by Wylde, Tara
But now there’s something else mixed in: panting. And… is that grunting ?
Across from me in the hallway is a large antique mirror that shows me a reverse image of what’s going on in the room. In its reflection, I see Nick’s bare torso glistening with sweat as his fists slam into a series of pads set up inside a wooden apparatus of some sort. That’s the whap .
The thok is the edge of his hands colliding with wooden cylinders set up at various points between the pads .
I let out a shaky breath I didn’t even realize I’d been holding. Everything is fine. I’m still safe .
As my fear ebbs away, my attention turns to Nick’s reflection. My impression of his body last night was on the mark: his shoulders are cannonballs, his arms wrapped in steel cables of muscle. His belly looks hard enough to stop a bullet. Swollen veins bulge against the skin of his biceps and forearms, making him seem animalistic somehow .
His back is ramrod-straight as he goes through his techniques, driving his fists into the pads and then following that with a sideways thrust with the edge of his hands into the wooden cylinders. The apparatus shakes a bit each time a strike hits home .
The motions are almost hypnotic to watch, like a conductor leading a symphony of violence. I can only imagine the damage that a single one of those blows might inflict on a human body, let alone one right after another .
Nick was obviously telling the truth when he said he could protect me. The question I can’t help but ask myself is whether anything could protect me from him .
The noises stop and I see Nick’s reflection pluck a hand towel from the apparatus. As he wipes the sheen of sweat from his face, I can’t help myself from stepping into the doorway and clapping .
He looks at me, startled, and the sudden flash of anger in his eyes chills my heart for a moment. But it’s gone again just as quickly .
“I’m sorry,” I say hesitantly. “I didn’t mean to spy, really. It’s just that was – I mean, wow. Amazing .”
He drapes the towel around his shoulders and surprises me by smiling and doing a little stage bow .
“I’ve never had an audience before,” he says .
The thought flashes through my mind: At least not one that was conscious when it was over .
I scold myself for it. I don’t know that he’s ever used this skill on another person. That’s a pretty big leap to make for someone I barely know .
Is it really? says a voice in my head. I think you know more about Nick than you’re willing to admit .
Shut up, brain. I don’t have the luxury of second-guessing the man who’s protecting me from Arkady. He is who he is, and I should be thankful for it .
“It’s almost like a dance,” I say, wincing inwardly at how lame that sounds. “Except with your hands instead of your feet .”
He nods. “Very good. that’s exactly how my father explained it to me when he taught me .”
“What is it? Karate ?”
“Just something he learned in the army,” he says with a dismissive wave .
“Could you teach me?” I blurt before my mind has a chance to stop my mouth .
My stomach sinks as his eyebrows rise. He thinks I’m a fool, he’s going to tell me that I’m a silly little girl, and this is something for grown men, I just know it. Why did I ask ?
You know why you asked , says the voice in my head. Arkady .
To my total surprise, he says, “If you like .”
I blink at him stupidly for a few seconds. “Really?” I say finally. “You’re sure ?”
“Why not ?”
Nick may not be the chattiest guy in the world, but I’m liking him more with every passing minute. He motions for me to come stand where he is and hands me a pair of lightly padded leather gloves .
“You’ll need these,” he says. “It takes years to get to the point where you can use bare knuckles .”
As I get closer, I see that his knuckles aren’t his only tattoos. There are multi-pointed stars on each of his upper pectorals, and what look to be a pair of epaulettes on his shoulders, like on a military uniform. But the colors on all of them have faded to the point where they’re only visible up close .
I ignore them. Nick’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy toward me is a godsend. The least I can do is offer him the same respect .
As I pull on the gloves, Nick stands behind me and takes me by the shoulders, positioning me so that I’m facing the apparatus head-on .
“It’s important that you’re always facing forward,” he says in my ear, setting off a flock of butterflies in my tummy. “It’s called linear fighting .”
“Linear,” I say because I can’t think of anything else. “Got it .”
“Try a punch like you normally would .”
I do, landing on the pad with a weak slapping noise. It sounds like a toddler hitting a teddy bear compared to Nick’s strikes .
“The power of your strike comes from your hips and legs, not your arms,” he says .
I blink. “How does that work ?”
Suddenly his huge hands are gripping my hips and my heart is racing. He pushes my right hip forward with a powerful thrust, pulling the left back with the reverse motion .
“The power is in the pivot,” he says. “You just need to strike in time with the movement .”
“Pivot and punch,” I breathe. “Got it .”
“Now try combining the two .”
Pivot and punch. Move my hips and my arm. I want so badly to impress him, even though I really don’t know why .
I take a breath and twist, driving my right arm forward as best I can .
Thwap!
The blow sends an uncomfortable jolt up the length of my arm all the way to my shoulder, but I don’t let it show .
Nick whistles softly in my ear, almost making me lose my balance .
“Impressive,” he says, his hands still warm on my hips. “I didn’t throw a punch like that until months after I started training .”
“I just pictured somebody’s face on the pad,” I say, trying to sound like I’m kidding. In fact, it had been Arkady in my mind’s eye .
Nick is so close behind me that I can smell the musk generated by his workout. My heart gallops in my chest as his powerful hands turn me to face him .
“You might be a natural at this,” he says, the cold embers of his eyes locked on mine. “I think you have an edge to you, even if you don’t see it .”
“Takes one to know one,” I breathe .
Jesus, did I really just say that? He must think I’m a child !
“You’re right,” he says. “We’re two of a kind, I think .”
Before I know what’s happening, my arms are around his neck, pulling his face to mine. His lips are like hot leather against mine as I open my mouth to accept him. He does the same, and my tongue slides in greedily .
What am I doing? I barely know this man! He’s old enough to be my father !
The thoughts don’t stop me from tangling my fingers in that black hair as he grips my hips with his huge hands. My heart is pounding so hard he must be able to feel it against his own chest. It all seems so crazy !
But it all seems so right, too .
Nick gives as good as he gets, meeting my passion with his own until his arms are wrapped completely around my waist. He pulls me toward him and I can feel hard warmth pressing against me under the thin fabric of my sweatpants .
His mouth finally breaks contact with mine and moves to my ear. “Storm,” he whispers .
The sound of this name that he gave me makes me want him even more .
“We have to stop,” he breathes. “This isn’t right .”
The spell breaks with a rush of blood into my cheeks, and suddenly I’m mortified. What was I thinking? He’s done so much for me and I just decide to maul him out of nowhere !
“I’m so sorry,” I say, pushing myself away from him. “I don’t know what came over me. You’ve been nothing but wonderful to me …”
He grabs me by the shoulders and locks eyes with me again. I’m trapped in that gaze, unable to move .
“Don’t be sorry,” he says. “I just – I wasn’t ready. Not right now. But we have time.” He cocks an eyebrow. “Unless you’re going somewhere ?”
“Uh,” I say. “I mean no. No, I’m not going anywhere. Unless you want me to. Do you ?”
“No.”
“That’s good. I’ll stay .”
“Good.”
He lets go of me and I take a deep breath, trying to overcome the shame that’s coursing through me. He’s still okay with me. I haven’t ruined things. I’m still safe, at least for now .
Nick surprises me by chuckling, which sets off another wave of nerves .
“Did I say something funny?” I ask .
He shakes his head and points to the door. I follow his finger to see Samson and Delilah sitting in the doorway, both tails wagging like mad .
“I think they approve,” he says .
Against all sanity, I start to giggle myself .
Chapter Thirty-Three
5 . NICK
The sound of Storm’s laughter as she runs with the dogs is almost musical. I’ve never seen them play like this in the six years I’ve had them, dropping down on their front legs and wagging their rear ends, then darting away from Storm’s touch before circling back and starting the keep-away process again .
Maybe it’s because I’m not exactly a playful guy. They’re responding to her innocent nature, just as they respond to my own grim one .
Innocent. I need to keep remembering that word. She’s an innocent young woman trapped by circumstances, and I almost let her make a huge mistake in the dojo. She was overcome by the moment and her gratitude, and I should never have let it happen .
But it’s been so long since I’ve touched a woman, and she’s so beautiful …
Shake it off, Nikolai. What would your father have said about taking advantage of a girl like that ?
That’s why I invited her along on this walk with the dogs. Distraction and distance. That’s what we need. Neither of us is in any state for anything else .
Samson and Delilah sprint off ahead of us after a jackrabbit that they’ll never catch. It doesn’t matter to them – all they want is the thrill of the chase. Storm props her hands on her knees and laughs breathlessly as she waits for me to catch up .
“I love them,” she says simply. The sun glimmers off her golden hair, casting a halo around her beautiful face .
“I think the feeling is mutual,” I say .
She shakes her head. “I’m sure they’re like this with everyone .”
“Not at all. They’re usually very professional. They’re working dogs and they know it .”
“Working at what ?”
“Protection, as I said .”
“From what? You told me no one ever comes here .”
I shrug. “Then they’re doing their job well, aren’t they ?”
She giggles. I love that she doesn’t ask questions that I really don’t want to answer, just as I don’t press her on what led her here to me. It makes for such an easy relationship – at least when I’m not complicating it by trying to seduce her .
Focus, Nikolai .
We stop as we reach the crest of a small hill. From our elevated vantage point above the cliffs, we can see the entire estate: the house, the carriage house that was once used as a guest quarters, the gardens .
Storm surveys the property, shaking her head .
“This is unbelievable,” she says quietly. “It’s like something out of a movie .”
“Actually, the estate was used as a film location in the 1980s, before I bought it. I don’t remember the name; something about an old recluse who lures young people to his mansion and murders them .”
As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I’m trying to swallow them back .
“Uh, that is… I mean –”
Storm’s grin spreads to the point that her face almost splits in two before she breaks up into laughter. I’m sure my face is glowing several shades of crimson .
“I’m sorry,” she sputters when she finally composes herself. “That was just – that was hilarious .”
“Yes, I’m sure,” I grumble .
That sets her off again. She places a hand on my arm to steady herself, igniting an unwelcome tremor of excitement in my belly .
“See, that’s what makes it so funny,” she sighs. “You’re always so straight-faced. I wish I’d been recording that on my phone. It would have gotten a million views on YouTube, easy .”
Suddenly her eyes go wide. “My phone,” she says. “I can’t believe I haven’t thought of it before now .”
“I thought people your age were surgically attached to them,” I smirk .
“Ha ha,” she says with a look that’s anything but amused. “I don’t suppose you saw it when you – you know, when you found me ?”
“Sorry. Just you and a little black dress .”
She frowns .
“Why?” I ask. “Is there someone you need to call ?”
As soon as I say it, I find myself dreading the answer. But how stupid could I be? Of course she has someone waiting for her, worried about her. A family, a – a boyfriend. People who are frantic to know if she’s all right. I’ve been keeping her here all to myself, like the man in that movie .
“No,” she says quietly. “There’s nobody .”
Part of me is relieved, but the tone of her voice still makes my heart ache. Can she really have no one at all ?
Is she really that much like me ?
“I’ll get you a new one,” I say, hoping to lift the mood .
“It’s all right,” she says. “I don’t need one. I can just use yours if I really need to call anyone .”
I wince. “Sorry, not possible .”
“Why not ?”
“I don’t have a cell phone .”
She blinks. “Are you serious ?”
“I just never felt the need for one. There’s a landline in the house – at least I think there is. I don’t know where the actual phone is, though .”
“You’re telling me you never use the phone ?”
I shake my head .
“Wow,” she breathes. “I can’t imagine having that much will power .”
But the look behind her eyes makes me think she’s feeling more than a little sad for me. Like she realizes the reason I don’t use the phone is because I have no one to talk to .
Samson and Delilah save me from the uncomfortable moment by bounding up the hill towards us. Storm grins as they approach and drops to her knees in the grass to greet them. The dogs shock me by licking her face furiously, making her double over and cover herself, giggling, to protect herself from the onslaught .
“All done,” I say sternly, and they both sit immediately .
“Aww,” Storm pouts. “I was having fun .”
“Sorry, but I don’t like them to get too far from their training. They need to remember they’re working dogs .”
She sighs. “I used to have a dog when I was a kid back in Arkansas. She’d lick my face like that. It was her way of drying my tears and cheering me up .”
I want very much to ask her about it, but I won’t. No questions, that’s the rule .
“Do you want to go buy a new phone?” I ask, hoping to change the subject. “I can take you into town .”
“No,” she says. “I don’t really feel like going anywhere right now, if that’s okay with you .”
It’s more than okay with me .
“Of course. Whatever you like .”
“Plus, I get the sense that you can’t really afford to go splurging on a new phone,” she says with an embarrassed wince .
I blink twice before her smirk tells me she’s joking. Suddenly I’m chuckling like an idiot .
Storm grins. “I knew you could laugh if you really put your mind to it !”
I shake my head. “Brat .”
>
She sticks her tongue out at me, and instantly my pants become tighter .
“Come on,” I say, again trying to change the subject. Distraction and distance . “Let’s head back to the house. I’ll make lunch .”
“Okay,” she says. “What’s on the menu ?”
“Soup and sandwich ?”
She rolls her eyes comically. “I’m so giving this hotel two stars on TripAdvisor .”
I have no idea what TripAdvisor is, but I get the joke .
“Very funny,” I say. “We’ll see what you say after you taste it .”
* * *
“O h. My. GOD .”
Storm shovels the borscht into her mouth like she hasn’t eaten in a week, which may be the case for all I know. Other than her toast last night, I haven’t seen her eat anything .
“So,” I say. “Better than two stars ?”
She looks at me, eyes wide, her spoon in mid-scoop .
“What’s in this? I mean, besides unicorn tears ?”
I shrug. “Beets, cabbage, onion. A little sour cream .”
She picks up the bowl and pours the remainder directly into her mouth. “It’s amazing .”
With the soup finished, she tucks into her sandwich – smoked salmon on black bread. Her eyes roll in ecstasy .
“This is incredible,” she says through a mouthful of food. “I mean it. Absolutely delicious .”
“You must not get out much,” I say, but inwardly I’m preening at the compliment .
She finishes the sandwich and wipes her mouth on a napkin .
“You should open a restaurant,” she says. “I mean, if you wanted to give up this rich hermit life and work all day for almost no money .”
I grin. “I like to cook .”
“Well, that’s perfect,” she says. “Because I like to eat .”
“A match made in heaven, then .”
We sit in comfortable silence for a while as the dogs eye Storm’s empty bowl with naked curiosity. On an impulse, I put it on the floor and say: “Take it .”
They rush to it and start lapping up the meager remains with their huge tongues .
Storm smiles. “I knew deep down you were really a big softy .”
A big softy? I’ve been called many things in my life, by many people, but never that .