Page 103 of Scarred (Russian Sinners 2)

* * *

For the next two days, we were on standby as the information trickled in. Nikolai and I spent our nights tangled between the sheets while days were spent either researching Malcome’s background or me trying to give them any information I thought might be useful. I spent time with Tasha, trying to maintain our old routine. She did her lessons in the morning via Zoom with her teachers while I painted.

It had only been a few days but the painting was complete. I knew it wouldn’t take me long once I got going. I spent every free second on it, needing the happy completion. I eyed it critically and had to admit, it was by far my favorite piece of all my work. Maybe because it was my first piece since I lost my inspiration or maybe because it portrayed Nikolai in it. It didn’t matter to me. The creation of this painting was such a turn on. Scarlett read tons of smut books, and I finally understood the appeal. Except reading that crap didn’t do it for me, this painting, on the other hand, totally did.

Hands wrapped around me from behind, and I leaned back into Nikolai’s strong body.

“Malysh,” he murmured against my ear.

Turning my face, I pecked his cheek, his scar rough under my lips. “I didn’t hear you come in.” My voice was soft, just like my heart for this man. I loved him so much.

“Could it be you didn’t hear me because you were admiring my ass in your painting?”

A bubble of laughter hit me. “It is a rather fine ass,” I cackled.

“Not as fine as my woman’s,” he nibbled my earlobe. “I really love it.”

“What? My ass?” I asked undignified, teasing him.

“Actually, I meant your painting, but I love your ass too.” God, this man made me so happy. I turned around to face him and wrapped my arms around his nape.

“I love your ass too,” I murmured softly. “And it is your painting.”

He went to open his mouth but I quickly pressed my lips against his. I knew he’d try to convince me again to pay for it. “It’s a gift,” I muttered against his lips.

He watched me with a strange look in his eyes. He kept waiting, and finally I couldn’t bear it anymore. “What is it, Nikolai?”

“Make it my wedding gift,” his deep voice was soft and although I understood the words, I didn’t follow.

“What-” I frowned in confusion.

He lowered himself on one knee. Taking both of my hands into his, he pressed a kiss on each palm, one at a time. “Marry me, Olivia. My heart starts and ends with you.”

I stared at him in disbelief and shock. All my thoughts fled as I watched this beautiful man in front of me, lowered on his knee. The whole world didn’t matter to me, as long as he was next to me.

“I fucking love you,” he murmured. “I know you are young, and if you want to wait, I’ll wait. But damn it, I don’t want to. You are my everything; air that I breathe, heart that beats. I’m nothing without you.”

My throat choked at this strong man. His hardened face and eyes that worshipped me owned my body and soul. I crouched down onto my knees and wrapped my arms around him, burying my face into his chest.

“You are everything, Nikolai,” I whispered, my voice betraying all my emotions. “You are everything to me.”

He pulled slightly and took my chin between his fingers.

“Marry me then, malysh,” he repeated, unapologetically demanding.

“Yes, yes,” tears started streaming down my face. “Yes! This world is nothing without you.”

“Thank God.” He wrapped his arms around me tightly, almost too tightly but I loved it. I squeezed him just as tight. He bent his head, capturing my mouth into a possessive kiss.

“When do you want to marry me?” he groaned.

“Now?” I half teased him.

“I am totally good with it,” he grinned. “Fuck, I love you so much.”

“I love you too.” And I did. My life started when I met him.

He reached into his pocket. “I got you a ring,“ he beamed, a wide smile on his face. “I should have presented the ring to you as I proposed but I knew how you felt about me buying you jewelry,” his voice teased and his eyes sparkled.

---