NIKOLAI
I TOOK A sharp breath, the kind that burned in my chest.
Claude’s body was stretched out underneath me, all lean muscle and bruised beauty. I rolled to the side, pulling the sheets over us, and his eyes followed me—hand landing on my chest like he thought I would run.
I wasn’t.
I would never.
“Can I mark you?” he asked again, voice rough, voice so f*****g soft.
He asked it like a man offering forever. Like he didn’t know I’d already sold my soul to make sure no one ever touched him again—he was mine, and mine alone.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and reached for his hand on my chest, lacing our fingers together and kissing the back of his knuckles.
“You sure?” I murmured, my voice heavier than I meant it to be.
“Yes.”
No hesitation.
Fuck.
I closed my eyes for a seco
