“I can come out and get it myself, malyshka, but I’d rather not get the floors wet.”
My eyes roll so far to the back of my head that I hope they don’t get stuck.
Reluctantly, I stand, grab the towel, and walk toward the bathroom.
I will not let this man think he has any control over me, so I take confident strides, head held high, chin set, and refuse to waver.
Breathe, Ace, it’s not like you haven’t seen him naked already.
I walk into the bathroom, staring at Nikolai’s back; he faces the water, brushing down the suds from his shampoo, the bubbles falling over a large skull tattoo that connects with the Orlov crest, a rose wrapped in thorns, with the text: Pogibnu, no ne predam,I shall perish but not betray.
Ink sprawls across his entire back, down his arms, up his neck, and… my attention drops to his hips, where the tip of another tattoo finishes.
He still doesn’t turn or acknowledge me. So my eyes drift lower of their own traitorous accord.
His ass is annoyingly muscular. Of course it is. This man probably lives at the gym.
Nikolai turns.
And suddenly his thick length is front and center, nowhere near covered by the pathetic scatter of bubbles.
My head snaps up so fast my neck cracks, but he’s already watching me with a slow, amused smile, licking his bottom lip with a smugness I want to punch off his face.
He says nothing.
So I shove the towel toward him. “Well—here.”
He dips in a small, infuriatingly polite nod and takes the towel from my clammy fingers.
Okay. Yes. He’s gorgeous, he literally looks like a god, but his personality mirrors the devil’s, so I will not let myself be tricked by my body into forgiving this monster.
* * *
The hours dragged like years—twelve of them, maybe more. I don’t even remember the last time I slept. After I accidentally made eye contact with my kidnapper’s dick, it was kind of hard to relax knowing I’m trapped in his room.
So I’m protesting.
I will show Nikolai that murder and coercion are not the way to my heart, and if he wanted any feelings from me, he just destroyed that opportunity.
The plan was to give the silent treatment, but it’s hard to be effective when he never stays in the room, the only sounds in here are the occasional footsteps outside the door.
No food. No water. Just my thoughts and the echo of my stomach growling.
I check the room again, hoping he left something I could use against him. But, sure enough, nothing.
I turn my attention to his bed.
I would love to get a bit of rest.
I bend at my hips, letting my hands trace the silk as I pull back the cover, slipping under the sheets, my head sinking into the pillow.
This feels amazing.
I’ve lost track of how long it’s been since arriving, but I know it’s been way too long since I’ve laid in a proper, comfortable bed.
Just as I think I might finally close my eyes, the door creaks open, forcing me onto my elbows.
I fight not to meet Nikolai’s gaze as he steps in quietly.
