“I don’t think anyone has ever cared for me this much. My mom, yes, but I lost her when I was young. My dad…” I squeeze my eyes shut from the memory of killing him. That will haunt me for a long time but at least I don’t feel numb anymore. Almost losing Nikolai brought me back to life.
Nik tightens his arms around me. “I will make sure we have better security measures in place. I’ll up the guards around our house. Around my club. Anywhere we might go. We’ll always beprotected from now on. I will not let any of Alexei’s friends come after us.”
“How powerful are his friends?”
“They hold a lot of territory in other parts of the country. I might have a hold over New York but they still have their own power. News will spread that Alexei is dead and he made it very public that he came after me. It won’t be hard for anyone to figure out I killed him when he goes missing. I’ll have to think of some way out of this. Some way to keep you safe. But right now, I just want to hold you. I just want to know that you’re ok for now.”
I rest my hands over his heart. His strong chest. His sheer presence. “Nik, thank you. For always keeping me safe. I know I didn’t trust you when we first met. But there’s no one else in this world I trust more than you. I feel at home here.” I tap his chest. “Right here. So thank you for that. Truly.”
“And I trust you more than anyone. You threw yourself at Alexei to help save my life. Most people wouldn’t do that. Hell, some of my closest friends would hesitate. Maksim is loyal but even he’d prioritize his own safety over mine. But not you. You saved my life, Irina. Thank you.”
“I’m your wife. That’s what wives do for their husbands. For the men they –,” I stop myself from saying love. I’m not sure why though. After everything Nik and I have been through, I should be able to say it. But I still hesitate because to tell him I love him is the final act of giving myself over to Nik. Once I do that, I’ll never be out of this life again. Is that something I’m ready for?
Nik gives me a knowing look like he understands right before he captures my lips in a heated kiss. I’m thankful for that. There’s a passion between us – a love – but neither one of us has to say it yet. We can just be together.
He picks me up in his arms and carries me to our bedroom and sets me down lovingly on the bed. I never knew a mafia man likehim could be so gentle but Nik has proven me wrong about mafia men so many times. He may be shrouded in darkness but he has a kindness to him that warms my heart. He’s not evil. He’s not good. He’s just… human.
And I know I love him for that.
He stands at the foot of the bed, gazing down at me. “I could get used to looking at you like this.”
I need him. I know it more than I’ve known anything in this world. It’s powerful and all-consuming and I don’t want to fight it.
I sit up and grab his shirt, bringing him down towards me. Our lips meld together with passion. It’s hot and sexy and a little messy and it’s perfect.
I unbutton Nik’s shirt and push it off him, running my hands along his chest. He sighs and kisses me deeper. Feeling bold and wanting to be in control, I unbuckle his pants and place my hand in between his underwear so I can grab his length. He hisses and it makes me smile knowing I have some control over a powerful man like him.
I push his pants and underwear down, exposing his naked body to me. His cock is always erect. That’s how much he wants me.
Gazing up at him, I lower my head to his length. My lips wrap around his tip. The groan that escapes Nik’s voice is like nothing I’ve ever heard before.
I’ve never done this but it’s not hard to figure out. Nik keeps his hips still as I run my tongue along his erection, tasting him, getting used to him in my mouth. He’s shown me pleasure so many times with his mouth. It’s only fair I return the favor, even if my heart is beating fast from nerves.
Nik strokes the back of my head, caressing me. Telling me he appreciates what I’m doing to him.
I can’t take him far into my mouth as he’s too big but he doesn’t make me feel bad for it. Only shows how much he likes what I’m doing to him.
But then, he suddenly pulls back and grabs my hips, pushing me to the bed. “I want my cock inside of you when I come.”
With a gasp, I nod. Nik practically rips my dress right off me. My bra and underwear are just flimsy pieces of material that are in his way. When I’m fully naked, he lowers his body over mine.
Our eyes lock. Our lips hover against each other’s. Our bodies are pressed so tightly together, not even a piece of paper could get between us.
And that’s when he brings his hips forward and enters into me. We both moan together.
My legs lock around his waist and my hands grip his back, leaving indents in his skin. Nik hisses as he kisses me with all of his might. I think I might die from the pleasure of it all but I’d die happily.
Nik keeps his pace steady as he thrusts his cock into me. I can feel every inch of his body against mine. It’s perfect.
I raise my hips to match his pace, wanting us to be closer. Never wanting us to be apart from each other again.
In one smooth motion, Nik sits up and brings me with him so I’m seated on his lap. I wrap my arms around his back. I will not let any space get between us. Not tonight.
He grabs my hips and brings them down, entering me even deeper. I moan. It all feels too good. Too much. I can barely think.
“You are so fucking beautiful,” he murmurs against my throat when I drop my head back. “That’s it, baby. Feel my cock deep inside of you.” His dirty words only make me moan louder. His power turns me on like nothing ever has but it’s his care and respect for me that makes me love him. I have to tell him, Irealize. I can’t keep it back forever. Nik is my future. The only option is to give myself fully to him.
“Nik,” I moan, rocking my hips back and forth faster. More frantic. Almost panicked. Nik steadies my pace, silently telling me he’s got me. That he’ll always have me.