I had no way of checking the time to confirm that. However, when I finally found the energy to look out the window, I realized that we were nowhere near Cliff's upscale neighborhood. In fact, we weren't even in Manhattan anymore.
"Where are we going?" I asked as I looked at Nikolai. He was sitting close enough that if I moved just a little, I’d feel him brushing up against me.
"Someplace safe," was Nikolai’s response.
"Cliff's house is safe," I said. “His building’s secure and he's got plenty of security guys keeping an eye on the place twenty-four seven.”
"We're here," was all Nikolai said as the SUV slowed and then pulled over. He was out of the car before I could question him further. When he stuck his hand into the vehicle, I automatically took it before I even realized what I was doing. When he helped me out of the car, I knew exactly where we were as soon as I saw the words Anna’s Bakery printed in white letters on one of the glass windows of the business we were parked in front of.
"This is your parents’ bakery," I said.
Nikolai didn't respond. Instead, he led me around the side of the building. I noticed there were lights on inside the lower half of the building where the store was. I could only assume that since it was a bakery, the people that worked there got an early start. I wondered if it was his parents who were inside busily making bread and pastries.
"Nikolai, what are we doing here? I told you I wanted to go to Cliff's."
Nikolai still refused to answer me, so I yanked my hand free of his. We were in the alley between the bakery and the building next door. "Nikolai, stop," I snapped.
Nikolai’s response was instantaneous and unmistakable. He grabbed me and shoved me back against the wall. "I am not taking you to his house," he practically snarled. "End of discussion, do you hear me?"
"Nikolai—" I began but that was all I got out because Nikolai slammed his mouth down on mine. I was so startled that I didn't respond at first.
"Kiss me back, damn it," he growled. Despite his anger, his mouth brushed over mine in the softest of caresses. His next words came out desperate and unsure. "Please, Jude."
I wasn’t sure what universe we were living in that Nikolai thought he’d actually have to beg me to kiss him.
Ever.
But instead of telling him that, I lifted enough so I could brush my mouth over his.
Nikolai groaned and then he was kissing me hungrily. My tongue eagerly met his when it sank into my mouth. The fireball of need was instantaneous and white-hot. I forgot about everything except for the man who was once again taking ownership of me.
Nikolai released the grip he had on my upper arms and instead curled his arms around my back so his body was flush against mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and threaded my fingers through his hair so I could hold him in place. When he broke the kiss long enough to catch his breath, I took advantage by taking control of the situation. I held him the way I wanted to as I plundered his mouth.
We were both breathless when I finally pulled my mouth from his.
Nikolai pressed his forehead to mine and whispered, "I'm so sorry, Jude. I thought those assholes would be professionals. I never meant for them to treat you like that."
I could only assume he was talking about the police officers. His regret was obvious and that did crazy things to my heart.
He didn't give me a chance to respond because he once again covered my mouth with his. This time, he kissed me slowly, more languidly. I forgot the fact that we were in a darkened alley next to his parents’ business. All I could think about was him.
How could I always have this?
How could I make him always want me?
Who did I need to be to keep Nikolai Falkov from tiring of me and sending me on my way?
Nikolai pulled back long enough to say, "Come upstairs with me. My apartment isn’t big, but I've got a couch so you can have the bed."
The mention of the couch was like ice water being dumped on my head.
Right… because in spite of everything that had happened, I was still just a job to him.
I was too tired and disappointed to argue. The bottom line was I didn't have