The Werewolf King

2. Bad Dream

 Nikolai

I got up early and made good use of the hotel's fitness center. I was in there for two good hours before I made my way back to the suite. I wondered if Ava was awake. How would she react to finding me gone? I had Andrei stand guard at the door so that no one except me could enter. And so that she wouldn't run away. I was sure she wouldn't do that, especially after last night, but I didn't want to take any chances when we were on foreign soil.

"Any movement?" Maybe she had tried to leave but found Andrei and changed her plans. Or maybe his presence made her anxious. Hopefully, he assured her that I was coming back. I should have left a note.

"Nope. She's probably still sleeping. It must have been a long night for her," he replied. As always, his face was impassive when he was on duty but his eyes reflected a mix of concern and agitation. Concern for Ava and anger at the situation we found her in. She didn't deserve it.

I nodded. "Thanks, you can take a break. We leave in an hour." I entered the suite and went straight to the bedroom. Ava was still sleeping, the blanket cocooning her. Cute.

Quietly, I turned around and walked into the bathroom. I stripped out of my sweaty clothes before stepping into the shower area.

I was taking a shower when I heard her enter. I looked over only to catch her looking at me shyly from the corner of her eye. I grinned and she quickly looked away, blushing. She started brushing her teeth and I finished my shower, both of us stealing glances at one another.

By the time I stepped out, she was waiting for me with a towel in her hand.

I took it and wrapped it around my waist, mainly to cover my boner. I felt the scorching heat of her gaze on my skin. She was staring at my chest and abs. And the drops of water rolling down my skin.

Her cheeks pinked and I smelled a hint of arousal on her. I noticed that her hands were clenched into fists. I decided to have a bit of fun with her.

"You're staring," I stated.

Her blush deepened and her eyes snapped up to look into mine. She was about to say something but she fell silent instead. Her lips parted and her pupils dilated.

I was quite enjoying the effect I was having on her. I wanted more.

I bent down and her face tilted up as if she was expecting me to kiss her. But I didn't. I moved past her lips and whispered in her ear, "You can look and touch."

I heard a slight hitch in her breath.

With slow, unsteady moves, she raised her hands to rest them on my shoulder. I froze. I felt like she would stop touching me if I moved. Our eyes made contact and I noticed that she had small gold flecks in her irises. Beautiful.

She lowered them, then her hands. They slid down my collarbone and rested on my pecs. I felt the slight twitch of the muscles in her palms. She was trying to feel more without having to be any more obvious. Or bolder. I wondered if she realized that my heart was beating faster.

Her hands moved again before they came to rest on my abs. My muscles tensed. This time, instead of trying to feel me by keeping her hands in one spot, she slowly and gently moved her hands up and down, feeling the ridges and indentations. Goosebumps rose on my skin and I saw the corners of her lips curve up.

She looked up and her eyes widened slightly.

I couldn't control myself. I snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her flush against me. A small squeak escaped her and her hands dug into my skin.

I bent down and captured her delicious full lips. I felt no need to hurry. I took my time. We had all the time in the world after all. The kiss was slow and gentle and passionate.