The drive back from the celebration had been quiet, the night wrapping itself around the car like a velvet cloak. The city lights blurred into streaks of gold and white as they passed, but Rose didn't notice. She had fallen asleep somewhere between the laughter, the champagne, and the overwhelming emotions of the evening.
Nikolai glanced at her every few seconds, unable to help himself. Her head rested against the glass, her red curls spilling over her shoulders, catching fragments of light as if spun from copper. Her hand was relaxed in her lap, and the diamond ring on her finger glimmered every time the headlights of another car swept past them.
The sight made his chest tighten.
The ring wasn't just a promise. It wasn't just a symbol of possession, though it was that too in its own way. It was permanence. Finality. Rose was his. Against every odd, every obstacle, every scar and shadow between them—she was his.
He almost didn't believe it.
The car hummed to silence as it pulled into the underground parking lot of his penthouse. Nikolai killed the engine and sat there for a moment, staring at her. Even in sleep, she managed to unravel him. He slipped out of the driver's seat and rounded the car, his steps echoing faintly in the cavernous lot.
Opening the passenger door quietly, he leaned in. His hands were practiced, gentle, as he unbuckled her seatbelt. Rose stirred slightly, murmuring something incoherent, but didn't wake. A faint smile touched his lips as he slid his arms beneath her, lifting her effortlessly.
Her head lolled against his chest, her breath warm against his neck. The ring caught the overhead fluorescent lights, reflecting them in quick, brilliant sparks.
Nikolai's throat tightened.
She was finally his.
Even though this was not how he had ever imagined his life turning out, the reality was better than anything he could have scripted. He, Nikolai Ivanov—the man who had carved his empire out of shadows and steel—now carried a sleeping woman in his arms. His woman.
And he couldn't be happier.
---
The penthouse was quiet when he entered. He toed off his shoes at the door, Rose still nestled securely in his arms. He moved through the familiar halls, the low glow of the city beyond the glass walls illuminating their path. Her weight against him felt natural, grounding, as though she had always belonged there.
In his bedroom, he lowered her gently onto the bed, her curls spilling over the pillow like fire against snow-white sheets. For a moment, he just looked at her—studied the softness of her face, the rise and fall of her chest, the subtle peace she rarely allowed herself.
He turned, intending to give her the rest she deserved. A shower called to him, the weight of the evening heavy on his skin. But before he could move away, slender fingers curled around his wrist.
Rose's grip was firm, insistent.
He looked down, surprised, as her eyes blinked open, still heavy with sleep but shining with something else entirely.
"Where do you think you're going?" she asked, her voice husky, thick with drowsiness but clear enough to stop him in his tracks.
"To take a shower," he said, his tone low, cautious.
Her head tilted slightly, her curls tumbling over her shoulder as she studied him. Then, slowly, she whispered, "Stay."
Before he could argue, before he could even respond, she tugged him down. Their lips met in a kiss that was slow, deliberate, unhurried, and yet full of unspoken urgency.
His world stopped.
Her lips were warm, soft, tasting faintly of champagne and sweetness, and he melted into her before he realized he had moved.
When she finally pulled back, her breath mingling with his, her eyes searched his face.
"What are you doing, Rose?" he asked, his voice deeper than usual, a rough edge of restraint coating every word.
Her lips curved, playful and yet certain. "I'm horny," she said simply, her bluntness cutting through the haze between them.
Nikolai blinked at her, caught off guard. Of all the things he expected, that was not one of them.
"Don't act surprised," she murmured, her hands sliding up the front of his shirt, fingers tracing the hard lines of his chest. "It's only normal for me to feel sexually attracted to my fiancé."
Nikolai cleared his throat, his composure slipping, his body already betraying him with every second of her touch. "Rose…"
Her grin turned wicked, though her voice was low and teasing. "Unless you are… incapable of satisfying my needs."
The words hit him like a gauntlet thrown at his feet. Challenge. Tease. Invitation.
For a moment, he simply stared at her, her boldness catching him off guard. Then something dark and dangerous flickered in his gaze, the mask of restraint cracking as he leaned down again, his lips crashing against hers in a kiss that stole her breath.
Rose's hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, answering him with equal fervor. The kiss deepened, growing hotter, hungrier, until the room itself seemed to dissolve around them.
She gasped softly against his mouth as his hand slid to her waist, pulling her against him. The world outside ceased to exist—there was no city, no empire, no men waiting for orders. There was only them.
The heat of his body pressed against hers, his touch firm yet reverent, as though he was trying to memorize every curve, every detail of her. Her fingers trailed over his jaw, feeling the tension there, the restraint he battled with every second.
He pulled back just enough to look at her, his breathing uneven, his pupils dark and dilated. "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice raw.
Her answer was immediate, whispered against his lips. "I've never been more sure."
The world blurred again as their mouths found each other, slower now, savoring, lingering. Each kiss was an unspoken promise, each touch a claim, each breath stolen proof that what they had was real, unstoppable.
Rose's laughter broke through the heat for a moment when he trailed soft kisses down her jaw, her head tilting back in surrender. "You really don't know how to do anything halfway, do you?" she whispered.
"Not when it comes to you," he replied, his voice husky against her skin.
The room filled with the sound of their mingled breaths, the rustle of sheets, the quiet rhythm of their hearts beating wildly together. The kiss deepened again, all-consuming, until the rest of the world no longer mattered.
Rose let out a gasp. This was the first time that she had ever initiated anything with anyone, and this would be their first time having sex together. Rose wrapped her legs around Nikolai's waist.
Her eyes were wide and filled with desire, the same desire he felt coursing through his veins, his body hard against her. They kissed and touched and explored. The room was dimly lit, casting their bodies in the shadows of their movements. Rose couldn't believe she had initiated this. She couldn't believe how good it felt. How right.
She reached her arms up, letting Nikolai slowly unzip her dress and slide the fabric over her hips. Rose sat up to allow the fabric to glide over her stomach, exposing her bra and panties. Her body trembled as his lips trailed across her chest, kissing and sucking at her skin.
"You're so fucking beautiful," he breathed.
Rose shivered and her eyes closed.
Nikolai's tongue traced her collarbone. Then, his mouth hovered over hers, his hands running down the curves of her body, her skin bare and sensitive to his touch. She bit her lip, holding back a moan.
"You don't know how badly I've wanted this," Nikolai murmured.
Rose reached out and tugged at the bottom of his shirt, lifting the fabric over his head and tossing it aside. "I'm yours, Nikolai," she whispered, her fingers tracing the sharp lines of his face, her lips finding his.
There was a new urgency to the kiss, a hunger. Rose felt Nikolai's hands trail up her body, reaching behind her back and unclasping her bra. He pulled it away and her breasts fell into his palms. Nikolai's lips found her nipple, sucking gently. Rose gasped.
He continued to tease and touch, his mouth making its way down her stomach, his tongue flicking against her bellybutton. Rose's fingers clutched at his hair, her breaths coming faster.
Nikolai reached down and tugged her underwear off. He stood and looked down at her, taking her in.
"Fucking beautiful," he repeated, his voice barely audible.
Rose bit her lip and her cheeks flushed, suddenly self-conscious.
Nikolai stepped out of his own pants and boxers. His cock was fully erect, ready for her.
She watched as he leaned forward, his lips pressing against hers, his weight pushing her back. Their tongues twisted together. Then, he slid inside her.
Rose's gasp was lost in his mouth. She felt him, deep and hot, moving within her. He paused for a moment, then began thrusting slowly, letting her get used to him. Rose clung to him, her legs wrapping around him once again, her hips meeting his, her breaths coming in short, uneven gasps.
Nikolai's pace increased, their bodies moving together. Her moans and his groans intertwined in the air. Their lips found each other, kissing feverishly.
"God, you're so fucking sexy," Nikolai groaned, his lips trailing down her neck.
Rose whimpered. The sensation was almost too much, and she didn't want it to end. She didn't want him to stop.
Nikolai's pace slowed and he rolled to his side, bringing her with him. His hands ran up and down her sides, then cupped her breasts. He began rocking into her, his movements steady.
"I could spend forever like this," he breathed.
Rose moaned, arching into him, feeling his cock buried deep within her.
Nikolai's mouth claimed hers once again. They stayed like that for a long while, the slow, rhythmic pace keeping the flames burning low.
"Fuck, Nikolai," Rose gasped, her body shuddering against his.
His hands were on her back, pressing her close, the feel of his chest against her breasts, his hips rocking into hers, sending her spiraling towards release.
"Don't stop," she begged, her voice hoarse, her nails digging into his back.
He didn't. He continued the steady rhythm, their bodies moving together, his cock throbbing deep inside her.
"Fuck," she groaned. "I'm gonna cum."
"Do it," Nikolai growled, his lips brushing hers. "Cum for me."
Rose moaned. Her legs clenched and her hips bucked. Her whole body shook, and she buried her face in his chest, crying out.
"Oh God, Nikolai."
"That's right, baby. Come for me."
Rose's cries came faster, louder, her nails clawing at his back, her hips jerking against his.
She panted, her body quivering, her pussy clenching.
Nikolai groaned.
"Yes," Rose hissed, her orgasm pulsing through her.
"You're so fucking perfect," Nikolai breathed, his grip tightening on her, his cock throbbing deep within her.
Rose's entire body relaxed, her limbs feeling heavy. Her mind was hazy, her eyes drifting shut.
Nikolai kissed her neck, her cheeks, her lips. Then, he flipped them over, pressing her into the bed.
"I'm not finished with you, you asked for this." he growled, his breath hot against her skin.
"You are such a beast." She said, because this night was just getting started.