AMELIA
I wake up to the feeling of callous hands wrapping around my waist once more. Picking Nickolas’s familiar scent in the air my heart immediately calms, knowing it’s him. Rolling over to face him, his lips capture mine in a searing kiss that steals the breath from my lungs.
His hand slips beneath the thin fabric of my shirt, cupping my breast and kneading the sensitive flesh until I arch shamelessly into his touch, a breathy moan escaping against his mouth. “Nickolas,” I whimper, my body coming alive under his skilled fingers.
“For being daddy’s good girl, you get a reward,” he rumbles, his voice rough with desire. He pulls from my lips and tugs my shirt over my head and tosses it aside, his heated gaze raking over my exposed skin like a physical caress. I feel myself clench at the blatant want in his eyes, a fresh flood of arousal dampening my thighs.
“So fucking perfect,” he praises before dipping his head to draw one aching peak into the wet heat of his mouth, his tongue swirling and teeth grazing until I’m writhing beneath him, my fingers tangling in his hair to hold him close. His other hand skates down my trembling stomach to slip beneath the waistband of my panties, the flimsy lace no match for his questing fingers as he tears them away.
“Daddy, please,” I keen, my hips lifting in wanton invitation as he parts my slick folds, one long finger circling my entrance before plunging inside. My eyes slam shut on a gasp, my walls fluttering around the welcome intrusion as he starts to move, his thrusts slow and deep. “More,” I manage to rasp, my nails digging into his shoulders. “I need more.”
He rewards me with a second finger, the delicious stretch and fullness stealing my breath as he curls them just right, stroking that spot that has me seeing stars. His mouth returns to my breasts, suckling and nipping, stoking the fire building low in my belly until it’s an inferno threatening to consume me.
“Look at me,” he commands softly, and I force my eyes open to meet his, nearly undone by the intensity I find there. “I want to watch you fall apart for me.”
His fingers pick up speed, pumping into my dripping heat as his thumb finds my aching clit, rubbing tight circles that have me careening towards the edge embarrassingly fast. I’m panting now, my body drawn taut as a bowstring, every muscle quivering with the force of my impending release.
“Daddy,” I whimper, my voice breaking on a sob. “I’m so close. Please don’t stop.”
But he does, his fingers stilling abruptly as he pulls away, leaving me empty and aching, teetering on the brink. A pathetic whine escapes my throat at the loss, my hips chasing his retreating touch. He chuckles darkly, the sound vibrating through me as he kneels between my parted thighs, his hands going to the fastenings of his pants.
“Patience, little one,” he soothes, freeing his straining erection and giving it a lazy stroke. “I’m not nearly done with you yet.”
Then he’s covering my body with his own, the blunt head of his cock notching at my entrance as his lips find mine once more. With one powerful thrust of his hips, he’s inside me, filling and stretching me so perfectly that I cry out, my nails raking down the flexing muscles of his back.
He sets a punishing rhythm, driving into me again and again until the only sounds are the slap of skin on skin and our mingled moans and gasps. I can feel my orgasm building again, the coil in my core winding tighter with every stroke, my thighs beginning to shake.
“That’s it, little one,” Nickolas pants against my ear, his hips snapping harder, faster. “Come for me. Let me feel you.”
His words are my undoing, and I shatter with a wordless cry, my release crashing over me in wave after wave of mind-numbing ecstasy. He follows me over the edge with a guttural groan, his hips stuttering as he spills himself deep inside me, the heat of his seed prolonging my pleasure until I’m boneless and spent beneath him.
He pulls out of me and moves to leave, a sudden panic seizes me. Without thinking, my hand shoots out to grab his arm, desperate to keep him close.
“I’m not going anywhere, little one,” Nickolas reassures me, his voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. He settles back down beside me, strong arms wrapping around my trembling body and pulling me tight against his solid warmth.
I curse myself silently for the clingy, needy gesture, hating how vulnerable it makes me feel. Yet at the same time, a profound relief washes over me, knowing he’s not leaving.
“Nickolas…” I whisper, laying my head on his broad chest. The steady thump of his heartbeat beneath my cheek is comforting.
“Hmm?” he hums in response, fingers threading gently through my hair. The tender touch sends pleasant shivers down my spine, soothing and arousing all at once.
I hesitate, my lip caught between my teeth as the words linger on the tip of my tongue. I yearn for him to share the full story with me, yet I fear pushing him away by pressing too hard. “You know we need to talk about it, right?” I finally muster, my voice barely more than a whisper, tinged with uncertainty.
He presses a soft kiss to my forehead, his lips lingering on my skin. “I know,” he murmurs. “I promise I will tell you the whole story one day. But for now, sleep, little one. I want you well-rested before our next round.” There’s a hint of wicked promise in his tone that sends heat curling low in my belly.
Sighing, I burrow deeper into his embrace and let my eyes drift closed, surrendering to the pull of exhaustion, letting the darkness take me away.
***
The following morning, I wake to an empty bed, Nickolas nowhere to be found. A pang of disappointment twinges in my chest, but it’s quickly soothed by the sight of a sticky note on the lamp informing me that he’s gone to court.
I make my way to the bathroom, wincing slightly at the soreness between my thighs. Heat flushed my cheeks, remembering the reason for it. Nickolas woke me with hungry kisses, taking me again and again in positions that left me breathless and my body deliciously sore.
Stepping into the shower, I shake my head to clear vivid memory. The hot spray soothes my aching muscles, eliciting a contented sigh.
After a steamy shower, I dress and make my way to the kitchen in search of food, my stomach grumbling insistently. Beatrice is at the stove, and I press a quick kiss to her cheek in greeting before perching on one of the stools.
“Here you go, child,” she says warmly, setting a plate heaped with fluffy scrambled eggs in front of me.
“Thank you,” I murmur, already digging in. An unfamiliar lightness dances within me this morning. Beatrice pauses on her way back to the stove, studying me intently for a long moment before shaking her head with a knowing look that makes me feel a little embarrassed. My cheeks flush with warmth. I can tell she’s aware of what Nickolas and I did last night, and while this isn’t the first time she’s guessed it, I still can’t help but feel a little shy.
“When does Nickolas usually finish at court?” I ask between bites, trying for nonchalance.
“He should be done and heading to his office,” Beatrice replies.
“Really?” The cutlery clatters to my plate as excitement sparks through me. Without a second thought, I’m on my feet and heading for the door.
“Finish your food first, at least!” Beatrice calls after me, exasperated fondness lacing her voice.
“Next time!” I toss over my shoulder, already out the door, and hurry towards Nickolas’s office with anticipation thrumming through my veins.
I arrive just as Nickolas is turning the doorknob to his office. A warm smile spreads across his face when he sees me, and he steps inside, pulling me in after him. The second we’re inside, he has me pinned against the door, one hand capturing my wrists above my head while the other snakes around my waist to pull me flush against him.
“Good morning, little one,” he murmurs, nuzzling into the crook of my neck. His warm breath sends delicious shivers racing down my spine.
“Morning,” I breathe out, a giddy smile tugging at my lips.
“How was your night?” He slides his hand boldly under the hem of my dress, calloused fingers trailing up the bare skin of my thigh, his touch igniting sparks of need low in my belly.
“I gasp as his lips find that sensitive spot just behind my ear, leaving a blazing path in their wake.
“Good,” I manage, my eyes rolling back briefly before flying open again as his wandering hand grazes the edge of my panties. I quickly trap his wrist, stilling his teasing caress. “We need to talk.”
He lets out a heavy sigh, his forehead dropping to rest against mine as disappointment rolls off him in waves. “I know.”
A soft kiss brushes the tip of my nose before he reluctantly pulls away. I make my way to the couch, patting the space beside me in invitation. Nickolas follows with an adorable pout, his expression so endearingly petulant that butterflies take wing in my belly. He’s never looked more cute. Unable to help myself, I press a quick peck to those sulking lips the moment he sits down. He frowns, knowing exactly why I did it, and the sight only makes me want to kiss him again. So I do, lingering just a beat longer this time.
“If you fucking kiss me again, I’ll bend you over this couch and fuck you until you can’t walk,” he growls, the rough promise in his voice sending a molten thrill straight to my core. I squeeze my thighs together, trying to temper the insistent throbbing between my legs.
“Okay, I’ll stop,” I murmur, as much as part of me desperately wants him to make good on that delicious threat. We need to talk.
He sighs, running a hand through his tousled hair as he leans back against the cushions. “What exactly do you want to talk about?” he asks, his arm coming up to wrap around my waist and tugging me flush against his side as his fingers trace idle patterns along my arm.
I go willingly, curling into him and resting my head on his shoulder. “Us,” I reply simply.
“What about us?” The teasing caress of his fingertips dances higher, leaving tingling trails of awareness in their wake.
“Nickolas, you know what I mean.” I capture his other hand, twining our fingers together to still his maddening movements.
He lets out another heavy sigh. “I do, little one, but can we talk about it another time? It’s just…too complicated.”
“I thought you were finally ready to discuss it,” I protest, pulling back to face him directly.
“No, I thought you wanted to continue our conversation from yesterday.”
“Oh.” Disappointment lances through me, but I push it down, forcing myself to nod in understanding.
I slump back against his side, our joined hands falling into my lap. “I’m ready whenever you are,” I say, giving him a reassuring squeeze, silently encouraging him to open up to me. He takes a deep, fortifying breath, his restless stroking stilling.