Her Forbidden Love

CHAPTER 7

1155 Crestview Drive
Silver Ridge Estates
Los Angeles, CA 9006
5:00p.m.

Nikolai was in the kitchen preparing dinner, focusing on Vivianne’s favorite dish—homemade fettuccine Alfredo. The creamy sauce, rich with garlic, Parmesan, and butter, was simmering gently on the stove, filling the kitchen with a comforting aroma. He hoped the meal would create a cozy atmosphere for them to talk. Vivianne was in the bathroom, enjoying a long, relaxing bath. Nikolai planned to use dinner as an opportunity to address their problems and clear the air, hoping the warmth of the dish and the setting would help ease the lingering tension between them.

After he finished cooking, Nikolai made his way upstairs to their bedroom, where he found Vivianne lying in bed, wrapped in her robe, watching TV. He approached her, leaning in to kiss her cheek, and was pleased to see her smile, even if just a little.

"I made your favorite," he said softly. "I’m just gonna take a quick shower, then we can eat, alright?"

"Thank you, and hurry up. I’m starving," she replied, her tone a bit warmer than earlier.

He kissed her again before heading to the bathroom. As he closed the door behind him, Nikolai sighed, feeling a small sense of relief. Vivianne finally seemed to be softening up, and it gave him confidence that tonight might go as planned. Maybe they could finally talk things through.

Though the thought of Athena crossed his mind—she hadn’t texted him, which was unusual—he pushed it aside. Maybe she was just being friendly and had decided to keep things that way. Besides, he didn’t care anymore. At least, that’s what he told himself.

He undressed and stepped into the shower, letting the cold water cascade over him. The sensation was calming, giving him a moment to gather his thoughts and prepare for the evening.

Ten minutes later, Nikolai exited the shower, wrapped a towel around his waist, and went back to the bedroom, but Vivianne wasn’t there. He quickly dried off, got dressed, and headed downstairs, where he found her in the kitchen setting the table.

“You were taking too long,” she said, looking up as he entered.

“My bad,” he replied with a chuckle. He crossed the room and wrapped her in his arms, feeling the familiar warmth of her body pressed against his. It felt so good to hold her again, to have her close.

“You’re clingy tonight,” she teased, trying to pull away from his embrace.

“I missed you,” he murmured, not letting her go. Instead, he pulled her back, capturing her lips in a slow, lingering kiss that quickly deepened. His hands slid down to her waist, pulling her even closer, eliminating any space between them. The kiss grew more intense, more urgent, as if he was trying to pour everything he felt into that one moment.

Vivianne didn’t hold back. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down closer to her as she kissed him back with equal fervor. Nikolai’s hands roamed under her robe, exploring the softness of her skin, feeling her shiver under his touch.

Without breaking the kiss, he lifted her effortlessly and set her on the edge of the table. His lips trailed from her mouth to her neck, finding that sweet spot just below her ear. He lingered there, kissing and nibbling, his breath hot against her skin. Vivianne gasped, arching into him, her fingers tangling in his hair as he continued to explore her neck with his mouth, each touch, each kiss growing more passionate, more intense.

The air between them crackled with raw energy, a mix of pent-up tension and undeniable desire. Nikolai’s hands moved with purpose, sliding along her curves, pulling her closer, as if he couldn’t get enough of her. The world outside ceased to exist as they lost themselves in each other, their kiss turning into something deeper, more primal, as if nothing else mattered but this moment, this connection.