Page 8 of The Monster

She ignores the question. “Nikolai, do you want me to join you for dinner, or do you prefer to eat alone?”

What is even that question? How can she ask that when she dominates my thoughts 24/7? She’s always in the perimeters of my mind even while I’m neck-deep in meetings. Why does she?—

“Yes, Nina. He would love it if you joined him for dinner,” Elsa says, grinning from ear to ear.

Have I been too lenient with them? Is it high time to start acting like an asshole boss?

“Well?” Nina smiles again, stopping my heart, the yearning making blood roar in my ears. “Let’s go. We don’t want the food getting cold.”

We make our way to the dining room, Nina walking beside me. I pull out a chair for her, catching a whiff of her clean scent as she sits. I settle into the chair at the head of the long mahogany table, and this cold room suddenly feels cozy and intimate.

The cook, Dario, carries a tray laden with steaming dishes. He moves with practiced grace, setting down platters of roasted vegetables, beef stroganoff, beetroot soup, and dumplings. It’s too much for both of us, but Dario cooks meals for all the staff members, not just me and Nina.

“What’s your favorite food?” Nina asks.

I fork a piece of ground meat dumpling and think. “Chicken pot pie.”

“Dessert?”

“I’m not really a dessert person.”

“Not even ice cream?”

“Ice cream is disgusting.”

Nina slowly puts her cutleries down and scowls at me. “You did not just say that.”

I lift one shoulder. “It’s just milk with flavor. That’s disgusting.”

Nina crosses her arms over her chest, and I don’t miss the fact that she’s not wearing a bra. Sure, she has a big shirt on, but I can pinpoint where her nipples are, especially with the way she unknowingly squishes her tits together. “Wow. Only a monster would say that.”

Instead of feeling offended, the humor in her tone makes me chuckle.

Nina rests both palms on the table and leans forward, and I try to ignore the way her soft tits press against it. What a lucky, lucky table. “How do you like your foods, then, if you find ice cream disgusting? Cooked with blood from your enemies?”

I raise an eyebrow at her and wipe my mouth. “Do you think I’m a savage?” I fork another dumpling. “No. I sprinkle shaved liver on the side.”

Her mouth forms an ‘O’. “And what about the kidney? The heart? Surely, a non-savage man like yourself wouldn’t waste anything.”

“Dario, what can you do with the kidney and heart?”

Dario perks up, eyes flicking from me to Nina. He tries to keep a straight face, but the side of his mouth twitches. “We can saute them and add onions and mushrooms.”

“Oh my God. What is this household?” Nina buries her face in her hands, but her shoulders shake. “Please tell me this is actually beef stroganoff.”

Dario shrugs. “It’s for me to know and for you to find out.”

He leaves with a flourish, and Nina bursts out laughing. “Dario jokes! He always looks so serious with me.”

“Maybe you were serious with him too. He takes a feel with people, and he will only lighten up if you lighten up.”

Nina smiles and goes back to eating, and I don’t have an appetite anymore. All I want to do is watch her, trace her with my eyes, and be grateful for her presence. I don’t remember enjoying a meal like this.

She swallows her food and picks a grilled carrot. “You have an amazing household.”

“Really? Are you sure? Because you can tell the truth about Elsa and Wilma, and I’ll have them pack tonight.”

“We heard that, Nikolai. Did you know cyanide is colorless, and you won’t suspect anything if I pour some on your coffee?” Elsa calls out from the kitchen.

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