The Runaway In Love (The Runaway Trilogy Book 2) Page 10

  “Please.” He unzipped it then turned around to give me privacy as I removed it and got into bed.

  “I’ll just lay it over this chair,” he said, picking up the now crumpled gown.

  “Nate, when I said I loved you earlier, I really meant it you know. It wasn’t just the champagne talking.”

  “I know that, honey. And I love you right back.”

  “Good. At least someone does,” I whispered before drifting off to sleep.

  20

  Tess

  I woke up early, though I really wish I hadn’t. My head was pounding and my mouth felt dryer than the desert. Nate had left a glass of water and two paracetamols on the beside cabinet, God bless him. I swallowed the pills with slight apprehension. I wasn’t sure how well my stomach would react after all the vomiting last night.

  No way would I drink champagne again!

  I opened a window, letting much-needed fresh air into the room. I needed a shower. Yesterday’s perfect make-up had turned my face into something from a horror flick, and some of it had smeared across the pristine white pillowcases.

  I removed the dark, smudged eye make-up then tied my hair back before stepping under the warm shower spray. I didn’t plan on getting my hair wet; I couldn’t deal with the effort it would take to control the curls, along with the misery of my first ever hangover.

  Just after I’d finished dressing there was a knock on my bedroom door. I was about to tell whoever it was to come in but the words caught in my mouth. What if it was Kolya? What would we say to each other after the events of last night? Will he still be angry with me for ruining his schmooze fest with the Frenchman? Would he still be full of regret from the fact that we nearly had sex?

  I wouldn’t let him see how hurt I was—not physically, but mentally I felt torn apart. I thought after what happened that day at Jean’s house—when he made me experience my first ever orgasm—that it would bring us closer. But since then he’d become distant. And it wasn’t just the miles apart that created that distance. I had to face facts: he didn’t want me in that way. But I wanted him. More so now than ever before.

  Another knock brought me back to the here and now. I quickly scanned the room for my sunglasses, needing to hide my hurt from the man who’d caused it.

  “Tess, are you okay in there? I brought you some breakfast.” I felt so relieved when I heard it was Nate; I immediately opened the door and ushered him inside.

  “Thanks for the breakfast, Nate. And thanks for looking after me last night. I don’t know what I’d have done without you.”

  He’d brought me poached eggs on toast with orange juice and a mug of tea.

  “I don’t think I can eat anything though. I still feel a bit sick.”

  “You can and you will, Tess. Even if it’s just one slice of toast and an egg. Trust me, you don’t want to get into that helicopter on an empty stomach after the night you had.”

  The nausea I expected to feel after my first few forkfuls was surprisingly absent, so I carried on eating, realising this was the first food I’d consumed since yesterday afternoon. We were supposed to eat at the event but that hadn’t gone as planned.

  “Where’s Kolya?” I asked as I finished drinking my tea.

  “He had some business to take care of but he’ll be back soon. We’re scheduled to fly in forty-five minutes so you need to be ready to go by then.”

  I looked around the room for my sunglasses, trying to remember if I’d worn them yesterday.

  “What’re you looking for, sweetheart?”

  “I can’t find my sunglasses. I don’t even know if I brought them. My head’s all over the place.”

  “It’s overcast today. I doubt you’ll need them,” Nate replied reassuringly.

  “But I do need them, Nate. I can’t face Kolya right now without some kind of—”

  “Protection,” he suggested. “Are you trying to hide that you’re a little hungover or something else?”

  “Both.”

  “You wanna tell me what that something else is?” he asked.

  “No. Because if I do I know I’ll cry, and I did enough of that last night. I doubt my head could take it.”

  “Okay, so here’s what we’ll do—we’ll throw everything into your suitcase as quick as we can, then go down to the foyer and have ourselves a little retail therapy. I happen to know the boutique across from reception has Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses that are just waiting for you to buy them. So pick up that little platinum card and let’s go shopping.”

  “I can’t, Nate.”

  “Why not?”

  “It feels wrong to spend Kolya’s money when he doesn’t know about it.”

  Three days after Kolya had left, I received an envelope addressed to Mrs T Barinov. When I opened it and looked inside, I found a credit card that also had Mrs T Barinov in the bottom left-hand corner. When I’d asked Kolya about it, he said I should use it if I saw anything I liked. He’d already left me one of his cards so I could shop online, but this one was mine. In my new name. I’d stared at it for nearly thirty minutes before I showed Jean and Nan. They told me I had to remember to write my new surname when signing the back. I hadn’t used it to buy anything other than the outfit for last night, and that was because Kolya told me I had to buy something suitable. All the treatments I’d had at the spa were charged to Kolya’s account. I didn’t need to do anything but present myself.

  “When you showed me the damn thing yesterday, you didn’t say you needed his permission to use it,” Nate said.

  “I don’t need permission. I just… I don’t know, Nate. I suppose I just feel better if he gives me a reason to use it.”

  “How about pissing you off last night? Isn’t that a reason to use it?”

  “I’m not that kind of person, Nate. I wouldn’t feel right doing that.”

  “How about we go buy them so you can hide any tears that threaten to fall when you see him. You feel like you need them as armour, Tess, I can understand that. They’re a way to hide how vulnerable you feel right now. I could tell you a thousand different ways how wrong you are for not letting him see that you’re hurting, but I know you won’t listen. Besides, they’d go really well with your red hair and curls. I think that’s as good a reason as any to make the cash register ring.”

  21

  Kolya

  I stepped into the elevator to find both Franco and Jonesy either side of Tess. They were whispering something in her ear. At first she appeared shocked, but then she smiled. The relief I felt eased the tension from my shoulders and upper body. She was happy, it seemed.

  I had been worried that the events of last night would have caused her to feel uncomfortable around me. We had argued like never before and I almost claimed her innocence with an angry, possessive fuck—something that she and I would have regretted had I done so. Tess was right in everything she’d said.

  I have little to no control in her presence.

  I was too rough. I could have hurt her physically and emotionally. She would have never forgiven me. So why had I done nothing but relive every second of our ferocious, yet passionate, encounter?

  I chanced a few words with her to see if the happiness she shared with my guards extended my way.

  “Are you ready to go home, Tess?”

  “Are you?” she replied. Her words were terse, measured, controlled.

  “I am. In future, I will try to limit the time I spend away from home on business,” I stated.

  “Business. Right!” she muttered under her breath.

  I had my answer: she had not forgiven me. But out of everything that happened last night, I would not be blamed for something I had not done.

  I waited while we were seated in the helicopter before I took her hand in mine.

  “Tess, for all the reasons I must apologise to you, being unfaithful is not one of them. I made vows to you before God and I intend to keep them.”

  She turned to me as if to say something, but after a second of hesitation she
turned away.

  “What were you going to say, my love?” I questioned. “Tell me, please.”

  “It doesn’t matter, Kolya. Not anymore.”

  Her eyes were covered by large sunglasses, and her body language—mostly hidden due to her being turned towards the window—gave nothing away.

  “I have a headache, so if you don’t mind, I’d like to close my eyes and try to forget we’re flying,” she said with a sigh.

  “Of course, my love. Champagne can give you a killer hangover, and with everything that happened we forgot to eat last night. Alcohol on an empty stomach is never a good combination. When we get home you should drink a full glass of water and lie down for a while. Nan has the day off so Ivan will be firing up the barbecue later. After an hour or two resting you could join us for something to eat.”

  She turned to me and smiled but it wasn’t genuine.

  “I’ll see how I feel after I’ve slept,” was all she said before turning back to the window. I took her hand again and held it tightly in my own. She felt cold to the touch. Perhaps she genuinely was feeling the effect of last night’s champagne, but I had a feeling it was something other than that. Though she sat just a seat away from me in the close confines of the helicopter, the distance between us felt a mile wide.

  22

  Tess

  I closed my bedroom door and sat on the edge of my bed, contemplating the next few months of my life. It wouldn’t be easy leaving Kolya and everyone else behind, but staying here would be more than I could handle. I didn’t have any money of my own but I knew Kolya wouldn’t begrudge me the fare to get back to Doncaster. Jean had gone to visit her sister-in-law in Norfolk and wouldn’t be home for another five days, at least, but I knew she’d let me stay with her until I could afford to rent my own place.

  I heard on the news last week that Hassan Akbar’s body had been discovered in the marsh near Fellbrook Woods, not far from where they’d found Sarah.

  PC Foster had been in touch, asking if I’d seen or heard anything from Hassan since that night outside Jean’s house. I told her I hadn’t. The police had also launched an investigation into grooming rings in both Nottingham and Leeds. PC Foster said it was called Operation Midnight. She said she may have more questions for me in the future and I told her I’d be more than happy to help. Of course, once I’d left Kolya I wouldn’t have his solicitor with me, but I’d learned plenty about lying to the police over the last few weeks, and I’d be lying again when they asked about Hassan Akbar. I knew Kolya had a hand in his death, but he hadn’t outright admitted it and I wasn’t about to ask. All I knew was that my husband had been with his family in Moscow around the time the police think Hassan had been murdered.

  With Hassan out of the way and Tariq still missing, I felt it was safe for me to go back to Doncaster. But as soon as I could afford it I would leave that place and all the bad memories it held behind me.

  I pulled out one of the suitcases and the overnight bag that Kolya had bought me. I wanted to pack as many of my clothes as I could but the ones Kolya purchased when he’d first brought me home didn’t fit me anymore. I’d gained weight and gone up two sizes. Good food and Franco’s tailored workouts had given me the body of a woman. It’s just a shame that Kolya didn’t see me that way.

  I knew that leaving was the right thing to do, so why on earth was I crying? I’d barely gotten half the case packed before I ended up a blubbering mess.

  I looked around the room taking stock of my possessions, remembering Kolya presenting me with each new gift. My iPad and MacBook, my beloved Kindle. The phone that he’d given me when I was in the hospital. I flicked through the photographs I’d stored on there and knew I would treasure them always. There were so many of Nan, Ivan, Danny, Bess, Franco, and Jonesy, though by far the most were of Kolya. I had hundreds of him but they would never be enough for me. Just looking at them made my heart ache.

  His ice-blue eyes were the first thing I ever noticed about him. I swear they hold some sort of magic power. He only has to look at me and raise one brow and I can feel my knees grow weak. When he follows that with his sexy smile I start to tingle in all the right places.

  I heard shouting and laughing outside so I put down my phone and went out to investigate. Kolya and a few others had hit the basketball court. I enjoyed watching them play. They were ruthless, often knocking each other over in their mad pursuit of the ball.

  I made my way over to the court, passing by Ivan at the barbecue. He handed me a bottle of water from a plastic cooler, along with a plate filled with various cooked meats; the distinct aroma of steaks seared over charcoal making my mouth water.

  I watched Kolya take over the ball and move swiftly round the court. He wore nothing but knee-length shorts and a pair of Nike Air. Sweat glistened over his chest, making the ink on his tattoos appear darker.

  When putting my empty plate and bottle on the wall beside me, I noticed Kevin standing next to Ivan. He filled a burger bun with what looked like two steaks and made his way towards me.

  “Didn’t you fancy joining in?” I asked, nodding towards the men.

  “You must be joking. My shoulder’s still banged up from the last time I played. Franco’s a demon out there, and Jonesy’s no better. They are way too competitive for me. Besides, it’s nice to just stand here and look, isn’t it?”

  “Definitely!” I agreed.

  All but Danny were shirtless, and every man on that court was a sight to behold, though none more so to me than Kolya. They were all muscle, strength, and hot, sweating maleness. Everyone except Danny was at least six feet in height, though he wasn’t far off that number. The sheer power behind their movements, combined with the visual display, made me feel a little warm and flustered. I waved my hand in front of my face to generate cool air.

  “I know that feeling,” Kevin said with a smirk. We laughed out loud then fist-bumped each other before continuing our lusty perusal of those fine male specimens.

  Nate leapt our way and grabbed the ball before it escaped off the court.

  “Like what you see?” he asked.

  “You know I do,” Kevin replied.

  There were a few seconds of silence between them and I felt as if the air began to change around us. I saw Nate’s eyes fix on Kevin’s mouth and I knew he wanted to kiss him. Instead, with the ball under one arm, he dropped down on one knee and took my hand in his before kissing the back of it. In a dramatic English accent he asked, “Sweet maiden of the court, will thou wish me luck so I can beat mine opponents?”

  I placed my hand on the top of his head and joined in with the fun. “Arise, Sir Nate. Go forth and slay those who darest challenge thee.”

  There were shouts and jeers from the men on the court, but that changed immediately when Nate ploughed his way through them to take a perfect shot.

  “What the…?” Jonesy yelled, before adding, “I’m having some of that.”

  He ran up to me and kissed me on either cheek before claiming the ball and taking a shot. Again, the ball went straight through the hoop.

  “Unfuckingbeliveable,” Franco shouted as Jonesy fist-pumped the air.

  They carried on playing until Lucas took a tumble, grazing his leg and knee quite badly. He limped towards a bag on the other end of the court before sticking two fingers up at Dave for heckling him.

  I didn’t see Franco until he was right in front of me.

  “How ’bout you send some of that luck my way, baby?” he said before cupping my cheeks in his hands and dropping his nose to mine. He nuzzled my face before placing a gentle kiss on my forehead, then he darted towards Kolya who, as well as dribbling the ball, looked like he wanted to murder him.

  Franco took the ball easily and threw it directly through the hoop.

  “That was too fuckin easy, boss. You need to get your head in the game,” Franco taunted. Nate laughed and slapped Kolya on the back.

  “He had you there, boss. Nothing like a bit of jealousy to throw a man off his game,”
Jonesy declared.

  Kolya was still glaring at me, his face like thunder. I held that glare with one of my own. No way would I let him intimidate me. I hadn’t done anything wrong. Well, not in public anyway. But the thoughts rolling around in my head when Franco’s lips were nearing mine…

  Kolya’s expression changed but it was no less threatening than before. A predatory smile graced his lips, causing me to swallow nervously. I purposely looked away, watching Lucas hobble back to the court, a pressure bandage around his knee.

  “You’re going down, mate,” he yelled, gesturing towards Franco.

  “Bring it on, pussy,” Franco replied.

  I looked around for Kolya but realised he’d left the court. I was about to ask Kevin where he’d gone when I was grabbed from behind then spun around. Kolya’s eyes seemed to be lit with a bright blue fire, they captured my own in a heat-filled gaze as he tugged me against him. I should have turned my face away before his lips met mine but I could never deny this man anything. He kissed me with a raw possessiveness that took my breath and left me boneless. I was caught once again in a web of desire, oblivious to all but him.

  A series of whoops and wolf whistles broke through the lust and longing taking over my senses. I pulled away from the kiss and out of his arms completely, so angry at both him and myself for the way I’d reacted.

  I turned to go without looking at him but he wasn’t having any of it. He grabbed my arm to stop me fleeing.

  “Why, Kolya?” I asked, trying to make sense of what just happened: of why he kissed me like that after what he’d said last night.

  “I needed to remind my wife who she belonged to,” was all he said before re-joining the game.

  “Are you okay?” Kevin placed his hand on my shoulder. “You look a little shell-shocked.”

  “I’m tired, Kevin, that’s all. I think I’ll go to my room for a bit. Just make sure none of them break any bones while I’m gone,” I said, gesturing towards the court.