Page 51

“Idon’twantmore.Ineedit.”

Nikolai retreated and again I hated myself for driving him away. I didn’t want him to give me space; I wanted him to invademine.

He called me his. Can’t he see how desperate I am for his touch?

“Jules.” He drew my attention to his eyes. “We don’t have to do anything you don’t feel comfortable with, but you can explore with me. I promise I will keep you safe.”

Without saying a word, I took hold of his hand and pulled him across the living room. He followed me up the stairs.

I had a feeling that being able to stretch out might add to the moment. And I didn’t want Barnabas to watch me fall apart under Nikolai’s lips.

“Come.” I led him down the hallway. “You haven’t seen my bedroom yet.”

Smooth, Jules.

The beige and mossy green sheets were pristine and smooth from when I had changed them this morning, and soft light, dimmed by the forest around the house, bathed the room in a green glow. Dust motes danced in a single ray of sunlight reaching over to the old wardrobe with the mirrored door.

Is this too much? Should we have stayed on the couch?

“Wow, Jules, this is stunning.”

Nik squeezed my hand and took a few steps inside. Then he turned on the spot. “Your bedroom is the size of my flat in Veitsreuth.”

“Really? What about the dining table? And the guest room?”

“I have a tiny table in my kitchen. It’s big enough for me. And I never have guests. When my mother visits, she stays in a hotel nearby.” He shrugged, before touching one of the plants in the room.

Does that mean he never has company other than his mother?

The idea of anyone but me sharing the tiny space with him made me feelbunny. I took a few steps closer. When I was next to him, Nikolai turned to face me.

“So,” he muttered, placing a hand on my chest. “You told me you wanted more.” One finger dragged my linen shirt down and traced the length of my collarbone. My whole body tingled when he drew a line connecting each bruise he’d marked on my skin. “More of what, Jules?”

Thiry-four

Jules

Nikolai’seyescaughtmine,flooding me with their warmth.

Do humans run hotter than us?

“More kisses, or something else?” he asked softly as he cupped the side of my neck and stroked the sensitive skin behind my ear with his thumb.

“There was no one in so long,” I gasped. “For the last three hundred years people were too scared of me to be within speaking distance, let alone get close enough to touch me.”

It was embarrassing to admit, but I wanted him to know.

“I hate the idea that you were alone for so long.” He stroked my cheek.

“It feels like…”Is it wrong of me to admit this?

“Yes?”

“Like I’ve been waiting for you all this time.”

“Oh, Jules.” Nikolai gave me another of those toe-curling kisses, so deep and hungry I felt it in my bones. “So you don’t know what you would like to do? Where to start?”

“No, I don’t. It’s a bit overwhelming,” I admitted. “Bunny?”