[REBECCA]
Artemy pulled away and looked down at me with prideful eyes. “That’s my girl. You always leave me in awe with your strength.”
I closed my eyes, feeling slightly relieved. His lips feathered over my lids. He kissed each one and then laid a kiss on the tip of my nose. His lips touched my cheeks in the softest kisses, and then they were on mine, kissing me slowly and deeply.
Pulling away, he wrapped his fingers at the back of my neck, caressing softly, and then gave me a reassuring squeeze. “Ready?”
I simply nodded. We walked down the stairs, my hand clasped in his tightly. He was my strength.
But when we reached the main door, my steps faltered. I saw Avim, Brayden, Leon, Milandro, and two other men standing there, waiting for Artemy and me.
As we neared the doors, I started to sweat heavily, panic clawing at my throat. I was frightened that this would end in tearful hyperventilation. I cast a fearful look at the door, and my hands tightened around Artemy’s.
He gave me a squeeze and slowed his steps to match mine, giving me the time I needed.
My stomach rolled and twisted. My head was pounding, the blood rushing in my ears until it felt deafening.
I wanted this…yet I was still scared.
Artemy gave my hand another squeeze. There it was. His silent support as he sent me his strength. I could do this. I had to do this. I had to overcome this fear.
As soon as we stepped out of the door and into the night, my breath stuttered and my legs almost gave out, but Artemy quickly wrapped his arm around my waist, supporting me.
“I got you, Angel.”
I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. I have to do this. For Artemy . For me. I can’t live with fear anymore. I have to be strong. I have to be fearless.
We walked to the car, and Brayden opened the door. I slid in the backseat first, and Artemy joined me seconds after. The door closed, and darkness enveloped us. Artemy pulled me onto his lap and placed a kiss on my forehead.
“I got you,” he repeated again.
Placing my head over his shoulders, I breathed out a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”
“Never thank me for taking care of you,” he muttered in my ear. Artemy slid a hand around the back of my neck, beneath my hair, and squeezed gently.
I heard the door slam close, and then Brayden’s voice filled the car. “Ready?”
Artemy didn’t answer. Realization slowly dawned to me that they were waiting for my answer.
I can do this. Taking a deep breath, I gave them the words they needed. “Ready.”
The car started moving, and I opened my eyes, looking out of the window. I saw us leaving the estate, and the gate closed behind us.
I was out. Panic started to make its way into my body again, but Artemy’s firm hand around my neck calmed me. I buried my face into his neck and closed my eyes.
This was going to be a long drive.
“Sleep, Angel,” Artemy whispered.
And I did. I slept soundly for hours, and the next time I woke up, it was morning already, the sunlight brightening the inside of the car.
“How much longer until we reach there?” I asked in Artemy’s chest. I was no longer on his lap; instead I was seated beside him. Still, I was wrapped around him like a vise. I was using his chest as a pillow, and my arms were around his waist.
“Eight hours or so,” he replied, his chest rumbling with his voice. “We have to make a few stops along the way.” I must have slept for some time.
He chuckled low. “You must have been tired, and the stress you put yourself through last night has weighed heavily on your mind and body.”
“Artemy ?”
“Yes?”
“I need the bathroom,” I said as quietly as I could.
“Avim, take the next exit. We need to rest for breakfast,” he ordered.
“Boss,” Avim acknowledged Artemy’s demand.
When the car came to a stop, Brayden and Avim stepped out first. They guarded our door, and then Artemy stepped out, pulling me behind him. We walked into a coffee shop, and after Artemy handed me a small bag, I quickly went to the bathroom to freshen up.
After I deemed myself presentable again, I walked out and almost bumped into Avim’s back. He turned around. “Boss is waiting for you there.” He nodded toward the entrance. We joined Artemy and Brayden and walked back to the car.
“Brayden got you donuts and muffins,” Artemy said, handing me a brown bag.
“Thank you, Brayden.”
“You are welcome, baby girl.”
I giggled at the name while Artemy growled beside me. “Don’t call her that.”
It had been a few weeks since Brayden gave me the new nickname. After several attempts at flirting with him, he also joined in the fun to make the brooding man sitting beside me jealous. Brayden found the best way to push Artemy’s button.
His new nickname for me: baby girl. Artemy hated it and looked like he was murdering Brayden multiple ways in his head every time the name was uttered.
“What type of name is baby girl, anyway?” he snapped.
Brayden laughed and winked at me. “Look who’s talking. The one who calls his woman Kitten.”
“Fuck you! She loves it,” Artemy said, raising an eyebrow at me.
“Rebecca, you like when I call you baby girl, right?” Brayden asked, just to taunt Artemy .
“I love it,” I said, hiding my giggle behind my hand.
Artemy’s hand came to rest on my thigh, his fingers pressing into my skin in warning. He leaned into me and whispered in my ear, his voice taking a huskier tone. “You are going to pay for that, kitten.”
Oh, I know.
Smiling innocently at him, I gave him a quick peck on the lips. Artemy’s eyes turned molten with desire, and I bit down on my lips. I shook my head, giving him a warning look.
I must have fallen asleep on Artemy’s shoulder, because the next thing I knew, someone was shaking me to wake up.
My eyes opened to meet Artemy’s smiling blue ones. “We are here.”
My head snapped up, and I looked outside the window. We were here. I made it without a nervous breakdown or panic attack.
Artemy opened the door and stepped out first. He took my hand and pulled me out of the car. The first thing I heard was the sound of the waves. And then I felt the wind on my skin. Everything was quiet except the ocean waves. The smell of the ocean filled my nose, and I smiled.
Peace. It felt like peace.
I looked up at Artemy to see that he was already staring down at me, his gaze filled with adoration.
“Where are we?” I asked.
“I bought this beach house yesterday. This place is ours. And the beach is ours, too. It’s a private beach. Nobody is allowed here except us,” he explained.
“We are the only ones here?” I asked in astonishment.
He nodded and started to pull me away from the car. But instead of walking us toward the house, we walked the opposite way.
The sound of the ocean grew closer, and the smell of it hit me harder. Excitement and anticipation filled my chest.
As soon as I saw the first glimpse of the ocean, my breath came out in a whoosh. The beauty of it stole of my breath. It looked unreal.
Artemy let go of my hand. “Go,” he urged. “Feel the sand under your bare feet.”
I quickly took off my flats and took my first step on the sand. The softness tickled my feet a little, and I wiggled my toes, my feet sinking deeper into the sand. I looked back at Artemy , and he smiled encouragingly.
I took another step…and then another. Each step, my heart grew fuller with love for the man who gave me this.
I bent down and scooped a handful of sand before letting it slip free between my fingers. A tidal wave of emotions crashed through me, and my eyes stung. Was it possible to be this happy?
I lifted my head to the sky and closed my eyes, letting the sun kiss my face. After the longest time, I stood up and walked toward the water. I felt Artemy at my back. He wasn’t far, but he also wasn’t stopping me.
Artemy was letting me explore…on my own. He was giving me freedom to do what I wanted as he kept watchful eyes on me.
The sand was wet as I drew closer to the tide. The first step I took and the water passed over my feet, I let out a small gasp. I stood there, letting the water wash over my feet.
When I felt an arm wrap around my waist, I smiled. Artemy pulled me into his body, and I placed a hand over the arm that rested possessively and protectively over my stomach.
As the tides crashed gently around us and a smile spread across my lips, I could only think of one thing. The words ran through my mind, but I didn’t say them.
The words were a mere whisper in my thoughts. Words that were meant for only Artemy . I love you.