AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I hesitate, unsure of what to share. But if Nikolai was willing to trust me with his darkest personal secrets, maybe I owe him the same.
“He’s always been distrustful of others,” I reply. “Especially after one night when I was five.”
Nikolai leans in, suddenly attentive. “What happened?”
“Someone broke into our house,” I explain, my heart racing as I take a silent breath. “Dad hid me in a closet and told me to stay quiet. I heard Dad yell at them, and it sounded like he knew the person. There was what sounded like a struggle. And then everything went quiet.”
I shudder and Nikolai pulls me closer, pouring his warmth into me to chase away the chills as I recall that night.
“I stayed in there for hours, unsure if my dad was still even alive …” I cling to his hand like a lifeline. “And when he finally came to get me, he had this wild look in his eyes that scared me more than the intruder. For a few months, I stopped speaking altogether.
“After that, Dad became even more protective.” I shudder at the memory. “More withdrawn. More secretive. It was as if he was afraid that if he opened up to someone, they were going to come hurt me.”
“I left home, and in less than two days, I was here with you.” I sigh and turn to Nikolai. “Maybe I should’ve just stayed home.”
“Eden,” Nikolai says, voice resolute. “I’ll keep you safe. I promise.”
“Dad used to say that to me too.” I close my eyes at the empty promise before I echo Nikolai’s words. “Well, here we are.”
“I mean it, Eden.” Nikolai’s finger traces along the edges of my jaw and gently turns me to look at him. “I will keep you safe. Under my watch, nobody will ever hurt you.”
I don’t know if I believe that.
“You should’ve been an artist …” I whisper as he reaches out to pull me close.
“Those were her last words to me.” His voice rumbles against me, and guilt overpowers me again at the admission. “Before she jumped.”
I step into his embrace without hesitation. His body is warm against mine, enveloping me perfectly as if he was always meant to be here—as if I was always meant to be here.
Those dazzling green eyes compel me to look up at him, and slowly, both our lips part. He leans forward, erasing the gap between us as he gently cups my cheek, his thumb soothingly stroking my skin.
He dips his head toward me just as I rise up to meet him until our lips touch. My breath catches in my throat at the contact. The kiss is gentle at first as he closes his eyes, and then I gasp as he holds me tighter.
The kiss deepens, and the passion behind it jolts, coursing through me, making my body float away. My fears disappear into nothing as we drown in each other. My heart pounds like driving rain against the glass as the line between teasing and desire blurs into need.
38
EDEN
His lips feellike a heady mixture of heat and firmness that I’ll never forget. The warmth of his breath, mingling with mine, sends shivers down my spine, each caress of his tongue stoking my desire as I reach for him, gripping his shirt with both hands. My body reacts on instinct, fueled by a need that makes me tingle. I wrap my arms around his neck as we topple onto a nearby table.
I pull Nikolai’s hard body down on me and wiggle against him. I feel him harden against my thigh at the same time as a sharp twitch trembles between my legs. My thighs open as he places his hips between them, and I press hard against him. His eyes flutter shut as he moans deeply.
We break apart. Panting and breathless, I search Nikolai’s expression for answers. I’ve never felt this before, and I’m too nervous to say something, lest I break the intensity of this moment. I’ve never wanted someone so badly as now, someone I should never have.
There’s a hint of darkness lingering in his gaze, a reminder of what brought us together, but also a promise of what is to come.
“Eden,” he murmurs, softness in his voice. “Whatever happens …”
I nod, my heart swelling with desire as I tug at his shirt until our lips crash into each other again.
The pull between us intensifies as the kiss deepens, this time with hunger as control slips from our fingers. Something clatters to the ground as Nikolai pushes me further up on the table. The scent of oil paints fills the air.
Nikolai’s hand slides from my waist to my hips, pulling me closer as my dress bunches around my waist. Arching my body, I press into him hard. My fingers thread through his hair, tugging it, causing him to emit a low, deep growl.
“Eden,” he murmurs against my lips, holding me tighter.
I let my imagination go wild and pretend I’m the type of woman he chases. Sophisticated and sexy as fuck, not some average quiet girl from Holtsville. I slip my hand under the hem of his shirt until it falls to the floor. I nibble on his bottom lip, eliciting another growl from him as my hand explores the hard ridges of his muscles.
