17. Lucia

17

LUCIA

Alexei's mansion is a big step up from Mikhail's tiny townhouse in the city. Well, it's far from tiny, but in comparison to Alexei's digs, it's like a shoebox.

I'm a bundle of nerves when we arrive, but it turns out that Bianca, Alexei, and Leo are currently at the family's penthouse in the city, but they will be joining us later this evening.

I let out a breath of relief. I can't help but feel bad that we're imposing on their home even though Mikhail assures me that they're more than happy to let us stay for as long as we need.

I swallow the guilt as a maid shows Mikhail and me to a bedroom on the second floor.

I eye the king size bed with interest, wondering if Mikhail plans on bunking with me. Surely, this house has enough bedrooms for us to each have our own…

As if Mikhail can read my thoughts, he tosses our bags down on the bed and turns to face me. "We're sharing a room. "

My lips twitch as I look from the enormous bed back to Mikhail.

"I've never had a slumber party with a boy before, how scandalous ."

"I'm having another bed put in here. I want to be able to keep an eye on you."

"Fine." I huff. "But no funny business. I don't need to know what you do in the dark late at night."

"I think you're well aware of what I do in the dark."

I blink at his words, and a smirk tugs at Mikhail's lips. It seems getting out of the city has lifted his mood a little.

Perhaps a change of scenery will do us good.

By the time we've both finished unpacking, a single bed has been brought into the room by two hulking security guys.

It barely looks big enough for a child, let alone a fully grown man, but I keep my mouth shut as Mikhail gets to work putting on the sheet.

Though after the sheet pings off for the third time, and Mikhail curses under his breath, I decide to step in.

"You could just share the bed with me, you know." I help fold down the edges. "We've done a lot worse together."

"I didn't want you to feel pressured." Mikhail straightens the pillows. "Sharing a bed can sometimes come with a level of expectation. Being here together is not about that, it's about ensuring you're safe, nothing more."

I'm taken aback by his level of concern.

I'm used to men only thinking about themselves. Usually, it's just take, take, take until they grow tired of me and move on.

But Mikhail isn't like that .

Even when he's angry at me, he never fails to ensure that I'm taken care of.

It makes me wonder if his feelings run deeper than he's willing to admit.

I know mine are.

Life at the Forest Hills mansion is different to say the least. For one, there's an energetic one-year-old who keeps bumping into my legs and there's always an influx of people around, whether it's Mikhail's brothers or their security or household staff.

There's not a moment of peace, but I kind of like it. I've spent so much of my life on my own that the constant company is a welcome change.

But Mikhail wasn't kidding when he said the place was secure. Not that I have any intention of trying to leave, but I can't help but be aware of every possible exit.

There are guards at every entrance as well as countless cameras and security systems that make it almost impossible just to travel from my room to the kitchen for a morning coffee without being seen from every possible angle.

Bianca, Alexei's wife, assures me that I'll get used to it, and I only hope she's right.

The next day, Mikhail is busy with meetings, so I decide to spend the day by the pool. Despite it being almost March, it's surprisingly sunny, and the pool is heated to the perfect temperature and the patio is surrounded with heaters that make me feel as if I'm on a beach in the Caribbean.

I want to keep out of Bianca's way, not because I don't like her, but because I know having me here is an inconvenience .

She has a young child and a household to run. The last thing she needs is to babysit me. Plus, Leo seems to not be taking to my arrival very well.

From the few interactions we've had, he's done nothing but scream the house down which only makes me feel worse for imposing on Bianca and Alexei.

Not only have I invaded their house, but I've also made their kid cry.

Great job, Lucia.

But with Mikhail gone all day, and Bianca busy with Leo, I start to feel the pang of loneliness in my chest.

I check my phone for the fifth time in case I missed a message from Macy or Kara, but there's nothing but radio silence.

I was literally almost kidnapped in the park, and they have no idea, and even if they did, I don't think they'd really care. They'd be more upset about the fact I wouldn't be around to get them free champagne.

Their lack of contact only confirms my theory that they only wanted to see me last night in order to get into the club, and that realization stings.

I guess Elle is my only real friend, and Mikhail too.

Despite everything, he's becoming someone I can count on, and that means far more to me than lavish gifts or grand gestures.

To cheer myself up, I turn on one of my favorite playlists and lie back on the sun lounger as I try to soak up as much of the sun's rays while they're out.

"I thought you might be hungry."

I bolt upright at the sound of Mikhail's voice. I look to my left to find him walking toward me carrying a pizza box, a bottle of wine, and two glasses.

"I'm always hungry." A huge grin spreads across my face at the sight of him.

He looks a little tired, but he's still dressed as immaculately as ever.

The sun set a few hours ago, but I decided to stay out by the pool while Bianca was getting Leo ready for bed. From the sounds of it, he was getting fussy, and I didn't want to get in the way or make him cry again.

"How's your day been?" Mikhail asks as he takes a seat on the lounger next to mine and pours us both a glass of white wine.

"Well, I haven't been kidnapped or murdered, so I'd say pretty boring to be honest." I shrug before opening the pizza box and helping myself to a slice.

"That's not even remotely funny," Mikhail scolds.

I smirk as I take a huge bite of pizza.

"Oh, come on, it is, and you know it."

"I think it's going to take me a while to get used to your sense of humor."

"Good thing you're marrying me, then. We have our whole lives ahead of us." I wink at him.

An easy conversation flows between us as we eat, and I find myself laughing as Mikhail tells me stories from when he and his brothers were children and lived in this house. I can't take my eyes off him as he talks, his face so lit up as he talks of a young Danil and a preteen Dimitri.

He's normally so serious, his face like carved stone, but not when he speaks of his family. It's clear how important they are to him.

It makes me feel guilty for being so reckless .

In less than a week, I'm going to legally be a part of this family, which means my actions impact not only me, but also Mikhail, Alexei, Bianca, and even baby Leo.

The realization has my stomach in knots.

I need to distract myself from my spiraling thoughts.

It seems whenever Mikhail and I are feeling good again, I start to sabotage it with my reckless ways.

Finishing the last of my wine, I get to my feet and dive bomb into the pool.

"Lucia!" Mikhail is on his feet, glaring down at me as I smirk at him.

"Come for a swim."

"I'm not wearing the right stuff for swimming."

"That didn't stop you last time."

Mikhail huffs a laugh.

"If it makes you feel better, I can be naked too…"

I reach around my neck to pull at the string of my bikini top. Though the water is up to my neck and hides my breasts from view, Mikhail's eyes still glaze over as I toss the small piece of material at his feet.

"Almost done." I slide the bottoms down my thighs.

This time, I toss them straight at Mikhail's chest, and he catches them in one hand.

"Lucia," he growls as he scrunches up the material in his fist.

"I'm ready for you, Mikhail."

I lie back in the water, and as I lift my arms to wet my hair, my breasts pop out of the water, and Mikhail groans, which is followed by the sound of his belt.

As I lift my head back up, I find Mikhail pulling off his shirt and shrugging out of his pants at the same time.

From the clear bulge in his boxers, he's as ready for this as I am, and the thought has me clenching my thighs together with anticipation of what's to come.

I'm practically panting by the time he sheds his boxers and climbs into the water with me.

His eyes are glazed with need as he swims over to me and wraps his tattooed arms around my waist and pulls me in for a kiss.

"Mikhail…" I wrap my thighs around his waist.

"I can't seem to get enough of you," he murmurs against my lips. "Even when you drive me insane, I still come back for more."

"I am addictive." I grin, running my tongue along his lower lip.

He tangles his hand in my hair and tilts my head back to give him better access to my mouth.

I tighten my legs around his waist and grind against him as he slowly strokes his tongue against mine.

He's taking his time, and I do not appreciate it. For once, I want to be the one in charge, and he's just going to have to deal with it.

I pull away from Mikhail and give him my best authoritarian voice. "Sit on the ledge."

"Are you bossing me around?" His eyes dance with mischief.

"Yes."

"That's not how this works, kisa ," he murmurs against my ear as he pinches my waist.

"There are different rules for while we're here." I try to keep my voice steady despite the throbbing between my thighs.

"Oh, really?" Mikhail licks at my sensitive skin beneath my ear .

"Really." I shiver, placing my hands on his chest to steady myself. "And I want you to sit on the ledge, Mikhail."

He nuzzles my neck, and I let out a whimper as he nips at my earlobe.

"And why is that, solnyshka ?"

"Because I want to ride you."

The sound that Mikhail makes is nothing short of feral.

He carries me over to the ledge that runs along the side of the pool and sits himself down, positioning my thighs on either side of him.

The water barely comes up to our waists, leaving my breasts completely exposed, but I don't think Mikhail minds one bit from the way he licks his lips as I grind my breasts against his chest.

I reach between us, gripping his cock tightly as I line it up with my entrance. As soon as the tip pushes inside an inch, I take a deep breath and sink down onto him in one swift motion.

"Oh god." My head falls back on my shoulders as he fills me.

"Fuck, look at you." Mikhail kneads my breasts.

I grip his shoulders as I start to move, my thighs quivering as I lift myself off of his cock and then slam back down.

"Mikhail!" I cry out.

"Easy, solnyshka , take it slow. Let yourself adjust."

"Don't…boss…me… around ," I grit out as I grind on his cock, the pleasure so intense that I can barely string a sentence together. "I'm in charge."

" Kisa , when my cock's buried inside you, and you're the one screaming my name, I think that tells you who's really in charge here." He rubs his thumbs over my nipples.

I shudder at the sudden rush of pleasure .

"Asshole."

Mikhail chuckles before leaning forward and taking my nipple into his mouth.

"Fuck, I love it when you do that." I sink my fingers into his hair to hold him tighter against me as I lift myself off him once more.

"That's it, solnyshka , ride my cock." His fingers dig into my ass as he lifts me off him just to slam me back down.

With each thrust, my breasts graze against his chest, and my body is so overcome with pleasure that I know it won't take much more for me to come.

"Yes, yes, yes ," I moan as my release starts to build.

Mikhail buries his face between my breasts as I increase my pace. At this angle, he's hitting me so deep that I can't stop myself from screaming with pleasure as I bounce up and down on his thick length.

"Fuck, you feel so good," he groans as he sucks and licks at my breasts.

"Yes!" I cry as my hips buck, and his cock brushes my sensitive inner walls. "Oh fuck, I'm coming ?—"

Mikhail clamps his teeth around my nipple as he thrusts up into me, his own body shuddering as he climaxes too.

"Mikhail!" I scream as my pussy clenches around him, taking every last drop he gives me.

Mikhail gives me his shirt to wear before we head inside to our room.

My cheeks burn at the thought of how loud I was, but I couldn't help it. I think that was the most intense orgasm I've ever experienced and from the smug look on Mikhail's face, he knows it too .

After I shower and pull on a pair of silk shorts and a matching cami, I head back out into the bedroom to find Mikhail struggling to fit his large body on the small single bed.

"Are you seriously sleeping there?" I put my hands on my hips.

"Yes."

"And you say I'm infuriating," I grumble. I storm over to the small bed and throw back the covers. "We literally just had sex in your brother's pool, Mikhail. I think we can share a bed."

I don't miss the way Mikhail winces as he sits up.

"That was not something I normally do." A blush creeps up his neck.

"But it was fun, right?" I slide my hands over his broad shoulders.

The corners of his lips twitch as he looks up at me.

"Oh, hell yeah."

I can't help but laugh at the look of mischief in his eyes. It's like we're nothing more than a pair of teenagers sneaking around.

"I think I'm starting to rub off on you." I take his hand and lead him over to the bed.

"I think you might be." He shakes his head as we climb under the covers. "But I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing."

"Gee, thanks."

He pinches my waist, and I let out a squeal as I playfully smack his arm.

"Shh!" he hisses. "The baby is asleep."

"You didn't seem to mind waking the baby when I was riding your cock?—"

Mikhail clamps a hand over my mouth .

"You are going to be the death of me, woman," he scolds. "If we're sharing a bed, you need to behave."

"Can't make that promise, I'm afraid, Koslov." I snuggle into his warm body. "Can't flaunt the goods and not expect me to want a taste. You should know by now I have very little self-control."

"Oh, I'm well aware."

"I'm glad you're managing to have some fun, despite all of this," I whisper against him.

A deep chuckle builds in his chest as he wraps his arms around me and pulls me tighter against his body.

"I have a tendency to get so caught up in work and family stuff."

"You don't say… But it must be nice being so close to your brothers." I trace a finger up his abdomen. I smile to myself as his muscles flex beneath my touch.

"It is, but sometimes, it can be frustrating."

"In what way?"

"I feel like there's a gap between me and my two older brothers. I think they sometimes forget that I'm only two years younger than Dimitri."

"I know the feeling. I always felt overlooked by my father in comparison to my older brother, Federico. I thought things would change once I moved to New York with Papa and Rico stayed in Italy, but it never really did. Honestly, as a kid I used to wonder if I was actually invisible."

Mikhail tilts my chin up and presses the softest kiss to my lips.

"You're far from invisible," he whispers against my lips. "I see you, Lucia."

My heart flutters in my chest at his words.

I think I'm falling hard for Mikhail Koslov, and that scares the crap out of me because I have no idea if he feels the same, especially after everything I've put him through.

In my experience, actions do not speak louder than words. I need to hear it from his lips to believe it, but perhaps if I extend a hand, he may just decide to take the leap with me.

"I see you too," I whisper into the darkness.