Nikolai

He was wearing a suit but without a jacket. He had on a waistcoat and the sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to his elbow, showing off his muscular tattooed arms. He looked like a man who frequented the gym with the way his body looked powerful under that suit. 

He had a perfectly sculpted face with a sharp jawline and high cheekbones. There was a 5 O'clock shadow beard covering his face. His gray eyes held nothing but mischief and bad behavior. Not the boyish one, no. He exuded manliness, dominance, and sex appeal. 

On top of all that? He had glasses. Did he have an eye problem? I had never thought glasses looked that hot on somebody until him. His black hair fell over his face and he pushed it back with his tattooed hand that black rings on some fingers.

I was undeniably attracted to the man. 

I tried to defend that it was the alcohol but I knew it wasn't. There was something dangerous and forbidden about him that pulled me in, daring me to jump into the fire. 

I turned to my drink when I realized I had been staring at the stranger for way too long. However, he hadn't noticed because he was busy eyeing me. For some reason, it made me feel sexy.

" You look like you need a friend, " he said again, his Italian accent almost making me fawn.

I had a new type and it was Italian men.

" I'm fine, " I replied curtly, not wanting to engage with the man no matter how tempting it was.

He looked like a man who caught the attention of many women and I didn't want to set myself up for heartache. The way he was looking at me told me that he was looking for more than friendship.

" A beautiful girl like you shouldn't be crying over a man. " 

I blushed as he called me beautiful. I knew I was a catch with my big baby blue eyes and waist-long copper brown hair. I also had a slender waist and generous curves. However, I was still stuck on the fact that he knew a man made me cry. I felt obligated to become defensive.

" A man is not the reason-"

" Don't lie to me, bellissima. " He said it in a cool way but I got the feeling that he wasn't saying it nicely.

Before I knew it, I was spilling all my secrets to a man I didn't even know. He was so attentive and keen in a way that made me feel like I could trust him. 

When I was done, I felt stupid because I ignored all the signs that what we had was over.

" I should've guessed. I'm smart. How could I not notice that he only texted me or called when he was horny? I feel like a phone sex attendant minus the pay. Maybe I should do that for a living. I'm broke with no job and no life to go back to. "

" He's stupid for not realizing how lucky he is to have a girl like you. He doesn't deserve you. " He said while stroking my cheek with the back of his hand. 

We changed the subject and the issue of Malcolm was long behind us. At one point in the night, we had pulled our bar stools together and we kept finding reasons to make body contact as we spoke about our lives and joked around. 

I couldn’t remember the last time a man had made me laugh like that. Even my drink was long forgotten. We only stopped when the bartender told us he was closing and we had to leave. 

“ When can I see you again? “ He asked.

I frowned and looked at him with a sorry look on my face.

“ You can’t. I have to go back to the U.S. tomorrow and figure my life out. Maybe I can still salvage my job. “ 

He put his hand on top of mine and my body felt like it was on fire. His big hand engulfed my small one. Shivers ran through my spine at the contact and I hoped that he didn’t notice the effect he had on me. 

“ Give Sicily a chance. Maybe you’ll love it and make it your home. Look, how about you take tomorrow to think things through? I’ll pick you up in the morning and show you around. If by the end of the day, you still want to leave, I’ll respect that. “ 

“ I don’t know…”

“ Say yes.” 

We made eye contact for some time before I caved and nodded my head. I needed a break from my life anyways. The man nodded his head and helped me off my stool. We walked out of the club and stood outside. He was towering over me with his height, making me feel small.

“ Where is your motel? “ He asked.

“ Just around the corner, “ I answered.

“ Let me walk you there. “ 

Just as he said that, an Alfa Romeo Stelvio parked next to us and a man in a suit came out. My hot guy whose name I had yet to learn, excused himself and they went further from me and started speaking. 

I looked at him as he spoke to the man in hushed tones. It looked like the man in a suit was his driver with the way he was nodding curtly and listening intensely. I kept staring at his full lips moving, wondering how they would feel on mine.

He turned to look at me and smiled. I looked away and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. He made me giddy and nervous like a high school girl. 

After a while, he walked over to me and the driver got in his car and left. 

“ Are you ready to go, bellissima? “ 

I nodded my head and we started walking on the pavement to my motel.

“ What do you do for a living? “ I asked to break the ice.

The man was clearly rich. He was wearing Armani from head to toe and he had an expensive car plus a driver.

“ I own many businesses. Usually, I invest in collapsing businesses and bring them to their feet. “ 

I nodded my head in understanding. 

“ What about you? “ 

“ I’m an editor. I love languages and I thought I’d put my skills to good use. “ 

" I'm sure you'll find another good job. " 

Before we knew it, we were outside my motel. I turned to face him and wondered what the right thing to say was.

" Is 9 a.m. alright with you? " 

" Yeah. See you tomorrow." 

" Sleep tight, bellissima. "

" I didn't catch your name, " I said before he left.

" Nikolai. "

I nodded my head and started walking inside. When I looked back, he was still outside waiting for me to enter. I blushed again and looked ahead. Nikolai. That was a name that would make me bend my morals and bring out my inner demon. I just didn't know it yet.

                                ****

I wore baby blue booty shorts, a white tank top, and gladiator sandals because it was hot. I couldn't wait for Nikolai to come and pick me up. Every now and then, I zoned out and his face was all I saw. 

I practically skipped downstairs to go outside because it was already five minutes past nine. When I got there, Nikolai was leaning against a matte black Mazzanti Evantra. 

He was clad in a white tee and black shorts that showcased his powerful legs. His glasses were gone and in their place was a pair of black sunglasses.

" Are you ready for a tour of the city? " Nikolai asked while walking towards me and hugging me.

" Yes sir, " I answered.

He opened the car door for me and I got in. He spent the day driving me around town and showing me spots to eat, shop and hang around.

I noticed the way he kept a protective arm on the small of my back when we walked on the street. He showed me the basics of learning Italian so I could communicate better with Italians.

Our tour ended at the beach. We sat in the sand watching the sunset while we each had our thoughts to ourselves.

" So, what do you think of Sicily so far? " He asked.

" It's a beautiful city but I'll have to sleep on whether I want to stay or not. "

" Let me give you some incentive. "

Before I registered what he had said, he put two fingers under my chin and kissed me. I froze for a second before my instincts took over and I kissed him back with the same energy.

Our mouths molded together in a fiery kiss that sucked the air right out of my lungs. Desire settled at the pit of my stomach and electricity shot through my veins.

When his tongue made contact with mine, a sound came from the back of my throat. His hands were all over my body and liquid heat pooled in my center.

When he pulled away, we both panted, trying to catch our breaths. 

" Is that reason enough for you to stay? " He asked.

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear before answering, " it might be. " 

He walked me back to his car and drove me back to my motel. It was already dark and cold so he handed me his jumper. It smelled just like him. Addicting and comforting.

" When can I see you again? " He asked.

" You should call tomorrow. I can try and squeeze you into my busy schedule. " I answered, making him chuckle.

He walked me to the entrance and pecked my lips. 

" I'll see you soon, il mio bellissima, " he said before walking to his car and driving away. 

I stood on the pavement smiling at nothing in particular. I touched my lips and blushed even harder. My lips tingled and I could still feel his lips on mine. I hugged my arms to my body to wrap myself in his scent.

Just as I was turning around to walk inside, I heard sirens. Three cars stopped in front of me and men in uniform came out.

They pointed guns in my direction and my arms went up in the air. They spoke but I couldn't figure out what they were saying since I didn't know Italian.

Before I knew it, there were cuffs around my wrists and I was in the back of the Polizia di Stato’s car. The worst part was that I didn’t even know why. 

Fuck. 

--------

Polizia di Stato- State Police