by Aliyah Burke
“Why do you think something’s wrong?”
“Cleopatra,” he rumbled, sounding deliciously sexy and pushy.
“I’m fine,” she bit off.
“Don’t lie to me.” His reprimand was insistent despite the gentle way it was issued.
“Just having a bad day, Nik. Let it go, please.”
“Do you need me?”
Cleo knew he’d drop everything and come to her rescue. I don’t need to be rescued! I can do this. Injecting what she hoped to be the right amount of thanks, she said, “No, that won’t be necessary. I’m just having a day I wish I could start over.”
“If you’re sure,” he said doubtfully.
Taking a deep breath, Cleo closed her eyes and nodded. “I’m sure.”
“I have to go, snežinka; the meeting’s about to start. You call if you need anything, anything, at all.”
“I will…and Nik?”
“Yes, snežinka?” His tone flowed like liqueur over her.
“Thank you.”
“You never have to thank me, but you are most welcome.”
They hung up, and Cleo sagged back against the couch and frowned at her arm. Her lip curled up into a snarl as she hissed at the cast.
“Bloody broken arm, and my car is totaled!” she cried to the room.
Every inch of her hurt, and Cleo gave into the threatening tears. Her body shook, and she didn’t even move when the door opened to admit Kenya. Cleo just sat with her and cried. When she woke later, Kenya had gone. There was food prepared for her on the counter. Cleo spent the next day at home. She answered all of Kenya’s calls, doing her best to assure her friend she was fine.
Ding dong. Ding dong.
Cleo sat up in bed and glanced at the clock. Three in the morning. Why the hell is my doorbell going? Moving stiffly, she hobbled to the door. “Who’s there?”
“Open the door, snežinka.”
Cleo inhaled sharply at the sound of Nik’s heavily accented voice. With her good arm, she undid the locks and pulled the door open. Bathed in the light from the hall and partially her apartment, she gawked at him. His dark cocoa eyes full of concern as he held her gaze.
“I am going to kill her,” she muttered while his powerful body drew her in close.
“It wasn’t her. Not that it matters; you should have told me.” He turned them and closed the door behind him.
Cleo stepped away reluctantly. “Who did?”
Nik shrugged out of his trench, leaving him in a look similar to what he’d worn the night they met. Black boots, dark cargo pants, and a Henley shirt. “Lane.” Nik reached out and lifted her chin, his thumb skimming along the edge of one of her wounds, courtesy of the crash. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t…I didn’t…I…” Cleo trailed off.
He sighed, leaned in, and placed a tender kiss on her mouth careful of the split. He muttered something in Russian before sweeping her easily off her feet.
“What are you doing?”
Nik locked the door. “I just got off a flight from Russia, snežinka. I need some sleep, and so do you.”
Cleo relaxed, all worry and stress evaporated being in Nik’s embrace. Curling up on him, she rested her cast on his bare chest, kissed his chin, and said, “Thank you for coming.”
His lips were warm against her skin when he kissed her. “I’ll always come for you, snežinka, always.”
That statement cradled her along the road to sleep.
Over the next week, she began to pack her things. It was slow going; however, Nik was a huge help. He filled boxes and had decided there was no time like the present for her to learn Russian. So, here she sat, placing books into a box while Nik worked on another box.
“Well?” he asked.
“I’m thinking.” What the hell was zero again?
“You know zero to ten, come on.” Cutting her eyes to him, Cleo sneered at him. Nik knelt on the floor, working carefully. “I don’t think you’re ready for the consequences of that, snežinka.”
How the hell does he do that? He shouldn’t have seen my expression. And, yet, she couldn’t stop the shiver his words gave her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
His gaze snapped up to meet hers, the look in them predatory. “Really?” Closing his eyes, he shook his head. “Stop stalling. Zero through ten, let’s go.”
I can do this. Licking her lips, Cleo took a deep breath and said, “Nol’, odin, dva, tri, chyetyrye, pyat’, shyest’, syem’, vosyem’, dyevyat’, dyesyat’.”
“Excellent,” he praised.
Cleo smiled. “Spasibo.”
“You are most welcome.” Nik taped the box then wrote, “Books” on the side and top in marker. “Now, do the days of the week.”
Taskmaster. Cleo sat back as Nik changed boxes, giving her another empty before taping and marking the one she’d filled. “Days of the week, okay. Monday through Sunday.” Worrying her lower lip, she remained silent until he looked up at her and cocked a brow. “Sorry. Okay. Ponyedyel’nik, vtornik, sryeda, chyetvyerg, pyatnitsa, subbota, voskryesyen’ye.”
“Listen to Sunday. Voskryesyen’ye,” he said.
“Say it, again.”
“Voskryesyen’ye.”
Cleo listened and mimicked the best she could.
“Perfect. You just had the stress in the wrong place.”
She repeated it a few times to herself as she worked on the box, confident Nik would correct her, if needed. It was fun, having him teach. At night, he taught body parts. I’ve picked those up much quicker. Despite having no car, the bruises, and the broken right arm, it was an idyllic time. It would be oh so easy to let him take care of me.
Like he heard her thoughts, Nik lifted his gaze to hers and sent her an intimate, knowing smile along with a promise. “Ready for more?”
“Da,” she said with a grin of her own.
The learning and the packing continued well into the night, and Cleo was exhausted when she curled up to Nik. The time flew by, and moving day grew even closer. Every time she asked Nik if he had to go, he shook his head and kissed her until the question slipped from her mind.
“I’m gonna miss you,” Kenya said.
Cleo gazed at her friend across the booth in Trollez and gave her a bittersweet smile. “I’m gonna miss you, too.”
“Russia was different. I knew you were coming home.” Kenya sipped her lemonade.
“I know; now, I’m moving totally away.” Cleo felt the tears briefly and blinked them away before changing the subject. “Are you sure you’ll be okay with Lane gone on tour?”
Kenya nodded. “I’m sure.”
“Okay.” They talked about an array of things before leaving and walking outside in the brisk evening. As they walked along a path to Kenya’s vehicle, making the best of their remaining time together, when someone interrupted.
“Aren’t you the one who is with Lane?” It was a man’s voice, deep and angry.
Cleo looked up in confusion and saw a man scowling down at them. Immediately, concern for Kenya rose up. “Can we help you?” she asked, drawing his attention from her friend.
“What makes you think you’re good enough for him? You’ve hurt his career,” the man spat and stepped nearer. “I don’t like that.”
Cleo started to intercede when he reached for Kenya. It wasn’t necessary. A large hand clamped around his, and a voice, low, dangerous, and accented filled the air.
“I don’t like you threatening women. Especially, these women,” Nik growled, glaring down at the man.
She couldn’t explain the relief at seeing Nik. She’d totally spaced it that he’d said he’d be there to drive her back to her apartment after her time with Kenya. His jaw set in a grim line, eyes narrowed and none of the gentleman he could be present in his demeanor. Instead, it was filled with the desire to cause pain. Cleo was reminded of the man who’d cleared one rail and smashed through another to protect her. And the sword, don’t forget the sword.
; “Get off me, man!” The guy struggled unsuccessfully against Nik’s grip. “I wasn’t going to hurt her.”
“I know,” Nik said in an emotionless timbre. “Had you attempted, I would have killed you.”
Kenya squeezed her hand as Cleo watched the man pale even more. There was no mistaking the blatant honesty in Nik’s tone.
“Go!” Nik’s word cracked through the air.
The man did, with one final look at her and Kenya. Nik stared after the scared human until he vanished from sight, then he turned his gaze to her. Cleo noticed his eyes soften. One hand caressed her cheek before he looked at Kenya.
“You and your baby are okay?”
“Yes,” Kenya said. “Thank you.”
“Come, I’ll take you home.” Nik swung his gaze over to Cleo. “You can follow in my car.”
It wasn’t so much of a question as a statement. “I’ll be right behind you,” Cleo said, reaching out for his keys.
“No,” Kenya said. “It doesn’t make sense for you to go out of your way for me. I can drive myself.”
Cleo bit back a laugh at the expression that filled Nik’s face. Kenya’s so not going to win.
Holding out his hand, Nik stated, “I never said you couldn’t drive. I said I was taking you home. Keys, please.”
Kenya glared at her. “Is he always like this?”
Cleo snorted. “Pretty much. Give him the keys, Kenya.”
Digging into her purse, Kenya dropped them into his hand. “Just like Cam, overbearing, stubborn—”
“And concerned about your wellbeing,” Nik interrupted firmly.
Nik kissed Cleo at his car and led Kenya to hers. Alone in the car, Cleo gave into the desire to laugh. She’d barely gotten it under control when they arrived at Kenya’s.
“See you tomorrow,” Cleo whispered to Kenya while they hugged. Nik had insisted on checking out the interior, and now, they stood by the front door.
“Yes. You know, I like your overbearing man; he’s good for you.” With a kiss to her cheek, Kenya stepped back and said, “Thank you, Nik. For everything.”
Nik bowed and said, “You’re welcome. Have a wonderful night.”
Cleo’s heart skipped when his brown eyes turned to her. No words passed; he just held out a hand. Cleo went to him easily, a smile on her face. His lips trailed along her neck when he held the door of his car for her. He drove back to her apartment, and when he shut off the engine, Cleo looked at him.
“What, snežinka? What’s going on in that head of yours?”
“Thank you for being there. For defending Kenya.”
He leaned over and kissed her. “Come, snežinka, let’s get some sleep. Tomorrow is a busy day.”
Nik made sweet love to her that night. So tender it brought tears to her eyes.
The next morning, she watched Nik and Rhys, Kenya’s brother-in-law, load the truck. Kenya helped direct them for she was forbidden to lift any boxes. Cleo did light boxes, but Nik would send her a glare if he felt it too heavy for her. She’d shed her tears with Kenya already, and now, it was she and Nik in the empty apartment.
“How are you doing, Cleo?” Nik asked, coming in, pizza in hand.
“Nervous. Scared. Hungry… That smells really good.”
He laughed. “Eat up. We’ll take a break and, then, clean.”
Cleo grabbed some paper plates, and Nik set the pizza box down on the counter. Soon, they were sitting alongside it, deep into their meal.
αβ
Nik tied off a bag of trash and found himself staring at Cleo as she vacuumed the carpet. A baggy pair of jeans did nothing to quell his ardor. He smiled when her cast came into view; he’d spent an afternoon coloring it so it wasn’t so bland.
Walking back to the bedroom, he gave it one final onceover before pulling the door closed behind him. Tonight, they were sleeping on an air mattress in the living room. Nik stopped at the end of the hallway, his gaze fixed on a strange man talking to Cleo. A quick glance to his woman, and he picked up on the strain in her stance, and he could hear it in her voice.
Running his tongue over his top teeth, Nik strode in the room to stop at her side. “Back’s all clean and closed up,” he told her. Then, he put his attention on the other man, who stood too close to Cleo for his liking. “Who are you?”
Defiance flared in the dark eyes staring back at him. “I should be asking you the same. I’m Cleo’s husband.”
The one who cheated on her. David. Cleo stiffened beside him. Nik ran his eyes over David. “Oh, David, the ex.”
David bristled. “Who are you?”
“Not dumb enough to make your mistake. Was there something you needed?”
“Cleo, tell him to leave so we can finish our discussion.”
Nik snorted. “No way. You’re stressing my woman; I don’t like that in the slightest.”
“We don’t have anything to say to one another, David,” Cleo chimed in, exhaustion clear in her voice.
“See,” Nik said. “You leave now or I’ll help you out.”
“You threatening me, man?” David demanded, puffing up his chest.
Shifting his stance slightly, Nik shook his head. “Nope. A promise.” He glared at Cleo’s ex, his gaze validating his comment.
“I don’t want her, anyway, she wasn’t go—”
Nik’s hand was around his throat, and David was against the wall. “I tend to get upset when people say bad things about the woman I love.” His fingers squeezed.
“Nik, don’t. Let him go,” she pleaded.
He breathed deeply and dropped his hand. Eyes narrow slits, he bit off, “Go!”
David gasped for air and bolted.
In a single motion, Nik pushed the door shut and turned to the woman beside him. “Are you okay, snežinka?”
Cleo stepped into him. He curved his arms around her, holding her close. Her gentle scent calming his anger.
“I had it handled,” she muttered.
Nik smiled into her hair. “I know. But I can’t stop being who I am, Cleo.”
Drawing back she looked up at him. “And who’s that?”
“A man who will always protect you.”
“Even if I don’t want it?”
“Even then.”
Cleo sighed and rested against him, again. Nik kissed the top of her head. They stood together for a few minutes before she sighed deeply.
“I don’t want to move, but I still have to clean.”
Staring across the room, Nik said, “Why don’t you unpack the bed and get it blown up. I’ll start on the kitchen.” He prepared himself for her argument, but it never came.
“Okay.” Her tone was tired.
Nik longed to sweep her off her feet and carry her somewhere no one could distract them. “Okay,” he replied and walked to the kitchen.
A while later, he peeked out and smiled. Cleo lay sprawled on her belly, sound asleep on the air mattress.
“At least she got the sheets on.” Cleaning his hands, he moved to her side and knelt down to cover her with one of the thick blankets. She barely stirred. “Rest well, snežinka.”
Nik cleaned the rest of the apartment, and it was well past midnight when he joined a still slumbering Cleo on the bed. Her immediately curling up and draping over him brought a tired smile to his face. With a final yawn, Nik slid into slumber.
They were awake and on the road by five. The trip was uneventful, and a few days later, he was unloading the truck at her new apartment. Marcus and Kit had come to assist. Even Marc and Evie helped. After it had been cleared out, Marcus went with him to return the truck, following behind in his vehicle.
“I hope this means we’ll be seeing more of you, now, brother,” Marcus said as they drove to a warehouse that Nik asked him to go to.
“I believe it does. I need to secure some property and get a house built.”
“Have you asked her to marry you?”
“No. No, I haven’t.” Nik sighed. “She still hardly believes I truly love her.�
� He frowned. “It’s like she’s trying to convince herself she doesn’t need me.” When the truck stopped, Nik got out and headed toward a waiting man, Marcus following behind.
“You Nikolas Andreyevich?” the large man asked before sending a stream of tobacco juice to the ground.
Trying not to wince over the sound of his name being butchered, Nik nodded. “Yes.” He could feel Marcus watching him but ignored him.
“This way.” The man walked off, leaving them to follow.
They waited at the end of a shipping container until the ramp was lowered to the ground. Nik smiled when he saw it had survived the trip.
A low whistle left Marcus. “For Cleo?”
“Yes,” Nik answered.
“Well, hell. I can’t wait to see her reaction to this. Let’s get going.”
Back at her apartment, Nik observed Cleo while she glanced between him and the gift he’d purchased for her.
“Oh, my God, Nik!” Cleo gasped. “I can’t—”
“You can and will. Unless you want a different vehicle. But you needed one, and I took care of it,” he injected finality into his tone.
He watched her run her hands over the Tamar blue paint. Nik had brought over a brand new Land Rover Defender 110 Utility Wagon XS, leather seats, side runners, cubby box, and more.
Cleo left it and walked to him. “Nik,” she began, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
“Cleo.” He lowered his face to hers. “This is non-negotiable. I saw how you kept going back to mine in my garage.” Nik nipped her ear. “Just take it. I made sure it’s ready for this country. Inspection cleared it, so you know even the headlights are set correctly for here. Take it, it’s all yours, filled up and waiting for you.”
Her body trembled, and he turned her toward the vehicle, saying, “Take her for a drive.”
“Come on, Cleo. We need to get some groceries for you. I’d love a ride,” Kit said.
Nik flashed Kit a thankful smile.
Cleo faced him, again. She sighed heavily before slipping her arms around his neck. “You, Nikolas Andreyevich, you are arrogant, pushy, domineering, and…absolutely wonderful. Thank you.” She kissed him quickly before scampering off to where Kit waited beside her new vehicle.