"And did you tell Maxim I wasn't allowed to pay for my things?"
At my second question, Nikolai tears his eyes away from his work and focuses on me. "You're mine. I take care of what's mine. It is my duty to see you have everything you want and need."
"Okay, but I can still buy my ice cream, though."
"This subject is non-negotiable, Malyshka. Part of being with me is accepting that."
"What's next, are you going to tell me I have to quit working too?" Annoyed with the conversation, I lose my appetite and set my ice cream aside.
"Leah." Nikolai's face goes soft. "I would never ask you to quit your job, not unless you wanted to."
"Good," I huff. "Because I like my job."
"I like you working for me too."
"Well, if you're not going to let me help contribute to our finances, what can I do?"
Nikolai tosses his laptop to the side, snags me around my waist, and hauls me up the bed, tucking me into his side. "You're fucking cute when you pout."
I cross my arms over my chest and jute out my chin. "I'm not pouting," I lie.
"Malyshka." Nikolai kisses the crook of my neck. "Don't be mad." He nips my earlobe, and my body starts to melt. Damn him.
Reaching behind me, I thread my fingers through his hair as he continues assaulting me with lips. "I know what you're doing."
"Yeah. And what's that?"
"You're distracting me so that I won't pick a fight with you."
I feel him smile against my skin. "You want me to stop?"
"I didn't say that."
I know Nikolai is holding back his laughter when his body begins to shake. "Like I said, cute."
I roll my eyes even though he can't see them. It's impossible to stay mad at the man, especially when his hands are on me, one of which is currently down the front of my shirt, and his thumb brushes over my nipple.
A sudden surge of bravery washes over me, and I ask, "Nikolai?"
"Hmm," he hums his face still buried in my neck.
"Will you…will you teach me how to use my mouth on you?"
Nikolai goes solid behind me, and my breath gets caught in my throat.
"Are you asking because it's something you want to do or because you think it's something I want you to do?"
Turning in his arm, I sit up on my knees and face him. "Both."
"Are you sure you're ready, Malyshka?"
"Ye…yes. Unless you don't want me…"
"Fuck yeah, I want you to," he cuts me off.
"Okay. So, pointers. Do you have any for me?"
"Do whatever feels natural. Just be careful of your teeth."