Page 53 of Cruel Promise

“You’ll know.”

I suck in a sharp breath and move my finger between my legs, testing and figuring out what feels good.

I keep coming back to my clit. I try light pressure and then firmer until I find the perfect amount. Then I rub it around until I feel pleasure traversing over my entire body.

Not once do I look away from Nikolai.

“Spread your legs wider.”

I do as he says. My knees touch the edge of the tub as I continue to touch myself. Still, he cannot see. Even I cannot see.

That doesn’t stop either of us from making this moment happen.

My breath starts to come out in smaller pants as the pleasure increases between my legs. It gets to the point where I don’t even want to touch myself. But I don’t stop. I have no idea why I don’t stop.

I just don’t.

Nikolai keeps his gaze steady on me, and I look back, feeling fearless around him for once.

“Don’t stop until you come,” he orders.

“It’s too much.”

“Don’t stop.”

Pressing down harder on my clit, I feel a spike of pleasure shoot through me. My hips slowly begin to swivel around, grinding into my own hand, while my other hand grips the edge of the tub. Something needs to steady me, or otherwise, I’ll fall, and I don’t think I can recover from that.

Nikolai’s eyes pierce into me. I wouldn’t be surprised if he could see right into my entire being.

And then I come.

It happens so suddenly and so powerfully I can barely breathe. I gasp and gasp until my body calms down. All of a sudden, I feel like I could sleep forever.

It’s then I allow myself to think the word I’ve been denying.

Arousal.

That’s what Nikolai has been making me feel. That tingling between my legs. It’s arousal and it always has been.

“You did good,” he says.

His praise feels better than it should.

“I’ve decided I’ll take you to your mother’s apartment. We’ll go tomorrow.”

I snap my legs closed and sit up straighter. “What? Really?”

“Yes. You deserve to put her to rest.” He doesn’t spare me a second look as he leaves the bathroom.

As I sink back into the tub, my mind is reeling.

“What are you smiling about?” Claude mutters as he sets a plate filled with waffles and French toast and eggs before me. I know he’s angry I didn’t eat dinner last night. I was too busy thinking about what Nikolai and I shared and the news about getting closure with my mom.

“Can’t I be happy?” I respond, actually eating for once.

He seems mollified. “No. You can’t.” His words are biting, but there’s a softness to his features I haven’t seen before. “So, eat up. Don’t waste a bite.”

And for once, I don’t.

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