Chapter 23: Sweet sorrow

Nevaeh:

“Hello, luv. How is this git treating my favorite girl?”

I smile at Azazel’s comment. He loves messing with Mikhail. I can see that there’s a genuine friendship between both men, and it makes my heart melt. Mikhail told me about Azazel and his father’s history, and I was blown away by Azazel’s devotion after so long. And to know that he and Mikhail are now friends makes my heart flutter with happiness that Mikhail has Azazel’s friendship.

Tonight, we’re at Azazel’s club, The Garden of Eden, having some fun. Azazel invited us to a private party on his rooftop for drinks and food. The party is located on his rooftop with a gorgeous view of the city.

I laugh as Azazel and Mikhail banter with each other. They act more like brothers than Rowan and Mikhail. Which is funny because Azazel is hundreds of years old. At the sound of Azazel’s comment, Mikhail gives him a killing glare. “Actually, Az, she’s my girl, not yours. Don’t you have someone else to harass?”

Azazel smirks in reply. “Bugger all, mate, aren’t you a bit unappreciative. I mean, I took the night off just to get knackered with you and my favorite girl, and this is the gratitude you show me? Well, now I’m offended, so bugger off and let the lady and I talk.”

Mikhail leans back on his chair and places his arm across my shoulder as a show of possession. “Seriously, Az, do you even understand half of what you say? I guess as old as you are, it can be difficult to learn real English.”

Azazel narrows his eyes and salutes Mikhail with his drink. “Oh, you think you’re so bloody brilliant calling me ancient, eh. Let me tell you something, mate. With age comes experience… and this bloke has a great deal of experience in things that make many birds happy.”

I roll my eyes and move forward in my seat. “Okay, boys, break it off. You’re both perfect specimens.” I say in a condescending tone. “Now. What does a girl have to do to get a dance?” I give Mikhail my best pouty look. Mikhail’s lip quirks as he moves a tendril of hair behind my ear and reaches for my hand. “Let’s go, princess. I don’t want Azazel to think that I don’t take care of my girl.”

Smirking in reply, I reach for his hand and lead him to the dance floor.

Tonight, I’m wearing a sexy black knee-length, triangle top dress, and Mikhail is wearing a black button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, black jeans and black all-stars. I sigh with contentment when Mikhail places his arms around my waist and pulls me close. The heady smell of his cologne and his natural scent makes every part of my body stand at attention. He’s nearly a foot taller than me, but I can’t complain because I like it. Being in his arms makes me feel safe and stirs desire in every part of my body. Placing my hands on his shoulders, I look into his dark, soulful eyes and sigh. He’s just so dreamy. I don’t want to ever look away.

I caress the back of his neck as we sway to the melodic sound of the music. Mikhail tilts his head and lays small kisses on my nose, lips, cheek until he reaches my neck, which makes tingles erupt across my sensitive skin. Sliding my hand down his chest, I wrap them around his back and bury my face in the crook of his neck. As we dance, Mikhail slides the straps of my dress and kisses my naked shoulder. I shudder with every scorching touch of his lips and move my head back up to meet his lips. Our lips seek and nip as our hunger expands. My stomach quivers with every swirl of his tongue and caress as he sifts his fingers through my hair and tightens his fists around each tendril. Everything is perfect until our sensual haze is broken by the sound of a throat clearing behind us.

“Are you two going to shag right now? I don’t mind seeing Nevaeh, but to look at you, I’d have to be a lot more knackered, and even then, I might chunder, mate.”

Mikhail and I reluctantly break apart and face Azazel. “Shut up,” Mikhail and I mutter in unison.

Mouth gaping open, Azazel places one hand over his heart and gives us a fake affronted scowl. “Well, isn’t that brilliant. A bloke tries to help his mates, and they kick him in the bollocks. See if I ever help you out again.” He replies with an arrogant sniff.

Mikhail and I chuckle in reply. Azazel can be surprisingly entertaining sometimes.

“How about a drink, princess?” Mikhail asks.

I nod my head. “I still have wine, but how about water. I can use a cool drink after so much dancing.”

I ignore it when Azazel mumbles beneath his breath. Is that what you call dancing now?

However, I can’t help but break into gales of laughter when Mikhail smacks Azazel in the back of the head.

As soon as Mikhail walks away to get my drink, I turn to Azazel and quirk a brow. “You know, you two are grown men who can have a regular conversation, right?”

Azazel snickers. “What would be the fun in that love? Now, how about you dance with me before lover boy returns?” He offers me his hand, which I take without argument. There is just something about Azazel. It’s not just his looks, which are astounding, or his boyish charm. I guess if I had to say it, I would say that he is genuine and honorable. He’s the kind of friend that will always be there for you. He’s also a great dancer, which I don’t hesitate to point out to him. “Wow, you’re a great dancer.”

Azazel gives me a boyish smile. “It’s not me, love. It’s you.”

I shake my head in response as I place my hand over his shoulder. “Why aren’t you mated, Azazel?”

I feel bad because as soon as the words leave my mouth, his smile drops.

For a moment, I consider taking it back, but before I can, he replies. “I guess I just never found what I was looking for.”

I don’t want to pity him, but a part of me feels sad that he has had to be alone. Something in my face must signal my distress because he whispers. “Do not pity me, love.”

“It’s not pity, Azazel. Next to Mikhail, you are one of the best men that I have ever met, and any woman would be lucky to have you.” His smile is solemn. “Maybe I met her, and she wasn’t for me.” He states grimly.

A gasp escapes my lips when I see his eyes roam down my face until it stops on my lips. “I wish I had met you first.” He whispers heatedly. My heart stutters at his honest words. I can tell that it pained him to say them, but he couldn’t stop himself.

Heat travels across my face. I don’t deserve this man’s affections. Hell, I don’t deserve Mikhail. I just don’t understand how I got so lucky. I’m not going to question it, though.

“Azazel, I can’t deny that if I had never met Mikhail, I would have probably been very tempted by you. But I love Mikhail. He’s the love of my life.”

Azazel smiles. “I know, luv. And if it had been any other bloke, I would have not hesitated to charm you out of your knickers. However, I’m glad that you’re with Mikhail. Mikhail deserves to be happy, and so do you.”

Before we can say, more Mikhail appears with my water bottle. “I leave for one minute, and you move in on my girl.”

Azazel slowly drops his arms from around my waist and turns to Mikhail. “It’s the accent, mate. The birds can’t resist it.” We all laugh as we make our way back to our seats.

Mikhail and I get home late that night. Taking him by the hand, I lead him to my bedroom. Tonight, is the night. I’m ready. Before we go into the room, I pull him into a passionate kiss. He wraps his arms around me and nearly stumbles when I push him against the door. I’m not usually the aggressive type, but I’m feeling brave. Our tongues entwine, and our lips search as we strain to get closer. His rough hands roam my body sensually, making my body burn with desire.

“Make love to me, Mikhail. I want you.” I mutter breathlessly. Mikhail doesn’t question my decision because I know he wants this as much as I do. Instead, he pulls me closer and deepens the kiss. Sliding my hands across his contoured chest, I begin unbuttoning his shirt to reveal every velvety piece of skin that I can reach.

Grunting with pleasure, Mikhail wraps my legs around his waist and carries me to the bed. Once his shift is unbuttoned, I push his shirt off his shoulders and release a frustrated sigh when it gets stuck around his elbows. Mikhail chuckles at my impatience and helps me remove it. His beautiful chest gleams within the dim light, and his wing tattoos look austere beneath the contrasting light.

Wanting to touch him, I slide my hands across his six-pack abs and smile when his skin quivers beneath my fingers. We’re both kissing hungrily as our bodies grind and strain for more contact. My skin shimmers with sweat, my breathing is ragged, and my heart is pounding like a drum as my hips undulate above his. Seeing the need in my eyes, Mikhail leans, places his hands on the string of my top, and slides it down my shoulder. His lips kiss and nip at every part that he reveals as he lowers my top down to my waist.

The cool air of the room makes my nipples bead, and my skin breaks out into goosebumps. It’s a bittersweet pain. My legs shift around the mattress restlessly as Mikhail swivels his hips and grind his hardness against my molten center. Somehow, between the door and the bed, I lost my shoes.

Mikhail molds his hands around my breasts and kisses each hard peak, making me arch my back as blissful pleasure kindles between my thighs. I shudder at the contact, clawing at his back, and I grind harder into his zipper. Reaching down, I unbutton his jeans and lower his zipper. Mikhail releases a ragged breath as he waits for me to touch him. To torture him, I slide my hands behind him and cup his firm backside.

Without skipping a beat, Mikhail lowers my dress further down and pulls it off. The only thing I’m left with is my black lace panties.

Gasps and sighs escape my lips with every touch and taste his lips take as they traverse down my bare body. My eyes roll to the back of my head when he kisses my knees and makes his way between my thighs. A silent cry escapes my lips as he kisses the inside of my thighs. No guy has ever done this to me. My ex and I were in so much of a hurry the first time we had sex that we kept most of our clothes on. It was bad. I guess that’s why I wasn’t in a big hurry to have sex with Travis.

Mewls and moans resound across the room with every swipe of his tongue and lips. The feelings he invokes in me are so blissful that I have to bite my lip to keep myself sane. Reaching down, I push Mikhail to his knees and straddle his waist. This is not how I want this to end.

Eyes glazed with passion, Mikhail pulls me closer to him and grinds my center against his groin. Stars burst behind my eyes with every swirl and stroke. It’s a wondrous feeling the closer I get to the edge. Wondrous and a little scary.

“Take your pants off.” I manage to mumble breathlessly. Mikhail nods his head and strips down. When he’s done, he looks at me as if waiting for instruction. I know that he’s just as nervous and that he wants me to be comfortable with what we’re doing, so I can’t complain.

Swallowing hard, I get on my knees and run my gaze across his sculpted frame. He’s perfect. There’s no other way to describe how gorgeous he is. His skin is golden and soft. He doesn’t have hair on his chest, but his pecs are curved, his shoulders are broad and muscled, and his abs are defined. I swallow hard when I see the lines that lead to his pelvis.

Mouth dry, I raise my hands and rub his arms and chest with the tip of my fingers. Shocks of heat spark against my skin, intensifying my arousal. “You’re so beautiful.”

Mikhail places a hand behind my neck with a chuckle and mutters against my lips. “You’re the one that’s beautiful, princess. I love you so much.”

My heart melts at his sincere words. Smiling, I pull him close and kiss his plump lower lip. A gasp escapes our lips at the contact. I almost feel dizzy at the heady feelings the feel of his skin ignites inside of me. My breasts swell, and my nipples harden into stiff points that are almost painful. “I love you too.”

Mikhail kisses my chin in response as he slides his hands up and down my bare backside. Desperate for more, I remove my panties and lie back down on the bed. Mikhail lowly crawls up my body with panther grace that is exciting and painfully blissful. Sliding my hands up his firm back, I open my legs and sigh when his weight settles upon mine. My thigh tremble, and my breasts quiver as he grinds his hips and chest against mine.

I’m so delirious that I’m barely able to get any words out of my mouth. “We need protection,” I whisper breathlessly.

To my relief, Mikhail opens his hand and shows me the condom he took out of his pants pocket. I’m so nervous right now, but I’m also excited. This is what I want. Mikhail is who I want. Biting my lip, I take the condom from his hand and open it with my teeth. Mikhail takes the condom and quickly covers himself before he settles back in place. I had never experienced pleasure during sex. I never expected it to be so intense and earth-shattering. Which tells me that what Mikhail and I have is special.

As soon as our bodies unite, the world fades away to be replaced with extreme pleasure. I close my eyes with every thrust of his body as ecstasy courses through my synapsis like molten syrup. Tears gather in my eyes as I gaze into his passion-filled gaze. Our lips meet, and our tongues search as we move in cadence. Sighs and moans echo across the room, followed by our ragged breathing. My hands roam the planes and angles of his back, savoring his body as his hands caress my breasts and thighs.

Our bodies take control at this point. We’re both straining as pleasure overtakes us, and we’re transported into a vortex of ecstasy. I close my eyes as waves of passion carry me away. Mikhail shudders above me as he follows me into his own explosive release.

Once spent, Mikhail slumps beside me and pulls me into his chest. “Are you okay, princess?” He whispers quietly.

I nod my head as I glide my hands up and down his chest. I love touching him. It’s the most amazing feeling to touch him so freely. “I’m perfect.”

Mikhail kisses my head and pulls me closer. “Yes, you are.” He says quietly.

I smile as the feeling of relaxation buzzes through my system. Before I know it, I close my eyes and fall asleep in my lover’s arms.

The next morning, I wake up to find my gorgeous boyfriend lying beside me. He looks even hotter in his sleep. His face looks a lot more relaxed and less guarded. Leaning close, I caress his eyes, nose, and lips, wishing that I could store the memory of his face in my mind. Desire instantly sparks as I touch his silky skin. Without a thought, I lower the blanket to my waist and straddle his hips. I know that it’s aggressive, but I don’t care. There’s just something primal about how Mikhail makes me feel. I kiss his lips gently slide my tongue across them with a blissful sigh. Mikhail’s eyes open slowly as he places his palm around my neck and lowers my mouth back to his. We make love again, and it’s perfect.