hapter 62


    The de back from the doctors like shedding a second skin. The weight of the bandages was gone, leaving behind raw <i>skin</i>, fresh nerves, and the underable presence of scar tissur


    | kept icing down at any hands, opening and closing them slowly in myp, watching the way the skin wrinkled, pulled. The angry pink lines etched boss my palms were grotesque,


    etcanva


    1 sighed, resting my forehead briefly against the cool window of the car as the city blurred past us, neon lights smearing like oil paint on a wet canvas, The evening air outside had cooled


    Nik hadn’t said much during the appointment, just watched the dactor remove the gauze withser focus. When they gave me the all clear and handed over the aftercare instructions–including the ointment I had to apply three times a day he was the one who asked all the questions. Me? I’d just


    stared at my hands.


    People never do realize how blessed they are until they lose something, do they?


    Aber this incident i had realized that I was not an exception to that. I had been so upset that my family was in debt, that I had suffered from a heart condition, that my baytend cheated on me, and I had forgotten that I also had other things that I hadn’t lost.


    Now? Having to depend on someone, even just to go to the bathroom, it made me realize that I never really appreciated the things I already had in my 1. Like my working limbs, my intelligence, my mother, and also…


    turned to look at the man driving the car. He seemed lost even as he drove. As though he too, was busy in his own mind,


    Now, in the soft hum of the car, I broke the silence. My voice was smaller <b>than </b>I wanted it to be.


    “Hey, Niki?”


    “Hm?” His eyes ficked to me briefly before returning to the road, one hand casually gripping the wheel, the other resting


    “Can we get gloves!”


    gon the center console


    He didn’t respond at first, Just a slight crease between his brows, like he didn’t understand. I kept my eyes on my hands, twisting them in the faint light from the dashboard, watching the shimmer of medicated lotion catch the reflection


    “They’re ugly” i mumbled. “The scars. They look… I don’t know. Disgusting Like dipped my hands in acid or something


    But was only human, and being grateful and patient, I had realized, was easier <b>said </b>than done.


    The car rolled to a soft stop at a red light. I felt the weight of <b>his </b>gazel


    the one that made my stomach flutter and my <b>throat </b>tighten.


    Then gently, he reached over and took my hands in his.


    before i turned my head. He was already looking at me. That expression on his face


    He brought them to his lips and kissed the center of each palm, soft, reverent,


    “ou don’t have a single thing to hide,” he said, voice low and rough. “But if it makes you feel better, I’ll have some good quality ones delivered tomorrow Any color you want. Si, leather, cashmere–whatever feels best,


    I swallowed hand. His touch lingered, and I was grateful for it. Gratolul didn’t have to


    The light turned grem, and he released me slowly<b>, </b>returning his hand to the wheel.


    to say thank you aloud because it was already written across my <b>face</b>.


    “Thanks,” whispered, voice cracking a “really didn’t want to <b>go </b>out shopping like this. I feel like I’ve been run over by a truck.


    13-14 Fri, 25 <i>JUL </i>


    N?i gave a low thinkle. “”“Good. Then I don’t feel guilty doing this


    “Dongwha


    Belt ponder on what he meant, the cat eased into the underground parking of his building. He parked, turned off the ignition, got out without another went and i leme around to my side


    He opened the dom, leaned in, and scooped me up.


    “Hey!” 1 shrieked, my arma instinctively wrapping around his shoulders. “Niki, I can walk, you know!”


    But he didn’t finch. He kicked the car door that with the heel of his shoe and turned toward the private elevator, holding me like I weighed nothing.


    “I don’t want you may from me for even a second tonight,” he said smoothly, pressing the button with his elbow “So stop fighting and enjoy being


    Thued. “That’s not–You can’t just… I’m not going to fight, but you really don’t have to carry me. I’m not fragile, you know?<i>” </i>


    il buried my face into his neck and tried not tobust. His scent–clean and <b>spicy</b>–wrapped around me like a drug. I closed my eyes and pretended i


    elevatorchimed. The doors slid open. He stepped in without hesitation.


    As the lit ascended smoothly to the penthouse, he kissed me. Deep Slow! His lips moved over mine like he had all the time in the world, tongue teasing, teeth nipping, his grip firm but careful. By the time the doors opened again, I was dared.


    We entered the penthouse and he didn’t drop me until we climbed the stairs and reached the bedroom.


    Trealized something was… different.


    The bedroom was glowing.


    Candes flickered on every surface, their golden light soft and inviting. Petals–roses–were scattered across the bed and lined the ground in elegant swirls, decorating the white linen and marble like brushstrokes of passion. The entire room smelled like roses and sandalwood and heat.


    “What, is all the?” I whispered.


    He carried me across the threshold like some ancient fairytale and sot me gently on the bed, I sat up, heart hammering<b>, </b>gaze sweeping across the room


    stunned dubelut


    the asion?” Lasked<b>, </b>voice trembling


    He stood at the foot of the bed, loosening his tie, his expression soft. Then he smiled.


    “There’s a custom in Middle Eastern weddings,” he said slowly. “The bride and groom’s room is decorated with flowers on the wedding, night.”


    My throat Lightened


    “But why today” asked softly. it’s not won our wedding night.”


    <b>2</b>/


    He ilipped the the eff Ha neck.


    he said, eyes locked en mise, Wereldo


    “didn’t do it right the festtime,” he continued, voice rough We got married for the wrong reasons. The office what we did that day–wasn’t….love. But tonight, want to make love to you, Elena. With no contracts. No obligations Just us, <b>Real </b>Honest”


    ined up at him, my beat thudding wildly, Love, He’d actually said it


    “You don’t have to, you know whispered, feeling small. “I’m not really that into soft Hove making”


    Just saving the words made my entire face ben


    To my surprise, he smirked.


    Malishka” he murmured, stepping closer.


    He reached for my hands, now free of bandages, and lifted them gently. Then, with smooth, practiced movements, he began to tie his silk tie around my wrists. Not tight–firm, Intricate. The knot kept my palms apart, my fingers open, useless.


    y mouth wint dry


    know exactly what you like,” he said, his voice sin incarnate. “And what my wife wants… my wife gets


    His hands drifted to the buttons of my white dress. One by one, he undid them, revealing the ivory <bce </b>beneath. Bra. Panties. The matching set I’d worn because, well.. I had a feeling tonight might end like this


    i slow pull, he peeled the underwear from my legs and tossed it somewhere behind him. Then, without unhooking the <b>bra</b>, he <b>leaned </b>down.


    And fell to his knees.


    Right in front of the bed.


    Right in front of me.


    I gasped as he kissed the inside of my thigh. Then again. Higher. Higher.


    And then his mouth was on me.


    Hot Devouring.


    I fell <b>back </b>on the bed, <b>my </b>back hitting the mattress.


    Larched violently, hands yanking at the tie <b>as </b>if I could break through it. I didn’t even register the <b>pain</b>.


    His tongue moved with purpose. No teasing this time, <b>Just </b>raw, unrelenting focus. Oh fuck. Fuck. I’d been so horny. I knew I wouldst even a full minute with the pace he’d set


    My eyes widened when I felt his fingerse up to rub circles onto my clit and I moaned.


    My orgasm soon hit hard,


    <b>My </b><b>back </b>bowed, my toes curled, and cried out his name like it was the only word I know.


    13:14 Fr 25 <i>Jul </i>


    she finally pulled back, he kicked


    ith undul satofaction and looked up at me.


    rind, Malishka


    He tamed and moved to the drawers. I tried to see what he pulled out, but his body blocked my view


    i hanity, moved to my breasts, fondling them through the bra. He didn’t remove it. Not yet. Instead, he pinched my nipples through the fabric, making


    isation sharp and wicked


    I your eyes,” he ordered.


    His eyes darkens? ” questions. Are you going to be a bad girl and disobey?”


    Ntched. A fresh wave of <b>heat </b>rolled through me.


    (flushed, enbarassed, tingles racing up my spine. <b>We </b>were gonna do roley now? Oh god.


    The what, Malishka?” he pressed.


    “No I won’t <b>be </b>a “My voice cracked. This was mortifying. But also thrilling. “Abad girl Niko.”


    Hork was slow Dangerous. Possessive.


    ever you want with me


    His pupils bire wide, ck nearly eclipsing the gray


    “Good” he whispered


    And I closed my eye