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“I don’t understand. You promised, Nikolaï.”

I shook my head and stepped toward her, but froze when she stepped back, her eyes searching my face.

I realized then I could ruin everything.

I could shatter the fragile trust she had placed in me since the day we met.

“I spoke to Lorenzo before he left. He doesn’t know how, but Antonio is tracking you. He’s known where you were this whole time. Even if I let you go, he’ll find you in no time, Selina. But within these walls, you’re safe…”

“Within these walls ?!” she suddenly exclaimed, her eyes widening, her anger palpable.

It was completely understandable.

She had just been freed from one cage—why would she want to be locked in another?

I shook my head and moved closer again. She tried to back away but found herself trapped against the bookshelf.

“Don’t run from me, Selina. Don’t push me away—I can’t bear it,” I murmured, resting my forehead against hers, my eyes closed.

She tensed for a few seconds, not moving at all.

Then she relaxed, and I held my breath as her arms slowly wrapped around me, her face pressing into my chest.

“I’m scared, Nikolaï. I’m so scared. I’m afraid of facing that monster again.”

I tightened my arms around her trembling frame, holding her close.

“Never. You’ll never have to face him again. I swear to you, Selina—never again.”

I kissed the top of her head, and she lifted her face to meet mine, her eyes shining. Shining with something I had never seen before.

“I want to kiss you,” she suddenly breathed, and everything stopped. “I know that kiss on the plane was just an exception to shut me up, but…”

Her words faded as I slid my hand behind her neck, pressing a feather-light kiss against her lips, then another at the corner of her mouth, and another on the other side before pulling back.

“Don’t ever ask me to kiss you again,Solnychko. It’s me who should be begging you.” I tilted her face up toward mine.

“And every kiss with you will be an exception, Selina. Now open your mouth for me, please.”

She looked at me with wide eyes, flicking her gaze between my lips and my eyes, her pupils blown with the same hunger I felt.

Finally, hesitantly, she parted her lips, granting me permission and I didn’t waste a second. I claimed her mouth, and I tasted paradise.

My tongue met hers, and I groaned as her cold, trembling fingers traced my jaw, reminding me of her fragility.

I wrapped my arm around her waist, lifting her slightly to deepen the kiss, grinning when she stood on my feet to get even closer.

Fuck.

I finally released her when she gently pushed against my chest, gasping for air. And my growing desire surged as I took in her swollen lips, her ragged breaths, and the dazed look in her eyes.

It terrified me—the things I wanted to do to her.

I groaned as I felt myself harden inside my sweatpants and lowered my head to steal another kiss, swallowing her soft moan.

That sound—fuck.

My legs shook, and I braced my hand against the bookshelf above her head, pulling her flush against me. Against my arousal.