Page 15 of Niko's Printsessa

Andrei’s response is matter-of-fact, “The risk is higher now.”

How do I reassure him? “I won’t do anything risky. I can do this, Drei. You have my word.”

“That’s what I meant, I have no doubt you’ll lay down your life for her. You’ll risk anything and everything to keep her safe.”

Chapter Four

Becca

I stomp to my bedroom and slam the door behind me. Damn him! Damn him and his muscled chest! Damn him and his eight-pack stomach. Why in the fuck do men like him look so God damn good in gray sweatpants. The way they hang low on his hips, just above that V that directs swooning women to the promise land.

I can’t even count how many nights I’ve longed for Niko’s arms around me, and then today happened. We should focus on finding the asshole who’s threatening me, but all I can think about is him and the multiple orgasms he gave me. I still can’t wrap my head around it. I humped him like a dog, but instead of chiding me, he took it a step further, multiple steps further. Fuck, we covered miles of terrain today.

It should’ve never happened, but my body craves more. For the first time in my life I find a man that knows how to pleasure a woman and he’s off limits. He was hard as steel, but he was solely focused on my pleasure.

And he succeeded.

And those looks he gave me, looks I’m terrified to decipher.

I figured he thought of me as a bratty little sister, even though we aren’t related, but now I don’t know what to think. I’ve never been so confused.

When my father moved us to the States I was scared of this strange new world, but Zoya, Sergei, and Andrei welcomed me with open arms. My father cared for my mother, but he and Zoya have a love that’s indescribable. It’s a love that survived all obstacles- death, the passing of time, and ruthless betrayal. Years later, they found each other again, and their love has only grown stronger. Zoya is a mother to me in every sense of the word, and when she and my father reunited they blended our fractured families into a unit of strength, love, and loyalty.

When they learned Niko was Zoya’s nephew they welcomed him as they had me so many years before. So, even though Niko and I are both cousins to Andrei and Sergei, we come from two totally different branches of their family tree.

I grew up in front of Niko, awkward and boy crazy, while he became a man. A ruthless killer, feared by many, even earning a nickname. There’s no doubt The Butcher would protect me with his life, but would he give me his heart?

I shake my head. The Butcher doesn’t have a heart to give.

At least we agree on one thing. It can’t happen again. Did my heart sink when he said it was a mistake? Of course, but then he threatened future spankings and my pussy clenched. What is wrong with me?

Instead of psychoanalyzing, I resign myself to unpacking.

I open my suitcase and find Tali’s manuscript laying on top. I didn’t know she was finished and my chest swells with pride. She always wanted to be an author and I was more than happy to volunteer as her arc reader.

I take the book and sit on the bed, wincing from the sting of Niko’s spanking. He was trying to teach me a lesson and I learned one thing today. I get off on spankings.

My drunken one-night-stands never last long enough for foreplay, let alone exploration. Yes, there’s a reason, but still, I’m in my prime, I’m supposed to be experimenting, safely of course, but instead, I’m settling for sloppy scraps.

Why does it have to be Niko who wakes up these sexual urges inside me? He makes me want to try things, be adventurous. I trust him with my life. But what about my sexual desires?

???

There’s a knock. I lay Tali’s book on the nightstand and walk to the door expecting my captor, but instead there’s a petite older woman on the other side. Lines crinkle at the corner of her gray, mischievous eyes and I can’t help smiling back. Her dark hair has one streak of silver framing her face.

“Miss Sokolov…”

“Becca. Please call me Becca.”

“Becca, I’m Dharma, the housekeeper, and it’s a pleasure to have you as a guest in Mr. Petrova’s home.”

I snort, “Right, guest.”

“I’m aware of your unusual circumstances, but I will try to make it as pleasant as possible.”

“Niko Petrova is about as pleasant as a cactus.”

She stifles a laugh. “Dinner is ready, and Mr. Petrova would like you to join him in the dining room.”

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