Nikolai didn't respond. Instead, he led me around the side of the building. I noticed there were lights on inside the lower half of the building where the store was. I could only assume that since it was a bakery, the people that worked there got an early start. I wondered if it was his parents who were inside busily making bread and pastries.
"Nikolai, what are we doing here? I told you I wanted to go to Cliff's."
Nikolai still refused to answer me, so I yanked my hand free of his. We were in the alley between the bakery and the building next door. "Nikolai, stop," I snapped.
Nikolai’s response was instantaneous and unmistakable. He grabbed me and shoved me back against the wall. "I am not taking you to his house," he practically snarled. "End of discussion, do you hear me?"
"Nikolai—" I began but that was all I got out because Nikolai slammed his mouth down on mine. I was so startled that I didn't respond at first.
"Kiss me back, damn it," he growled. Despite his anger, his mouth brushed over mine in the softest of caresses. His next words came out desperate and unsure. "Please, Jude."
I wasn’t sure what universe we were living in that Nikolai thought he’d actually have to beg me to kiss him.
Ever.
But instead of telling him that, I lifted enough so I could brush my mouth over his.
Nikolai groaned and then he was kissing me hungrily. My tongue eagerly met his when it sank into my mouth. The fireball of need was instantaneous and white-hot. I forgot about everything except for the man who was once again taking ownership of me.
Nikolai released the grip he had on my upper arms and instead curled his arms around my back so his body was flush against mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and threaded my fingers through his hair so I could hold him in place. When he broke the kiss long enough to catch his breath, I took advantage by taking control of the situation. I held him the way I wanted to as I plundered his mouth.
We were both breathless when I finally pulled my mouth from his.
Nikolai pressed his forehead to mine and whispered, "I'm so sorry, Jude. I thought those assholes would be professionals. I never meant for them to treat you like that."
I could only assume he was talking about the police officers. His regret was obvious and that did crazy things to my heart.
He didn't give me a chance to respond because he once again covered my mouth with his. This time, he kissed me slowly, more languidly. I forgot the fact that we were in a darkened alley next to his parents’ business. All I could think about was him.
How could I always have this?
How could I make him always want me?
Who did I need to be to keep Nikolai Falkov from tiring of me and sending me on my way?
Nikolai pulled back long enough to say, "Come upstairs with me. My apartment isn’t big, but I've got a couch so you can have the bed."
The mention of the couch was like ice water being dumped on my head.
Right… because in spite of everything that had happened, I was still just a job to him.
I was too tired and disappointed to argue. The bottom line was I didn't have enough energy in me to get myself to Cliff's house, let alone argue with Nikolai about it. And since I hadn't thought to grab my wallet or phone, I didn't have a way to even call a cab or rent a hotel room. I certainly wasn't going back to my apartment anytime soon.
"Okay," I said as I disentangled myself from Nikolai's hold. He reached his hand out for mine but this time I kept both of mine clutched together so I wouldn't be tempted to take his.
He didn't want me to forget that I was just a job, so I needed to do my part to remember that fact. I followed Nikolai to the doorway at the end of the building. When he opened it, it led to two separate doors. He chose the one to the left. There were stairs right behind it. I figured that meant his apartment was just above the bakery. I wondered if the other door led to his family's home. I remembered enough from my initial research of Nikolai that his family’s address was the same as the bakery’s.
I followed Nikolai upstairs where there was another door. He unlocked it and then turned to look at me.
"It's not much," he warned.
He actually seemed to hesitate a moment before he pushed the door open. I was stunned to realize that he seemed embarrassed about his living situation. Did he really think I cared?
Nikolai stepped back and motioned for me to enter. The apartment was definitely small. It was more of a large room than anything else. Despite his bed, couch, and kitchen all sharing the same space, it didn't seem overly crowded. If anything, it had a warm, cozy feel to it. The couch was very much like the one I’d pictured in my head. It was an older style with deep cushions and soft-looking material. I wanted to sink into its comforting depths as I curled up against Nikolai’s side.