The ring sound of my alsem fett like a hammer to the skull, I groaned, rolling over, the movement sending a dull throb through my bruised arms. “<b>Siri</b>, stop the damn rm” 1 mumbled, my voice scratchy. The ringing ceased, but the ache in my muscles didn’t
and up at the celling, the strong scent of coffee wafting in from the kitchen, Niki had ordered a new coffee machine, top–of–the–line, of course. New, every morning started with the rich, dark scent of freshly brewed espresso. Normally, I’d savor it. Today, it <b>was </b><b>a </b>cruel reminder of everything! couldn’t do I still hadn’t figured out what to do about my presentation, and Rachel still wasn’t responding to any of my texts.
I pushed myself up with my elbows, gritting my teeth as pain shot through my arms. The bandages on my hands felt like a prison, trapping me in my own sks How the hell was I supposed to shower? Mom had helped with brushing my teeth and washing my face yesterday but I had to shower now.
Before I could work up the nerve to get out of bed, the door opened. Niki stood there, already dressed in his usual office attire – crisp white shirt, unbuttoned at the cor, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His tie and zer were missing, and the first few strands of his dark hair hung messily over his forehead. He looked tired. He’de hometest night. <b>Due </b>to some important meeting.
“he said, his gaze drifting over me. “You need help with the shower?
“Oh, you’re up,” he said, hi
Heat flooded my face can manage
“Sure you can,” he said dryly, walking over to the bed. “Come on, Elena, You’re not fooling anyone.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but he was already slipping an arm around my waist, <b>hauling </b>me up gently and holding me steady as I wobbled to my feet. Which was stupid because my legs were working just fine. A little pain on the knee caps but that was all
The bathroom was fill the scent of his aftershave–clean, musky, distracting. He sot me down on the closed toilet seat and reached for the hem of
my shirt
“Wait” | squeaked.
He paused, a brow lifting, “What?”
“This is this <b>is </b><b>weird</b>,” I muttered, my face burning. “I mean, you don’t <b>have </b>to-”
“We’ve already had sex, Elena. I’ve seen you naked<b>, </b>multiple times
“That’s different,” I said quickly. “That was… you <b>know</b>, for…fum.”
His Spaquired “And this isn’t <b>fun </b>for you?”
“That’s not at i manti” i sputtered.
Heughed then, a low, raspy sound that sent a shower down my spine. “Rx, Malishka. I’m just helping you clea stinking like sweat.”
“Fine” grumbled bhing down on my lower lip. “Just don’t look.”
clean up. Unless you’d rather sit here all <b>day </b>
“You’re cube when you’re embarrassed,” he said, lys voice dropping <b>as </b>he knelt before me. His hands were warm<b>, </b><b>firm </b>as he lifted the shirt over my head, tossing it into theundry basket. I shivered as the cool air hit my skin, my nipples pebbling beneath the thin sports bra.
Nikr’s eyes darkened, but he said nothing as he unhooked it, sliding it down my arms carefully to avoid the bandages. Then he was peeling down my shorts, his game fixed on my face the entire time. I tried not to squirm, tried not to think about how his hands felt against my skin or how <b>his </b>breath ghosted over my corbone as he leaned in to help me step out of the shorts.
To my utter embarrassment. I also had to pee. So he stepped <b>out </b><b>as </b>I did my business only toe back in and use water to <b>cl </b>
done<b>, </b>mortification wouldn’t be enough in exin my current <b>condition</b>,
1M
“Alright,” he said, standing up. “Let’s get
He helped me into the shows, the water waim against my bruised skin. Heaned against the tiled wall as he reached for the soap,thering his hands. Ho moved closer, his chest brushing apaimt mine as he began to <b>wash </b>me his hands sliding over my arms, my shoulders, my back. Each touch was slow, delibere, and maddeningly pendle
<b>“</b>You’ve tense,” he muured, his mouth close to my eat.
<b>“</b>I’m nei teose,” said, teeth clenched.
His hands slipped lower, trailing over my hips, my thighs, moving up again until his soapy fingers found the curve of my breasts. I sucked in a sharp breath, my heart mming against my ribs as he cupped them, massaging slow circles over the soapy skin.
osure about that?” he asked, his voice dropping an octave.
Istarted, but then his fingers dipped lower, sliding between my legs. The soapy slickness made me gasp, my knees buckling as his fingers stroked ever my clit, circling, pressing just right
tense?” he asked, his mouth brushing against my neck,
Oh god, I whimpered, my hips jerking forward.
He kept going, his fingers moving faster, harder, until my body tensed, shuddered, and finally splintered apart. This <b>was </b>faster than all the times before. I had gotten so used to orgasms multiple times a night that even one day off was <b>making </b>me horny as hell
Ibit down on my lip to muttle the cry that escaped me, my hands aching as I identally clenched them, making me gasp in pain.
“There you go,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to my temple as I sagged against him. “Now, let’s wash your hair”
By the time he finished, I was a boneless, dazed mess. He wrapped me in a towel, dried me off carefully, then helped me into a white T–shirt and a flowy skirt. I could barely lift my arms, let alone button up a shirt, so he did it for me.
“Why the skirt!” he asked, brow <b>raised</b>. Since I had chosen this outfit.
“Lasier to go to the bathroom,” I muttered, cheeks still flushed.
He chuckled, ruffling my hair. ” help you with that<b>, </b>don’t worry.”
<b>I </b>couldn’t do anything but nod.
ay strand of hair behind my ear. “I’m only allowing you to go out like this because of your
“You know,” he says, brushing a stray
“Allowing?” arch a brow, feigning offense.
presentation.
“Yes,” he says, eyes ginting as they rake over my bandaged hands. “Otherwise, I’d keep you right here, Resting”
I roll my eyes, ignoring the fluttering sensation in my chest. “What are you, my warden now?”
He leans in his lips brushing just over the shell of my ear. “If that’s what you’re into, Malishka
isher, my face heating
“And after we are done, I’ll bring you right back home,” he continues, pulling away, his expression back to that smug, infuriating grin,
I blink<b>, </b>eyebrows knitting together. “We”
Niki’s brow arches as <b>he </b>crosses his arms <b>over </b>his chest. “Yes, w
214
my casually, axit be hashi’t just dropped a bombshell,
thought of that fulbeen so caught up in the panic of not being able to use my hands, of trying toe up with a
red to me that he might actually help.
ve sonaller than Flint
oment,
something unguarded in his eyes. Something that makes my heart stutter.
Sugh for my wife,” he murmurs, stopping closer and lifting my chin with the pad of his thumb. “Not when she needs me
Cheaney in the
ing my cheeks flush. My pulse quickens
but the words don’te.
t my skirt, as he clips back mybed wet hair in a half up do.
She nced
mirking. Then let’s go
smell of coffee stronger now. Mom was already there, fully dressed, her hair neatly tied back as she poured herself a
i she saw Niki, her expression soening
reakfast again?” she asked, watching as he served her pancakes. “You should be resting, Niki
he said, forcing a smile. “it wasn’t that bad.”
My eyes dried to the band aid on his forehead, the one covering the <b>gash </b>from the crash. He caught me looking and grimaced, quickly turning away. My
“you took the worst of it,” he s
his voice rough you hadn’t been behind me—”
“it’s alright
quickly, not wanting to think about it “Let’s just eat”
Fast, Niki grabbed myptop bag, slinging it over his shoulder. “Shoes on, Malishka
frowned, looking him up and down. “You’re seriously going to university looking like that?” me ced down at himself, taking in the pressed shirt and cks. “What’s wrong with it?”
“You look like a CEO, Niko,” I said<b>, </b>crossing my arms. “You need to blend in”
He arched a row “Fine Give me five minutes
ackdown, I had to do a double take
simple ck Armani T shirt that fit him like a <b>second </b>skin and a pair of dark jeans that hugged his thighs perfectly. His hair was <b>tousled</b>,
the gel washed away, making him look younger Almost boyish. But his eyes were still the same–dark, intense, focused on me
Remind me again <b>how </b>old <b>you </b>are blurted.
He frowned. “Thirty–three. Why?”
13:13 Fri, 25 Jul G
Thirty three Thirty the
The looked like that. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to look away as he stepped closer, brushing his lips against my
“pady nem?” he asked, grabbing i
pending. This was going to be a very long day