Yes, that’s probably it. With all the stress of the past month, I’ve let my imagination run wild. Why would a mafia family settle here, in this remote wilderness? New York, sure; Boston, very likely. But Idaho? That makes no sense.
Shaking my head at my foolishness, I polish off the rest of the crepes and drink the coffee Lyudmila made. Then, feeling upbeat and hopeful for the first time in weeks, I get up, bring the dishes to the sink—where Lyudmila takes them despite my protests—and head out to find my student.
I can do this.
I really can.
In fact, I’m looking forward to it.
I’m rounding the corner to the living room, walking fast, when I run smack into a large, hard body. The impact knocks the air from my lungs and nearly sends me flying, but before I can fall, strong hands close around my upper arms, hauling me against said body.
Stunned, completely out of breath, I look up at my captor—and my heartbeat goes through the stratosphere as I meet Nikolai’s tiger-bright gaze.
“Good morning, zaychik,” he murmurs, his beautiful mouth curved in a mocking smile. “Where are you off to in such a rush?”
15
Chloe
Every cell in my body ignites with heat, my pulse jumping impossibly higher. My lower body is flush against his, my thighs pressed against the hard columns of his legs and my stomach molded against his groin. I can smell his cologne, something subtle and complex, with notes of cedar and bergamot, and underneath, the clean musk of warm male skin. And it is warm. Even with us both fully dressed, I can feel his animal heat—and, to my shock, the growing hardness pressing into my belly.
“Are you okay?” he murmurs, and I realize I’m staring up at him dazedly, like a rabbit caught in a trap. Which is pretty much how I feel. His long fingers completely encircle my upper arms, his grip unbreakable. And he’s huge. Up until this moment, I hadn’t realized just how tall and muscular he is. I’m of average height for a woman, but he dwarfs me in every way—and judging by the thickness of the bulge pressed against me, he’s consistently big all over.
My skin heats another thousand degrees, and my insides contract on a sudden empty ache. “I’m… I’m fine.” Only I sound anything but fine, my choked voice betraying my agitation. I can’t think, can’t process anything except the fact that his erection is pressing against me, and for whatever reason, he’s not letting go of me.
He’s holding me against him as if he might never let go, his gaze growing more intent by the second. Slowly, as if drawn by a magnet, his eyes move down to my lips and—
“Kolya.” Alina’s voice is tight. “Konstantin wants to talk to you.”
Nikolai stiffens and raises his head, his fingers tightening on my arms to the point of pain. An involuntary gasp escapes my throat, and he loosens his grip—but still doesn’t release me.
“Tell him I’ll call him back,” he tells his sister. His tone is cool and even, as if we were all sitting at a table instead of him holding me like we’re about to tango. My face, on the other hand, is burning with embarrassment.
I can’t even imagine what Alina’s thinking right now.
“He wants to speak to you right away,” she insists. “He’s going into a meeting in a few minutes and will be busy afterward.”
Nikolai mutters what sounds like a Russian curse and finally releases me. Shaken, I stumble back on unsteady legs and turn to face Alina, who’s watching her brother stalk off with a narrowed stare. Then her gaze swings to me, and her full red lips tighten.
“I ran into him,” I blurt before she can accuse me of anything. “It was an accident. I would’ve fallen, but he—”
“My brother doesn’t do accidents.” Her eyes are like jade dipped in ice. “You’d do well to remember that, Chloe.”
And with that, she walks off, leaving me more shaken than before.
* * *
After a few minutes, I’ve composed myself enough to resume my search for Slava—this time, at a much more sedate walking pace. When I get to his room, however, he’s not there, so I go back downstairs to look for him.
I don’t see him or Pavel in any of the common areas, so I return to the kitchen, hoping to find Lyudmila there. But she’s also gone.
Maybe they’re all outside?
Opening the front door, I step out into the bright sunlight. It’s a gorgeous, cloudless day, the forest-scented breeze cool and refreshing on my face. Nobody’s on the driveway, but I walk out there anyway, drawing lungfuls of fresh mountain air to further calm myself.
There’s no reason to freak out.
Nothing happened.
Nikolai caught me when I would’ve fallen, that’s all.
Except… something could’ve happened if Alina hadn’t interrupted. I’m ninety percent sure Nikolai had been about to kiss me. And I definitely didn’t imagine the hard bulge pressed against me.