He returned me to you, I want to snap but things have changed now. Nikolai is someone I’m beginning to trust. No use harping on the past.
“He just didn’t leave the best first impression,” I admit.
“Well, you’ll get the chance to talk to him again. Maybe he’ll change your mind.”
We arrive at the nightclub. It’s clearly popular from the long line out front. I can’t even see the end of it.
I shiver in my sheer dress when I step outside. Nikolai picked it out for me earlier and insisted I wear it, telling me I would look sexy in it. I didn’t want to refuse, not because I’m scared of him, but because when he told me I would look sexy, a heat hadsettled over me. The same heat as when he touched me between my legs. It’s a heat I want to feel again.
Nikolai places his hand on my back and leads me inside the club, walking right past the line. Benefits of being the owner.
“When’s the last time you’ve had to wait in line?” I ask.
“Never.” He offers me a cheeky grin that I can’t help but return.
Nikolai is gentle with me as we walk through the club. Helping to guide me. Pulling me out of the way of people dancing around, flailing their limbs. His touch is soft but noticeable. I couldn’t forget it.
After the Alexei incident, we haven’t spoken about the spanking he gave me. It’s something I think both of us would rather forget. A brand new start for us.
He leads me to the second floor of the club to a private booth. Multiple people are there already. Men and women who look elegant and refined. Adults who party. Who do drugs, judging from the lines of coke on the table.
“You won’t be touching any of that,” Nikolai says into my ear. “The last thing I want is drugs in your system.”
“Are you going to take any?”
“No. I like a clear head no matter where I am. Besides, I don’t want anyone trying to take you from me again.”
My heart clenches for some reason.
“Nik!” Maksim says, standing up and holding a bottle of champagne out to him. “Join us.”
“That’s why we’re here.”
Maksim sets his intimidatingly handsome eyes onto me. “You brought your wife with you. I’m surprised. I thought you weren’t going to take her out of your ivory tower.”
“It’s time Irina sees more of my life. Make her feel welcomed.”
“Of course. Sit, sit.”
Nikolai has me sit down next to Maksim, with him on the other side of me. Sandwiched between two Bratva men. I should feel like I’m in danger and yet, I’ve never felt more protected.
“How have you been?” Maksim asks, pouring us each a drink. Nikolai declines so I decide to as well. I also want a clear head in case anyone tries hurting me. “You know, after…”
“Alexei,” Nikolai says in a flat voice. “Unless you have any information on where he is, I’d rather not talk about that fucker.”
“Got it.” Maksim nods at me. “So, how has married life been treating you?”
“I don’t like you,” I blurt out.
Maksim raises his eyebrows. “All right. Surprising. Why? Most people like me.”
“I like him,” a woman says in a sultry voice, draping her arms around his shoulders.
“Because you work for my husband and I wasn’t happy about that at first.”
“And now?”
I can feel Nikolai looking at me as I give my answer. “Now… Now things have changed. But it’s hard for me to trust.”