Chapter 42
Abbie
I’m so glad I know Aurora’s number off by heart. Using my brand new phone, I listen as the line connects.
“Aurora speaking,” she answers, her tone uncertain. “It’s me. Abbie.”
“Oh, my God! Are you okay?” Aurora shrieks, worry thick in her words.
“Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t call you sooner. I left everything I had at my parents’ house,” I tell her. “Things were a little crazy.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there. When we got to the kitchen, Misha threw me over his shoulder and carried me out of the house,” she grumbles.
“He knew Nikolai was coming and was only looking out for you.” “I know. Still, I was worried sick.”
“I’m okay. Nikolai and his family came to get me. I’m on the island and don’t think I’ll be returning to St. Monarch’s.”
“Ooooh…tell me everything. Are you and Nikolai officially a couple?
Do I hear wedding bells?”
I let out a chuckle. “Yes, and yes. We bought our rings today, but I’ve told him I won’t say yes unless he gives me a romantic proposal.”
“Aww, I’m so happy for you. You’re still coming to my wedding, right?”
“Of course. I’m the maid of honor.” I pause for a moment, then say, “Look at us, Ra-Ra. We both have the man of our dreams.”
“We do.”
“Jesus, it’s been a crazy couple of months.”
“Yeah, I’m not going to disagree,” she mutters. “I’m just glad we all got through it alive.”
Getting up from the couch, I walk out of the French doors and take the steps down. I head into the woods and clear my throat as I lean back against an old tree. “There’s something I have to tell you.”
“What? Are you pregnant?”
Chuckling, I shake my head. “No.” I take a deep breath. “During the ambush, something happened to me.”
I hear Aurora’s breaths speed up.
“I couldn’t talk about it…until now,” I admit. “Uhm…so one of the men raped me.”
“No,” Aurora gasp. “No, Abbie.”
I press my lips together as tears blur my eyes. “Don’t worry too much.
Every day I heal a little more.”
“Oh my God,” Aurora starts to cry, and I close my eyes when I hear her pain.
“I’m okay, Ra-Ra.”
“I’m so sorry I didn’t see it,” she starts to apologize. “I’m such a shitty friend. I’m so sorry, Abbie.”
“Don’t do that.”
I hear movement behind me, then Nikolai comes to stand in front of me.
His eyes search my face, and I give him a reassuring smile that I’m okay. “The signs were all there. You lost weight which you never do. You
looked like you weren’t getting any sleep. God, I’m never going to forgive myself.”
“Please, Ra-Ra,” I whisper. “Stop blaming yourself. I didn’t want you to know.”
“My God, Abbie,” she breathes. “Are you really okay? Jesus, I wish I could hug you.”
“I’m really okay. Nikolai is helping me heal.” I lift my hand and place my palm against his jaw. “He’s been amazing.”
“I’m so glad to hear that,” she sighs.
Changing the subject, I ask, “Are you going to stay at St. Monarch’s?” “Only until Misha is done with his training.” Her voice grows lighter as
she says, “I found out where the honeymoon is going to be.”
“Where?” I ask Aurora the question while I watch Nikolai head back into the house.
“Bora Bora,” Aurora shrieks. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Hey, I have to go or I’ll be late for a class.”
“Okay. Talk to you soon,” I murmur as I end the call. Walking into the house, I find Nikolai in the living room. “What are you doing, Mr. Vetrov?” I ask playfully.
“Waiting for your call to end.” “I’m all done.”
Suddenly Nikolai sinks down to his knees, gesturing for me to come closer. “I’m hungry, baby.”
Jesus, I love seeing this powerful man kneel before me.
Nikolai takes my pants off and positions my one leg over his shoulder, immediately burying his face between my thighs and going to town on my clit.
My eyes are glued to his face as I watch him suck and bite my clit into oblivion, the view easily one of the hottest things I’ve ever seen.
Later that night, when Nikolai blindfolds me with one of his neckties, I can’t stop grinning.
“Are you going to gag me with your belt?” I ask seductively. “Hmm,” the sound rumbles deep from his chest. “Did you like it?” “A lot,” I answer honestly.
“Your kinky fantasies will have to wait until after you’ve had your surprise,” he chuckles.
“Surprise?”
I’m swept up into his arms and try to guess where he’s taking me. When I know we’re outside, my smile widens.
My romantic date.
We walk for a minute or so before I’m placed on my feet, then Nikolai murmurs right by my ear, “Ready?”
“Yes,” I breathe, excitement rushing through my body.
He unfastens the necktie, and as it falls away from my eyes, my breath catches in my throat.
A little round table is standing in a small clearing. In the middle of the table is an arrangement of green leaves and candles captured in a glass dome so the breeze can’t blow out the flames.
There’s an arch over the table, fairy lights creating a halo, and up in the sky, the stars shine brightly.
“And you say you can’t do romantic,” I whisper as I walk closer.
Two plates are covered with lids, and as I lift one, there’s nothing short of a work of art waiting to be eaten. Two slices of salmon lie on a bed of greens, instantly making my mouth water.
Nikolai pulls my chair out, and once I’ve taken my seat, he moves around the table to sit down.
Pure happiness floods my heart as I whisper, “Thank you.” Looking pleased, he murmurs, “You’re welcome, moya lyubov’.”
While we enjoy the skillfully prepared dinner, I admit, “I’m so glad you love me back. When I started flirting with you, I never imagined we’d end up like this.”
Nikolai chuckles, “Yeah, there were a couple of close calls where I almost strangled you.”
“Instead, you fucked me,” I purr. “And look at me now. I’m totally addicted to your cock.”
“I’m glad because it’s addicted to you too.”
The moment we swallow our last bites, Nikolai locks eyes with me, a serious expression on his face. “Just to be clear, you’re not going back to St. Monarch’s.”
I nod. “I’m so over that place.”
“You’ll spend your days painting,” he orders. “You don’t have to tell me twice.”
“Always so fucking sassy,” he murmurs. “Just for you.”
Nikolai stands up, and when I move to rise to my feet, he shakes his head. A second later, he goes down on one knee while taking my left hand in his.
Awwww….
“Abigail Sartori, you’re someone I never expected. I was really content with my life.”
Geez, what a way to start.
“You’re the one person I never knew I needed, and once I got you, I couldn’t fathom how I managed to survive a day without you.”
My heart.
“You barreled into my life with your flirtatious nature and sass, knocked me to my knees, and since then, I never wanted to get up. You’re the only woman I’ll kneel before.”
My chin trembles as my heart fills with unspeakable happiness. “You’re the love of my life, my soulmate, and the queen of my heart.”
I suck in a trembling breath, furiously blinking to clear the tears from my eyes.
“Will you, Abigail Sartori, please do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
I nod like a crazy person as I leap off my chair to fall into his arms. “YesYesYes.”
Nikolai chuckles as he holds me tightly in his arms. “Thank you for making me the happiest person alive.”
I shake my head and pulling back so I can see his face, I say, “I’m the luckiest person. I never knew what love was until you showed me. Thank you for making all my dreams come true and giving me a loving family.” I press a tender kiss to his lips as tears spiral down my cheeks. “Thank you for giving me an island where I can paint all day long.” Another kiss. “Thank you for helping me get through my darkest moments.” Kiss. “Thank you for not letting the age gap get between us.” Kiss. “Thank you for choosing me.”
“I’ll always choose you, baby.”
Nikolai pulls a tiny box from his jacket’s inner pocket, and flipping it open, he pushes the beautiful engagement ring onto my finger.
“Now the whole world can see you’re mine,” he whispers, emotions tightening his voice. Clearing his throat, he adds, “We’re getting married this Sunday.”
My eyebrows fly up. “What?”
Nikolai locks eyes with me. “I need you to be my wife more than I need my next breath. I’ve arranged everything for an intimate wedding here on the island with only our family and closest friends.”
“Oh my God,” I gasp. Excitement and pure bliss explode through me like fireworks. “I’m getting to marry you in two days?”
A stunning smile spreads over his face. “Yes. We can have a formal affair with your family in Italy, but I want our ceremony to be personal and intimate.”
Nodding wildly, I slam my mouth to his and push him onto his back, so I can show him how much I love his plans for us. Straddling my man, I pull my dress up my thighs, and unzipping his pants, I can’t free his hard-on quick enough.
When I finally take him deep inside me, my satisfied moan echoes over the small clearing, and soon it’s followed by the sound of me fucking Nikolai as hard as I can.
Breathless and only able to grunt with each thrust, my man’s hands grip my breasts tightly, his muscles straining beneath me before he comes so hard, his roar fills the night air.
I slow down my pace until I’m sensually grinding my clit against his pelvis, pushing myself over the edge, my pleasure hitting the breath from my lungs.
“Christ, I love you,” Nikolai growls as I ride him until I come down from high.
“I love you more,” I gasp as I slump over his chest. “So much more.” “We’ll agree to differ,” he murmurs.