Page 94 of Bound By Revenge

“You’re damn right I did,” I snap, crossing my arms, letting just a sliver of pride slip through. “And for the record, I had the driving thing under control. If you hadn’t distracted me with your caveman act of jealousy, we’d have been fine.”

“Mywhat?” Nik arches a brow, confused. “Oh, you mean Vlad’s hand. Kat, about that?—”

“No, you listen to me,” I cut him off, jabbing a finger at his chest. “I know you think I’m some helpless damsel in distress?—”

He scoffs, shaking his head. “I most certainly do not.”

“Bullshit. You do,” I insist, glaring at him. “Don’t lie. But let me tell you something, Nik. I’ve been managing just fine for twenty-six years without your condescending, overbearing,overprotectiveass.”

He groans, dragging a hand over his face. “For fuck's sake, will you just?—”

“Save it,” I interrupt again, cutting him off with a glare. “If anyone saved anyone tonight, it wasmesavingyou. Yourstupidly tempting, infuriatingly hot,looks-too-good-in-black-jeansass.”

His lips twitch, a reluctant smile breaking through his frustration. With a deep sigh, he steps closer, his hands reaching for me. “Come here,” he murmurs, his voice low and rough.

I try to resist, but he’s insistent, pulling me into his arms. Before I can muster another argument, his lips brush against my temple, then my cheek, then my jaw. Soft and warm at first, but soon, the kisses grow deeper, his hands trailing down my back as he holds me close.

“Nik,” I manage to whisper, desperate and frustrated. “Please…”

He chuckles, his breath hot against my skin. “What do you need,kiska?” His tone is teasing, maddeningly calm.

“You,” I say, my voice trembling with frustration. “In me.Now.”

His laughter rumbles in his chest, and he pulls back just enough to look into my eyes. “Behind some random house? While we’re on the run from McGuire?” he asks, his lips twitching in amusement. “I don’t think so.”

“Nik—”

He shakes his head, his expression softening but still resolute. “No, Kat. Next time I have you, we’re doing it right. At last.”

“But I want you. Right here, right now.”

His eyes glint with amusement, turning that devastating shade of golden brown that could melt steel. A soft laugh escapes him, part sigh, part chuckle. “Ah,kiska…”

“What?” I press, frowning at his reaction.

“My world’s crashing around us. We might not live to see tomorrow. All my plans for McGuire might go up in smoke…” He pauses, his lips curving into that rare, gigawatt smile I’ve onlyseen once—when we stepped off that little airplane. “But you? You just made my day.”

Before I can respond, he pulls me against his chest. His arms circle me tightly, and I let out a quiet sigh, my cheek resting over his heart. The steady rhythm grounds me in a way I don’t want to think too hard about.

After a moment, curiosity gets the better of me. “What doeskiskamean?”

“Don’t bother asking,” he says with a smirk. “I’m not telling you.”

“Whatever.” I shrug, feigning nonchalance. “I’ll just look it up later.”

He shakes his head, that smile lingering. “Maybe giving you your phone back was a mistake.”

“Oh, it’sthatbad, huh?” I tease, grinning up at him. “Must be something juicy.”

Instead of answering, he leans down and presses a kiss to my lips. It’s soft, lingering, and does nothing to help the heat pooling in my stomach.

Eventually, I pull back just enough to study his face. He gazes back at me, and the look in his eyes is so achingly familiar now—so warm and consuming—that it’s hard to reconcile the man who’s holding me so tenderly with the man who just broke someone’s hand for me.

“You broke Vladmir’s hand. For me,” I say quietly.

His expression shifts as he studies me, his eyes sharp, waiting. “I did,” he says simply, his tone careful, like he’s measuring every word.

He doesn’t look away, watching me intently, searching for a reaction. Something flickers across his face when he catches it, a mix of surprise and realization. His brows lift slightly as understanding dawns, followed quickly by something deeper—amazement. He holds his breath, waiting for what I’ll say next.

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