LOGINChapter 42 Anastasia's POVI woke up to sunlight streaming through windows I didn't recognize. My head throbbed, my mouth felt dry and the ceiling above me was wrong in every way. It was too high, too ornate, covered in intricate moldings that belonged in a palace, not in Nikolai's penthouse.I blinked and sat up slowly.The room was enormous, it had a massive four-poster bed which dominated the center, draped in cream silk and velvet. Antique furniture lined the walls, a gilded vanity, a mahogany armoire, a chaise lounge that looked like it belonged in a French château. The curtains were heavy brocade, tied back with gold tassels. The floors were dark hardwood, covered in an intricate Persian rug.This wasn't my room and this wasn't even Nikolai's penthouse.Where the hell am I?I pressed my palms on my forehead, trying to piece together the fragments of the night before. The club. Zara, dancing and then……The bathroom door opened.Nikolai stepped out, wearing nothing but a towel wr
Nikolai's POVI remained in my office after office hours reviewing the final documents for before my grandfather's visit when my assistant’s message buzzed through."Sir, Miss Leona Braun is here to see you, but she doesn't have an appointment."I was surprised to hear that Leona came over to see me, a slow smile spread across my face."Send her in."The door opened, and Leona walked in with that elegant poise that dominated places. She was dressed impeccably as always, wearing a cream colored pantsuit, heels to match, and that same confident smirk she'd worn since we were teenagers."Nikolai." She extended her hand, I stood up to shake her hand, laughed and pulled me into a quick hug. "It's been too long.""It has." I gestured to the chair across from my desk. "Sit. Tell me what you've been up to, other than terrorizing my fiancée at galas."Leona's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh, that? She started it. Spilled wine all over my dress. I was just simply defending myself.""You called
Anastasia’s POVI went down to a restaurant five blocks away from my office for my lunch break. I decided to go early before the lunch break time started because I wanted some ‘me’ time before Zara came over.I wasn't the type of person who decides to go on lunch break. I was always so immersed in work and the numbers of the company's chart but today I decided to use the time of lunch break as my office felt too stuffy for me to breathe.I stared at the fancy expensive piece of paper in my hands, an apology letter that Nikolai had sent to me. He decided to take the easy route of apologizing through paper instead of doing so to my face. I scoffed. “Such a coward.” I muttered underneath my breath.The doorbell jingled making way for Zara as she walked in towards me. “Hi Ana, I hope I didn't keep you waiting?” She asked, sitting on the chair opposite me.“Nahhhhh you did not, I needed the time alone actually.” I faked a smile at her but Zara? Nothing gets past her.“Okay, tell me what'
Nikolai's POV The study was dark except for the warm glow of the desk lamp. I sat in my leather chair, a stack of files spread before me, my pen suspended mid-air over a document I hadn't read in twenty minutes. The numbers blurred over and over again and I couldn't make sense of the words.I couldn't focus.I couldn't stop thinking about her.Anastasia.The way she felt pressed against the wall in the powder room. The way her lips had parted for me, hesitant at first and then desperate. The way her hands had fisted in my jacket like she hated me and needed me all at once.I closed my eyes and all I could picture was Anastasia in that red dress. The curve of her hips, the flash of her eyes when she was angry, it was dark, blazing and devastating.God, she's so fucking beautiful when she's pissed.I shifted in my chair, adjusting my collar. I could feel my body tensing up from the image of her in that red dress and how I would have loved to undress her out of it but I was irritated. I
Anastasia's POV Nikolai stepped beside me, his arm wrapped around my face with a charming smile on his face. This was definitely a show to make Leona back off from me. From the way he was smiling he looked happy to be taking control of the situation. I can take care of myself Nikolai!"Leona." He called out his voice was warm, surprised, delighted. "You're back in the country, I didn't know you'd returned."Leona's expression transforms upon seeing Nikolai, she wears a big smile on her face, laughing as though she wasn't just verbally cutting me apart."Nikolai! It's been years. You look… well.""As do you. Still causing trouble, I see."They laugh and share an embrace, like a warm, familiar hug that lasted too long. His hands on her waist, while her hand was on his chest. Reconnecting like old friends. Old close friends.And I'm still standing right there feeling humiliated and ignored in front of all these people.“So how long has it been? Five years? Ten years?”“Actually it's be
Anastasia’s POVI'm fucking furious and that wasn't just because Nikolai followed me into the powder room, it wasn't just because he cornered me against the marble counter with that infuriating smirk he always had on his face, it wasn't even because he kissed me like he owned me.I'm furious because I melted, because of his kiss. My body completely betrayed me, my lips parted for him, my hands wrapped around his suit jacket while I made a sound, a small, pathetic, needy sound and he heard it. He felt it, my body being desperate for him.I hate him! I hate him so much that it burns.I spend the remaining time of the gala completely avoiding him. With the way I've been acting needy, avoiding him is the right option for me.I walked around the hall like a ghost, acting invisible and smiling at the guests who I didn't know. Accepting champagne flutes I don't usually drink from. Making small talk with investors' wives and elderly countesses who pinch my cheeks and call me "the lucky girl.
Anastasia’s POV I sat at the head of the polished table, my posture perfect, my charcoal blazer immaculate, my hair swept into a severe chignon. To anyone watching, I was the picture of composure, the formidable CEO of Reed and Associates who was commanding and unshakable.But I hadn't heard a si
Nikolai POVThe bathroom door clicked shut behind Anastasia, and I stood there for a moment, listening to the sound of water beginning to run. She had already told me to get rid of my visitor with that sharp little tone she had been developing lately, the one that should have irritated me but it on
Anastasia POVI scanned the bathroom, the shower wasn't running, it was just the faucet and something else, there was a sound coming from a small speaker that was perched on the edge of the tub. The moaning I was hearing was coming from the speaker.Sasha followed my gaze, then she laughed, not in
Anastasia’s POVI stood there dumbfounded with my arms crossed, watching Nikolai pour wine for both of them, as he held her waist again, drinking his wine. She's objectively beautiful, her dark hair, sharp cheekbones, long legs crossed at the ankle and the way she calls Nikolai like it's a familia







