Chapter Three
The door to Nikolai’s room closed softly behind them as they stepped from the elevator and into his luxury suite. Julia felt suddenly shy now that they were completely alone in his lair. She looked around the room, not unfamiliar with her surroundings considering how long she’d worked in the hotel and how many times she’d helped in housekeeping to earn extra money. It was a large suite, larger than her apartment and, of course, considerably more comfortable. There was a living/meeting area with a deeply cushioned leather couch and recliner situated in front of a television set. There was a coat closet just behind her, next to the door where Nikolai was standing. The living room led off into a bedroom, which had a lovely little balcony, complete with a small breakfast table and a littering of flowering plants and vines that were constantly being cared for by the hotel groundskeepers. A good-sized bathroom completed the layout of the suite, with a lovely glass-enclosed shower stall and a large, round, garden tub made perfect for luxurious bubble baths.
Julia could never have afforded to stay even a night in such a room as this one and she was a little uncomfortable knowing that, when Nikolai could obviously easily afford a couple of weeks in it. But she refused to let her ever-present worries over money taint the evening ahead of her. Nikolai didn’t need to know how poor she was and perhaps he wouldn’t mind such a thing if he did know. It didn’t matter. The night ahead of her was all that mattered, what lay beyond that she could dwell on later. So she dragged her eyes away from the rich textures that dotted the large suite and turned, instead, to meet the gaze of her dinner partner.
His eyes were positively glowing as he stared at her.
The moment stretched on for longer than Julia found comfortable and she had to look away before she ran out of breath, so skittish and aroused did she become. If just being the focal point of his gaze could do such a number on her libido, she couldn’t even imagine what would happen if he closed the distance and took her in his arms. And oh how she wanted him too…but she was getting a little ahead of herself. She had to remember not to get too carried away. She had to let the night unfold on its own and not rush things. It was better to savor than to glutton.
Or something to that effect.
Nikolai’s eyes roved over her from head to toe, lingering on her eyes, lips, breasts and hips. It made her skin feel heated, the way he looked at her. Made her feel breathless and—dare she even think it?—sexy. He looked at her as if she held the answers to every question he’d ever thought to ask, as if the sun rose and set in her and her alone, as if she were his salvation…as if he were hungry and she was lunch.
Julia shivered.
Nikolai cleared his throat and looked away, noticeably tearing his eyes away from her, as if it were an almost impossible feat. “Shall we order our meal and retire to the balcony?”
“Absolutely. I’m starving.”
“I can hear your stomach growling from here. When was the last time you ate?”
Julia blushed, not having realized that her stomach was still gurgling loud enough to be heard. She’d thought it had quieted hours ago, but admitted she’d probably only grown used to the sound after being around it all day and night. “I had toast and juice for breakfast this morning,” she said in a sheepish voice.
Nikolai’s eyes flashed back to hers. “Why did you wait so long to eat when you are so obviously hungry?”
Julia couldn’t help but wince at his chiding tone. “I didn’t have time to go out for anything, to be honest. I was supposed to get off of work this afternoon so I didn’t bring my lunch, but some people called in sick and I was stuck until tonight.”
“Well you need to eat and eat well. You know the menu here, I am sure, so you must tell me if there is anything you do not want. I am famished myself so I will just order one of everything.”
One of everything! Their menu was extensive and Julia did know it well, though she’d never eaten anything on it, so costly were the dishes. “I’ll just have a steak if you don’t mind.”
Nikolai picked up the phone and dialed the number for room service. He ordered one of everything, as he’d said he would, making sure to throw two large sirloins into the order. Nikolai placed his hand over the phone and turned to her again. “How would you like yours prepared?”
“Very well done please. Almost burnt,” she answered.
Nikolai repeated her preference into the phone and added his own. “I would like one of those steaks extra rare, just barely warmed. Yes, I would like it very nearly raw.” He continued for a few moments then placed the phone in its cradle.
“Come outside, I have a need to see the sky,” he said and Julia could almost have sworn he was a little breathless. She could have fooled herself into thinking that her mere presence affected him so noticeably, but something else—perhaps the way he held himself, so controlled and still—made her think his breathless state was due to something else. Something more serious.
She hoped he didn’t have any health conditions. He looked healthy enough. Very healthy, in fact. But you never could accurately guess such things just by looking at someone. The thought of this obviously virile man having something so weakening as asthma or the like made her heart ache with sympathy for him. But despite his shortness of breath, Nikolai bounded up from the couch on which he’d perched when making his phone call, with a swift and nearly blurred movement. If the man were truly ill or weak, he sure didn’t move like someone who was.
Nikolai shifted, again with a strange, lightning-quick ripple of muscle and limb that resembled a motion picture with too many frames removed, to come at her side. He took her arm and led her steadily into his bedroom. The sight of the bed, along with the commanding feel of this man’s hand on her arm and his suddenly antsy behavior, made her heart race with a sudden, arousing, thrill of danger. But he sped on past the bed and threw open the door to his balcony, leading her out into the night.
The cool air of the evening washed over her, making her aware of the heated blush that stained her cheeks. She wondered how long it had been there, and if her partner had taken note of it—an embarrassing thought that only made her cheeks burn even more hot. Nikolai, she saw, seemed to instantly calm as he stepped with her out into the starlight. The moon, barely discernable over the bright illumination of the surrounding skyscrapers, was a fingernail-sliver in the sky and he raised his face to it. Julia was struck anew by how incredibly beautiful the man was and how savagely perfect was his profile, bathed in a silvery halo cast by the light of the night sky. Her heart stuttered at the sight.
“Ah,” Nikolai breathed out in his sinfully dangerous voice. “I was feeling positively trapped in that room, weren’t you?”
Julia’s brows knit together. She’d thought the room was more than spacious and comfortable. But, she mused, he might be used to even larger accommodations. “I guess,” she answered noncommittally.
Nikolai turned to her and opened his eyes. They seemed even more dazzling now, in the faintly lit black of the night. They positively beamed, like captured stars beneath the curtain of his hair. He smiled at her and she saw the glint of his teeth behind his kissable lips.
“I am sorry, I suppose you would not understand much…you are used to the walls of your city.”
“And you’re not?”
“I am more comfortable out of doors, away from the confines of stone or steel. That seems to be all that the structures are made of here, stone and glass and steel. It makes the buildings seem like cages to me at times.”
“Where are you from?”
“The Ural Mountain range in Russia. I am from a small city there, well it is not really a city—not like you would think anyway—I suppose you might say it is a…village.” He stumbled over the word, reminding her again that English was not his native tongue.
“What do you do there? For a living, I mean.”
“I am a sort of…what is your word…governor? I make sure everyone follows the rules of the village, that everyone is safe in ou
r borders. I settle disputes among pack mates, that sort of thing.”
“Pack mates?” She laughed a little. “Citizens, you mean?”
“Yes. Of course, citizens.” He laughed with her, though the sound was a little hollow.
“I’m sorry,” she started, hoping she hadn’t offended him by correcting his blunder.
“My English is often not so good. I do not mind you giving me the right words, Julia. It shows you are paying attention to what I am saying,” he said with a toothy, boyish grin.
Julia laughed outright at that. How could she not hang on every word he said? The music of his voice alone commanded her undivided attention, not to mention his deliciously wicked accent. It positively shivered over her skin like a caress all its own.
“What has you here in New York City then? Are you here in a political capacity?”
“No, not that. I am here to take care of some business for a family member who is unable to make the trip just now.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Is your friend very sick?”
“No. She is pregnant.” Nikolai laughed.
Julia laughed with him, marveling at how carefree she suddenly felt. For the moment she was content merely to be with him, out on the balcony, in the crisp, cool breeze. Nothing else seemed to matter. It was a liberating moment for her.
“Well it’s certainly nice of you to come all this way for her. I hope she appreciates it,” she said at last.
“Oh she does. In fact, she calls here every evening to be sure that I am still sane.” He laughed at that. “Bri is truly a joy and she makes my cousin, her husband, as well as the rest of our family, very happy.”
“She has business here? Is she from the States, then?”
“Originally, yes. But we are trying to cleanse her of her tawdry American ways.”
Julia felt her own eyes flash hotly at his insulting words, but when he laughed at her reaction she realized he’d been teasing her with that last remark. “That wasn’t funny, you know.” But she couldn’t help smiling back. In fact, she’d done more smiling with him in the past twenty minutes than she’d probably done all week long. It was strange, but she was growing very comfortable with him, despite the fact that they barely knew each other.
“And you—what do you do in your spare time, when you are not working long hours like you did today?” His jaw hardened when he mentioned the last.
“I go to school.”
“Really? What do you study there?” He seemed genuinely interested in her answer.
Inwardly Julia winced, realizing that he might not be too impressed to know that she had aspirations of being a great artist. There were so many people in the world who claimed to be artistic that it made her feel almost ashamed to call herself one of them. In fact, oftentimes, she felt almost shunned when admitting to her creative leanings. But, hey, if he didn’t like hearing the answer to his question, he should never have asked it in the first place.
“Art. I’m training to be a portraitist and a sculptor.”
“Really?” He appeared as if he were truly intrigued with the idea.
“Yes. I’ve always done both, but I wanted to round out my skills with some professional training before I tackled the harsh competitiveness of the art world. And if I go to school and get my degree, I can always fall back on a teaching job if things get rough, you know?”
“That is impressive. Perhaps you will show me some examples of your work?”
Julia had heard that phrase far too many times in her life to take it seriously, but she humored him anyway. “Sure, if you’d like.”
“I would very much like it. It would be an honor to see the wonders that your delicate hands have created. A great honor indeed.”
Delicate hands? She almost laughed. A sculptor could never get by with delicate hands—their hands had to be tough as steel and stronger than that besides—a sculptor lived and died by the strength of muscle and bone in their hands. But she didn’t tell him that. Let him think her delicate, it was almost flattering; she’d never been called delicate in her life.
While Julia searched for something to say in response there came a brisk knock on the door to Nikolai’s suite.
“Good, the food has arrived. Would you mind if we ate it out here, my Julia?”
Julia’s toes positively curled at the sound of him saying ”my Julia” and she could only nod her assent. She couldn’t have spoken had her life depended on it. Nikolai flashed her yet another of his sexy, toothsome grins and went to answer the door.
With a bounce she turned to the balcony rail and looked down on the traffic, ten stories below. Perhaps she was deprived, she thought dazedly. She’d certainly never reacted so strongly to a man before. Oh well, she decided to enjoy it while it lasted. It might be quite a long time before she had so exciting an evening again.
Nikolai returned with surprising swiftness and Julia barely had time to wipe the giddy grin from her face as she turned to watch him approach. He pushed a silver dining cart stacked full of covered dishes. He moved the cart before the small breakfast table and motioned for her to take a chair. Gallantly, he helped to seat her, placing a tray before her along with a linen napkin and some silverware.
“I hope this suits your pallet. Please, eat your fill.” Nikolai moved to take his own seat, removing the silver dome from his plate and exposing the very pink flesh of his steak. Julia had never been a fan of rare cooked meat and had to hold back a grimace when he hungrily consumed his first bite. She took a bite of her own and was moved to slather it with an abundance of steak sauce.
Nikolai chuckled at the soupy mess she made of her meal. “You do not like steak, I gather?”
“Oh I like it, but only when it’s covered with other stuff,” she said, before taking another bite and chewing it heartily. She had to—it was tough as leather. Just as she preferred it.
Nikolai poured them both a glass of wine and they spent the rest of their meal in relative silence. Surprisingly enough it was a comfortable and easy silence, as if they had known each other for years and had no need of the idle banter that new acquaintances often shared. Nikolai’s main courses were followed by various others, which he demanded she share with him, beautiful creations that Julia tasted if only to try out their unique flavors, but Nikolai ate practically everything he’d ordered. Julia had never seen someone eat so much in one sitting. He was obviously possessed of a nearly endless appetite. It was amazing just to watch the man eat!
“Are you not hungry? Are the dishes not to your liking?” Nikolai asked, noticing her staring at him with wide eyes.
“I’m too full to eat anymore,” she said with a grin.
“But you must make up for the meals you missed today,” he urged.
“No, really, I can’t eat another bite. It was really good, thank you Nikolai.”
“Did you try the pork? It’s tender and spiced to perfection. The salmon is very fresh and tasty as well.”
Julia couldn’t help but laugh as he shamelessly tried to tempt her into eating more of the heaping food before them. “I promise I can’t eat anymore, Nikolai. In fact, this is the most I’ve eaten in one sitting in my memory. I’m positively stuffed.”
Nikolai’s face fell and he cocked his head to one side. The movement reminded her vaguely of something, though she couldn’t remember what at the moment, and made him look absolutely adorable. “I am sorry to hear that, Julia. You really should be eating more. You are in your childbearing years and require the nutrients now more than you ever will again. I do not like to know that you often eat less than you have tonight.”
Julia was taken aback by his blunt words. He’d obviously misunderstood her meaning. She didn’t like to know that he thought she was neglecting herself or, worse, unable to afford enough food to sustain herself. He should know just from looking at her that she wasn’t starving. Far from it.
“I eat very well, don’t think I don’t. Jeez, just look at me. I never thought anyone would think I wasn’t eati
ng enough—too much, yes—but never too little.”
Nikolai moved his hand in a decidedly elegant and foreign movement, waving away her comments with a casual disdain. “In your country I have noticed that women are concerned with keeping themselves as thin as wraiths. You, as you should very well know, are beautiful beyond words, but still far too thin for your height. It is obvious to me that you should eat more meat, more hearty foods. Not all men are as obsessed with starving ladies as those abundant in your country. Most men like a woman with curves instead of hollows.”
Beautiful beyond words? Far too thin for her height? Julia thought she might launch herself at him with a marriage proposal right then and there. Where had this man been all of her life?
“Well thank you for the compliment, even if it was hidden in the middle of a bunch of criticisms,” Julia tossed out cheekily. She laughed outright when he blushed, seeming chagrined at her words.
“I am sorry. But I worry about you already, you see? Now please, try the…key lime, is it? Yes. Try the lime pie, it is very good.”
Julia gave in, graciously she thought, and took a bite of the dessert as he offered it to her on the end of his fork. It was delicious.
Chapter Four
“Do you like living in the city very much?” Nikolai asked her much later. Dinner was long since over, and they sat speaking softly, easily, together under the faint lights of the moon and stars.
“Sometimes. Though I’m not originally from here.”
“Are you not? Then where are you from?”
“Pennsylvania. I grew up on a farm there, a much different place than here let me assure you. It was almost like I suffered from culture shock when I first moved here. I’d always wanted to live in a big city, but I was unprepared for just how big it could be. How full of strangers and strange places.”
Bitten: Moon Lust 2 Page 4
