Chapter 4 A gun

NIKOLAI

The redhead's breath was like a caress on my face, and I shifted my gaze to her lips. The urge was to lean in and kiss her, to feel if they were as soft as they seemed. But that would give her power, and I wouldn't allow it.

I placed her on my lap, just as she should've done without my help. I put my hand on her knee, and since I wasn't wearing gloves, I could better appreciate the softness of her. Damn! Irina Karev was a natural seductress. She had no idea how much money she could make. But, as far as I knew, she was a college student. She studied music. Was she a romantic? What a waste!

"Th-thank you," she said in a low voice, almost inaudible, and looked away. I didn't like losing eye contact, the eye-to-eye connection. I grabbed her chin and made her look at me. Where my fingers touched her, it was as if I could feel a slight tingling that I didn't understand. I had never felt that before.

What did this woman have? I never took a step back, but I did. I wouldn't tolerate rape in my 'house,' but she owed me, and I had a deal! I would probably talk to her and make her see reason. At most, I'd delay her night with Krakov.

Something strange rose in my throat when I pictured his hands climbing up her thigh, like I could do at that moment. It was as if that sullied her! Irina Karev wasn't as innocent as she seemed. With those embarrassed looks, but still sharp, she was trying to manipulate me!

"What are you thanking me for, Irina? I only helped you follow orders and..." I caressed her chin, then ran my thumb along her lower lip. "If you got hurt, how would you serve me? I need you whole to withstand everything I want to do."

Her eyes widened when she heard that, and she twisted her mouth, pushing against my chest.

"What the hell are you talking about?" she asked, the fire growing inside her. It was incredible to watch! "Sir, I didn't sell myself. I owe no one! I want to see my signature on any document that proves what you said: that I gave myself as payment for a debt!"

I let out a derisive laugh.

"Oh, Miss Karev... I never said you signed any document." I said mockingly, and she narrowed her eyes at me. "And fine, I'll show you how there's a contract."

"If I didn't sign it, I owe nothing! No one can give another person as payment!"

"Of course they can. You were given. And now, you will pay." I smiled to the side, lifting my chin. "Now, be a good girl and fulfill your duty."

She pressed her lips together again, and her arms flew at me. I managed to dodge her fist on my face, but she didn't stop. Of course, Irina didn't stand a chance against me, and from what I could see, she had no fighting skills. It was like a kitten trying to defend itself. I easily held her wrists.

"Calm down!" I used just one hand to keep her arms immobilized.

"Ugh, let go! I don't want to serve you!"

Now, her legs were trying to kick me, and she twisted her body. She might not be strong, but she was a nuisance! I didn't think twice before shifting our positions, and now she was trapped between me and the car seat. I used my own body to add weight, and Irina screamed, trying to free herself from me.

"Quiet!"

When I looked at her, I realized how close our faces were. We both stared at each other.

"No!" she answered, like a spoiled child! Damn!

My eyes drifted to her lips. They were begging to be kissed, slightly parted as she breathed heavily, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

"You're dangerously beautiful, did you know that?" I heard my voice coming out rough when I asked that. I pressed myself even more against her, wanting to get closer. I felt like a moth, hypnotized by the light.

Irina inhaled sharply, surprised, and soon, she seemed to panic.

"Your gun is going to hurt me!"

Gun? How the hell could she be feeling my gun if it was at the back of my pants waistband? This time, I was the slow one. I looked down and understood what she was referring to, finally. I raised my face, meeting her eyes. I couldn't hold back; I started laughing. I could see Irina's expression changing; she was completely outraged! But hell... gun? She wasn't wrong, was she?

"This gun, my dear, won't hurt you, quite the opposite. It will give you a lot of pleasure."

She opened her mouth, furrowing her brow, ready to say something, until I saw the understanding hit her brain. She let out a gasp of air and immediately closed her face.

"You... You're a pervert! Get off me!" she would've tried to hit me if her hands weren't held above her head by me.

"You prefer to be on top, Irina?" I couldn't resist. I needed to provoke her, I wanted her reaction! I ran my nose along the curve of her neck and inhaled Irina's scent, then exhaled against her skin. I heard a moan escape her lips. Damn, that drove me crazy! I wasn't wrong, she was attracted to me! "You're a witch, aren't you? A temptation. But we'll have to wait a little bit because I don't want to do this here in the car. Not yet." Not on her first time.

I got off her and let her go, laughing. I was extremely uncomfortable in my pants, so I had to adjust myself. I noticed Irina watching and then quickly closing her eyes tightly.

"You can look as much as you want. I don't care at all. If you want, you can touch it too."

"And you can dream on!" she retorted, angrily. I smiled to the side, staring at her as if I could swallow that whole beauty! Her face was all red, like her neck... and the redness descended down her cleavage. Probably all red down there!

"I love making dreams come true."

The car stopped, and I opened the door, getting out and thanking God it wasn't as tight anymore. I extended my hand to Irina. I was still a gentleman, wasn't I?

She didn't slap my hand away, but she almost did, looking at me with contempt before moving as far away from me as she could and getting out of the vehicle on her own. Proud!

She groaned softly, but this time, it didn't please me at all. She wrapped her arms around herself, and only then did I realize: she wasn't dressed for the winter! How could I be so stupid?

I took off my coat and put it over her shoulders. I was used to the cold, and anyway, I was much warmer, even without the coat, than she was with that tiny piece of white fabric on her body! And what a body, ladies and gentlemen!

'Why take such care of her?' I asked myself. Her eyes sought mine, and I swallowed hard. The answer was simple: if she got sick, it wouldn't be good for business.

"We don't want you to get sick, do we?" I tried to be witty, but the answer I gave myself wasn't very convincing. But what else could it be? She was a complete stranger!

I lowered my hand to her back, pressing lightly there, so she would walk.

Irina passed by me, then froze again. She was looking at my house, mouth open, eyes shining.

The house was more like a palace from the Tsarist era. We had already passed through the wrought-iron gates, which opened to an extensive avenue lined with tall, well-kept trees. Now, the leaves weren't in great condition, since we were in winter.

The walls of the building were a soft shade of light gray, complemented by white marble details on the columns and windows, while the roof was dark green and curved.

I moved closer to Irina, from behind, to whisper in her ear.

"Did you like it?" I asked, and I felt her body shudder, her knees seeming to weaken. I held her by the waist and got even closer to her. "Be careful, Irina. You don't want to fall now, do you? Would you prefer me to carry you?"

"No," her voice came out weak, and I noticed it wasn't just a common weakness, but... she was reacting to me!

To hell with everything! I picked her up in my arms and threw her over my shoulder!