Emily
“It’s me. I am standing right here. I’ve got you, angel.” I immediately recognized Nicola’s deep voice and the mellow tone he used when he complimented the beauty of my appearance.
In spite of the headache I was experiencing, I let out a sigh and leaned into his touch. I chose to keep my eyes closed as I took pleasure in the sensation of his hand against my cheek. He was touching me with the same cautious reverence that he had always saved for me.
Even though he was so big and strong, he held me as though I were something valuable and delicate. His gentle hold was frequently at odds with the fierce way that he kissed me; he worshiped me while simultaneously consuming me in his mouth. The combination was extremely addicting to me. I couldn’t get enough of him.
I yearned to gaze back into his eyes once more. The sudden influx of light caused my eyelashes to flutter, and I had to squint as my pupils adjusted to the change. When everything came into focus, I found myself mesmerized by his stunning, sea-green eyes. As he stundied me with the familiar hunger that made my heart race, twin blue flames flickered in his eyes.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that his lashes were just as long and thick as I remembered, and that his mouth was just as sensual. It appeared as though he hadn’t shaved in several days due to the increased amount of dark stubble that covered his strong, square jaw. The last time I saw him, his glossy black curls fell around his face, and his hair appeared to be a bit more unruly than usual. Even though he appeared to be a little disheveled, he was the most stunning thing I’d ever seen.
“Nicola,” I croaked, his name getting caught in the dryness that had settled into my throat.
His brows furrowed in concentration. “She needs water.” Even though he wasn’t talking to me, sleep was still making it impossible for me to concentrate on what he was saying.
I also recognized that person’s voice. It was the one that appeared in my dreams, the voice that I had heard muttering in the shadows as the needle pricked the back of my neck…
As the memory of Matthew assault began to flood my mind, I jolted awake and sat up with a gasp. My throat was dry, and the sudden intake of air caused a lot of pain, so I coughed. My head was pounding and spinning as a result of my sudden movements. I started to sway, but Nicola immediately put his strong arm around my back, preventing me from falling.
“Don’t worry about it,” he assured me. “You’re safe. Drink.”
When the icy surface of the glass came into contact with my mouth, I immediately started drinking the water without giving any thought to objecting. When Nicola would issue one of those subdued, self-assured commands, I was never able to disobey him.
After I had consumed approximately one-half of the contents of the glass, he took it from me and put it to the side. While he was sitting on the bed and holding me close, the mattress sagged slightly beside me. I leaned into him and took a deep breath of his scent as he gently kissed the back of my head as my heart raced.
“Just breathe,” he tried to coax her into doing. “You’re okay.”
“Don’t worry about her. It’s just as simple as making sure she stays hydrated. ”
When I heard Matthew’s voice, I immediately became tense. I was annoyed by the fact that he continued to talk about me as if I wasn’t present. When he freaked out, drugged me, and took me hostage, he did not show any consideration for my wishes or my well-being.
I ignored Nicola in order to direct my ire toward Mathew. His dark eyes met mine head-on and stared at me in a resolute manner. It was clear that he did not have the slightest bit of regret for what he had done to me. His expression was emotionless, and his body language confirmed this.
I shrank closer to Nicola. I turned around to look at him, but I couldn’t bring myself to keep eye contact with the menacing man who towered over us with his corded arms crossed over his massive chest.
Mathew was oozing with menace, a darkness that seemed to emanate from his very being. I sensed it the very first time I met him, and I am certain that I still perceive it now. He had attacked me and then kidnapped me.
I shuddered as the memory of those strong arms pinning me against the wall and stifling my panicked screams brought back the terrifying experience. Nicola’s hand gently ran up and down my back, which immediately put me at ease.
Again, he gave the assurance, “I’ve got you.”
I pleaded with him while staring up into his stunning eyes. “What exactly is going on? What is he doing here? ”
I suddenly remembered that Mathew had told me that he was going to introduce us to Nicola. It wasn’t that I was afraid of the man I loved; rather, it was that I couldn’t comprehend why he wasn’t protecting me from his terrifying companion. It was beyond my comprehension why he wasn’t coming to my aid and driving me back to my apartment in Nevada.
“Just like I am, he’s here to watch over you and keep you safe.”
Nicola’s words didn’t make any sense.
“He kidnapped me.” There was no way that Mathew was attempting to look out for my best interests. He was my adversary and a danger to me. He was in no way a knight in shining armor, in contrast to Nicola. Nicola had always defended me.