at him, “What? You didn’t feel that way when we were in the elevator.”
“Things have changed,” he argued.
“In what way? I’m still here. You’re body still wants me. I—”
“You’re upset. I don’t want you to have any regrets come morning.”
Katya laughed sarcastically. “Really? Your conscience chooses this moment to kick in? What about what I want? What I need?” she challenged.
Nikolai smoothed the back of his fingers down her cheeks, “What do you need?”
“I need you to help me forget the horribleness of the last few months and weeks. I need you to help me understand why I feel the way I do around you.”
“That statement right there just reaffirms that we need to stop this.”
“No! It doesn’t! I means…I...”
“What do you mean?” he asked, wanting to understand what was behind her agitation.
“I…you…you make me feel things I’ve only ever read about in books. I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, my uncle was so upset when he left—”
“Do not worry about Danil.”
“I can’t help it. I mean, he’s the only family I have left, and he was angry with me, and he scares me…,” Katya broke off, not meaning to disclose that thought out loud. “What I mean to say—”
“Katya, stop. Danil is a very hard man with a quick temper and even quicker fists. Now, that doesn’t mean to say that I think he would ever harm you willingly, but there’s a reason he’s been alone most of his life. Whatever happens, I will not allow him to harm you. Do you understand?”
Katya could see the truth in Nikolai’s eyes and nodded, “Thank you.”
Hugging her close to him once more, he rested his chin atop her head, “Why don’t we sit down and talk some more?”
Kat shook her head against his chest, pushing back enough to gain access to his shirt’s buttons and resume undoing them. “Why don’t we not?”
Nikolai opened his mouth to protest at the same time she place her warm lips against his newly bared chest. When her tongue flicked over the muscles above his heart, whatever resistance he’d been about to mount fled in the face of a lust he could no longer fight.
“Are you positive this is what you want?” he asked as he bent to slide an arm beneath her legs and lifted her up against his chest. “I can’t promise to go slow. You’ve been warned.”
Kat let her lips trail across his jaw, nipping his earlobe and feeling him shiver, “I want you.”
Nikolai closed his eyes, wondering how he could have ever thought of her as innocent. Naïve, maybe. Innocent, not hardly. She was turning him inside out with only a few simple kisses and touches. It was definitely time to take control, before his lost all of his!
Chapter 8
Nikolai carried her through the apartment straight to his bedroom and out onto the terrace.
He set her down next to an oversize whirlpool. Katya lifted her head with a question she never got the chance to ask.
Nikolai’s lips crashed down on hers, causing her knees to buckle, and forcing her to grasp for his waist to keep herself upright. He nipped and licked, demanding entrance to her mouth.
When she wasn’t quick enough to catch on, he used the thumb and forefinger of one hand to pull her chin downward, opening her mouth up to his assault. He learned the recesses of her mouth with tongue and teeth, groaning in pleasure when she finally joined in the play, rubbing her own tongue tentatively against his own.
Katya had been kissed before, but never devoured. His kiss was overwhelming and all-consuming of her senses, and all she could do was hold on and enjoy the ride.
When they were both struggling for breath, Nikolai trailed his lips over her face, all the while using his hands to learn her body. He molded her braless breasts through the material of her shirt, tweaking the nipples into hard points that throbbed at his attention.
When she was restless and panting in her need, he pushed her away and whispered, “Take your clothes off. I want to watch.” Nikolai took a step back and leaned against one of the pillars that supported the terrace covering.
Katya didn’t hesitate, reaching for the hem of her shirt and pulling it over her head. She toed off her boots, and then slid her pants down her legs, kicking free of them to stand before him in only her socks and panties.
“Beautiful,” Nikolai murmured. He admired her perfect body and was pleased that she trusted him enough to strip for his pleasure. He shrugged out of his shirt then stepped out of his slacks. He pulled his socks off, grinning as she mirrored his actions with her own.
When he straightened back up, he watched as her eyes took in his body. The tribal tattoos wound up his arms and then around his shoulders. Her eyes begged for him to turn around, and he did so slowly, giving her ample opportunity to see where the tattoos joined together to form an intricate pattern right between his shoulder blades.
As he turned back to face her, he saw that her eyes had lowered along his body, coming to rest on his full manhood, hidden only by the thin material of his briefs. He was well-endowed and many women in the past had confessed to being alarmed at his size.
Not wanting to see anything resembling fear in her eyes this night, he stepped towards the whirlpool, entering the warm water and sinking to the hidden seats before holding a hand up, inviting her to join him.
“Aren’t you going to remove your underwear?” she asked, even as she blushed.
“In a few moments. Join me and let’s rid you of your muscle soreness.”
Katya took his hand, sinking into the warm water with a heartfelt sigh of pleasure, “Oh God, this feels good.”
Seeing an opening, Nikolai pulled her back against him and whispered into her ear, “Is that so?” He wrapped his arms around her torso, letting his fingertips learn the muscles of her abs as they worked their way up to her breasts. Cupping them both, he lifted them slightly and then squeezed them gently, causing her back to arch and her head to fall against his shoulder. “Feel good?”
“Yes.” She closed her eyes as he began to play with her breasts more earnestly. After several minutes, one of his hands trailed back down her stomach, not stopping until it was cupping her core.
“Nikolai?” she asked, pushing against his hand when he just held her.
“Shush, relax and let me pleasure you,” he whispered as his fingers worked their magic. Within moments, she was ready to scream and she roughly pushed his hands away and turned, pulling at his wet briefs.
Nikolai removed them then settled back into the water and pulled her forward to straddle his hips.
Katya, sensing he was once again going to offer to be chivalrous, reached beneath the water, taking his cock in her hands and positioning him at her entrance. Fusing her lips to his own to stop him from speaking, she lowered herself onto him, pleased when his hands landed on her hips and he took over.
Nikolai felt himself slide into her warmth and closed his eyes at the sensation. Her body was made for him, and with only a few thrusts he was seated fully within her. He held himself still, not moving until he felt her body clenching around him and he had no other choice.
Using a rocking motion, he drove them both up the pinnacle, prolonging the moment of climax until he felt her muscles quiver, on the edge of a cataclysmic release. Giving one final thrust, he roared out his pleasure as she screamed his name and then collapsed against his chest.
He wrapped his arms around her back, holding her tight against his chest and murmuring to her in Russian. When she responded back sleepily in Russian, he grinned and kissed the top of her head. He attempted to rouse her, but the release of stress had pushed her exhausted body towards the one thing it still desperately needed. Sleep.
Standing from the water, he wrapped her legs around his hips and carried her into the house, not caring that he dripped water along the way. He laid her down upon the coverlet, grabbing several towels from the bathroom and thoroughly dried her off, before tucking her beneath the soft sheets.
He dried himself and then grabbed a loose pair of lounge pants before heading back to wipe up the trail of water. As he worked, he tried to process the emotions he was feeling. Katya Osin touched a part of him he hadn’t known he possessed. The thought of her being placed into the care of Danil had him clenching his fists and shaking his head.
No! She might be Danil’s niece, but by virtue of his position, he was claiming the right of protection over Katya from here on out. He’d never felt this overwhelming need to care for another person before, but rather than spend time analyzing it, he just accepted it as the new order of things.
Katya had much to learn before she could be introduced to his world and take her rightful place as the heiress to her grandfather’s legacy. She would need someone to tutor her along the way, and Nikolai could think of only one person able to do that effectively—himself.
Katya had ignored his attempts at chivalry earlier this night but she would accept his tutelage. She had given herself to him for one night. He was taking that and every other night he could get.
Chapter 9
Katya awoke the next morning to see Nikolai sitting on a chair next to the bed watching her. “Hi,” she said softly, a blush staining her cheeks a light pink.
“Good morning, milaya moya,” Nikolai greeted, helping her sit up against the covers and grinning at her attempt at modesty by tucking the sheet around her chest, securing it beneath her arms.
“Why are you trying to hide from me?” he questioned, as he handed her a cup of coffee and watched her add both sugar and cream.
Katya was aware her boldness of the night before was sadly missing in the morning light and frowned when she saw him grinning at her discomfort, “What are you staring at?”
“Perfection,” he said, making her blush more. “I have been waiting for you to wake up. I have some business to take care of this morning, but I will be back later this afternoon. Breakfast is in the microwave. Eat. Shower. Watch TV or whatever. If you wish to return to your hotel for fresh clothing, Vanya will return to accompany you.”
Katya smiled at him and cocked her head to the side, “Nikolai, I’m perfectly capable of getting back to my hotel on my own. There’s no need to put—”
“There is every need. If I am not with you, you will have Vanya close by.” He leaned over and kissed her forehead before turning and leaving the room.
Katya opened her mouth to call him back and inform him she had no intention of obeying his orders, but he was gone before she could utter a sound. She stared after him for several minutes, trying to justify his behavior as that of a man used to controlling everything in his world. He was simply looking out for her.
When that logic didn’t lessen her aggravation at his declaration, she shrugged and headed for the shower. He’d said Vanya would be returning, which meant, there was no one around to stop her from leaving. She�
�d freshen up and then grab a cab to go get a clean set of clothes.
She glanced at the clock. It was already 11:00. She needed to hurry a bit. She was supposed to be back at the Zora at 2:00 p.m., and even though Danil had commanded her never to set foot in the place again, she was her own boss and was anxious to see what other information she could find out about the man she’d just slept with and the man she now called uncle. The best place to get that kind of information was from women, and the ones at the club seemed the most logical place to start.
Chapter 10
Katya walked in the backdoor of Zora’s right at 2:00 and saw several of the other dancers and servers already in attendance. Jewel spotted her and quickly grabbed her by the arm, pulling her into the circle of women and demanding details about the night before.
“Spill it, girl! We all saw you leave with Mr. Tsarsko. We want details,” Jewel demanded with a toss of her hair.
Katya looked at the black Amazon of a woman, marveling at how different she looked from the day before. Yesterday, her hair had been black and braided in an intricate pattern and left to hang down her back. Today she was a platinum blonde, with short shiny tresses that moved as she talked.
“What happened to your hair?” Katya blurted out, wincing when the other women all started laughing.
Jewel looked at her and then slowly reached up and pulled the blonde wig from her hair, revealing a shiny, bald scalp. “This look prompts that kind of question. Want to ask me again?”
Katya was so embarrassed, she couldn’t figure out where to look, but when Jewel joined in the laughter and slapped her on the shoulder, she looked up to see the mirth on the black woman’s face and relaxed. “Sorry, that was unbelievably rude of me to ask.”
“Nonsense. I like being able to change up my look, so I shave my head. It’s no biggie.”
