Page 68 of The Brigadier

“A very good question and one that’s bothered me. No. I would prefer he chose his world, his profession. Everything. But he will never be able to leave the shadow of who I am. That’s the way it works. That will always place a target on his back.”

“So sad but I do understand. Maybe that’s why I tried so hard to live a normal life. Whatever normal is.”

He took a deep breath, glancing out at the sky. “Come here for a second.”

As he stood, he held out his hand like a gentleman, pulling me toward the railing. “What am I supposed to be seeing?” I asked.

“Look up at the stars. They’re bright. They’re beautiful. They are a part of the unknown world that people have been wishing on for hundreds of years. Sometimes stargazers believe they get the answers they need. Maybe about the love of their life or perhaps a job they’re contemplating. It gives them hope, a little something different than religion or family values. Just like I want my son to be anything he wants to be. I think you can and should be as well.”

“But I’ll always have a target on my back.”

“Yes, but with time it will become less.”

I threw him a look. He was so close, his body heat explosive. I wanted so much for him to take me into his arms, kissing me asif his life depended on it. Somehow, I could feel he was mostly business tonight, the anxiety weighing heavily on his shoulders. “I have many wishes and always have. I was the kid lost in books and dreams. Fantasies I guess you’d call them. My mother used to make fun of me but I didn’t care. Being locked away like Rapunzel didn’t leave me room for doing much else.”

“Now, you’re free,” he said, daring to get closer to me. “Look up at the stars. Find the brightest one then close your eyes. Make a wish.”

I glanced at the stars, finding the perfect one before closing my eyes.

I wish I may, I wish I might, wish upon a star tonight.

My mind had already grasped the perfect life, the perfect profession. Exactly what would make me happy. I found myself nuzzling against him, maybe something he hated but I needed to feel him. I craved being closer. Much closer.

“I’m curious. What did you wish for? You have a marketing and advertising degree. Is that what you would love to do?”

“If I told you,” I whispered, “then it might not come true and I really want it to.”

He spun me around quickly, wrapping his free hand around my throat. There was no threat, no intention of harm. His hold was all about possession and I almost burst into tears.

“I will do everything in my power to help make those dreams come true,” he whispered.

“Why? Why?”

“Haven’t you figured it out yet, my little minx? Because I have no intention of allowing you out of my life. Not now. Not ever.”

There were moments in time when a kiss was as powerful as making love. This was one of them. The possessiveness remained even as he slipped his arm around me, pulling me close. His lips were softer tonight, his tenderness unexpected. After our previous round of hot sex, I’d thought him far too intense to allow for romance. Maybe I was wrong about so many things about him.

That filled me with so much more than just lust. I was eager to spend time with him, so happy at what he’d said.

The kiss became more intense yet remained soft and special. It was as if we were doing our best to try to get to know each other just like I wanted. I slipped my free arm around him, struggling with emotions more than I had before. But I finally knew what I wanted in every aspect of my life. I was shocked how fitting it was, how perfect and something I hadn’t thought of in a very long time. With Nikolay at my side, I knew we could accomplish anything.

And face any danger thrown our way. That’s how much I cared about the man.

He swept his tongue inside, finally crushing his mouth over mine. He was a force to be reckoned with, a man with such prowess and playfulness that the thought of spending the rest of my life with him was better than anything. Anything.

He was growling into our moment of intimacy just like I was mewing like some kitten in the wild. But I could tell he loved it by how hard his cock had gotten.

The moment he broke the kiss, I felt a little bit of loss. Or maybe it was from being lightheaded, stars now drifting down from the sky to sparkle in my eyes.

His tenderness continued as he cupped my face, brushing his thumb back and forth. “You are such a beautiful, talented woman. You can do anything you want. I will certainly support you in whatever you’d like. But I want you in my life. I need you in my life. Yeah, I know what we’ll face with your father, but you deserve to live your life exactly as you want.”

“I want this, Nikolay. More than you know. I just…” I tried to lower my head but he refused to allow it, lifting my chin with the same thumb.

“Just what?”

“Nothing. This right here is my wish. This house. Damien. You. Everything.”

“You can’t not want something for you. I won’t allow that.” His grin was so adorable I was swooning all over again.