Nikhail thought he’d feel better, knowing who the Black Night’s mole was, but all he’d felt was sadness at the news of Greta’s death. He hadn’t known the woman personally, but he was tired of this. Of death, in general.
At the end of the day, there was more to work, and Nikhail had come to realize how little his job meant to him. Especially when he was less enamored than ever by the military of the Republic of Balance. Neither the current leadership, the military, nor the rebels were the right people to fix the mess that was this country. While Nikhail wasn’t sure what could be done, he knew he could no longer serve in the military.
And so, he’d taken Chancellor Rose’s verbal lashing with pride. He’d gone over all the reports with her and explained that his team was looking into Greta’s background and working to discover just how deeply she was linked to the Black Night. Then, he’d calmly submitted his resignation.
He would stay on long enough to train a replacement, but that was it.
After he’d finally hung up with the Chancellor, River had been there, waiting for him. They’d ordered in burgers, which they’d shared on the couch. River had revealed that while Nikhail had been on the call, she’d been talking to some people herself. Called her hospital and set up a date to return to work next week.
He was so proud of her, and he hadn’t hesitated to tell her so.
Afterward, they’d ripped off each other’s clothes and tumbled into bed, where Nikhail had shown River just how much he loved her. They had stayed up until the early morning hours. Eventhough he’d had River several times last night, Nikhail was half-hard for her already. He yearned for her in the depths of his being.
He suspected this would always be the case.
She was finallyhis.
Nikhail trailed his finger down River’s bare arm, which peeked out from beneath the sheets. Her floral tattoos beckoned him, and he traced each one, loving the way her skin pebbled beneath his touch.
He kept exploring her until her eyes fluttered open.
“Morning, Princess,” he murmured, brushing his nose against her cheek before kissing the corner of her lips.
“Morning,” she replied sleepily. “Have you been awake for long?”
“No, I was just admiring the view.” He gazed down at her, a smile tugging on his lips. “It’s splendid.”
Her cheeks flushed. “Oh.”
“Indeed.”
Nikhail captured River’s mouth with his. His cock stiffened at the first moan that escaped River’s lips. She slipped a hand between them and stroked him.
He moaned, and her lips twitched against his. They kissed until they were both gasping for air. Nikhail moved down River’s body, taking his time and worshiping every part of her. They didn’t have to vacate the safe house until tomorrow, and he intended to take his time with her.
By the time he got to River’s core, she was panting and writhing beneath him. Her fingers threaded through his hair as he used his mouth and fingers to bring her to the edge of bliss. She screamed his name as she came, her walls pulsing around him, and he stroked her gently through it all.
Nikhail crawled back up the bed and settled between River’s thighs. He held her gaze, placing one hand on her hip as he slidinto her warmth. He moved languidly, each thrust deliberately unhurried.
They didn’t rush towards oblivion. This was a slow, steady ascent. When they reached the cliff, they tumbled over together, and their pleasure seemed to go on forever.
“I love you,” Nikhail murmured when they were done, as he held River to his chest.
“I love you, too.”
His heart swelled. He hadn’t known it was possible to be so happy.
“Move in with me,”Nikhail said later that morning. They still hadn’t left the bed, other than to use the bathroom.
River’s head, which had been resting on Nikhail’s chest, lifted. Her brows furrowed. “Excuse me?”
He pushed himself up, resting his back against the headboard. The sheet fell to his waist. “In Lakewater.” He took her hand, running his thumb across the back of her palm. “Move into my townhouse. Live with me.”
Her lips parted, but since she didn’t say no, he took that as a sign to continue.
“I want to wake up to you every day, River. I want to make you coffee and eat breakfast together and see you off to work. I want to hear about your day while we make dinner, then fall into bed together. I want to spend every moment of my life with you.”
He’d desired that for as long as he’d known her, but for so long, it had felt like nothing but a dream. A fantasy that would never come to fruition.