Chapter 26
Dominic
Ever since she came home looking like a new, sexy woman, Katerina has had a fire in her. Her attitude, while still feisty and rebellious, hasn’t been vicious or paranoid. She’s flourishing here.
She spends her days training for battle. Nikolai’s been teaching her how to fight in the ring, to shoot a gun, a crossbow, knife fighting, knife throwing… If it’s a way to be violent, she’s studying it. But it’s not just that.
She’s been training in other ways. She’s working out in the gym hours a day. And she runs around the compound every day. She’s either really slow or building endurance because her runs are now at least an hour a day.
I don’t know what I expected a wife to do. Maybe go shopping or bake or sew or garden? But not my wife. No, she’s far too badass for that. That’s why she’s perfect for me.
I’ve been keeping tabs on her. I know her progress. She’s turning into a damn good soldier. She used to be a terrible shot on every weapon. But her aim has tremendously improved. Shelasts longer in the gym now too. I’ve even watched her in the ring on the security cameras. She’s pinned Nikolai more than once. I’ve been across the house, ready to storm in there a few times when he didn’t tap out quickly enough. It’s not right that this man has felt my wife’s body pressed to his when I haven’t.
We still get into our tiffs, but for the most part, the water’s been calm. Too damn calm. She’s placed a damn boundary between us, and I want to tear it down. I want to touch my wife. I want to feel her skin. Her lips. Her cunt. I’m fucking desperate. I’ve gone crazy fantasizing about her. I jerk off in the shower every damn day.
There’ve been meetings I’ve zoned out because I’m picturing her naked. The closest I’ve ever seen was that first day in the shower when she stripped down to her bra and panties. They were plain, boring undergarments. But on her, it was the sexiest thing I’d ever seen.
I want to see more.
I want to feel more.
Fuck, she’s driving me crazy. And I don’t think she even means to anymore.
Chapter 27
Katerina
I didn’t know peace like this was possible.
I feel free.
And alive.
Nik’s been training me. I’m finally a threat. If anyone ever tries to hurt me again, I can not only stop them but can make them hurt. It’s a euphoric feeling being strong.
I can shoot a gun. I can shoot a crossbow. I can fight hand-to-hand. I can fight with a knife. I can throw knives. I even know the basics of sword fighting.
I’ve been strength and endurance training as well. I run five to ten miles most days. On my rest days, I swim. Now, I’m comfortable with every piece of equipment in the gym. I’ve gained enough muscle to feel powerful.
But it’s not just that. It’s not just my own achievements.
It’s him.
Dominic.
He gives me my space but doesn’t at the same time.
I don’t see him for hours while I’m training, but we have breakfast and dinner together every day. And we spend the evenings together.
He doesn’t let us just sit in silence. He makes conversation. He commands my attention. He riles me up just to mess with me. And damn it, it’s a little hot.
I hear him in the shower. I know he’s loud on purpose, but I can’t seem to leave the bedroom when he’s in there. I’ve been tempted more than once to sneak in again, to finish what we started, but I’ve reasoned with myself every time.
I want my husband.
I want him so badly.
But I can’t give in.
