Chapter Eleven

Elena

Days later, I sit riding in the back of the town car past Times Square heading to the Fresh Start Gala Fundraising Event in collaboration with the Manhattan Hospital to raise funds and awareness for the underprivileged and homeless of the city. I try to keep my hands still in my lap as it’s such a major event. Well, to me it is anyway, and it’s my first. The city’s officials, judges, celebrities, entrepreneurs and influential business owners have kindly agreed to attend and give me their time on such short notice. Even I’m surprised at the caliber of the guest list as I study it. Nikk’s list of contacts, blowing out a low breath as I flip my long hair over my shoulder.

I hope I look the part. I’ve organized this event, and if it tanks, I’m screwed. Taking out my makeup mirror, I reapply my bronzed lipstick, which perfectly complements the slinky copper dress I’m wearing where part of my back is out. I notice the driver—Stan, sneaking a glance at me in the back seat as I do so. Typical, but given my understanding of Nikk’s willingness to kill anyone who touches me, I’m okay that he’s looking. I do look good. Twisting my gold bracelets around on my wrist, I practice my best gala smile, hoping I’m a good enough actress to pull off acting as if I’m happy to be Nikk Orlov’s wife as we pass the bright lights of Times Square to The Beekman.

The venue is stunning and makes me homesick for Sicily. When I scouted out the venue, I immediately knew it was the best place to hold an event and make a lasting first impression. Its nineteenth century design took my breath away, and its opulent interior is just the place. Feeling hopeful and courageous about the Mancinis’ entry back into New York, I walk in with the perpetual stain of Yegor at my side, but if it’s going to placate Nikk to have him tagging along, then I hope he learns a thing or two.

Immediately I’m greeted by a lovely group of women. “Hi, I’m Sharon. It’s nice to finally meet you! You look fantastic, and this is such a wonderful idea to run an event like this. Very impressive,” she praises with a friendly smile. There’s no fakeness behind it; in fact, there’s no one from the list who’s fake. Everyone I’m meeting and greeting is treating me like royalty. Almost if they’re willing to kiss the ground I’m walking on.

I’m just thankful Yegor is staying a healthy distance back from me, slinking into the shadows until I can’t feel him hawking over my shoulder. I circulate the room, enjoying the meet-and-greets, until it’s time for me to speak.

“Hi, for those of you who don’t know me, I’m Elena Orlov, a newlywed, and passionate about helping to support worthy causes, so I’m delighted to be welcomed into the Fresh Start family,” I start, feeling a little rusty on my speeches, but I find my footing as the speech carries on.

As the champagne begins to flow, the conversations open up, and I find relief in the fact that I’m meeting the right business partners already.

“Velvet Lounge sounds like an excellent concept nightclub, and I’m keen to invest. I want to hear more about the details. Nikk is an associate of mine, and we’ve been doing business for years,” Petrov advises rather enthusiastically, much to my surprise. “Let’s set up a meeting so we can talk about when you want to launch. I’ve got a few other partners who probably would be interested in the vodka production side of things as well.”

I regard him with a healthy dose of suspicion, finding myself unaware that the Orlov name held such weight in the community. I meet others who are willing to back the Mancini ventures as well, and it’s as if I’m stepping into a surreal dream. Not a single one of them has turned down my suggestions for nightclub venues. No, in fact, all of them have been in support, practically throwing their business cards at me.

I smell a rat but keep my veiled thoughts to myself. Even Nikk has been acting as sweet as artificial sugar. It’s a game, Elena. Never forget it’s a game, but don’t hate it, because you’re playing one too. Except in the game I’m playing, I’m the only winner, and Nikk is the casualty.

By the time the event’s in full swing, we raise a small fortune for Martin Place, a youth initiative for the underprivileged of New York. I take the microphone to express my gratitude.

“Thank you so much for opening your pockets today, and it’s because of you all, we’ve been able to raise over sixty thousand dollars for the Fresh Start fund. This will help with our worker bee project in New Jersey to build new homes. Thank you so much!”

I kept the speech short but sweet. Sharon approaches clapping her hands together with pursed lips. “I like a woman who knows what she wants and goes after it. What an amazing start to your charity debut. It’s only going to get better from here. That worker bee program has gained some real traction, and they’ve already built thirty new homes in that region.”

Smiling, and encouraged by all the compliments, I’m happy to have met Sharon, she will be an excellent ally and friend to keep in contact with. “Thank you. I’m amazed how quickly everything came together, to be honest. It’s been a dream event.”

“Well, you’re an Orlov now, dear. It’s to be expected.”

Hmm. People keep saying that. Looks like this sham of a marriage wasn’t the worst decision I could have made after all. A waitress floats past, and I help myself to an hors d’oeuvre. A prickly heat travels up the nape of my neck as a warm hand lands on my waist. Flinching, my eyes widen when I see who’s behind the hand.

His dark eyes meet mine with a public warning, housed in them, and for a second a sense of entrapment cloaks me as his textured mouth graces the side of the cheek. God, why does it feel so good for him to do that? And why does he look like a male model from a magazine?

“Hi, sorry I couldn’t get here earlier. From what I’ve heard upon entry, you’ve done an excellent job. Well done, wife,” he remarks smoothly with a wide smile, and a clear taunt in front of others.

Oh, you wish to play? Then two can play the game. Basking in his praise, I chuckle as he hands me a congratulatory champagne. “Thank you, husband. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Nikk hams it up for the attentive semicircle of associates in front of us. “Yet you did. I have every faith in you, Elena.”

“Ahh, you two remind me of me and my husband. Even twelve years later, I’m still in love with the guy,” one of the wives of a New York official remarks.

If only you knew, lady. This has nothing to do with love. At fucking all.

“How wonderful,” I say, sipping my champagne and circulating with Nikk, and by every handshake and fake smile between us, you wouldn’t know from the outside that we are enemies by blood. As the drinks flow, I loosen up, and so does Nikk.

I’m buzzed from the bubbles, and as Nikk and I stand at the table, his gaze travels down the length of my body, unnerving me. “I will take you home; you don’t have to take the town car. We should leave. Now.”

“Umm, okay,” I say meekly, which is not my usual smart-aleck response, but I don’t want to rock the boat, so it’s time to leave. “Let me say my goodbyes.”

“No problem.” Nikk and I say goodbye to everyone, the trip back silent, filled with noise from the radio. There’s an unexplainable tension hanging in the air that has me fidgeting in my seat. Nikk’s sneaky glances all the way home aren’t helping either, and by the time we reach home and enter the bedroom, I don’t exactly know how to handle it.

My first thought is to get a shower, and just pretend to watch TV in the living room so I can process this growing band of feelings, but Nikk’s close proximity to me is snatching all the oxygen out of the room.

As my head pounds with a blood rush, I lick my lips, his hands flexing in and out.

Danger. Danger. He’s hotter than ever, and the taboo attraction I have to him is growing on the daily.

He’s more experienced than you. He’s going to eat you alive. You’re in over your head. I hear the whir of thoughts cascading through me, but I’m not sure what to do about them, so I stand rooted to the middle of the expansive bedroom, staring at him.

“Don’t do that,” he warns, his voice cracking, his cold eyes providing an evocative chill as goose bumps rise on my arms.

Baffled, I blink rapidly at him. “Do what?” I hate myself at the moment for the strangled distortion of my words, coming out like a scared little mouse, but this is the grip Nikk is slowly forming on me.

“You know what you’re doing,” he claims with a whisper, his towering presence bringing a fiery heat that cannot be denied towards me.

“No, I don’t, Nikk. What am I doing?”

His eyes descend to my bronzed cleavage as he inhales sharply, stealing my breath along the way. I don’t want to lust after Nikk, but somehow, a spool of desire is gathering between my thighs, and it has me weak.

“You look stunning, and you’re making things hard for me in more ways than one,” he admits in a sexy growl, his face close enough to reach mine. A fast rush of heat blooms on my cheeks, my heart beating in syncopated rhythm. Flustered, my eyes dart around, my weakness for him completely and utterly exposed.

Taken aback, and inexperienced, I step back to give myself breathing room from his intensity, but instead I almost trip, my feet tangling themselves up. Nikk’s reflexes kick in as his strong hands dig into my arm, catching me and reeling me in sharply to his hard chest.

“Shit, sorry,” I rush out.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Could he be any more irresistible? Inertia holds me in place as my breath hitches, our eyes locking in mutual admiration while Nikk’s eyes center on my glossy mouth.

“It’s fine, Elena,” he coaxes in a hoarse voice. “I wouldn’t let you fall.” I can barely hear his words as his grip loosens, his hands drifting to the curves of my tight waist. God. This is happening.

His head inches down as his roguish mouth finds my swollen lips. I’m surprised by the tender taste of his sinful lips grazing against mine. If melting into a puddle were an option that’s where I would be, and that’s scary enough to fathom. Powerless to stop my lust from overriding my common sense, the tip of his tongue eases into my parted mouth.

There’s no way in hell I’m falling for an Orlov, but Nikk’s mouth and manipulative grip begs for deeper entry, his passion drawing out my cloaked desire. Yes. I want him to take me. Yes. Nikk. I want this man. Where is this coming from? My returned urgency only spurs him on, my hands snaking around the back of his neck, the blaze between us morphing into a small forest fire of heat.

I don’t want him to draw back, but when he does, I find myself gasping for air, and so is he. I don’t know how I end up on the bed, but I find myself on my back, weighted underneath him.

“Elena,” he expresses, tortured desire riding over his face. His lips bruise mine once more, prizing my mouth open wider, and I groan, the thickness of his erection digging into my thigh.

I’m both thrilled and nervous, but there’s no turning back now. I watch in awe, catching my breath as Nikk unbuttons his navy-blue collared shirt, his thick chiseled chest, full of violent history and stories staring back at me.

“Wow.” Softly the words I willed to stay in my head seep out as Nikk pulls down the straps of my dress, revealing my bra. My chest heaves in and out as I anticipate his next move, excited by what he’s about to do next.

“Elena. Fuck! You’re so beautiful, I don’t think I can hold myself back from you,” he confesses, his wolfish hunger turning me on.

Choked up words exist in my throat, my body throbbing as his lips scorch the nape of my neck, traveling to my collarbone. His fingers reach, unsnapping my bra, my breasts springing free. His tongue teases a trail over my pebbled buds as I arch my back wanting more.

“Please be gentle, Nikk,” I request as he lifts his head, his carnal desire etched on his face.

“I’ll try.” His tongue returns to my breast as he cups it greedily, his tongue flicking relentlessly back and forth, my pussy soaking wet. I can barely stand all the sensations as he claims my neglected breast. Squirming, I wriggle as he rips the dress down, grunting and turfing it to the corner.

Without warning, my bottom half is bare, exposed to the air, and to Nikk. This isn’t supposed to be…. Does he think I’m okay? I can’t read his mind, but as his mouth salivates, I can guess.

“Fucking beautiful, Elena, and the perfect entry for my cock. Don’t tense, let me take you on a ride,” he offers.

“Nikk,” I sing out, my body humming as two digits slides inside me. It feels so wonderful—the stretch, I raise my hips to him, and he grins, reaching over to the drawer and pulling out a condom. I watch, mesmerized as he rolls it on his thickly engorged member.

My eyes widen at the girth, and Nikk skims his fingers over my belly. “It’s going to fit, trust me. Your pussy is going to stretch around me. You’re too wet for me. So delicious.” He slowly guides the tip to my entry, massaging, tingling sensations gathering as I feel a pop upon entry.

It doesn’t hurt as much as I thought it would, but it’s a funny feeling. Again and again, he probes me inside, guiding himself and back out. Thrusting, and tunneling himself deeper and deeper until I’m full of him.

His green eyes bore into mine, and it’s as if he can see my soul. I don’t want him to stop as I find my hips swirling in time with his. And he smells of this heady, musky spice. God, what is he doing to my body? A tight sensation swirls in my core as his thumb skims over my clit.

“Nikk!” I call out, bucking against him like a wild animal, heat pooling in my body.

“I want you to come for me. Do it! ” he commands, his hot authority, propelling me to a peak I’ve never experienced before. The bed squeaks under our weight as the friction increases, his cock swelling the more he thrusts.

“Nikk!” I gasp, sensory overload taking over as a crescendo of sweet orgasm washes over me in intense waves from the tip of my head to the bottom of my feet. Seeing stars, I feel myself breaking apart as the intensity of the sensation increases. “ Yes! Yes! Yes!” There’s no catching my breath as Nikk groans, grabbing a handful of my breast, his cock still deep inside me.

“You’re so tight, so tight, L’vitsa. Fucking tight!” he growls, his face contorting as I feel the thickness of his girth swell inside me. He grunts, releasing, the vibration of his heartbeat sounding in my ears. I hold on to the victory, smiling through the darkness, for the simple fact my pussy holds its own special brand of power.

Nikk withdraws falling in a heap beside me, both of us panting. I’ve crossed a dangerous line, because now I’m sleeping with the enemy and there’s blood on the sheets….