Shoving the keys in the lock, a bolt of panic ran through me as a door slammed from the floor above. My heart started to pound, almost jumping from my chest with every beat.
“What are you doing?” I let out a scream at the sound of Nikolai’s voice behind me. Footsteps started down the communal stairs. I grabbed Nik’s arms and threw us into my apartment, slamming my body against the closed door as my chest heaved. It took a second for my breathing to even out.
I pressed an eye against the peephole and watched as two preteen kids walked past. Fuck. That could’ve been a close one.
Turning to find a waiting Nikolai, my shoulders sagged. I didn’t want him here. I didn’t exactly want to admit it to him but I left him in the car for good reason. I didn’t want him to see where I used to live.
I had no doubt in my mind that he had spent many nights following me home and spying on me from the street below. The building was one thing but my apartment was a new level. It was tiny and cheap, definitely not anywhere near his standards of living. Plus, this place was my whole world for so long. Mine and mine alone. I didn’t like the idea of someone else here, inside of my private oasis. I suppose he was here now.
Nikolai stood tall, his crisp suit not fitting in with the messy attire of my living room. My old living room. As of today, this moment, I was officially giving up my life - my freedom - and willingly handing it all over to Nikolai. Insisting he take it and do with it, me, what he will.
“I have to ask again, but in a different context, whatareyou doing?”
“Playing hide-and-seek. What are you doing? I wanted you to wait in the car.”
“You walked away. You didn’t give me an answer and I’d like one. We both know I always get what I want.”
I halted my response to resist slapping the cockiness out of him. This could’ve been a sweet moment, but he has to ruin it by running his mouth. I rolled my eyes at him, “Just go wait in the car.”
“You’ll come home with me?”
“You can’t get rid of me that easily. Now, go. I’ll only be a minute, I want to grab some of my things.”
“You’re mine, and we’ll do this my way. You won’t be leaving my sight...especially not with that creep hanging around.” He’d barely finished his infuriating sentence when I threw myself across the room. I popped my head around his shoulder to see what he was seeing. The window overlooked the street below and the path leading to the maintenance shed and laundry room.
I had wondered what had caught his attention when my curiosity was met by the sight of Mike. I groaned out loud because, of course, Nikolai knew about my embarrassing stint with the Brad Pitt wannabe.
“Before he sees.” I pulled at Nik’s arm to get him away from the window.
Leaving his side I crossed the room and pulled out my old overnight bag from under the bed. I just wanted to leave, so I rushed through packing, only picking up bits that I really wanted.
“I’ll have movers pick up the rest of your things.” His breath fanned my neck as he whispered. I hadn’t realized he’d even moved until then, the warmth from his chest at my back.
The drag of the zipper as I closed up my bag, was the only sound in the apartment. It seemed to get louder as the seconds passed, but the louder it got the slower my hand moved. The moment felt like it could’ve lasted forever, the tension in the air almost choking me with its cloudy thickness. Or was that his cologne? A rich mix of warm honey and freshly chopped mint.
I hated the distance that separated us.
Suddenly all the worry I had about him seeing my old apartment had evaporated, in its place was a heady lust that had me thankful that he’d deigned to follow me.
I turned to face him. I barely needed to move at all before our lips collided. I saw his eyes widen in surprise before I closed mine and leaned into him. Nikolai’s lips parted, his tongue finding mine as the kiss deepened. A breathy moan escaped my throat as the heat of my passion rose inside me. His hands were on my waist, holding me tight in place against him. I wanted him, more than I’d ever wanted another man before. I didn’t care that this situation was out of this world. He was out of this world, and he was mine.
As our kiss softened. I groaned in protest when Nikolai began pulling away, but it did no good. Still close enough to reach out and touch but with enough space separating our bodies that I felt the absence of his warmth. He smiled as he looked down at me. “Anastasia, will you please come home with me?”
He knew he didn't need to ask, but I loved the fact that he did anyway. He was inviting me, and I was accepting.
After we arrived home from the funeral I left Anastasia in the comfort of the sofa and television. As much as I wanted to be there for her, I had the feeling that she could’ve used some time alone. Everything that had happened in the past few months, it had to be a lot for her to process. I was surprised that she hadn’t been more insistent on pushing me away before now.
But I happily left her, settled by the new knowledge that she was now mine. In more ways than I ever knew I’d wanted. I gave her the chance to run, she didn’t want it. She wanted me instead, and I had to admit that put me in a fucking brilliant mood - one I couldn’t see fading anytime soon.
That was until, half an hour later, my phone pinged with the sound of Zedd’s text message saying that I was needed at the casino again.
I thought long and hard about blowing him off but at the end of the day, he was my brother, and he needed my help. I wouldn’t let him go out there by himself. If anything happened to him, while I was supposed to be watching his back, I’d never forgive myself. But damn, the bastard had a new level of bad timing.
I was getting real sick of filling in as security at the casino. It had only been a few nights but I hoped like hell this wouldn’t continue too much longer.
I shrugged on my suit jacket as I exited my office and headed down the hall. I could almost hear the television from the other end of the house, it didn’t help that everything echoed in this damn place.
“I have to go. I’ll be home late again.” When I noticed her lack of response I stopped and turned to face her. Her expression gave her away. She wasn’t happy that I was leaving her again. I felt my eyebrows scrunch in confusion. What had I done to warrant the look she was giving me?
