Page 64 of Scarred (Russian Sinners 2)

“You won’t keep me awake,” I towered over her, wanting nothing more than to wrap her in my arms and protect her from all the nightmares she was relieving every night. “And if you have a bad dream, I’ll wake you.”

As soon as she took a deep breath, I knew she gave in. She pulled the dress off and covered her breasts, standing in front of me in her panties only. God, she was beautiful. Like a goddess that stepped out from one of the renaissance paintings.

“Can I borrow a shirt?” she asked, stopping my train of thoughts.

I pulled one out of my closet and gently put it on her, enjoying her exposed breast as she had to push her arms into the sleeve, and I slowly buttoned it down, enjoying the simplicity of the action.

“Which side of the bed do you sleep on?” she questioned. I almost couldn’t believe she caved in, my only hope that she wanted me as much as I wanted her. I pointed to the left side and she nodded and went to the right side.

I got in the bed and pulled her closer to me. I wanted her sleeping with me for the rest of our lives. Her body was tense at first, but with each minute that went by, her breathing slowed down, matching mine and her eyelids slowly became heavier. I knew the moment she drifted off to sleep, and I finally allowed myself to follow her, now assured she’d stay in my bed.

My last thought before I fell asleep was needing Olivia by my side for the rest of my life.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Olivia

Iwoke up with a jolt, alone, in an unfamiliar bed. My eyes still sleepy and brain slow, I glanced around and heard a noise. I turned my head and saw Nikolai coming out of the bathroom with the towel wrapped around his waist, his hair dripping wet. He looked delicious. I never saw ripped abs like his. His tattoos fascinated me. There was one in particular that kept catching my eye, on his left chest. A heart wrapped in roses.

I forced my gaze off his chest and towards his face. The last night came rushing through and I felt my cheeks instantly flush.

“Good morning,” he said with a smile lingering on his sensual lips, as if he could read my mind.

“Morning,” I told him, pulling the sheet over to my chin, and glanced around to see what time it was. “I overslept.”

I couldn’t remember the last time, I overslept. I slept so peacefully last night, and I wondered if it was because of this man in front of me. No dreams, no nightmares. Nothing. I felt rested. From the moment my father told me I’d be a means to settle his debt by marrying Malcome Schmidt, I feared the big day. But the first time I was alone with Malcome and he put his hands on me was when the nightmares started. He had given me enough nightmares to last me a lifetime.

“No, you didn’t,” he answered. “We have a few hours before we have to leave for the first school we’ll visit.”

I nodded as I debated how to get back to my room, without being noticed.

“What’s worrying you?” he asked me, in tune with me.

“I don’t want anyone to see me get back to my room,” I mumbled.

“I had some of your clothes brought here,” he told me like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“What?” I asked in shock.

“You can still have your room downstairs,” he noted. “But it makes sense to have some clothes here.”

“I won’t be sleeping here every night,” I told him firmly.

He watched me without another word leaving his lips. That put me more on edge than it would if he got angry.

“Why not?” And here we go again with whys.

“Because I need my space, and I am sure you like yours,” I told him. Plus, I didn’t want to get used to him. Instinctively, I knew he’d become something I needed if I didn’t keep myself at bay.

“I have plenty of space,” he retorted dryly. “And I like you in my bed.”

“Nikolai,” I sighed heavily. I guess I’d have to open it all with him. “Honestly, I don’t want to get used to this. And if at the end I still have to marry Malcome, I don’t want to make it harder for me.”

His gaze turned hard and I wondered what he was thinking. “You will never marry him. I won’t allow it, and I won’t allow him to hurt you ever again. I told you before. You are mine to protect now.” His voice was calm, his expression determined.

Truthfully, I was conflicted whether I should worry about his possessiveness or relish in it. Now that showed how messed up I was in my head, didn’t it?

“Olivia,” Nikolai’s voice was soft. “I will never hurt you. If you decide you don't want me, I’ll respect that. But I still won’t allow anyone else to hurt you.”

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