Page 60 of Caged

He picks me up and spins me to face him, my legs straddling his waist and I nuzzle my face into his neck.

“We didn’t use a condom, Nik.”

The weight of my words hits me. I’m not on birth control, my life is too unpredictable at the best of times.

“No, looks like we didn’t. Did it feel good, me filling you up?”

I swallow. It did. But the repercussions are not something either of us can have happen. Yet, there is part of me now thinking, how bad would it be truly having a family?

I almost want to cry. I won’t. I don’t remember the last time I did.

He could be perfect for me.

But, I’m about to ruin his life and never see him again.

We let the water fall over us in silence.

Whatever is going on in his head clearly is taking over, too.

So I grab his cheeks in my hands and I kiss him. Like I mean it. Like I care. Because unfortunately for us both, I do.

And the way he returns that kiss tells me all I need to know. He feels this, too.

I really like this man.

And that is a problem.

Without a word, I wriggle out of his hold, grab my towel and I leave.

We both need some space.

I can hardly sleep, tossing and tangling in my sheets. I’m turned on just thinking about Nikolai having his hands on me again.

I almost got up and slipped into bed with him.

Instead, I’m sitting here scowling through the shit pulled from his phone. I need out before I fall any deeper.

Even if my eyes are getting heavy.

It’s not until I hear blood curling screams erupt from outside my room, without thinking, I’m leaping out of bed.

I know the screams of a night terror.

I was that little girl once.

Rushing out of my room, I make a dart for Elena’s room as fast as I can. I know all she needs is to feel comfort and love. Something I never had.

Quietly opening up her door, I slip inside and immediately notice her curled up in bed, her sobs echoing through the room.

“Shh, it’s going to be okay,” I whisper, approaching her carefully.

Sitting down gently beside her, I run my fingers through her silky hair.

My body tenses and I close my eyes as I feel Nikolai’s presence at the door behind me. He always has me on high alert. I hope I’m not overstepping.

Without uttering a single word, he swiftly moves to the opposite side of the bed, perching on the edge as he enfolds his weeping daughter in a tight embrace.

He holds her so close it brings tears to my eyes. The love he has for her is unmeasurable.

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