Page 100 of Cruel Promise

The three of us step outside. I’m barely hanging on. Everything is just soloud.

“We’re done, Dimitri,” Nikolai says, holding me up as I start to slip again. “We’re no longer partners. I can’t trust you. And I’ve learned I need to be able to trust my business partners.”

“Is this about your scar?” Dimitri taunts. “Did somebody hurt you, Nik?”

“It’s Nikolai. And if I see you again, I won’t be held responsible for what I do.”

“Are you calling for war?”

“I am.”

“What about peace?” I whimper.

“You could have been hurt if I wasn’t here,” Nikolai says to me. “Fuck peace.” He looks back at Dimitri, who’s standing there, his expression lost and confused. “If I wasn’t holding Ava right now, I’d ruin that pretty face of yours.”

A slow, savage grin crosses Dimitri’s lips. “Well, then. Game on, Nik.” He walks back into the club, leaving Nik and me alone in the cool night.

I giggle and stand on my tiptoes, trying to kiss him. “I need you. Please.” The arousal coursing through my body is so intense; I can barely stand it.

Nikolai’s eyes soften. “You’re not yourself right now. I won’t take advantage of that. Let’s get you home.”

It’s good timing because right at that moment, I black out. The last thing I feel is Nikolai’s arms around me.

I wake up with a pounding headache.

I startle when I see Mrs. Brown standing beside my bed. “How are you feeling, dear?”

“What happened?”

“You were drugged. Mr. Petrov brought you back home. He made sure you were safe.”

I look down at my clothes—my party dress is still on. “Nothing happened?”

“No, dear. I know Mr. Petrov isn’t exactly a good man, but he entrusted you into my care all last night. So, that’s one good thing he’s done.”

I relax back onto the bed. Nikolai saved me. I remember my wine and how I felt afterward. I remember the intense arousal coursing through me. I remember wanting Nikolai so bad I could barely breathe.

“How do you feel now?” Mrs. Brown asks.

“Uh, fine. I have a headache, but I guess it could have been worse.” I could’ve been raped. I could’ve been kidnapped again.

Fortunately, I was with Nikolai; otherwise, last night could’ve been really bad.

Mrs. Brown puts some Advil on the table beside me then leaves.

As I stare up at the ceiling, I’m hit with last night’s emotions.

Most specifically, the arousal.

It was so intense I feel it in my body even this morning. I wanted Nikolai then.

I want him still.

What is wrong with me? If I give myself fully over to him, I can never go back. He’s the man who bought me. I shouldn’t even be entertaining this.

But my hand slips down my body and under my dress. My fingers push aside my underwear, and then I findthatperfect spot with my fingers.

My hips jerk up slightly as I touch myself. Rubbing my fingers over my clit, I let my hips roll around. Images of Nikolai fill my vision. His strong body. His stern face that can be so handsome when he just lets himself relax. His hands that encompass my entire back.

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