Page 135 of Tarnished Tyrant (Zhukova Bratva 1)

His hands are still on my shoulders, and suddenly, I want to step into the warmth of his body. I want his strong arms around me. His deep voice in my ear.

Pure, unadulterated lust zips through me like a lightning bolt, and I jerk away from him like I was shocked.

“We should go,” I stammer. “Where should we—Do you have something in mind?”

Nikolai smirks. I’m sure he sees right through me. But for a change, he’s benevolent enough to let it go.

“Yeah, I have something in mind,” he says. “Follow me.”

He grabs my hand and tows me after him. We walk around the back of the stables, and, for the first time, I notice a stone path. It curves away from the stable and disappears behind a hill. I clench my hands tightly at my sides and follow him.

Suddenly, the path opens into a patio of sorts with a circular pool in the center. The water is pale blue and steam rolls off the surface.

Nikolai turns to me with a smile and grabs the bottom of his shirt. In one move, he pulls it over his head, and I have to fight to keep my tongue in my mouth.

Holy shit, he’s gorgeous. Broad shoulders, a cut waist, and abs I want to bite into.

“It’s a natural hot spring,” he says, already unbuttoning his pants. “You’re not the only person who gets sore after riding. A soak comes with the territory.”

“But you’re not sore,” I say dumbly.

“No. But I have some stiffness.”

Then he pulls his pants down, and I see exactly how stiff he is.

To my surprise, though, Nikolai doesn’t flaunt his erection. He leaves his boxers on and slips down into the hot spring. Once he’s settled, he extends his arms out along the lip and leans back.

“It feels amazing. You should get in.”

It looks amazing. And I really am sore. But if I get in that water, I can’t be held responsible for what comes next.

“It’s kind of cold out for a swim.”

“That’s why it’s ahotspring,” Nikolai chuckles. He pauses and surveys me. “Am I making you nervous, Belle?”

Rather than admit that yes, I am incredibly nervous, I respond by yanking my shirt off. I throw it into the pile with Nikolai’s clothes and then wiggle out of my jeans.

I feel his eyes on me, watching as I dip a toe into the water and then slide in. But as the warm water envelops me, I forget everything else and sigh.

“Nice, isn’t it?”

“Incredible,” I agree. “I want to live in here.”

It’s secluded and quiet and warm. Part of me wants to sink into the moment, allow myself to imagine my problems are a million miles away.

But they aren’t. My problem is close. Somewhere nearby, probably scowling and cursing as she toils on a busted fence or whatever.

And just like that, I feel my shoulders creeping back up towards my ears.

“Belle.”

I look at Nikolai and blink. “Huh?”

He arches an amused eyebrow. “Turn off your brain.”

“As if it’s that easy,” I say.

“Sure it is,” he replies. “Take a deep breath, in and out. We're in a hot spring in Iceland. Release your muscles. Release your worries.”

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