Greeting the driver, a werewolf with eyes that glowed like orange embers in the night, Nikhail made sure he had the hotel address before turning to River. He reached around her, checking her seat belt before claiming the middle seat beside her. His heart soared when she rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.
Little by little, tension seeped from her shoulders. By the time they got on the highway, she’d fallen asleep.
Nikhail pulled out his phone and took care of a few things,trying not to move so he didn’t wake her. Gods, she must’ve been exhausted.
When the car had parked in front of the hotel, River was still asleep. Unbuckling his seat belt, then hers, Nikhail fished his room key out of his pocket before picking her up as gently as he could manage.
Seeing what he was about, the driver rounded the car and opened the door for him. Nikhail dipped his head in thanks as he lifted River from the car, carrying her bridal-style into the hotel. It wasn’t until he was standing in front of his room, the door beeping as it unlocked, that she stirred in his arms.
CHAPTER 33
I Never Claimed to be Virtuous
Lips brushed River’s forehead, the kiss tender and sweet, and for a moment, she wondered if she was still dreaming. She felt serene, surrounded by almond and cedar, and her magic slumbered in her veins.
A light flickered on, and she pulled open her eyes.
“Hey, princess,” Nikhail murmured, depositing her gently on the edge of the first of two double beds. “How was your nap?”
“It was nice, but you didn’t need to let me sleep,” she replied, taking in the room.
The other bed had clearly been slept in, but it wasn’t dirty. Nikhail’s clothes hung in the wardrobe, and his suitcase was neatly placed on top of the luggage rack. An empty cup sat on the nightstand next to his phone charger.
Everything here was so obviouslyNik, she couldn’t help but smile.
“You were tired.” He reached for the end of her scarf and slowly unraveled it, as if she were a present, and he were unwrapping her. “Watching over you is never a hardship.”
It was such a simple sentence, yet it had her core heating. Gods above.
If anyone else said half the things Nikhail did, she would write them off as cheesy, well-practiced lines. But when they came from him, they were filled with so much sincerity that she knew he meant every word.
“Thank you, Nik.” Shrugging out of her coat, she reached for her shoes. She needed to get out of these heels.
Before she could touch them, Nikhail had rid himself of his suit jacket, dropped to his knees, and rolled up his sleeves.
If she’d been warm before, she was burning up now. She hadn’t had that much to drink—two glasses of wine spread out over the course of the evening—so she was certain this heat was all because of the powerful air fae kneeling in front of her.
“Allow me.” He ran his hand along her ankle, looking up at her for permission.
Her lips parted. Was this really happening? She closed her eyes, then reopened them, and he was still there. She dipped her head, giving him permission, and he hummed. The low sound filled the air as his fingers deftly brushed the strap of her heels.
Nikhail was graceful in all things, and this was no exception. He slid off her heels, placing them on the floor next to the bed, but he didn’t get up.
Instead, he picked up her foot and started… rubbing.
Oh, gods.
Were his hands imbued with magic? Was this some kind of air fae specialty? A foot rub had never felt so good. With every press of his palms, she melted further against the bed. A moan rose in her throat, and she was too far gone to stop it.
Nikhail’s lips twitched into a smirk, but instead of stopping, he doubled his efforts. Soon, the sounds comingout of River’s mouth were downright sexual. Her cheeks heated, but selfishly, she didn’t ask Nikhail to stop. It just felt too good, especially when he moved from her feet to her calves, pressing his magical hands against her sore muscles.
Her fingers dug into the comforter as he continued his ministrations. She wasn’t entirely sure she remembered how to form coherent words right now, let alone recall her own name. Thank the gods she wasn’t currently at work, with people’s lives in her hands.
By the time a knock came from the door, River had flopped back on the bed. She was a puddle of loose muscles, save for her knees. Miraculously, she had a modicum of sense remaining, so she’d pressed them together to avoid flashing Nikhail.
He kissed her knee, the action feeling far more intimate than it should have, before rising to his feet.
Her head lolled to the side, watching as the air fae strode to the door. His movements were all power and grace, even in this small hotel room. The space didn’t seem big enough for him, as if it couldn’t contain him.