NIKOLAI
I JERKED AWAKE, the warmth of sunlight against my skin barely registering. But when I looked down—f**k. The sight before me was what mattered.
I shifted, my fingers sliding through his hair, slow and carefully. A low groan rumbled from him, and then his eyes shot open, locking onto me. Wide with shock.
I let my fingers trail along his jaw, brushing over his lips, parting them. But before I could move further, his hand shot up, gripping mine, holding me in place. His breathing shaky.
“Nikolai,” he rasped, voice thick like he couldn’t believe I was here, like he wasn’t sure if he should be relieved or afraid.
“How did you find me? How—”
I didn’t let him finish. I kissed him—deep, hard, cutting off the question before it could ruin the moment. His body tensed, but it d
