The Obsession Book 2

“What are you doing here, Nicholai?” she asked a little haughtily, glancing around the balcony.

Her heart rate sped up when she realized they were alone. How could he make her forget everything that had happened with just one look?

He easily backed her into the shadows with his big body. She couldn’t help but step back until her back hit the wall. He took her flute and rested it on a nearby cocktail table.

He looked gorgeous as usual, in his black tux which molded over his tall frame. His hair was slightly mussed, just as she knew it looked after having a woman’s hands run through it all night. She had to temper down the twinge of jealousy at the thought of him with another woman. It had been over six months; of course, he probably had been with scores of women.

“What did Taylor want?” he asked, ignoring her question, his eyes narrowed on her.

Her chin tilted up as she met his eyes squarely.

“That’s really none of your business. Now let me pass.”

He put up his arms, slapping a hand on either side of her shoulders, effectively caging her in.

The smell of him hit her and a slow burn started in her belly. Her body was so attuned to him and knew the pleasures his own body could deliver in spades. She shivered.

“I’ve missed you.” He dipped his head and she felt his nose brush her ear, as he whispered the words to her.

She heard the honesty in his voice and her body immediately reacted to it.

No! She wasn’t doing this.

“Stop it, Nicholai.” She braced a hand on his chest to push him away, but he was nuzzling her neck now and instead of pushing, her hands clenched on the lapels of his jacket. “I’m mad at you.” The words came out in a whisper.

Why was she so weak when it came to him?

“I know, sweetheart.” He pressed a gentle kiss to the pulse point on her neck and stepped back, shoving his hands into his pockets to give her some room and so he wouldn’t be tempted to touch her further. He knew she was battling mixed emotions—of anger and arousal.

His eyes raked her from head to toe.

“You look amazing,” he breathed. “No wonder Taylor wanted to offer you a job.”

Mira scowled at him, her anger resurfacing.

“Well if you knew what he wanted, why ask me?” She folded her arms across her chest and he watched, as her cheeks flushed.

He shrugged those broad shoulders of his.

“I wanted to see if you would be honest with me.”

She raised a brow.

“Like you’ve been with me?”

Nicholai sighed.

“I’m sorry, Mira.” And he meant every word of the apology. “I would like to say I regret what happened, but I don’t.”

Mira walked over to the balcony railing and braced her hands on it, suddenly feeling drained. Holding on to her anger was taking a toll on her.

“Can’t you just forgive me so we can move on?” Nicholai asked, leaning a hip on the railing to face her.

Could it really be that simple?

“The Shorelands project is yours, if you want it,” he continued, watching her face intently. He loved how long her eyelashes were and how her cheeks flushed when she was angry or turned on—or both. Like now.

It took a full minute for the words to register and when they finally did, Mira’s eyes locked onto his.

“Sigma? Sigma is yours?”

He nodded.

Mira threw her hands up and let out a short laugh.

“I never had a chance, did I?” she asked him, now facing him head-on. “Did I get this internship because of you?”

He didn’t deny it.

“Stay with the Group. With this project.” Nicholai told her, taking her shoulders. “You have such a bright future, Mira. I want to help nurture that.”

She didn’t come out and reject it right away and Nicholai thought that was a good sign, so he added the sweetener.

“You can choose your hours. Work from home if you have to and spend time with Jahan.”

There had to be a catch. Mira thought it sounded too good to be true.

“Would we have to work together?”

“Yes.” His voice was firm on that point. Unyielding.

He saw her indecision and dropped his hands, suddenly angry.

“You can forgive Kaley easily, but you can’t forgive me.”

Mira’s jaw dropped.

“That’s not fair,” she stated. “Kaley is my best friend. She had good intentions,” she defended.

“And I didn’t?” Nicholai countered, his voice never rising.

Mira shook her head.

“I don’t know.”

“Then give me a chance, Mira,” he asked, “Give me a chance to show you I’m not the horrible villain you’re painting me to be.”

It was the pleading in his voice that did her in. Maybe she was being unfair. She did use the money he gave her to jump-start her dreams. Maybe he could help her achieve them.

“All right, Nicholai,” she said and watched the relief cross his face.

“I’ll work on your project with you, but…,” she added insistently when he opened his mouth to respond, “…but, you have to let me do my job and not try to control everything.”

“You drive a hard bargain, little girl. That’s not something I can readily promise, but I’ll try—for you.”

“Let’s shake on it.” She stuck out a hand, ignoring his demeaning tone.

He took the hand and pulled her closer.

“How about we seal this with a kiss?” he asked, his lips mere inches from hers, just as he did when he offered her the half million dollars.

She knew he wasn’t going to be the one to close the gap between them. He was waiting for her to do it. He knew the effect he had on her and if she was honest with herself, she would admit to not being able to resist him.

Did she want to resist him though? It had been so long and she knew what his kisses tasted like. She wanted more of them.

She leaned up and pressed her lips to his. His lips were firm, a hot brand against hers and she sighed when his mouth slanted, deepening the kiss and sliding his tongue inside. His arms curved around her spine, bringing her up tight against him so that she could feel how aroused he was. Her body instantly melted, automatically preparing itself for him.

She pushed away from him and he released her slowly, his eyes watching her carefully.

“As long as we work together, Nicholai, this can’t happen again,” she told him, adjusting the folds of her dress, looking anywhere but at him.

“I’m not making any promises I can’t keep, Mira.” His voice was stern, as if he were annoyed with her.

“You will, if you want me to stay with the Group.”

She didn’t wait for his response but made her escape while she could.