“They can be for sure,” Nikolai says, putting his phone away. “At least this little guy will be getting a good home.”
“Well, have fun building your fence, and tell them I said hi.”
“I will.” He wraps his arms around me one last time and holds me close, cupping the back of my head and making me feel so small and protected in his arms. I never want him to let me go, but I know that’s not realistic. He has a life, and I have a million chores waiting for me at the club that I’ve neglected all day.
When he pulls away, I bring him back for one more kiss before getting in my Jeep. I start it up and roll down the window right as I turn the heat on full blast. He leans in and kisses me gently before stepping back.
“Text me so I know you made it back safe.”
I smile, loving that he worries, and promise him I will. It takes all my willpower to drive away, but knowing I’ll get to see him tomorrow night softens the blow. The whole drive back to the club I think about what’s about to happen.
It’s not like I planned on being a virgin at twenty-one. It just sort of happened. I think back on my very short list of boyfriends and thank whatever deity who may be listening for giving me enough common sense to not sleep with any of them. After Sean, I’d dated a little bit over the years, but they’d either been guys who were trying to get in good with my dad and the boxing club, guys who wanted to prove they could fuck the one girl who knew how to box, or guys who mistakenly thought I was some kind of boxing whore. None of the relationships had lasted long or ended well. I eventually just sort of gave up until one day a sexy, older Russian walked into my club and reminded me that I didn’t want to live a celibate life.
And boy was it one hell of a reminder. More like a firm rub to my clit that sparked my whole body back to life and made me want things I’ve never allowed myself to think much about. I’ve gotten into the habit over the last few years of just assuming this is all there is for me, that I’m not going to be one of the lucky ones who finds love and lives the dream. I’d almost convinced myself that I was okay with that, but Nikolai is proof that I’m anything but. I want him, I want to be with him, and I want him to be my first. I’m finally ready to really let someone in and trust them. Not every guy is a monster you need to be afraid of when you smell whiskey on their breath, and not every guy is a dick who will just abandon you after they’ve fucked you. I trust Nikolai, and that’s all that matters.
When I get back to the club, I text him to let him know I’m here and okay and that I hope he has a great time. He responds with another photo of the dog, this one with the pup being held by a grinning Jamie and Aleksei, and then he texts me his address and tells me to show up as early as I want.
With a huge grin on my face, I set about keeping myself busy for the night by attacking everything I skipped out on today. I keep going until I’m too exhausted to do anything else and then fall into bed, wanting time to pass as quickly as possible. I know it’s ridiculous to miss falling asleep with Nikolai when we’ve only done it once, but I do. The airbed feels lonely and cold, and he’s the last thing on my mind before I fall into a deep sleep.
I wake with a grin, knowing today is going to be a life-changing day for me. The morning and afternoon pass at an excruciatingly slow pace. I keep checking my watch, willing the time to go faster. The minutes pass and each one feels slower than the last until finally I know if I don’t get out for a few hours, I’m going to lose my damn mind. I hop in my Jeep, and I’m not too surprised when my aimless drive actually leads me to a shopping center filled with clothing stores. I see a cute display in one window and decide to go in. I smile at the woman behind the counter and start to walk around, looking over the racks of clothing, trying like hell to find something that I won’t feel too stupid in and that Nikolai will like.
When I see a black sweater dress, I know I’ve found it. It’s form fitting and short enough to be considered sexy but also warm enough so I won’t be too cold. I try it on and smile when I see what it looks like. I don’t usually wear dresses, but this one looks pretty damn good. I know Nikolai is going to love it. I change back into my clothes and add in a pair of black thigh highs. Once I’ve paid for it, I head next door and grab a pair of heels, something I thought I’d never do, but I have to admit I do feel sexy in them, and they make my legs look amazing. It’s not like I’ll be wearing them for long anyway. I’ll kick them off as soon as I get there and he gets a good look at them.
By the time I get back to the club, it’s time for me to get ready. I don’t want to get there too early since he’s babysitting Sergei, so I figure eight o’clock is a good compromise. I take a long shower, making sure everything is shaved and ready for action, and by the time I turn off the water, I’m smooth and squeaky clean. Wanting to go the extra mile for tonight, I blow dry my hair and leave it down before putting on a bit of makeup. I grab the lacy black thong and bra I picked out and put them on before slipping into the thigh highs. Looking in the mirror makes me feel sexy as fuck. I briefly wonder who the hell this woman is. I still love my jeans and sneakers, but there’s no denying I like this new side of me as well.
After putting on the dress and stepping into my heels, I text Nikolai and let him know I’m on my way. His reply is an adorable selfie of him holding Sergei. It’s impossible to not notice how sexy he looks holding a baby, but I shove that thought away with a quickness. One thing at a time, Moira. I let GPS lead me to his house, and when I turn down his street and see his house ahead, I let out a breath and a whispered, “Wow.”
The place is gorgeous and reminds me of the man who lives there. It’s set off from the other houses with a wall of woods behind it, and as beautiful as the place is, there’s also something a little mysterious and alluring about it. I instantly fall in love with the place. I stare up at it as I take a few calming breaths before getting out and walking to the front door. I suddenly feel ridiculous and wish I’d just worn my damn jeans. I feel on display and like a fraud, like a girl who wanted to play dress up and look sexy but has scabby knees from climbing trees. I’m just about to run away and change when the door opens and Nikolai is standing there looking so damn sexy I’m paralyzed and frozen in place.
His jaw drops when he sees me, and all he says is a whispered, “Damn,” before wrapping me in his arms and pressing his lips to mine. I forget all about how nervous I am or how awkward I feel, all I can think about is how good he feels and how much I missed him and how badly I need him. His thick stubble scratches my face in a sensual way that has me pressing harder against him and moaning when I feel his hard cock digging into me. The kiss turns harder, hungrier, as he runs his hands through my hair, cupping my head and holding me tightly against him.
I moan into his mouth when he splays his other hand against my ass, giving one cheek a hard squeeze and pressing me even harder against him. My hands roam his muscled back, wanting to touch every part of him at once, and when he pulls back with a pained groan, we’re both breathless and aching for so much more.
“I’ve never wanted anyone as badly as I want you,” he whispers against my lips, making a shiver of pure pleasure run up my spine.
“One more hour,” I whisper back, making him groan again.
“They better not be late.”
He grabs my hand and gives it a kiss before pulling me inside. My eyes dart around, trying to take in everything at once. His home is just as gorgeous inside as it is out, and it makes me want to snoop in every nook and cranny. I want to know everything there is to know about this man. There’s a gas fireplace in the living room, and the glow of the flames immediately puts me at ease. There’s something about a fire that’s so damn soothing, and I’m grateful for the calming effect it has on me. I can use all the help I can get.
I kick off my heels and eye the comfy looking leather couch and armchairs and the big, flat-screen TV, smiling when I see the playpen in front of the couch, angled so it’s not too close to the fire, but close enough for baby Sergei to feel all snuggly and warm. I tiptoe over and look down at his chubby, bundled-up form. His dark hair is sticking up from rubbing against the bottom of the playpen, and he’s sucking on a pacifier, even though he’s deep in sleep. It stirs something inside me that I’m not ready to acknowledge or think about, so I do what every healthy adult does, I shove it down deep and pretend it’s not there.
When I look up, Nikolai is looking at me with such a pained expression that it freezes me in place. He quickly shakes his head as if physically trying to push whatever he was thinking about away and out of his mind, and then he’s back to giving me that sexy grin and making me doubt if the pain in his eyes was real or just my imagination.
I walk over to him and wrap my arm around his waist, letting him lead me further into the house so we can talk without fear of waking up Sergei. As soon as we turn the corner, I let out a soft gasp when we enter the most gorgeous kitchen I’ve ever seen. I pull away from Nikolai, making him laugh softly, so I can run my hands over his granite countertops.
“I didn’t know you liked to cook,” I say, letting out another small gasp when I see the double oven and gas range.
“I don’t,” he says, making me turn back to him. “I can barely cook anything,” he admits, and it’s the first time I’ve seen him look slightly bashful or anything less than a hundred percent confident since I met him.
“Then why do you have this amazing kitchen?”
He shrugs his broad shoulders again. “It came with the house. I bought the place because of this,” he says, gesturing to the wall of windows that face the woods that I somehow managed to miss in my kitchen euphoria. “And it just happened to have a beautiful kitchen that I have no idea what to do with. The microwave gets a lot of use, though, so at least there’s that.”
I groan at the sacrilege, making him laugh and lean against the counter, watching me as I continue to pet and gush over his kitchen.
“You like to cook?”