Page 17 of Bully

“The senator?” I show him the photo. It’s a family picture. I'm pretty sure it’s a campaign one.

“The girl.” Church’s eyes are glued to the pic.

“I don’t know. I think it’s this kid's twin sister.” Shit, it dawns on me that the girl in the photo was the mousy girl who gave me directions to the library. I wouldn't have guessed she was related to Brent, let alone his twin. She was nice, unlike her entitled prick brother.

“Send it to me.”

“I’m not sure I’m going to kill the little shit yet.”

“The boy?” Church takes a step toward me.

“Are you all right?” I’ve never seen Church so interested in a kill before. His reaction is way out of character for him. To be honest, I think this is the most small talk we’ve ever had with one another besides work-related things.

“Answer me.” His tone is the same one he uses on people we bring down here, telling me he’s not fucking around.

“Yeah, the fucking boy,” I respond, not wanting to piss Church off more. Not because I think I’ll end up in the basement in the chair, but because he might stop letting me come down here and help when I need to release some pent-up energy. Which I have a lot of lately. I forward him the picture. “There.” He grunts in response, which I'm guessing is his way of saying thank you.

I fire off a text to Matteo’s right-hand man, Sergio, to let him know cleanup is needed before I head out. When I make it home, I head for Riley’s room. I shouldn't, but I’m always doing what I shouldn't be when it comes to her.

Quietly, I slip into her room, kicking my shoes off. Riley has a few books open on the bed with her. I pick them up and place them on her nightstand before slipping her glasses off her face. I slowly get into bed next to her. I stay on top of the covers because I don’t trust myself. That doesn’t stop me from pressing my chest against her back and putting my arm around her waist. I bury my face in her hair. It always smells like strawberries.

An immediate sense of calmness washes over me. It’s a feeling I’m not used to. Usually, trying to sleep is the hardest part of my day. That’s when all the demons from my past like to visit. When my mind races with all the bad shit that has happened in my life. But I’m finding when I’m next to Riley, I feel settled. I’m not scared of a lot of things in life, but I’m fucking terrified that she will be taken from me.

“Nikolai,” I hear her mutter. She lets out a sigh and rolls over. Her face is only a few inches from mine. Riley really does have the face of an angel. When I stare at her sweet innocence, it helps me forget my fucked-up childhood.

Gently, I lift my hand to cup her cheek. Riley's nose wrinkles, yet she grins and moves closer to me, burying her face in my chest. She slips her arm around me. I don’t think I’ve ever been held this way. Affection wasn’t in my life. Sure, Matteo would give me a few hugs, and even Emma, the woman who ran Matteo's home and helped raise me, would try to show me some, but I always pulled away. It felt awkward and suffocating.

Right now, I don't want to move. I lie completely still, not wanting Riley to wake up and possibly pull away. That shit would hurt. In ways I never knew existed.

12

RILEY

Maybe it should freak me out when I wake up to find Nikolai in bed with me. I don’t know when he slipped in, but at some point, I’d crawled on top of him. My face is pressed to his neck, and my thighs spread, straddling him. One of Nikolai's hands is on my ass, and the other is on my back. I can’t tell if he’s awake or not. His breathing is even.

Who knew that Nikolai would be a cuddler? Then again, nothing is ever as it seems when it comes to him. I don’t want to move, but I also don’t want him to wake up and realize I've crawled on top of him like a girl needy of attention. I’m sure he came in here to check on me. He’s become rather protective. He more than proved it by showing up at my school. There have been no more kisses or other dirty things since Friday. I’m not sure how to feel about that, honestly.

Before I move, I can’t help but press a kiss to his neck. Then another. It feels good to be in control for once with Nikolai. Usually it’s him that has the control. Slowly, I slip down a few inches, gasping when something hard slides across my clit. My thin underwear lets me feel every inch of him.

He’s hard. My stupid brain generates a million questions. Do men get hard in their sleep? Is he dreaming about someone? Who could it be? I shamelessly rock my hips, loving the sensation it’s giving me.

“Riley.” Nikolai's hand tightens on my ass, holding me in place. I close my eyes, wanting to die of embarrassment. I just humped him. Why am I always coming off like a weirdo dork? Now I'm a weird virgin who doesn't know how to handle all the sensations and needs that Nikolai has brought out in me. This is really his fault. Ever since he gave me a mind-blowing orgasm, my body has never been the same. I don’t think it ever will be again. I’m going to turn into a needy hussy.

“Sorry.” I lick my dry lips; my tongue accidentally brushes against his neck.

In one quick move, Nikolai rolls, pinning me under him. I let out a squeak of surprise. Nikolai’s hard cock grinds against my clit.

“Don’t apologize for rubbing your pussy against me.”

“Nikolai!” I try to scold him as heat flushes my face. It’s stupid because I kind of love when he says dirty things. No one has ever talked to me the way he does.

“You wake up horny, sweetness?” Nikolai leans down and kisses my jaw, followed by my neck.

“Nikolai.” I whimper when he latches on to my neck and starts to suck. My hips try to rise up, but I can’t move with him over me.

“I'll make you come. All you ever have to do is ask.” Nikolai thrusts forward, his cock hitting my clit. “Wrap your legs around me.”

I do as he tells me. Nikolai rocks back and forth. With each thrust, he hits my clit perfectly. My orgasm is fast approaching. “Look at me,” Nikolai orders. My eyes spring open to meet his. The intensity of his stare and the hunger on his face for me are my undoing.

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