Chapter 12

12

RILEY

M aybe it should freak me out when I wake up to find Nikolai in bed with me. I don't know when he slipped in, but at some point, I'd crawled on top of him. My face is pressed to his neck, and my thighs spread, straddling him. One of Nikolai's hands is on my ass, and the other is on my back. I can't tell if he's awake or not. His breathing is even.

Who knew that Nikolai would be a cuddler? Then again, nothing is ever as it seems when it comes to him. I don't want to move, but I also don't want him to wake up and realize I've crawled on top of him like a girl needy of attention. I'm sure he came in here to check on me. He's become rather protective. He more than proved it by showing up at my school. There have been no more kisses or other dirty things since Friday. I'm not sure how to feel about that, honestly.

Before I move, I can't help but press a kiss to his neck. Then another. It feels good to be in control for once with Nikolai. Usually it's him that has the control. Slowly, I slip down a few inches, gasping when something hard slides across my clit. My thin underwear lets me feel every inch of him.

He's hard. My stupid brain generates a million questions. Do men get hard in their sleep? Is he dreaming about someone? Who could it be? I shamelessly rock my hips, loving the sensation it's giving me.

"Riley." Nikolai's hand tightens on my ass, holding me in place. I close my eyes, wanting to die of embarrassment. I just humped him. Why am I always coming off like a weirdo dork? Now I'm a weird virgin who doesn't know how to handle all the sensations and needs that Nikolai has brought out in me. This is really his fault. Ever since he gave me a mind-blowing orgasm, my body has never been the same. I don't think it ever will be again. I'm going to turn into a needy hussy.

"Sorry." I lick my dry lips; my tongue accidentally brushes against his neck.

In one quick move, Nikolai rolls, pinning me under him. I let out a squeak of surprise. Nikolai's hard cock grinds against my clit.

"Don't apologize for rubbing your pussy against me."

"Nikolai!" I try to scold him as heat flushes my face. It's stupid because I kind of love when he says dirty things. No one has ever talked to me the way he does.

"You wake up horny, sweetness?" Nikolai leans down and kisses my jaw, followed by my neck.

"Nikolai." I whimper when he latches on to my neck and starts to suck. My hips try to rise up, but I can't move with him over me.

"I'll make you come. All you ever have to do is ask." Nikolai thrusts forward, his cock hitting my clit. "Wrap your legs around me."

I do as he tells me. Nikolai rocks back and forth. With each thrust, he hits my clit perfectly. My orgasm is fast approaching. "Look at me," Nikolai orders. My eyes spring open to meet his. The intensity of his stare and the hunger on his face for me are my undoing.

Nikolai's mouth comes down on mine as I start to come, smothering the sounds of my pleasure. He groans, his body jerking as he keeps thrusting back and forth, wringing out every second of the orgasm until my legs drop from around him. My body melts into the bed.

When I open my eyes again, Nikolai looms over me, just staring down at me. His expression is now unreadable. I hate when his face goes blank. He conceals his emotions and thoughts. It's like he shuts down in a sense.

"Nikolai?"

"I know you hate to be late." He kisses my cheek before rolling off me. "I'll meet you in the kitchen." With that, he disappears from my bedroom. I sit up, confused by what just played out. Every time it seems like we are taking a step in the right direction, we take two steps back. It's frustrating.

I roll out of bed myself and get ready for the day. Of course, my mind swirls with thoughts and questions. Sal is telling me that sex is only that. It is a release between two people. It doesn't have to go deeper than that. But I'm not built that way. Does that mean I want more with Nikolai? That's probably a terrible idea. We are going to be in each other's lives forever. Matteo and my sister will bind us together. If we don't work out, that could get messy.

If Nikolai steps up and one day takes over for Matteo, that comes with a lot of responsibilities. Marriage is often on the list. The idea of seeing Nikolai marry someone else makes my stomach turn.

"I got you breakfast," Nikolai says when I enter the kitchen.

He looks as handsome as ever. Sexy even. In the school uniform, he definitely exudes a bad boy vibe, but it's not a vibe at all. He is what many would call bad. For me, he's just bad in different ways. Every girl in our school stares at him. Hell, a lot of the boys, too.

"Not really hungry." It's useless to say that because Nikolai will likely push back.

"You need?—"

"Okay." I take the bag from my favorite bakery and grab my drink. "Let's roll." I don't want to go back and forth with him right now. Usually I don't mind, but I'm really not in the mood. Trying to figure him out is tiring.

"You're pissed."

"I am not," I huff. I'm not sure what I am at the moment.

"You need another orgasm."

"Oh my God," I hiss, glancing over my shoulder to make sure no one is around. "Let's go before we're late."

"Fine, but this isn't over."

"Trust me. I know." I don't think I have known someone who is more relentless than Nikolai.

We make it to school on time and through our first few classes. Yes, Nikolai somehow managed to get every class with me. He doesn't pay attention to any of them, always playing on his phone or distracting me. A few teachers got annoyed with him and tried to call on him for random questions, but Nikolai always had the answers. He's smarter than he lets on.

The only time I don't see Nikolai at school is when I'm in the bathroom or locker room, like I am now. I hate gym class. I don't understand the point. I quickly change before heading up to the gym.

When I get there, I spot Becky standing next to Nikolai. Just great. She's talking to him, but he doesn't appear to be listening. He's waiting for me to arrive. That is until she touches his arm, drawing his attention to her. Becky has her gym shorts rolled all the way up to show off her legs and some of her ass. Like a lot of the other girls, she only has a sports bra on.

I hate her. Thankfully, she has stayed away from me since the incident the other day when she pushed me down. I guess it would be awkward for her to demand that I give her Nikolai's phone number when he is standing right next to me. She could easily ask him for it herself. That thought alone sours my mood even more.

"If you're jealous and want to make him the same"—Brent comes to stand next to me—"I'm more than willing to help."

"I'm not jealous," I lie. I'm seething with it.

"Is he your cousin or something?"

"My sister married his uncle." I say uncle because it's easier than explaining things that aren't anyone's business. "Does that not bother you?" I nod over to Becky. Shouldn't Brent be trying to get her away from Nikolai or something? I mean, if I were her man, I wouldn't want her anywhere near him. He's the hottest guy in this school.

"Nope." He shrugs. "Becky and I have an understanding."

I don't know how anyone could do that. Watch your girlfriend or boyfriend be with someone else. It would be maddening. Nikolai isn't even mine, and I'm annoyed. When Nikolai sees Brent standing near me, he strides over to me.

"I'll talk to you later, Red," Brent mutters for only me to hear before stepping away seconds before Nikolai makes it to me.

"The fuck he want?"

"Nothing." I shrug. I'm giving him a little of his own medicine. He never explains anything to me or answers my questions, so I'm going to start doing the same. Nikolai's expression turns dark. He can go kick rocks. I'm not asking him what he and Little Miss Perfect were talking about.

"I hate your gym clothes." His words hit me like a slap.

This morning, he was kissing and making me orgasm. Now he's bitching about my clothes and talking to my freaking bully.

My clothes are the school-assigned gym top, which all the boys wear, and the shorts all the girls are required to wear. The only difference with mine is that I choose to wear the shirt and not just my sports bra.

Thankfully, Coach Smith comes in and starts breaking us up into teams. I'm not sure what we're about to do, but I'm sure I'll hate it either way. I have never been a competitive person. When he tries to put Nikolai and me on a separate team, Nikolai pushes back, getting what he wants. Like always.

This time, however, it really pisses me off.