The city sprawls beneath us, but all I taste is him—salt, power, danger. His groan rips from his throat, raw and unrestrained, and it feels like a victory and a surrender at once.
“You have no idea….” His voice is gravelly, roughened with restraint. “How long I’ve wanted this. Wanted you on your knees, worshipping me like this.” His grip tightens until my scalp tingles, pain sparking sharp and sweet. “Christ, Noelle.”
Every word, every sound from him, feeds the fire in me. The glass wall behind us reflects the scene back—a twisted mirror of hunger and possession—and it thrills me, terrifies me, excites me beyond reason.
Then he drags me up, sudden and merciless, my knees scraping the tile as he hauls me against him. His mouth slams onto mine, hot and consuming, teeth biting, tongue demanding. His kiss tastes like obsession, like danger wrapped in desire.
I can’t breathe. I don’t want to.
His hand fists in my hair, the other sliding up my thigh with bruising intent, shoving my dress higher, higher, until cool night air licks my skin. He presses me back against the glass, the city a dizzying blur beneath us. His body cages mine, heat and muscle and unrelenting need.
“You think I can’t ruin you out here?” he rasps against my mouth, his lips dragging down my throat, teeth grazing my skin. “With the whole fucking world watching?”
The words strike something primal inside me. My pulse crashes, my body arches, the edge of surrender pulling me under. I’m half-gone already, drowning in him.
His hand slips higher, his fingers brushing where I ache most, and my breath shatters. I cling to him, nails biting into his shoulders, needing more, needing everything.
The tension builds and builds, unbearable, blinding. He’s about to take me right here, against the glass, against the night—
And then—
A sharp chime slices through the air. The glass wall glows faintly, the crisp, mechanical voice of the security system cutting like a blade through the haze:
“Visitor. Lev Rusnak.”
We freeze. My pulse thrums wildly as Niko’s forehead drops against mine, his growl vibrating in his chest.
“Of all the goddamn times….”
Niko pulls me in, shutting the balcony door behind us just as the lock buzzes. His arm lingers at my waist, possessive, protective, like he’s not ready to let me go. A moment later, the penthouse door opens, and Lev strolls in like he owns the place.
“Thought I’d check in,” he says, shrugging out of his coat and tossing it onto the sofa without asking. “Make sure you’re both breathing, eating, you know—the basics.” His grin flashes. “Also, to confirm if this palace is as ridiculous as I imagined. Spoiler: It is.”
Niko doesn’t answer right away, which doesn’t seem to bother Lev in the slightest. He crosses the room with the lazy confidence of someone who’s never once been told no in his life.
“Did a sweep,” he continues, hands tucked into his pockets. “Perimeter’s tight. Guards are alert. Cameras clear. Noteven a cockroach could sneak through without you knowing.” His gaze flicks to me then, and his grin turns sharp. “Though I admit, seeing you here, Noelle, I almost wonder if Niko’s guarding the city from you.”
I blink, caught off guard, before a laugh escapes me. “From me?”
“Of course.” Lev spreads his hands like it’s obvious. “This skyline was impressive once. Now, it pales.”
I can feel Niko tense beside me, his thumb pressing firmly into my hip. I glance at him, but his eyes are locked on Lev, sharp as a blade.
Lev catches the look and bursts out laughing, lifting both hands in surrender. “Relax, brother. It’s a joke. A harmless one.”
The corner of my mouth quirks despite myself. “You’re terrible.”
“Terrible?” Lev feigns a wounded gasp. “No, no, no—charming. That’s the word you’re looking for.”
“Charming my ass,” Niko mutters under his breath, finally letting me step forward a little.
Lev just grins wider, clearly enjoying himself. “Ah, there’s that smile again,” he says, nodding at me. “I knew I’d win you over.”
I shake my head, laughing, and Niko shoots him another look, one that would freeze most men in their tracks. Lev, of course, just winks and flops down onto the armchair like nothing happened.
“Seriously, though,” he says after a beat, his tone softening. “It’s quiet out there. You’re safe here.”
“Thank you, Lev.”
