Nikolai

by Sandy Alvarez

  "Tih o-che-reh-Vah-tsel-na. You captured my heart the first moment I laid eyes on you. To you and others, you appeared to be broken," I shake my head, "but that was farthest from the truth. You are a woman of strength—a force of nature. You are the quiet strength in the storm you've walked through. You are the woman I wish to finish my journey through life with. You are my future. I vow to protect you, hold you, and love you for the rest of my days. I will always put you before myself—always. I give my life to you, Leah—until my last breath."

  I feel Leah's hands tremble. "Nikolai, I sat down to write my vows, only to end with a blank piece of paper. So, I decided to express the depth of my love using music." Letting go of my hand, Leah walks with grace to the piano nearby. She sits on the bench. Leah has never shared her gift of music with anyone besides me. I couldn't look away if I tried. Spellbound, I watch her fingertips begin to dance atop the ivory keys, as the cello player joins her. The beautiful melody she plays—A thousand years grips every part of my being. She begins to sway as she plays, pouring all of herself—her love for me into every note.

  When Leah finishes, there is nothing but silence. With help from Alba, who straightens her train, she makes her way back to me and takes my hand in hers. "I never had someone in my life to show me what love truly was until you came along. Nikolai, you showed me a man's hands should be gentle, and his words should be spoken with the intent to encourage and strengthen me, not used to tear me down and leave me feeling broken. You have given me a love I always thought was unattainable. You cherish me for who I am. You love everything about me when I find it hard to love myself. I feel like I've survived all the hardships in my life because we were meant to find each other. I'm finding the strong woman you see in me because of your love. I'll happily stand beside you for the rest of my life, Nikolai."

  "Well, hell. I don't think there is anything else to say, except, brother, what are you waiting for? Kiss your woman," Quinn exclaims, and our family's cheers ring through the air. Wasting no time, I grab Leah's face in the palms of my hands. Leaning down, I kiss the hell out of my wife.

  A few hours later, the celebration of our marriage is in full swing. The sun has set, and music fills the air. "Are you happy, Mrs. Volkov?" I ask Leah after I've whisked her away from her friends, stealing a private moment with her, behind the giant oak tree.

  "Say it again," she smiles at me.

  "Are you happy?" bending down, I kiss her neck, inhaling her sweet perfume.

  "No, the other part," Leah says breathless, as I back her up against the tree. Her fingertips graze my scalp as she plays with my hair.

  I pull her body close and whisper in her ear. "Mrs. Volkov," I feel her skin prickle. "I'm ready to have you all to myself," I admit, before pulling away, and the desire in her heated gaze tells me she is ready too. With her hand in mine, we appear from our hideaway. In the distance, near the boat dock, we notice that the family has gathered. "Come. I have a surprise for you." Crossing the yard, Leah and I make our way down to the dock to my boat. Letting go of her hand, the women gather around her, sharing tears and laughter.

  Holding a bottle of vodka in his hand, my brother approaches me. "I take it you're eager to take your bride and high tail it out of here?" Logan grins. Jake and the rest of the men gather around, along with my father, who stands beside me. Quinn hands each man a shot glass, and my brother fills them to the rims. They raise their shots in the air. "To Nikolai and Leah." The others repeat his words, and we down our liquor.

  "Ready?" I ask Leah once she finds her way back to me.

  "Wait. Where are we going," I lead her down toward the boat.

  "I'm taking you home."

  "We're living on a boat?" She gives me a puzzled look.

  "No, Malyshka. It is our transportation."

  The name of the boat is painted in bold font across the back of the boat. Leah gasps. "You named the boat after me?"

  "It is a gift from my father," I lift her dress and help her aboard.

  "It's beautiful," she looks around. "This is my surprise?" she looks at me.

  "One of them."

  Her eyes grow wide. "There's more?"

  Pulling off my jacket, I hand it to my wife and roll up my shirt sleeves, then busy myself, getting the boat ready to pull away from the dock. Moments later, I'm navigating us into the open water.

  "Nikolai, Look!" Leah grabs my forearm, and I peer over my shoulder at what she's pointing to. Dozens of paper lanterns floating high, flickering in the night sky like stars. Beneath the beautiful display, all the women and children waving goodbye. Leah waves back, her smile so big it is infectious, and I smile myself.

  I had every intention of taking my time crossing the lake to our destination, but excitement over revealing my final surprise has me increasing our speed. Before I know it, the home I've been building for over a year comes into view. Every light is on, and the backyard twinkles with hundreds of lights, I had strung throughout the trees and shrubs.

  "Look at all those lights. It makes me think of Christmas." Leah leans into my side as I slow the boat down.

  "You like it?" I ask

  "Who wouldn't."

  Bending, I kiss the top of her head, "Good. It's yours." I steer the boat bringing it to dock

  "You bought us a house?"

  "I built us a house," I reply. When we're close enough, I jump off and secure the boat.

  "Wait," Leah rushes from the cabin. "You built this—when?" Reaching out, I wrap my hands around her waist, and she places her hands on top of my shoulders, and I help her from the boat. "How, I mean. A whole house. Who builds that fast?" Leah asks with astonishment as we make our way toward our new home.

  "We broke ground last year. My crew finished the final details a few days ago." Leah's feet stop moving. Tilting her head back, she looks at me. "I told you, I knew you were the one the moment I saw you." Sweeping her off her feet, I pull her close to my chest.

  Leah palms my cheek as she looks into my eyes. "How did I get so lucky?"

  "I'm the fortunate one, Malyshka. I get the pleasure of kissing you whenever I want, and having babies with you."

  "Babies? More than one?" Leah interrupts me with a sly grin.

  "Yes, babies." I capture her lips in a brutal kiss, and she deepens it.

  "I need you," Leah pants, and I am not a man to deny my wife anything. Opening the door, I carry her over the threshold.

  Carrying my bride up the stairs, I don't stop until I'm in our bedroom, then let her feet find the floor. Leah looks around the room, walking over to the bed, and runs her fingertips across the smooth wood frame. My shirt comes off as I watch her turn her back to me. I kick off my shoes. Tossing her long hair to the side, Leah looks over her shoulder, finding me watching her. "You'll have to help me." She says, and I move toward her like I'm a predator, and she is my prey. My fingers make quick work of each little button on the back of her dress. Along the way, I trail kisses down her spine as her bare skin reveals itself. Leah pulls her arms free of the sleeves, which allows the dress to pool at her feet. She makes a move to spin and face me, but I stop her.

  "Fuck. Let me look at you." I take in what she was hiding beneath her wedding gown—white lace lingerie. She is every man's fantasy. I tilt her head to the side, "I can't believe you are mine." My mouth is on her neck then her shoulder as my fingertips trail down her stomach. I slip my hand beneath her panties, lightly running my fingers through her folds. Leah gasps, her back arching against me as I tease her entrance. "You're perfect," I push my finger inside her.

  "Nikolai," she whimpers.

  "Let go, Malyshka." I pressed my palm against her bundle of nerves, intensifying her pleasure, and urging her body to give me what I want. "Come for me." Within seconds Leah's walls shutter around my finger as her orgasms rips through her body. I hold her tight against me as her legs quiver.

  Spinning her to face me, I kiss her—hard. Not shying away, Leah's hands explore my body, undoing the button of my pants, lowering th
e zipper. Sinking to her knees, she sets my cock free. "Tonight is about your pleasure, not mine," I look down at her. Not listening, Leah locks her eyes on mine, wraps her fingers around the base of my cock, and takes me in her mouth. I hiss. I let her have her way for a few minutes, loving how her red painted lips slide down my shaft as she sucks me into her mouth. Torturing myself, I pull away, my cock cursing me for doing so.

  I haul Leah off the floor. "My turn." Reaching behind her, I unclasp her bra. It falls to the floor, and I waste no time taking one of her hardened nipples in my mouth. Moaning, her fingers thread through my hair. Guiding her, I lay Leah on the bed. Ridding myself of the rest of my clothing, I press a knee to the mattress, hook my fingers in the band of her panties, and slid them down her legs.

  Pushing her legs apart, I settle between her thighs, giving her a wolfish grin, before covering her sex with my mouth. Fuck, my woman tastes sweet. Gripping the comforter, Leah moans my name. Her hips buck against my face the moment I suck her clit into my mouth. Gripping her hips, I roll to my back, bring Leah to sit on top of me. She goes to move, but I hold her in place. Leah looks at me with confusion. "Sit on my face."

  "What?" she shakes her head. "I can't."

  I run my tongue through her folds, and her head falls back. "You can." I encourage her, and she nods. Using the headboard to hold onto, Leah straddles my face, placing her perfect pussy exactly where I want it. I nip and suck until her hips find their rhythm, and watch her heavy breasts sway above me. She rides my face until she comes undone.

  Needing to be inside of her, I grip her hips, swiftly lay her back, and bring my body over hers. My cock hangs heavy between her thighs, close enough to feel the heat of her pussy. Her fingers trail down my biceps. I search her eyes. "If you're not ready—"

  Leah nods. "I'm ready." Her fingernails trail down my spine.

  Moving slightly, the head of my cock finds her entrance. Leaning down, I press my lips to hers, swallowing her gasp as I slowly sink into her. Damn. She is so hot and tight. Her body shudders around my cock, and it takes all my self-control to pace myself. I still my movements. "Are you okay?"

  "Yeah," she breathes heavily.

  Rocking my hips, I move slowly, taking my time as I gently make love to my wife. I find it impossible to take my eyes from her face; she has me spellbound as she gazes at me with a dreamy, faraway look in her eyes. I feel her pussy walls flutter around my cock.

  "Nikolai. Please," she pleads.

  "What do you need, Malyshka.?"

  "More. I need more," she pants, her nails digging into my flesh.

  Giving her what she wants, I fuck her harder. Her orgasm hits suddenly, catching me off guard. Her pussy clamps around my cock in tight waves sending me crashing over the edge with her. Collapsing beside Leah, I pull her still trembling body close to mine. We spend several minutes catching our breaths, not speaking. I hold her until her body stops shaking. Leah is quiet for a long moment before she asks, "Was I okay?"

  I hear the nervous doubt in her tone.

  Tilting her head back, I make her look into my eyes. "I just made love to my wife. It doesn't get better than that." Leah's body relaxes, and she smiles. I give her a soft kiss on her lips. Her kisses are always sweet, just like her.

  "I love you." Those three words from her lips give me life.

  "You are my world, Malyshka." I kiss her again, then make love to my woman one more time.

  20

  Leah

  Pulling up in front of Kings Construction, Nikolai parks his SUV. "I'm driving up the mountain today to check on the progress the resort is making. The owner is set to open this winter, and he wants to know if we're on schedule. That means I probably won't be back in time to take you to lunch."

  "No worries. I can call Alba, see if she wants to swing by and grab something. She mentioned something about stopping by the garage and having lunch with Bella when I talked to her yesterday."

  Nikolai cups the back of my neck. "You could just hang with me today."

  I roll my eyes. "Then who will answer the phones." Since we said I do, Nikolai and I have become addicted to each other. We don't spend more than an hour apart from each other, and we can't seem to keep our hands to ourselves. I've heard some people say we are going through the honeymoon phase and that it won't last forever. I'm not sure I believe them. I can't imagine ever getting tired of being near or touching my husband every chance I get—my husband. I'll never get tired of saying that either.

  "I think the two of us will survive a few hours apart." I lean across the console and kiss him. "I love you," I say against his mouth.

  "Love you too, Malyshka. I'll be back in time to take you home."

  Hopping down from the SUV, I make my way to the office entrance and wave at Nikolai over my shoulder before stepping through. Inside, Reid is walking out of the break room with a cup of coffee in his hand. "Mornin', sweetheart."

  "Hi, Reid." I settle in behind my desk, fire up the computer, and switch the phone over from the answering machine.

  "I have a guy named Lester Brickman coming in to see me at nine o'clock. When he gets here, will you send him back?"

  "No problem."

  "Thanks, darlin'."

  As Reid makes his way back to his office, I busy myself with callbacks and emails. Once I catch up on my work, I head down the hall to the breakroom to make myself a cup of coffee when I hear the bell over the entrance door ring. Peering down at my watch, I note that it's a quarter to nine. Reid's guy is early. With my mug in hand, I make my way back toward my desk and pause mid-stride about ten feet from the man who currently has his back to me as he stares out the window beside my desk. My breath gets caught in my throat, and my palms begin to sweat. That's because I'd know that silhouette anywhere. Dressed in his state-issued uniform, is my father. The cup in my hand slips through my fingers, crashing to the floor, spilling onto the carpet. And when I finally remember to breathe, my gasp has my father spinning around to face me.

  "Leah."

  My name coming from his mouth causes my skin to crawl, and an ugly feeling in the pit of my stomach to form, a feeling I haven't felt in a year.

  "Leave," I say barely above a whisper.

  "I need to speak with you." My father keeps going.

  "Leave," I repeat, voice trembling.

  My dad takes a step closer then stops when something or should I say someone over my shoulder catches his attention. That's when I feel a presence at my back. I know exactly who it is because, in two second flat, Reid places himself in front of me, blocking me from my father. I peek around his shoulder to see my dad's face turning red.

  "I'm here to speak to my daughter."

  "That's not happenin'." Reid crosses his arm over his chest.

  My dad doesn't back down. "I suggest you step aside, boy."

  Oh, crap!

  Reid drops his arms to his side, and his body visibly stiffens. "And I suggest you walk your ass out of here before you lose the chance, motherfucker."

  "Do you know who I am?"

  "Yes. You're the piece of shit sperm donor who likes to beat on women and children. The real question here is, do you know who the fuck I am?" Reid counters.

  James Winters looks ready to spit nails and makes a mistake by taking a step-in mine and Reid's direction because when he does, I watch stunned as Reid reaches behind his back, beneath his cut, and produces a gun. He then proceeds to point it straight at my dad.

  "Oh my, God," I gasp my heart suddenly in my throat.

  Reaching around with the hand not holding a gun on my father, Reid gives my arm a reassuring squeeze.

  "You've made a big mistake," my dad sneers. "I'll have you arrested."

  "I'll have a bullet in your head before you do shit."

  "Leah's mother is sick. She needs her daughter."

  At the mention of my mom being ill, I step around Reid, but I don't get far when he holds his arm out, halting my forward momentum. "Mom is sick?"

  "Yes. That's what I ca
me here to tell you. It's bad. Doc says it's cancer."

  "Oh my, God." I cover my mouth with my hand.

  "Your mom wants you to come home. She's going to need you. Now is the time for family, Leah."

  My stomach clenches at the thought of losing my mother. I don't have the best relationship with her, and I have spent years blaming her for not protecting me from my dad, but I still love her, and it kills me to think she might die.

  "I think you're done here," Reid bites out.

  I snap my head toward him. "Reid."

  He ignores me, keeping his eyes and gun trained on my dad.

  My father clenches his jaw and tosses one last sneer at Reid before looking back at me. "Don't make your mother die without getting to see her only child."

  My father's parting words before he disappears out the door hit their intended mark, causing me to flinch. Reid must sense the shock I'm in, takes me by the arm, and guides me to the chair behind my desk. He then retrieves his phone from the inside of his cut, placing it to his ear. "Your woman's dad just paid her a visit."

  Reid listens to whatever Nikolai says then hangs up. He turns to me. "Nikolai is on his way."

  I nod but don't say anything. Five minutes later, Maxim shows up and stands guard outside. Ten minutes after that, Nikolai pulls up outside, the tires of his SUV squeal as he throws it into park and jumps out. By the murderous look on his face, I'd say he's not happy. Flinging the door open, Nikolai's eyes shoot straight to me. They don't waver as he eats up the distance between us. The moment he's within reach, I'm out of my chair and in his arms. It's not until I feel the warmth of his embrace, my body relaxes, and the pent-up tension disappears.

  "Come on, Malyshka, I'm taking you home."