We make love twice more throughout the night, with Nikolai giving me two orgasms each time, and by morning, Iâm so sore I canât move, yet so satisfied itâs worth it. Of course itâs possible I canât move because his heavy arm is slung across my ribcage, securing me to him as he sleepsâalmost like a child with a teddy bear.
Grinning at the incongruous thought, I carefully wriggle out of his embrace and tiptoe into the adjoining bathroom, where I find a brand-new toothbrush considerately laid out for me. Trying to be as quiet as possible, I brush my teeth and take care of business, then put on a huge, soft robe I find hanging on the door. Itâs obviously his, but hopefully, he wonât mind if I wear it long enough to get back to my room.
He did destroy my dress, after all.
The thought is both disturbing and exhilarating, my pulse speeding up when I think about how he reacted when I proposed leaving. I donât know what Iâd thought his reaction would be when he learned of my predicament, but it wasnât that.
Nothing is resolved between us, but thereâs one thing I now know for sure, and it fills me with immense gratitude and hope.
Despite the danger Iâve brought with me, Nikolai doesnât want me gone.
Iâm not surprised to find him still asleep when I return to the bedroom. Between the jet lag and the long flightâplus all that sexâhe must be exhausted. Holding up the sides of the robe to prevent it from dragging on the floor, I pad quietly toward the door, but as Iâm passing by the bed, I canât resist the urge to stop and stare at my new lover.
Because thatâs what my gorgeous, mysterious Russian employer is now.
My lover.
Covered by a blanket up to his waist, heâs lying half on his side, half on his back, face turned partially toward me and one muscled arm folded above his head. Some men look younger in repose, softer, but not Nikolai. Sleep only enhances that dangerous, animalistic quality Iâve sensed in himâeven as it heightens his striking male beauty. With those intense eyes closed, I can see just how long and thick his jet-black lashes are, how sharply carved his cheekbones. His lips are slightly parted, but even in this relaxed state, thereâs something cynical in their curve, a wicked sensuality in the way their softness contrasts with the hint of stubble darkening the hard, molded lines of his jaw.
I could stand and stare at him for a solid hour, but that would be creepy, and in any case, I need to get back to my room and get dressed before the rest of the household wakes up. I donât know what time it is, but judging by the soft light seeping through the blinds, itâs not long after sunriseâwhich makes sense, given how early I fell asleep last night.
With one last look at sleeping Nikolai, I tiptoe out of the room. As I hoped, nobodyâs around, the house completely silent as I make my way to my bedroom. Iâm not particularly embarrassed by what happenedâsooner or later, everyone will know weâre datingâbut Nikolai and I need to talk about it first, along with everything else.
I still feel terrible about endangering him and his family, and itâs only the knowledge that they have all those guards and security measures thatâs preventing me from jumping into my car and fleeing anyway. Well, that and the fact that I still donât have my car keys.
Iâm going to seriously insist they get a locksmith here ASAP.
Stepping into my room, I close the door behind me and am about to take off the robe when I spot the figure on my bed.
My heart leaps into my throat, even as I recognize who it is.
âDid you and Kolya have a nice fuck?â Alina asks, rising to her feetâand as she comes unsteadily toward me, barefoot and wearing only a sheer peignoir, I see the overly bright glitter of her eyes and realize sheâs on something.
Something way stronger than pot.