Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Becky’s face is starting to turn red. “Blink twice if you understand me.” She quickly blinks twice. Nikolai lets her go, stepping back as she slides to the floor, coughing. I stand there in shock.
“Come on, sweetness. You have to get to book club.” Nikolai leans down and picks up my phone for me before wrapping his arm around me, leading me out of the bathroom.
We walk to the library in silence. I think I might be a little bit in shock. Not in a bad way, though. It’s hard to explain how I’m feeling.
“Why are you so quiet?” Nikolai asks as we approach the entrance to the library. “Did I scare you?” I’ve never seen Nikolai look worried before, but that’s exactly how he looks at this moment.
“No,” I answer without hesitation because fear is not what his earlier actions evoked from me. His protectiveness had done the exact opposite: It had turned me on. I’ve remained quiet because I’m having trouble reconciling my reaction to the situation that unfolded.
“If you keep showing up, we’re going to make you join.” Angel's voice causes us to turn around. “Why the serious faces?”
“It’s nothing.” I wave my hand. Nikolai drops a kiss on the top of my head before letting me go. Angel and I take our normal spot and pull out our books to talk.
My eyes can’t help but keep flicking over to Nikolai. I’m more turned on than I should be. There might be something wrong with me. It’s a fight not to wiggle in my seat.
“You okay?” Angel nudges me with her elbow.
“Yeah, just a little distracted, I guess.”
“I can see why.” She laughs. “You two have plans this weekend?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I’m never sure when Nikolai might be working.” Shit, what do I say if she asks me what he does?
“Well, if you want to hang out, text me.”
“Okay.” That actually might be fun. Angel is starting to feel like a real friend. It's kind of sad, but I only had my sister to consider as a friend growing up.
We say our goodbyes before heading out. I feel guilty for being happy that Matteo and Mona aren't at the condo tonight. Nikolai and I enjoy playing house when they're not around. He watches me cook dinner for the two of us.
“I heard you tell the blonde I wasn’t fucking you.” My fork pauses halfway to my mouth. I bet Becky would die if she knew a man kept forgetting her name.
“We’ll, we’re not,” Guilt fills me. I know about his past. He opened up to me. “Not that we need to. If you need time or whatever—”
Nikolai throws his head back and laughs. I can’t help but stare at him. That dimple of his is showing. Damn, do I love it when I get it to come out.
“First off, I fucked you with my tongue this morning.”
“Nikolai!” I gasp, like someone might hear us even though we’re alone. I like when he’s crude. No one has ever spoken to me that way. I can still be a little shy about it, but I don't want him to stop.
He’s not wrong, though. I had woken up with his mouth all over me. I can’t get enough of how needy he can be when he starts to touch me, but it’s always just been about me. I want to give him pleasure too. I know he’s gotten off when we’ve dry humped like the horny teens we are, but I want my mouth all over him.
“I love when I get you to blush like that.” He leans over and kisses my cheek. I love it too.
And I’m pretty sure I love Nikolai too.
17
NIKOLAI
The blonde pissed me off. When I heard the way she talked to Riley and then saw her hands on her, it made me see red. I’m still not sure I’m done with her yet. Maybe she learned her lesson, but people like her typically don’t. Their ego can get in the way. Entitlement rolled off her in waves. I hated how vulnerable Riley looked at that moment. I don’t even want to think about what might have happened if I hadn’t been around.
I would bet that I was the first to ever put that girl in her place. How she ever believed for a second that anyone would choose her over Riley is beyond comprehension. She must be delusional. It might make her feel better to physically intimidate Riley and spew those lies about her appearance, but anyone with eyes knows none of it is true. Riley is drop-dead gorgeous. I bet it really pisses the blonde off that even her shithead boyfriend has been sniffing around Riley.
I kiss Riley’s warm cheek again. I can’t get myself to stop touching her. I’ve watched so many men fall into all kinds of vices. I never understood the love one. It was a foreign concept to me. Now I can’t get enough of it. I know I never will.