Page 6 of Take Me

He holds me close, creating a safe nest for me in his warm embrace. Curling up against him, becoming all small and vulnerable, has been the most natural thing in the world since the first time he took me in his arms. It’s part of the dynamic that has crackled between us from the first moment our eyes locked at the bar where we met. He’s the masculine pole to my femininity. He takes control and I give it up.

I can’t believe it’s only been a week. He might still be a stranger in most ways, but he feels familiar and safe as I press myself into him—like I’ve known him for months. It’s crazy how quickly I’ve grown attached to this man. Scary, really. But it also feels right. Like he’s strong enough to carry the responsibility of theuncertainty—strong enough to carry my burdens.

And maybe most of all, it’s easy to trust him because I know I’m not the only one who senses that something big is happening here. He feels it too. He said it himself, and so does his every touch, kiss, and heated look.

He wants me as much as I want him.

And maybe that’s why I’m bold enough to say the words, “I don’t want to go hiking.”

“Shh.” He draws back to curve a hand around my cheek, and I lean into his touch as I fall captive to his attentive gaze. “You’ll see me again soon. I promise.”

He says it with a startling sincerity that makes me want to go even less. Usually, I’m not overly outspoken, but this man does things to me no one before has—including throwing my propriety out the window.

“Can’t I come with you?” I blurt, only feeling a twinge of embarrassment at my bluntness.

He moves his thumb back and forth over my cheekbone. “No.”

God, his rejection hurts a little. Biting my lip, I look away, then back at him. “When will I see you again?”

His lips tip up in a gentle smile as his eyes warm with affection. “Before you know it.”

I can’t help my disappointed tone. “Okay.” I’d really like a specific answer. I don’t do well with these kinds of uncertainties. Especially not with something this important.

“I look forward to it.” He leans down to press his lips to my forehead, then takes the plastic bag he brought and retrieves something red and fluffy that he hands to me. “This is for you—to remember me when you feel lonely.”

A huge smile spreads across my face as I take the red fox teddy and look into the cutest golden-rimmed eyes. I take one of the fluffy ears between my fingers and swipe the inside as I remember how he touched the little fox pendant on my bracelet the first night we met.

It had only been five minutes since he slipped onto the bar stool beside me when he reached for the silver fox. “Is this your favorite animal?”he asked, and I clearly recall the flurry of shivers shuddering up my arm as his fingers brushed my skin. The whole world dissipated as he twirled a lock of my hair and said, “A pretty littleLisichka.”

He told me it’s the Russian diminutive for fox, and he’s been calling me that ever since.

Licking my lips, I snap out of the memory.

“You remembered?” I say, gazing up at him with wide, vulnerable eyes.

Hands folded behind his back, he watches me like he can read every flicker of emotion in my features. “Of course I did.”

I search his face, thinking I see something hidden in there. Something that goes beyond normal affection—a possessive hunger that shouldn’t be possible after only seven days.

But his face remains impassive, and I have not known him long enough to tell if this is a normal or extraordinary expression for him.

Maybe I’m just hoping.

But when the train rolls in and he leans down to press his lips to mine, the kiss holds the same intensity I thought I saw somewhere deep in the stoic lines of his face. And not just the kiss. His entire body.

Seizing my lower arms, he shoves them onto my back, forcing me into strict compliance as he angles his head to deepen the kiss.

“Mine,” he whispers, his hands tightening with the force of his words.

I pant as I stare up at him, and my feet shuffle on the concrete as my balance wavers.

But I don’t need my balance. I’m trapped in Nikolai’s grip, and he keeps me steady.

So I sag against him, my hips lifting to his as I lean into his grip.

“Your body already knows.” He lifts his chin, his nostrils flaring with primal dominance. “Soon, your mind will too.”

I can’t speak; I can’t think. At this very moment, I truly am his. Mind and body. I want to stay like this forever—trapped by his eyes, his hands, his unrelenting will. Consumed so fully that I forget about myself. But all too soon, he leans down for a final kiss and releases me.

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