In all honesty, I’d never felt more alive in my entire life. It was like a veil had been lifted off my eyes, and I could see more clearly now. Crazy how I felt different—brand new, relished, and fulfilled.
Nik was the last person I ever thought I’d give my innocence to. And although I lost my virginity the way I always envisioned, the feeling was like nothing I’d ever felt before. I still couldn’t get over the fact that Nikolai Tarasov had it in him to be gentle at something.
His kisses, touch, and caresses were perfect! He knew exactly where to touch me and how, as if he understood the anatomy of a woman’s body. And indeed, he did. The experiencewas everything I expected—and more—the initial pain, followed by the sweet sensation that came after.
Until last night, I never realized how much I’d been missing out on all this time. I didn’t hold myself back because I had no one to do it with. Quite the opposite, I had lots of boys and men trying to get between my legs.
I just never felt ready—besides, I was too occupied with work to focus on insignificant and fleeting pleasures. I thought sex was overhyped and decided to save myself for the right man. Only to end up giving it to the wrong one.
However, as reckless as that decision seemed, I didn’t regret it as much as I thought I would. Instead, I felt embarrassed for wanting more, for craving the man I was supposed to resent.
Alone in bed, I closed my eyes, replaying the moment over and over again. He was gentle but possessive, skilled at inducing sheer pleasure and making a woman go mad. His tongue was enough to make me have an orgasm—how was that possible? I thought it only existed in books and porn, not in real life.
I felt my muscles relax as I reminisced on how he made a woman out of me without even trying so hard. Every cell in my body was alive, the burden in my chest was lighter, and my stress and tension felt like they had melted away.
Nik didn’t just claim me last night; he burned himself into my memory and left a lasting mark of ownership on my soul. Now I was left wondering whether he was the monster I thought he was, because the version of him with me last night was human. Not a monster.
“Good morning.” His husky voice stopped my heart for a second.
My eyes widened in shock. I thought he’d left for work already since I woke up alone in bed. Reflexively, I sat up withmy back against the headboard, fingers clutching the sheets over my breasts.
He furrowed his brows, seemingly amused that I was trying to hide what he had already seen and claimed as his.
“Good morning,” I greeted him, my voice barely above a whisper, too shy to hold his gaze.
He was standing across the bed, all dressed up in his signature suit and expensive cologne. One hand was buried in his pocket; the other held a mug of freshly brewed steaming coffee. His gaze was pinned on me even while taking a sip.
However, something was different about the way he looked at me this morning. His expression was softer, and his eyes didn’t have the usual mocking glint that always flickered in their depths.
I struggled to meet his gaze, but the awkward silence between us wasn’t helping at all. The tension in the air was palpable, and with each passing second, it grew more and more intense.
I thought he was going to mock me or boast about how he’d finally claimed my body despite how much I hated him. I steeled myself, ready to be embarrassed by his demeaning words, thinking he might remind me of the wild things I said in the heat of passion.
He took my innocence and could easily laugh at me for being so cheap. But he didn’t do any of that—just stared at me like he was seeing me for the very first time.
A single knock startled me, and I clutched the sheets tighter, tugging at them to ensure my naked body was covered. Before either of us could respond, the door swung open, and one of Nik’s men walked right in.
“Morning, Boss,” he greeted him, eyes fixed on the iPad screen in his hand.
I lowered my head in shame, fingers scratching the back of my head while he spoke to Nik. I wished I could just disappear before he finally noticed me.
Too late.
He paused, his eyes shifting toward the bed.
I raised my head and met his gaze in time to watch a slow grin tug at his lips. “Well, look who finally found a way to keep the boss entertained.” A mocking chuckle fell from his lips. “At least now we know you’re good for something.”
My eyes narrowed, brows furrowing together, but before I could even speak, Nik intervened.
“Speak to her like that again, and they’ll never find your body.” His voice was calm but cold as ice, his expression dark with displeasure.
Even the man was shocked by Nik’s response.
“She’s mine, and you will treat her as such,” he added. “Do you understand?” The warning was strict and stern.
The man straightened, a flicker of fear in his eyes. “Yes, sir.” He quickly glanced at me and apologized. “Apologies.”
I honestly wasn’t sure how to feel about this; should I feel protected or owned? Whatever the case, though, hedidstand up for me and put that arrogant prick in his place.
