LOGINAnastasia’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.
Nikolai's POV Anastasia's eyes remained on me and in that moment I could see the woman I saw in Monaco, the one with fire in her veins and steel in her spine. The one who didn't back down from anyone, least of all me."You don't get to dictate who I speak with," she said, her voice low and sharp. "We have an arrangement, Nikolai. Six months. Appearances. That doesn't give you ownership over my professional relationships.""Professional." I rolled the word around like a piece of candy. "Is that what you call laughing at his jokes? Touching his arm? Looking at him like he's the most fascinating person in the room?"Her mouth dropped open. "I did not touch his arm.""You leaned toward him.""Because he was talking.""And you laughed.""He was funny."I felt my jaw tighten. "I don't like it.""I don't care what you like."She was magnificent like this….. all fury and independence, her chest heaving, her cheeks flushed, her lips parted in defiance. I wanted to kiss her. I wanted to wipe t
Nikolai's POV “If you would excuse me for a moment.” Anastasia said, smiling away from the both of us. My face still fixated on Damon Pierce and thinking to myself how he had a punchable face.I'd known this for years and that had been long before he became my rival, long before he started building his tech empire on the ashes of deals I'd passed on, long before he looked at my wife like she was a prize he wanted to claim. The man was handsome in that manufactured way that suggested he spent too much time in front of a mirror and too little time doing anything that actually mattered.But watching him make Anastasia laugh? Watching her smile at him like he was clever and charming and worth her attention?I wanted to put my fist through his perfect white teeth.He raised his hands in surrender, chuckling underneath his breath. “You guys are a power couple.” smiling at the both of us. "Your wife is extraordinary," Damon said, his tone light, professional, utterly infuriating.He'd recov
Anastasia's POV My eyes fluttered open, the ray of light from the window almost blinding me.I shut my eyes close immediately as I sat up on the bed, the headache instantly announcing itself in my head not all at once, it slowly rose from the back of my head like a sunrise of pure pain. It felt li
Nikolai's POVI slowly watched her fall asleep, lying bare on my bed, completely drained. I pulled the duvet over her naked body. She snuggled into it tightly in her sleep.Watching her sleep peacefully, like there was no care in the world, turned me on in a certain way. The way she'd moaned my nam
Anastasia's POVThen he started walking toward me, closing the gap between us in seconds. He stood in front of us. I could see the fear in the stranger's eyes. “I'm sorry.” He immediately fled, not staying a second longer and I frowned.Nikolai grabbed my wrist. "You're coming with me. Now.""No.
Anastasia's POVI somehow got through the day at the office. As soon as I had the opportunity, I left without informing anyone especially Elena. I drove to a club about twenty minutes from the office.I sat at the bar counter, ordering shots and gulping them down uncontrollably while waiting for Za







