Chapter 10–CLAUDE

CLAUDE

EVERY PART OF ME was on fire. I was trapped between a wall and a hard place—literally—because Nikolai's frim body pressed tightly against mine, his hips grinding into me like he had something to prove. And goddammit, it felt so fucking good.

A moan slipped past my lips, swallowed by the press of his mouth against mine. His kiss was raw and hard, his tongue demanding entry I couldn't deny. My hands clutched at his biceps, the hard muscles flexing beneath my fingers as I fought to keep my balance.

"Fuck," Nikolai growled, pulling back just enough for his dark, burning gaze to meet mine. His breath came in heavy pants, his lips brushing against my skin as he whispered, "Do you have any idea what you do to me?"

I didn't answer. I couldn't. My voice had been stolen by the heat pooling low in my stomach, by the way his teeth grazed my neck, biting and teasing like he couldn't get enough of me. The sharp sting made me gasp, and the sound only seemed to fuel him further.

"Shit—Nikolai," I choked out, my head falling back against the wall as he kissed a path down my throat, his hands roaming over my body like he owned it.

"You like that?" he rasped against my skin, his lips curving into something dark, something dangerous.

A shiver raked through me, and I nodded, unable to form coherent words. My hands trembled as they slid down to the hem of his shirt, clutching at it for something—anything—to ground me.

The air between us was heavy, suffocating in the most intoxicating way, saturated with the raw scent of arousal that I couldn't escape. It was everywhere—thick and clinging, making my skin burn and my blood roar in my ears. My shorts were a cruel tease, sticking to me, every shift making me ache more as I fumbled with the buttons of Nikolai's shirt, my fingers too unsteady to get them undone.

"Take it off," I rasped, the words rough, dragged from somewhere deep as my chest heaved with labored breaths. My eyes locked on Nikolia's , and the look he gave me—hot, possessive, and completely feral—only made it worse.

His mouth twitched into a slow, knowing smirk. "Feisty," he murmured, his voice smooth, teasing in a way that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Stop wasting time," I shot back, my voice shaking with impatience, my body trembling with how much I needed him to touch me.

In one quick motion, he grabbed hold of his shirt, and the buttons popped free, scattering across the room like they were nothing.

His teeth dragged over my collarbone before he pulled back, his gaze sweeping over me. And then glaring at my shirt. "Off." he demanded, his voice low and rough, like a command that dared me to disobey.

I met his stare, panting, my chest heaving as I yanked my shirt over my head and let it fall to the floor. His eyes darkened, his jaw clenching as he reached for me again.

Before I could even take a breath, his hands gripped my hips, and he spun us around, shoving me backward until the edge of the bed hit the backs of my knees. I toppled down, his weight following me as he settled between my thighs, his lips crashing back against mine.

"Did you know how fucking angry I was when Antonio suggested I share you with that girl?" he growled against my mouth, his voice sharp and laced with possessiveness. "The things I want to do to you..." His words trailed off, but his hands said the rest as they roamed over my chest and down to the waistband of my shorts.

"Nikolai—"

"I've never wanted anyone like this, especially a man." he bit out, his jaw tight, his dark eyes locked on mine. "Never."

The confession sent a bolt of heat through me, and I felt my cock twitch beneath the tight confines of my shorts. I couldn't stop the sound that tore from my throat when his fingers undid the button and zipper in one swift motion, yanking the fabric down to my thighs without hesitation.

The cool air hit me first, but it was nothing compared to the heat of his hand wrapping around me, stroking my length with slow, deliberate precision. My head fell back against the mattress, and my hips jerked into his grip.

"Fuck, Nikolia," I gasped, my voice hoarse and wrecked as pleasure coiled tight in my stomach.

"You're so fucking perfect," he muttered, his tone rough as his free hand trailed down to grip my jaw, forcing my gaze back to his. "Do you have any idea how badly I want to ruin you?"

The look in his eyes made my breath hitch, and before I could respond, his lips crashed against mine again. His kiss was wild, consuming, his tongue tangling with mine as his body pressed me deeper into the bed.

I felt the mattress shift as he leaned back, reaching for something. My heart thundered as I turned my head, catching sight of him pulling two condoms and a bottle of lube from the nightstand.

My eyes locked on his as he ripped the foil open, his movements slow and almost too calm given the chaos of what I was feeling. My breath hitched as he rolled the condom over his cock, his hand stroking himself slick with lube before his gaze returned to me, hungry and filled with desires.

When he climbed back over me, his body pressed flush against mine, his cock sliding against my own, I moaned into his mouth, my hands flying to his shoulders to anchor myself.

"You're going to feel me now," Nikolai said, his voice low. His slick fingers wrapped around my cock, stroking me once before moving lower, trailing down between my legs.

I tensed as his hand brushed over my entrance, his fingers circling the tight ring of muscle. He stilled, his gaze softening just slightly as he whispered, "Relax for me, Claude."

I swallowed hard, my body trembling beneath him, but I nodded, letting out a shaky breath as his fingers pressed against me, slowly. The stretch was sharp at first, and I hissed through my teeth, my hands fisting the sheets beneath me.

"Breathe," he murmured, his lips brushing against my temple. "I've got you."

Another finger slid in, and I cursed, my body arching against him as he pushed deeper. I tried to shove him back, a half-hearted effort that he ignored completely. His hand gripped my shoulder, pinning me in place, and his voice was nothing but rough authority as he growled, "Just relax... be a good boy and let me in."

It wasn't a request—it was a demand.

The words hit me like a slap, my mind spiraling as the memories came rushing in. His hands, too strong, holding me down. That voice, low and dark, murmuring the exact same thing: Be a good boy, Claude. Just let me in.

My breath caught. Panic rose fast in my chest. This wasn't him. This wasn't Nikolai—but it didn't matter. It felt the same. Too much, too close, too consuming.

"Stop!" My voice broke as I shoved Nikolai back, harder this time, and he staggered slightly, his brow furrowing in confusion. | sat up, running a shaky hand down my face, my heart thundering as I tried to steady my breathing.

"I—I can't," | muttered, squeezing my eyes shut as if that would chase the memories away. But no matter how hard I tried, all I could see was him. Vicktor. Always Vicktor.

"Shit. Did I do something wrong? Did I hurt you?" Nikolai's voice cut through the fog in my head, his hand firm yet careful on my shoulder. I couldn't bring myself to look at him, my throat dry, heart racing. "Was I rough, Claude?" he pressed, softer this time, his tone dipping in a way that almost made me shiver.

I shook my head, feeling absurdly out of place. "No… I—I'm just not ready for that," I managed, forcing the words out. I braced myself for anger, irritation, something sharp. But when I finally looked up, his lips were curved in a small, understanding smile.

"Okay." He nodded, his voice low.. "We'll take it slow."

Slow.

I blinked at him, wondering how the fuck anyone could ever associate this man with danger.

"Okay," I whispered, the word catching on my breath.

"Do you still want me to touch you, Claude?" he asked, his voice low, fingers trailing up the back of my neck, threading through my hair. The sensation sent a tremor down my spine, his steel-gray eyes locked onto mine, holding me in place.

"Yes," I breathed, the single syllable trembling between us.

His grin widened, predatory and impossibly beautiful, as he nudged me back onto the mattress. He hovered over me, his body hard against mine. The heat of him against my skin burned in the best way, and when his cock brushed against mine, a ragged moan tore from my lips. My head tipped back, but his hand shot to my hair, tugging just enough to make my eyes fly open.

"Eyes on me, Claude." His voice was pure command, and when I looked at him, truly looked, it felt like he was pulling me apart piece by piece. His disheveled hair framed his sharp features, and the sheen of sweat slicked his chest like it was painted on. Hell, he looked like he'd just walked out of a fucking war and won.

My fingers fisted the collar of his open shirt, desperate for something to ground me as his hand found my cock. His strokes were slow at first, teasing, and then faster, harder, until my breath came in sharp bursts and my toes curled. My body was a live wire, the pleasure building until it crested, slamming into me like a tidal wave.

I came hard, my hips jerking off the bed as my release spilled between us, streaking across his stomach and mine. My back hit the mattress with a dull thud, my breaths ragged, and still, his gaze never left mine.

Nikolai's lips curved as he leaned down, brushing his mouth over mine, lazy and unhurried, like he had all the time in the world. When he pulled back, his fingers—still slick with me—came to his lips. His tongue darted out, tasting, and when his eyes met mine again, his grin turned wicked.

"Fuck," he murmured, and it was the only word I could agree with. "You taste as good as you look."