Within minutes, a flash of light blonde hair and a bright smile cut through the crowd—Aria. She closed the distance and wrapped me in a hug that nearly squeezed the wind out of me. “God, it’s good to see you,” she said, holding me by the arms and leaning back to inspect me. Her eyes narrowed, her mouth curving up into a slow grin. “You look different. Radiant. Confident.” She leaned closer, dropping her voice so only I could hear. “Sex—lots of it—looks good on you.”
Heat flushed my cheeks, but I laughed. “Nik’s taken me every which way but loose.”
Aria’s giggle bubbled up so hard she nearly doubled over. She dragged me toward the bar before I could blush any harder. Nik had already slipped away, allowing me to spend some girl time with Aria.
We drank, gossiped, and danced—well, Aria danced. I moved carefully, ever conscious of the hidden fullness inside me and between my cheeks, a constant reminder of Nik’s earliergift. A few men approached us, leaning in and raising their voices tobe heard over the music, moving to the beat. I let them hover, being polite but remaining guarded. Nik’s eyes were tracking my every movement from somewhere in the crowd. It was the same watchful, predatory heat I’d felt when he’d stalked me from the shadows on the street. It was equal parts thrilling and unnerving.
The music shifted, slowing to a more sultry beat, and the man closest to me took his shot. One moment he was in my periphery, and the next, his arm was curling around my waist, pulling me against him. I stiffened, trying to step back, but his grip only tightened.
“Let me go,” I snapped, but he smirked and whispered that I looked like a girl who needed a good, hard fuck. That made my skin crawl. I scanned the crowd for Aria, but she had been swallowed by all the bodies. My mind raced—knee to the groin or heel to his instep?
I didn’t get the chance.
A hand closed around the back of the man’s neck, and he was yanked off me with brutal efficiency.
Nik.
He glowered at the man, his expression full of lethal intent—a cold, controlled menace that said he could kill without spilling a drop of blood on his suit.
“Thank God,” I breathed. “I was about to knee him.”
Nik leaned in and murmured something in the man’s ear. Whatever it was made the guy’s face turn a sickly gray. He bolted, disappearing into the crowd.
Nik’s hand found my elbow—his touch firm and unyielding. I started to explain, “It wasn’t my fault—”
He didn’t answer—just guided me through the throng, up a flight of stairs, and along a balcony to a private booth overlooking the dance floor. From here, we stared down at the crowd below, which was writhing like a restless tide.
“He’s lucky to still be breathing,” Nik growled, “putting his hands on what’s mine.”
I looped my arms around his neck and pressed a chaste kiss to his mouth. “It didn’t mean anything—it was just a couple of random guys who came up to me and Aria.”
“I know exactly what happened,” he said. “Next time, walk away before any man gets close enough to lay a hand on you.”
I arched a brow. “Aren’t you the one who’s supposed to protect me from that?”
His eyes darkened, and his lips curled up in a slow, dangerous smile. “And you know what happens if you’re not a good girl.”
A shiver of anticipation slid down my spine.
Chapter forty-two
Nik placed his hands on my hips and pulled me flush to him, his mouth claiming mine in a heated kiss. His palms slid over my curves until they cupped my ass. He held me as if I were something he had paid a fortune for and intended to keep forever.
“How’s my gift?” he murmured, squeezing, the pressure making me achingly aware of the heavy steel nestled inside me. My tightest, most private place was stretched taut. Every movement of his hands on my cheeks nudged the plug’s diamond base, sending erotic tingles through my body.
I smiled, tipping my head just enough to look him in the eye. “It’s not just a gift—it’s my own private little crown. You know, I can’t stop thinking about what you’re going to do to me when we get home…especially when every step makes me feel the stretch, makes me open for you.”
His grin was pure predator—pupils blown wide. I knew that look. It meant I’d be begging for mercy before the night was over.
Nik threaded his fingers through mine and guided me to the rail overlooking the floor below. The private booth wasn’t just elevated—it was perfectly angled so you could watch everything, and everyone, without having to be seen…unless you wanted to be.
He moved to stand behind me, pressing his chest to my back and wrapping his arms around my waist. His breath skimmed my ear as he asked, “Like the view from up here?”
“It’s the best booth in the house,” I said honestly, sweeping my gaze over the sea of bodies. “You can see everyone—and the bar.”
I leaned out over the railing, taking it all in.
“This place is incredible,” I added, still a little breathless. “No wonder it’s impossible to get into.”
