Page 29 of Nikolai

I place the clothes I'm holding in her hands, and she looks at them. "For you to change into."

"These won't fit." She tries to hand them back.

"They will fit." My eyes stay locked on hers, and all I can think is how much I want to kiss her. The worst part—I could tell she wanted it too. I fight my urges and take a deep breath. I need to put space between us before acting on my thoughts. "Goodnight, Malyshka."

"Goodnight, Nikolai."

Instead of returning to my room, I head downstairs to the office, where I lock myself away for hours, thumbing through all the information gathered on Leah's father as I might come across something I or someone else may have missed, but knowing I won't. I throw the papers onto the desk.

Crossing the room, I pour myself a drink. Leah is never going to feel safe until she's free of him for good. Cop or not, I want to kill the bastard. I'd like to make him suffer and pay for all the hell he ever put my woman through. Turning off the lights, I sink into the leather chair and stare out the window. I try to clear my head of everything, only for all my thought to lead back to one person. Leah Winters.

Hours later, I wake to the fact I'd fallen asleep, my drink still in my hand resting on the arm of the chair. Suddenly the silence is interrupted by soft piano music, and I'm on my feet. What the fuck? I pull my gun from the desk drawer, gripping it firmly in my hand as I open the door and make my way through the house's shadows. My steps slow when I notice Leah sitting at the baby grand piano. Transfixed on every note she plays, I watch her fingers dancing along the ivory keys. I watch her body come alive as she continues to play. Slow yet mesmerizing, the music seeps into my soul. Quietly, I put my gun away—my heart beating with each tap of the keys as I quietly move toward her. The beautiful melody pours from her body as her fingertips move with the grace of a well-seasoned pianist. Her haunted eyes open to meet mine as I gaze upon her. To my surprise, she keeps playing. She's so fucking beautiful. It's like nothing I've ever heard before. Leah is telling me her story of pain, sorrow, and fear. I stand watching her until she hits the last beautiful note.

Once more, she avoids my eyes and stands from the bench. "Why do you feel obligated to take care of me—to protect me?" The pain in her voice causes my chest to tighten. "I'm not worth it." Her eyes stayed fixed on the floor.

Reaching for her, I grab her wrist, pulling her to me, and place her between me and the piano. "I do it because I want to—because I need to." Leah turns her head. "Look at me." Slowly, she brings her stunning eyes to meet mine. "You have worth, Leah." Unable to hold back, I grasp her face in my hands and press my lips against hers. Just like I knew it would be, her kiss is so damn sweet. She's shocked and hesitant at first but soon melts against my touch. With every ounce of willpower, I pull away from her before it goes any further—before lifting her sweet ass onto this piano, spreading her legs and making her come screaming my name.

"We should get some rest." Her big eyes look up at me, stunned, but she doesn't say a word, so I lead her back up the stairs. Before passing my room, Leah slows.

"I can't sleep."

I look at her waiting for her to explain further.

"Bad dreams. It's why I wandered downstairs in the first place," she admits.

Instead of leading her to the guest room, we step into mine and I lead her to my bed. I begin removing my shirt and notice the deer in headlights look on her face. "Get in, beautiful." Leah hesitates. Leaving my pants on, I slide into bed and lift the covers. "We're just sleeping. Nothing more." She removes her glasses from her face, placing them on the nightstand, then slips in beside me. Keeping a small space between us, Leah rolls to her side, staring at me.

Silence hangs between us.

Not one word is spoken.

My eyes grow heavy and start to drag shut as I watch Leah finally fall over. It doesn't take long until I slip off to sleep myself.

* * *

Just before sunrisethe following morning, I wake to Leah draped over half of my body, with one of her legs between mine, pressed firmly against my hard cock. Her light snoring causes me to chuckle, which wakes her from sleep. The moment she realizes her body is pressed against mine, she stiffens.

"Oh my God," she whispers, and I try to suppress more laughter. Leah slowly raises her head. At the same time, she works at extracting her leg from between mine. I can't hold back my grin when her eyes meet mine.

"Good morning."

"Hi," she says shyly, her face reddening from embarrassment.

I snake my arm around her, keeping her in place, and take her in as she hovers above me, her wild curls framing her beautiful face. "A man could get spoiled waking to such beauty," I confess, and her face flushes a pretty shade of pink. I'm just about to claim her lips like I did the night before when the moment is interrupted by a knock on my bedroom door.

"Nikolai," Maxim calls out from the other side.

"It better be good, Maxim," I warn, not taking my eyes off my woman.

"Your father is home."

My father is home sooner than expected. That can't be good. Letting Leah pull away, I watch her disappear into the bathroom as I climb out of bed. Snatching my shirt from where I tossed it last night, I pull it on over my head and cross the room. I open the bedroom door to find Maxim waiting. "It's early, Maxim." I run my hand down my face.

"There is a pressing matter that cannot wait." The urgency in his voice sets me on edge. "Does this have anything to do with Leah?"

"No," Maxim is quick to assure.

"Make sure Leah gets home."

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