Page 82 of Nicoli

“Do you trust me?”

I narrow my eyes, and he clutches my hand tighter.

“Do you trust me, Mira?”

“Yes,” I reply slowly. “Nicoli, what’s going on?”

“Before we go into this room, I have three rules.”

“You can’t tell me the rules when I don’t even know what they’re for.”

“Just—” he holds up his hand “—three rules. And listen very fucking carefully because one minor slip-up will mean death and carnage.”

“Oh, Jesus.”

“First rule.” He widens his stance, his eyes pinned on mine. “You do exactly as I say when I say it.”

“This conversation would go so much better if I knew what we’re talking about.”

“Second rule. You do not do anything unless I tell you to.”

I cock a brow. “That’s the same rule with different wording.”

“That’s how fucking important the first rule is.”

I place my hand on my hip. “And the third?”

“Third?”

“You said there were three rules.”

“Oh. Yes. Keep all sharp objects away from me.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want to hurt him.”

“Hurt who? Nicoli, tell me, what the hell is going on?”

He reaches out, grabs my waist, and pulls me close, slamming his lips on mine and kissing me stupid within less than a second. There’s no tongue. No demand. Just one fiery hot kiss that somehow manages to fill me with so much emotion that the back of my eyes start to sting with unshed tears.

Touching my chin, he leans his head against mine. “I love you, Hummingbird.”

“I love you, too,” I murmur, and I hear him take a sharp inhale through his nose.

“Take off your clothes.”

“Excuse me?”

He slips his hands underneath my jacket and over my shoulders, letting it slide down my arms. “Take off…your clothes.”

The low thrum in his voice drips with authority, and it speaks to every molecule in my body as if I’m under his spell and there are no other options than to obey.

Nicoli crouches in front of me, helping me get rid of my boots while I slowly pull my shirt over my head. Heat sparks up my thigh with every brush of his knuckles and fingers against my ankles.

I unzip my jeans, and he hooks his fingers into the sides. Then as he starts to ease them over my hips, he kisses me just below my navel, causing me to shudder. His tongue glides along my lower abdomen, goosebumps erupting all over my skin.

“Nicoli,” I breathe as he pulls my jeans and panties down together. “What’s happening right now?”

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