I called the resort’s concierge to arrange a boat for my one-night stand, and then set about making the coffee. As it started brewing, with crackles and wet pops, Miss Nameless walked out of my bedroom looking like death warmed over.
“Don’t suppose I can get a cup of coffee before you kick me out?” she purred out the question huskily, sidling up to the kitchen counter. She’d tried to wash her face apparently, but it hadn’t done much to get rid of the racoon eyes from her day-old makeup.
“I’ve already arranged a boat to take you back to the mainland. You need to get to the dock, or you’ll miss it.” Turning away from her, I fished a mug from one of the cupboards and then snagged the cream and sugar.
“At least you made good on your promise,” she moved towards the door, trying to run fingers through her tangled hair. I quirked an eyebrow at her, waiting for her to continue. “Good things came later, and you left me satisfied. Though, your morning hospitality could use some work.”
“Good things came later several times, if I remember rightly,” I pulled the coffee pot off the machine and droplets of brown liquid fell down to hiss against the hot plate. “And I like my one night stands to be just that. One night.” After filling the mug, I added in the sugar and a dash of cream before turning around to lean against the counter and stare at her. “If you want morning after hospitality, then you’re barking up the wrong tree.”
“You’re a dick,” she scoffed, pulling the door open angrily.
“I’ve been called worse.” I gave a shrug and moved towards her, holding out the hot coffee. “Take it and go.” I held her angry gaze in mine, my expression impassive.
She opened her mouth to argue, but she must have seen something in my eyes because her jaw snapped shut. Which was good, because I wasn’t playing anymore. I was fucking done, and she needed to get the fuck out. She snatched the mug of coffee from me before yanking on the doorknob. As she walked over the threshold, she slammed the door shut behind her, the sound reverberating around the condo.
There was a knot in my chest, and I didn’t know why. I stared at the closed door feeling awful, and not just from the hangover that was draped over my body like a heated blanket. I didn’t treat women like that, not ever. No matter the woman or the situation, my mother had brought me up to treat women with respect. Whore or wife, you treated a woman like a queen. And no matter how pissed off I was with the world, it didn’t feel good to act like a bastard. But there was something else wrong with me, something making me mad at the world. Something more than the looming prospect of marriage and the loss of my best friend. I just didn’t know what it was yet.
Maybe it was time to lay off the booze and the women for a while.
I headed back to the kitchen and poured myself a hot, black coffee. Taking a sip, I winced as it scalded its way down my throat. But the pain felt good too, like it was waking me up to more than just the day.
“Wow,” a familiar sarcastic voice sounded behind me and I turned, a smirk already plastered in place. Katya was standing just outside her room, her silky red robe tied loosely around her perfect curves. Her hair was sleek and shiny, pulled into a high ponytail that swished as she shook her head in disapproval. “If that’s how you treat your women, good luck staying married to that large Russian woman with ten teeth.”
“Only ten teeth?” I volleyed back. “Been a long time since I had a good gumming. I’m telling you, when old ladies pop out their dentures and go to town.” I rolled my eyes back and groaned dramatically. “No accidental scraping of teeth or biting of the family jewels. This old country Russian with the birthing hips might be just the perfect ticket.”
“God, you’re disgusting,” she gagged out, screwing her face up in revulsion.
“Don’t tell me you’ve never thought of it,” I placed my coffee mug down and walked over to her, curving my lips over my teeth and sticking out my tongue to do my best impression of a toothless old man. I licked and smacked my mouth suggestively and busted out laughing when Katya looked as though she might vomit. “You know you want some,” I pressed, wrapping my arms around her and yanking her to me whilst continuing the dramatic effects.
She placed her hands to my bare chest and arched her back to try and get away from me.
“Stop, Nik. You’re disgusting. Stop,” she cried out, but there was a tint of laughter in her tone and my chest swelled triumphantly.
She looked beautiful, even like this. Slapping her palms against my body, eyes twinkling, trying to get away from me, but also not really trying to separate herself from me. Her play anger was adorable and sexy, and I couldn’t help myself.
I leaned down with slick lips and kissed her. Her body stiffened at first, shocked by the suddenness of my lips on hers, but then seconds later she melted against me. Our lips moved slowly, taking our time with the exploration of new intimacy. Our tongues slowly moved together; like an erotic dance with our mouths, we fit perfectly. It all felt so...right.
I didn’t want the hot and cold anymore. The on or off. The ‘will they or won’t they?’of it all.
Just as I’d been done with Miss Nameless and wanted her out of my sight, I was also done with playing games. I wanted Katya, I realized.Trulywanted her. I could look at her for fucking forever—for a damn eternity, and still not be satisfied.
Finally, she was the one that stopped us, pushing away from me with enough force that I knew she was serious. I hated parting with her.
“What? What’s wrong?” I asked the question without thinking, dropping my hands away from her body. When she didn’t answer immediately, I dragged my fingers through my hair in frustration. It felt like I was spinning out of control.
Katya looked up at me, all the humor faded from her face. “You were with that… that skank all night. Fucking as loud as possible, doing it for show. I know it was for show, Nik. And then you kiss me this morning? What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Nothing’s fucking wrong with me, Katya,” I growled, the war of emotions inside my body making me feel unstable. “This is what we do, right? We fuck around, we fight, we tease and torment each other, but we never cross that line with each other, do we?” My tone was hard, my eyes glaring. “No, we can’t cross that line, because...why? What’s fucking stopping us, Katya?”
I was daring her, urging her, practically fucking begging her. I sounded almost desperate and the realization sickened me, but it didn’t change the fact.
She stared at me for a long moment, thinking the same as me no doubt.Family loyalty. Family commitments. Alexander… those were the things stopping us.
“Whatever, Nik,” she murmured, as if she just didn’t have the energy to fight with me. Katya walked to the kitchen, pulling her robe tightly around herself, and made a cup of coffee before retreating back into her bedroom.
Something had shifted again.
Something had altered.
