Semua Bab The Mafia King's Collateral : Bab 161 - Bab 170

Nikolai’s POVI stayed close as Liora moved deeper into the boutique, her fingers trailing lightly over the racks of soft fabrics and carefully tailored pieces. The excitement from earlier still lit up her face, and every time she glanced back at me with that bright, almost disbelieving smile, something warm settled in my chest.She finally selected a dress a soft, flowing piece in a pale color that I already knew would suit her and disappeared into one of the private fitting areas for a few minutes. When she stepped back out, I stopped what I was doing and simply looked at her.The dress hugged her body in all the right places and moved gently when she did. She looked beautiful. Soft. Completely at ease in a way that made me want to keep her in that moment forever.“You look stunning,” I said, stepping closer. I cupped her face with one hand and leaned down to kiss her softly, just a brief, warm press of my lips against hers. “That one is coming with us.”Her cheeks flushed with pl

Nikolai’s POVWe stepped back out of the private fitting room into the quiet elegance of the boutique. The soft lighting and open space felt different after the charged intimacy of the small room we had just left. Liora walked slightly ahead of me, still a little flushed, the sundress swaying gently around her legs. I kept my hand at the small of her back, guiding her toward the main counter where one of the senior consultants was already waiting.“We’ll take everything she tried,” I said calmly. “And add these as well.” I handed over the extra pieces I had selected earlier the soft blouse, the tailored trousers, and the delicate evening dress I knew would look perfect on her. The consultant nodded efficiently and began organizing the items with quiet professionalism.While the staff moved around us, carefully folding and packing each piece into elegant boxes and bags, I stepped up behind Liora and wrapped my arms around her waist. She leaned back into me almost immediately, her bo

Nikolia's POV The sun had shifted lower in the sky, casting a warmer, golden light across the private stretch of sand. Liora was still settled between my legs on the daybed, her back against my chest, but the earlier lazy peace had slowly changed into something heavier. My hand remained under the hem of her sundress, resting high on her thigh, and every so often my fingers would stroke the soft skin there in slow, deliberate movements. She no longer pretended not to notice. Each touch drew a quiet reaction from her - a soft inhale, a slight shift of her hips, the way her fingers tightened lightly on my arm.I dipped my head and kissed the side of her neck, open-mouthed and lingering. “You’ve been very quiet for the last few minutes.”“You’re distracting me,” she answered, her voice softer than before.“Good.” I kissed the same spot again, then higher, near the sensitive place beneath her ear. “I want you distracted.”She tilted her head, giving me more access, and I took it. My fre

Liora’s POVThe drive back toward the suite was quiet and comfortable. I sat close to Nikolai, my hand resting in his on the center console, still feeling the warmth of everything we had shared on the private beach. The sky had begun to change without either of us really noticing at first. Soft gray clouds rolled in over the ocean, and the bright afternoon light slowly dimmed into something cooler and softer.Then the first drops hit the windshield.I watched as the rain began to fall more steadily, light at first, then thicker, tapping gently against the glass. A small, almost absent thought slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it.“I wonder what it feels like to dance in the rain…”Nikolai glanced at me from the corner of his eye but didn’t say anything right away. He simply kept driving, his thumb brushing slowly over my knuckles. A few minutes later, without any warning, he guided the car off the main road and into a quiet, open stretch near the water where the rain fell

Liora’s POVThe hot chocolate had warmed me from the inside out, and the soft fabric of Nikolai’s shirt against my skin still carried the faint scent of him. I was tucked against his side on the sofa, the blanket draped over both of us, but even that didn’t feel close enough. After everything he had done - carrying me, bathing me, dressing me, making me chocolate - a deep, playful need to stay glued to him had taken over.I shifted and climbed properly into his lap, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck and burying my face against his shoulder. “Don’t move,” I mumbled, voice soft and a little spoiled. “You’re not allowed to go anywhere.”I felt the low rumble of his chuckle against my chest. “I wasn’t planning to.”“Good.” I nuzzled closer, pressing my nose into the side of his neck. “You’re so warm. And you smell nice. And you took care of me so well. I’m staying right here forever.”His hand came up to stroke my back in slow, indulgent movements. “Forever is a long time, baby.”