Page 18 of Bully

Nikolai’s mouth comes down on mine as I start to come, smothering the sounds of my pleasure. He groans, his body jerking as he keeps thrusting back and forth, wringing out every second of the orgasm until my legs drop from around him. My body melts into the bed.

When I open my eyes again, Nikolai looms over me, just staring down at me. His expression is now unreadable. I hate when his face goes blank. He conceals his emotions and thoughts. It’s like he shuts down in a sense.

“Nikolai?”

“I know you hate to be late.” He kisses my cheek before rolling off me. “I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” With that, he disappears from my bedroom. I sit up, confused by what just played out. Every time it seems like we are taking a step in the right direction, we take two steps back. It’s frustrating.

I roll out of bed myself and get ready for the day. Of course, my mind swirls with thoughts and questions. Sal is telling me that sex is only that. It is a release between two people. It doesn’t have to go deeper than that. But I’m not built that way. Does that mean I want more with Nikolai? That’s probably a terrible idea. We are going to be in each other's lives forever. Matteo and my sister will bind us together. If we don’t work out, that could get messy.

If Nikolai steps up and one day takes over for Matteo, that comes with a lot of responsibilities. Marriage is often on the list. The idea of seeing Nikolai marry someone else makes my stomach turn.

“I got you breakfast,” Nikolai says when I enter the kitchen.

He looks as handsome as ever. Sexy even. In the school uniform, he definitely exudes a bad boy vibe, but it's not a vibe at all. He is what many would call bad. For me, he’s just bad in different ways. Every girl in our school stares at him. Hell, a lot of the boys, too.

“Not really hungry.” It's useless to say that because Nikolai will likely push back.

“You need?—”

“Okay.” I take the bag from my favorite bakery and grab my drink. “Let’s roll.” I don’t want to go back and forth with him right now. Usually I don’t mind, but I’m really not in the mood. Trying to figure him out is tiring.

“You’re pissed.”

“I am not,” I huff. I’m not sure what I am at the moment.

“You need another orgasm.”

“Oh my God,” I hiss, glancing over my shoulder to make sure no one is around. “Let’s go before we’re late.”

“Fine, but this isn’t over.”

“Trust me. I know.” I don’t think I have known someone who is more relentless than Nikolai.

We make it to school on time and through our first few classes. Yes, Nikolai somehow managed to get every class with me. He doesn’t pay attention to any of them, always playing on his phone or distracting me. A few teachers got annoyed with him and tried to call on him for random questions, but Nikolai always had the answers. He’s smarter than he lets on.

The only time I don't see Nikolai at school is when I'm in the bathroom or locker room, like I am now. I hate gym class. I don’t understand the point. I quickly change before heading up to the gym.

When I get there, I spot Becky standing next to Nikolai. Just great. She’s talking to him, but he doesn’t appear to be listening. He’s waiting for me to arrive. That is until she touches his arm, drawing his attention to her. Becky has her gym shorts rolled all the way up to show off her legs and some of her ass. Like a lot of the other girls, she only has a sports bra on.

I hate her. Thankfully, she has stayed away from me since the incident the other day when she pushed me down. I guess it would be awkward for her to demand that I give her Nikolai's phone number when he is standing right next to me. She could easily ask him for it herself. That thought alone sours my mood even more.

“If you’re jealous and want to make him the same”—Brent comes to stand next to me—“I’m more than willing to help.”

“I’m not jealous,” I lie. I’m seething with it.

“Is he your cousin or something?”

“My sister married his uncle.” I say uncle because it’s easier than explaining things that aren’t anyone's business. “Does that not bother you?” I nod over to Becky. Shouldn’t Brent be trying to get her away from Nikolai or something? I mean, if I were her man, I wouldn’t want her anywhere near him. He’s the hottest guy in this school.

“Nope.” He shrugs. “Becky and I have an understanding.”

I don’t know how anyone could do that. Watch your girlfriend or boyfriend be with someone else. It would be maddening. Nikolai isn’t even mine, and I’m annoyed. When Nikolai sees Brent standing near me, he strides over to me.

“I’ll talk to you later, Red,” Brent mutters for only me to hear before stepping away seconds before Nikolai makes it to me.

“The fuck he want?”

“Nothing.” I shrug. I’m giving him a little of his own medicine. He never explains anything to me or answers my questions, so I’m going to start doing the same. Nikolai's expression turns dark. He can go kick rocks. I’m not asking him what he and Little Miss Perfect were talking about.

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