When we step through the door into the kitchen, our house is quiet, except for the sounds of the television drifting in from the living room. As Nicky and I round the corner, I glance at the TVand recognizeEnchantedplaying. Dotted throughout the couch and floor are the various dozing forms of our friends. Violet and Crosby have cuddled into the corner of the couch. At the other end, Obie sits with his head tipped against the cushion. Gus sits on the floor next to his feet, his back against the couch, but his head pillowed on Obie’s knee, a discarded set of wings beside him. Between the pairs, Gus’ sister Maeve sits cross-legged, eyes fixed on the screen, and a pillow clutched in her lap. She gives a little wave when we draw her attention. Finally, in the oversized chair is Charlie. He’s folded himself length-wise over the arms, legs draped over one, and head over the other. Sprawled across his chest, tucked into the crook of his neck, pink bunny in her clutches, is Nat.
I hand Nicky the puzzle box and cross on silent feet to the chair. Behind me, I hear the stirrings of bodies. Clothes rustling and quiet grumblings from Gus. Charlie’s eyes open on my approach, his arms reflexively tightening around the precious cargo he holds. I smile, and he softens.
“She had a nightmare after we got her to bed.” His deep voice makes his whisper almost impossible to hear, but I bend my knees so I’m level with him. I can’t help but weave my fingers through Natalia’s hair, smiling sadly at the adorable pouty lips that puff sweet, sleepy breath with every exhale. “I wasn’t sure what else to do.”
“You did great,” I tell him. Between the two of us, we carefully transfer a grumpy Natalia to my arms. She whimpers when I stand, my balance tested under the weight of an unconscious child, but it only takes a small adjustment to feel comfortable.
Everyone gives silent nods and waves goodbye as I make my way out of the room and up the stairs. Carefully, I slip Natalia into her bed, coming around the other side to climb in behind her. She curls into me, momentary awareness perking her up.There’s a flash of panic crossing her face, but it dissipates when she focuses on me.
“Sleep,kroshka.” I press a kiss to her forehead, stroking her hair until I sense sleep has found her again.
When I enter the hall, the downstairs is dark, save for the usual dim glow of a nightlight in the entryway. Nicky rests against the banister, and I’m helpless to how the sight of him steals my breath.
His hair has grown out, the ends covering the top of his ears and flopping shaggily on his head. It makes me want to bury my fingers in it, pulling at the roots as he devours me—nope, can’t go there yet. He’s just as broad and strong, but he’s lost some mass. No longer downing the number of calories as he did before, and the slower, less rigorous workouts leaning him out. I don’t care, he could still throw me around as he fucks me slow and deep—nope, nope, nope.
“The way you’re looking at me right now makes me want to do something about it,solnyshka.” Nicky’s voice is low and sultry. It follows the motion of his head when he dips his gaze, watching me with all the predatory instincts of his occupation.
“We can’t yet,” I remind him. Nicky’s doctors warned that he shouldn’t engage in sex until he comfortably clears the first few stages of his cardiac rehab program. I’ve been supportive, even if my showers have started to reflect my single days again.
Nicky stalks toward me, the hallway growing smaller with every step he takes. I swallow thickly, the arousal I’ve been trying to keep in check flares to life, brighter and hotter when his arm brackets my head against the wall.
“Ican’t yet,” he murmurs, running his cheek along the side of my face, planting a kiss just below my ear. “The doctors never said anything aboutyou.”
I don’t control it when my body arches toward him. The need is instantaneous. Overwhelming.Necessary.
Nicky leans in, meeting my body with his, bringing me to life under the heat emanating from him. He’s half hard against my hip, and I slide my hand over his side, pressing him to rock the swelling erection against me again. Nicky’s groan is full of temptation and restraint. I gasp when his teeth sink into my neck, a dark chuckle following. It’s a scolding for teasing him, but all it serves to do is heighten my anticipation.
“C’mon.” Nicky takes my hand, pulling me from the wall and leading me toward our bedroom. “I have something else for you.”
In the center of the bed sits a pink box wrapped with a white ribbon. I walk over and pull it closer. Inside is a black vibrator, smooth and sleek. I tip the box, and it falls into the palm of my hand. It buzzes to life, slow and gentle, and I whip my head to the side to find Nicky against the wall, a remote in his hand.
“Ty khochish igrat so mnoy?”he asks, the corners of his mouth tipping up into a twisted, toying grin.
“Tell me how you want me,” I agree. He wants to play, and this is one game I know I can win.
“Naked. On the bed.” His words are soft, but the commands hold little room for argument. My blood sings in anticipation as I begin stripping out of my clothes. I don’t drag it out, no need to play coy or tease. We’re both after one thing, and I have no shame in my eagerness for it.
“Lean back against the pillows, feet on the mattress, and spread those legs for me. Want to see that pretty pussy.”
I comply, relaxing into the cloud-like softness. Sliding my feet wide before parting my knees, I feel my mouth go dry when Nicky crosses to the accent chair in the corner. His large hand curls over the back before he’s dragging it to the foot of the bed, directly across from me. Without further ceremony, he sits, legs wide and back slouched, completely at ease.
I think I should feel vulnerable, naked, and open before him. Instead, I feel safe. Even without his touch, I feel cherished. Loved.
And ridiculously turned on.
“Are you wet already,solnyshka?” Nicky smiles. I huff an unspoken response. I have no doubt that, despite the low light of the bedroom, he can see my arousal. Nicky clicks his tongue at me. “Now, now. Tonight, when I ask a question or give directions, I want an answer. A response.Da?”
“Da, zaichonok.” I smirk.
Nicky turns the remote over in his fingers, eyes flicking to the discarded vibrator, and I pick it up. Upon closer inspection, in addition to its bullet shape, there’s a circular sucker. My ass wiggles against the mattress, the anticipation climbing. “Eager, are we? Hmmm, show me by touching yourself. Run your hands along that silky skin and play with your pussy. But no fucking yourself or touching your clit.”
I begin stroking a hand down my side, but freeze when Nicky growls.
“What did I say about your words tonight?” He braces forward on his elbows, the scowl he gives Natalia when she breaks a rule firmly in place. It’s an unexpected turn on in a different setting, and my hands keep gliding before slipping between my parted thighs. My fingers glide easily through the gathering wetness, and it takes every ounce of restraint I have not to slide them up and around the aching bundle of nerves.
“I’m already aching, Nikita. I want more, please.” I don’t care that I’m begging already. With one more pass through my soaked slit, I arch my back to follow the pleasure that skitters up my spine.
“Get the vibe.”
