Page 199 of Barbi and the Villain

I discard my sweaty clothes and throw them in the laundry bag. Turning on the shower, I step inside. There is a slightly sweet smell that accompanies the jet of hot green water. You’d think I would have gotten used to it by now, but these odd features never fail to startle me.

I scrub my skin clean, after which I apply some of the lotion Nykander had gotten for me.

How the hell can I doubt him or be mad at him when he’s so thoughtful?

Half the day he spends with me, training. The other half he goes into nearby towns to buy food, clothes, and any other items I or the dogs might need. Although the main purpose is to gather intel, he has never come home without a small gift—which always warms my heart.

As I get out of the bathroom, sure enough, I spot a little package on the bed.

Chocolate. Or, at least, the Tartarian version, which is more bitter.

My lips curve up in a smile.

“Thank you, Nyk,” I whisper, knowing he can hear me.

I eat the chocolate and nestle between the clean sheets.

“I am happy you like today’s surprise,” he murmurs from the doorway. He’s leaning against the wall, dressed in a pair of loose dark pants and a white shirt that emphasizes his striking looks.

The gray of his eyes is different in this lighting, the color more like a silver white.

He steps inside the room, closing the door behind him.

“Come.” I pat the empty spot next to me on the bed.

He pulls his shirt over his head, making it vanish before he kicks his pants, remaining only in his boxer briefs.

Sliding under the blanket, he draws me to his chest and holds me close.

“Sleep, sweet thing,” he whispers, laying a kiss on my forehead.

“So tired,” I mumble, my eyes already closing. “But, Nyk… Do you not want me anymore?” I ask sleepily.

“What?”

“You…” I yawn. “You never try to take things further than a kiss. Is it the lighting in this place? Do I look worse?”

“Barbs,” he starts in a stern voice.

My eyes flutter open, worry filling me.

“You are absolutely stunning in any lighting, and in any world. And I want you. Very, very much,” he confirms, taking my hand and sliding it over the bulge in his underpants. “But I would never make any demands of you when your body is already at its limit. We have an eternity for lovemaking, sweets.”

I blush furiously and snatch my hand back.

“You said lovemaking,” I mumble dreamily, burrowing closer into him and wrapping my arms around his waist. “That means you love me, no? Because I love you, Nyk. I love you so, so, so much.”

There’s a pause before he replies.

“Of course I do, sweet thing,” he says in a gentle voice.

That is enough to lull me into a sense of comfort and security.

Closing my eyes once more, I let his warmth be the only cover I’ll ever need in the cold of the night.

The psychological strain of the training is getting to me. Failure after failure has shot my confidence down until all I can expect is failure.

I take a deep breath as I plop myself on the ground.

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