Page 98 of Captured Obsession

She grabs a pillow and hits me with it. “Calm down,Udav,”she mocks, and I pull her back into my chest as she kicks and squeals. I memorize her laughter. The pinch at the corner of her eyes when her smile grows so brightly.

I tuck her head under my chin as an unease swirls in my stomach. “This could take me months,mishka.”

She sweetly kisses my jawline, and the urgency of being inside her takes me over. “Don’t make me wait more than two,” she demands.

And I know without a doubt, I am owned by this woman.

39

SIENNA

Two months later…

I lookoutside at the beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower as I take a sip of my black tea. The lights sparkle during the night, and I look back down as I sort between the materials, picking out the ones I like the most.

I’ve made adjustments to clothes in the past, but I’ve never been so ambitious. That’s what makes it exciting as I tirelessly work on a theme for my first clothing line. It’ll take me some time, but I’m okay with that. I’m also okay if it doesn’t take off in the way I hope it to. I just want to enjoy theexperience. But if I’m going to do something, I want to do it well—for me. To prove to myself that I can.

“Would you like a top up, miss?” Agata asks as she walks into the room, wiping her hands with a cloth.

I smile. “No, thank you, Agata. Would you like to join me?”

The two-bedroom apartment I’ve purchased in Paris is chic with a great view. Much like the other properties I’ve purchased throughout the UK and Europe. Turns out I’ve also taken an interest in real estate. Instead of being limited to where I can live, I remind myself I can have multiple homes. Because the only one that matters is not a place but a person.

One who I desperately wish was with me right now.

“No, miss, but thank you for the offer,” she says. “I actually intend on leaving for the evening, so if you don’t need anything else, I’ll take my leave.”

My eyebrows dip in confusion. “You don’t have to ask for permission, Agata.” Though it’s surprising since the only time she leaves is usually when I drag her out. We’ve fallen into an easy cohabitation. After everything she’s done for me, and how important she is to Nikolai, I promised to look after her when she made it clear she wanted to follow Nikolai on his killing tour. He talked her into staying with me, tokeep an eye on me, though I think we all know that meant he didn’t want to endanger her.

But she acts more like the housekeeper than aguest. I tried to convince her otherwise, but I caught her a few times humming as she cleans and cooks. I understand; it’s Agata’s way to show she cares, even with that scornful expression.

Agata heads out, and I stifle a yawn as I look back to the fabrics, then my itinerary on my phone. I have a fashion show coming up in a week that I have to do some runway work for. Then I might go to Italy for a bit to see Lily and Lorenzo.

“It’s unlike you to stay in,” a rough voice says, and goose bumps rise along my skin as I whip my head in the direction of the door.

Nikolai is leaning against it, his green eyes as striking as always. His black shirt is rolled up to his elbows, and his biceps strain the material as he casually crosses his arms over his chest. The jagged scar through his eye and cheek is shadowed by the dim lighting.

“Nikolai!” My teacup clatters against the small plate as I hastily set it down before I jump up and launch myself at him. He smiles as he catches me and swings me around.

I’m desperate to kiss him, grabbing his face and peppering my love all over him. I look at him, my heart bursting with warmth. “You’re really here,” I whisper, amazed, as tears of joy run down my cheeks.

“I wouldn’t miss your thirtieth birthday, though I’m surprised I’m not dragging you out of some club.” He angles his head to look down at me. His eyes scan me,in the way they always do, as if tracing every feature on my face, memorizing it, as he slowly lowers me onto the tips of my toes.

Heat immediately pulses between my legs from the magnetic pull his body has against mine.

I inhale the smell of his crisp, citrus scent with woodsy undertones.

“Is it over?” I ask, desperately wanting to have him all to myself. I haven’t seen him for two months, and his calls were infrequent, though he shared he didn’t do it on purpose, and guaranteed it was mostly for my safety.

His face twists. “Almost. Mikhail is still missing, but it shouldn’t be long until I find him. But I had to see you.”

It dawns on me then why Agata left for the night. That sly old fox. It saddens me to know he’s not yet done. That I can’t selfishly have him to myself. But I won’t come between him and what he has to do.

What matters is he’s here now.

“I’ve missed you,” I admit.

“I’ve thought about you every day,” he says, rubbing my bottom lip with his thumb, that pull dragging me closer to him.