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Before his final finger can be pulled down, they both look at me, expectantly.
With a sharp breath in, I blink through the tears, forcing the words out, even though it feels like my heart is breaking.
“I love you.” I whisper softly, my voice trembling. “I miss you both. Please take care of each other.”
The words leave my mouth just as the flash blinks off.
He stops recording, and Nikolai slips his phone back inside of his pocket.
My heart is still pounding in my chest, and I feel so exposed.
Before I can even think, Mikhailpounceson me. His hand is gentle on my face as his thumb wipes away the last of my tears, and his eyes full of something I can’t quite place.
“You’ll never be sad again.” He promises. “No more tears will fall from now on, beauty.”
I take a sharp breath in, swallowing hard.
Though his touch is soft, the way that he looks at me…
It makes me feel both safe, and lost, all at the same time. His gaze never once leaves mine as he presses the pad of his thumb to the corner of my lips, reassuring me not only with his words, but with his touch too.
There’s a flood of emotions rushing through me, and these feelings—terror, gratitude, conflict—only make me feel more confused than ever.
When did this happen?
How did this happen?
I can’t believe that these lines have blurred.
The lines of being held captive to my captors.
And…whatever this is now.
Mikhail’s breath is warm against my lips, his face so close to mine that I can feel the tension vibrating through his body, and into mine. My heart beats harder in my chest, and for a little while, I forget abouteverythingelse. I find my body betraying me once more as I lean into him, feeling comforted by his affection, despite all the pain he’s put me through.
And then, Mikhail leans in, his breath hot against my mouth, and then, our lips meet. Our kiss is tender at first—soft, and slow. But there’s something urgent in the way that he deepens it, his hand sliding up to hold me by the back of my neck, pulling me in even closer to him. My body responds instinctively, my chest heaving as I allow a small moan to escape through my lips, every single nerve on fire as I sink into Mikhail.
I can’t even think straight any more.
Everything I thought I knew about myself, everything I thought I knew about them, is now slipping away, being replaced with a raw, desperate need that I can’t seem to explain.
And I don’t know if I should continue being afraid, or if I should just give in completely.
I gasp into his mouth, the air between us thickening as he swallows that sound straight from my lips, leaving me breathless. His arms are heavy on my body, his grip tight, almost as if he’s afraid that I’ll pull away, but I can’t find the will to, not when his every touch is making me feel this loved. His hand moves from the back of my neck to the side of my face as his fingers wrap around me firmly before he forcibly breaks our kiss.
My eyes fly open, my chest rising and falling quickly. His hands are still on my body, keeping me grounded, and his jaw is tight. His eyes are darker than I’ve ever seen them before. There’s an intensity there, something so raw and deep.
A shiver runs through my spine.
“Mikhail.”
I whisper, barely recognising the heavy need in my tone.
His gaze doesn’t waver; his eyes remain locked on mine with a fire in them that makes my heart race in a way that I don’t fully understand.
He remains silent, like he’s fighting to keep himself contained. The look in his eyes—the hunger, the desire—proves it.
And now, it’s impossible to ignore how much I’ve fallen into their trap, and how much I crave whatever it is that they’re ready to give me.