I rode home alone, which I actually appreciated greatly. It was nice to have a moment to myself for the first time since this entire mess started. The moment I get back to New York, I need to contact dad so I can finally be done with all this. My thoughts flashed back to my kidnapper, turned fiancee. How did this become my life?

The driver dropped me off at the front doors, helping me out of the car. I took my shoes off in the entry way, my feet exhausted from an entire night in the gorgeous but painful heels they had given me. By then, I was tired of appearing proper, my light, wine induced inebriation feuling my resolve. I slowly climbed the stairs to Andreas' room, needing the makeup remover Maya had left in there before I had to figure out my sleeping arrangement for tonight. Maybe that same room from before.

I did my best to open his door without making a sound, in case he was already asleep. I peeped my head in to find that he had already passed out on the bed, in his full ansemble from dinner. I made quick work of retrieving the makeup wipes and toothbrush from the bathroom before searching the closet for what they had left for me to sleep in.

All I found was a mostly transparent negligee, which was incredibly soft, but definitely not functional. Deciding I wasn't about to go to bed with all my bits hanging out, I grabbed one of Andreas' undershirts and called it a night

As I exited the closet, an arm shot out of the darkness. I almost screamed, jumping as Andreas pulled me to him. The makeup wipes made a soft thud as they slipped from my fingers. "What the hell? You scared the shit out of me." I held a hand to my chest as I let him pull me close. "What do you think you're doing?!"

"Hi." I noticed the smell of whiskey on him now.

"You drank some more when you got back?"

"Just a little." I spotted two other empty bottles next to his one from earlier.

"Right." I met his gaze. "You need to head to bed."

He nodded. As I moved to leave, he tightened his grip. "Stay."

I shook my head. "I don't think that's a great idea Andre."

At that, he gave me the most sincere, adorable smile and I couldn't help that it tugged at my heart just a little. "Is that for me?"

Honestly this man confused me like no other. "What?"

"The nickname."

I sighed. "Sure."

He grasped the side of my face. "Say it again, Babydoll."

Figuring that I'd need to get him settled before I could crash myself, I played along. "Andre, I'm going to take you to bed okay?"

"Yes please, anytime, anywhere with you."

I couldn't help but smile, he was fucking endearing like this. "Is that right?" He nodded enthusiastically. I led him back to the bed. He kicked off his shoes on his own but couldn't seem to manage everything else. I removed his necktie, jacket, shirt and socks with no issue, but when it came time for his pants, he decided to start making things difficult.

As I reached for his belt, he sat up. "Give some to get some?" He mumbled.

"What are you talking about?"

He grabbed the zipper at the back of my dress, tugging it down part of the way before getting tired of having to sit up. I caught the front of the dress in case it started to fold over. "Andre, stop."

"A view for a view, Babydoll, you're just being unfair." He threw his hands up, being excessively dramatic. "Why do you get a show and I don't?"

I couldn't help my smile at his words and blatantly disappointed tone. "You're calling yourself a show?"

He somehow managed some major side eye. "You know it."

I thought for a moment. "Fine, once we're both ready for bed, I'll give you your show, deal?"

"You drive a hard bargain doll, but after reviewing the terms I accept."I just shook my head as I finally finished stripping him of his belt. I left him in nothing but his bottoms to go remove my makeup and brush my teeth.

I brought the shirt I had taken from the closet with me as I climbed into bed next to him. I had expected him to have passed out again within the time it had taken for me to get ready for bed, thus freeing me of our agreement, but evidently that wasn't the case. He had himself propped up against the headboard in nothing but his boxer briefs when I got back. Do not get any ideas Nicole.

"So you're still up huh? Thought you would be out cold by now."

He smiled. "And forget about our agreement? I'm not drunk enough for that." His words did not match his condition as he leaned too far towards me and struggled to stay upright. "So that was your move huh? You're a slick one Babydoll. I better be careful with you."

I chucked his chin. "You know it."

He struggled to keep his eyes open. "C'mon then. On with the show." He slurred, gesturing to my dress.

I have to be careful that this doesn't get too far. His eyes remained on me as I moved so my back was facing him. "You mind?" He slowly pulled the zip the rest of the way, his other hand stroking the exposed skin. I turned to see that his expression was almost reverant. I let the dress fall, exposing the black, lace, strapless bra and panties set I had on underneath. Andreas' eyes scanned my entire body, his gaze feeling almost like strokes all along my skin, sending a shock down my spine. I attempted to swallow the lump in my throat. Why did I think this was a good idea, again? "You still with me?" My voice was so throaty, I hardly recognised it.

"Fucking gorgeous." He took my hand and pulled me closer, his eyes never leaving my skin. I shimmied completely out of the dress as I moved towards him. His hands moved to my hips, grasping them hard as his gaze met mine. I straightened up on my knees, my arms wrapping around his neck almost of their own accord. I could never seem to be able to make a good decision when it came to this man before me. His thumbs brushed over my skin. "So soft."

I grasped both sides of his head, tilting his face up to me. "Thank you, Andreas, but let's call it, for tonight?" His brows furrowed as he aggressively pulled me flush against him. Ok, I've got to get a lid on this now, or I'm literally going to jump him.

"Just a little longer." His arms were now completely wrapped around my waist, his head pressed against my chest, eyes closed.

The longer we sat there in that position, the heavier my eyelids got, my body always relaxing with his presence despite everything that was going on. I stifled a yawn, becoming more and more slack as he held me. I rested my cheek on the top of his head. "I'm exhausted."

I felt him smile against my skin. "We have to do this again sometime."

I grinned in return. "Maybe we will." He hummed in satisfaction, squeezing my hips one last time before letting me go.

I quickly threw the shirt on, and removed my bra feeling like the stress from the day had melted away with that pressure. As I moved to lie down, Andreas guided me to rest beside him once more, facing him. He wrapped both arms around me as he pulled me close. Begrudgingly, I had to admit the position had me feeling warm and protected. If I'm not careful, I could get used to this. I rested a hand on his chest, and the other under my head. "Babydoll, I really want to kiss you right now."

You and me both. Despite all the reasons I shouldn't have, I smiled up at him. "Do you now?" He nodded slowly, eyes already focused on my lips. "Quite the demands tonight, Andre. Would you give me something in return?"

His hand came up to grasp the side of my face. "If that would get me what I want then, yes, I would."

I tilted my face up to his. "Do you resent me now? With everything that's going on?"

"Nicole, if you could see the things I think about you constantly, I don't think you'd be willing to lay here next to me in nothing but your underwear and a tshirt." The look he gave me only served to prove the truth behind his words, inspiring wicked thoughts of my own. And it seems our little game could still be on. "Was that my due?"

"Kiss me." Without hesitation he pressed a long kiss to my forehead and as much as I didn't want to admit it, I fell just a little in like with Andreas Petrov.

***

I opened my eyes the next morning to a bare chest, rising and falling evenly as Andreas slept soundly beside me, his arm still draped across my waist. I remained still as I heard the sound of someone setting down what sounded like a tray and quickly walking back out, the door clicking softly behind them. I sat up, carefully moving the arm in my lap before getting up to brush my teeth.

On my way out of the bathroom, I spotted a jug of water on the bedside table. The sight had my dry throat coming to the forefront of my thoughts. I grabbed one of the accompanying glasses and chugged the entire thing. Halfway through my second glass, I realised that the bedside table had been bare of anything but their ornaments yesterday.

So this was what that sound had been. Whoever brought in the water had also left an accompanying pair of aspirins, definitely intended for Andreas after the bottles of alcohol he'd downed yesterday, which they had seemingly taken with them. It appeared that, like everything else in this house, the help was immaculate.

I stretched, a soft groan finding its way past my lips. Definitely going to look for a yoga place when I get back. As I looked over at the bed, the images from last night started rushing back, and my cheeks warmed. I'd never moved that fast in my life, thought the wine probably hadn't helped.

I was drawn back to his side, sitting by his hip as I looked upon his face, calm in his slumber. Like that, it was difficult to recall the reasons I had for being upset with him. His tattooed arm suddenly started searching my side of the bed, creases appearing between his brows and I couldn't help but smile. I took his hand, and he immediately calmed, gripping my fingers tightly in his. This man was pretty charming when he wasn't being hostile. Maybe even a little then. I was momentarily distracted by the ink on his arm, this being the first time I had seen the entire piece as apposed to glimpses behind his sleeve.

I traced the lines of the intricate design with my forefinger, the entire piece done in nothing but shades of black from a little above his wrist up to almost his shoulder. From what I could make out, his forearms depicted images of savage looking flowers with thorned vines coiled around lamenting faces, set against various other elements of violence. As the images moved up his arm, the design seamlessly transitioned to display a couple from the waist up, facing one another against the very same flowers and vines that spanned the entire sleeve. A dark angel hovered at the top of the entire design, looking below with a serene expression on her face.

I ran the back of my other hand against his cheek, Andreas leaning into my touch as his eyes began to open. His bleary gaze, as everything else about him, tugged at my feelings. He took everything in within minutes, catching me by surprise as he flipped me onto my back, pinning me arms down as he kneeled over me with an aggravated expression that had me tense beneath him. As he met my eyes, that look wavered. "Nicole?"

I sighed, relaxing a little. "Who did you think it would be? You mind?" I pushed against his hold, which he immediately released. "Well that was new for me. You always wake up like that?"

Though he had let me go, he still had me caged in as he remained over me. "I hadn't expected you to be in here."

I tilted my head to the side. "Do you not remember what happened last night?"

He shook his head. "Bits and pieces."

I followed suit as he sat up, wincing a little. "Which 'bits and pieces'?"

"Yours, mainly." He managed his signature crooked smile, even with what I assumed was quite the hangover, as his eyes darted down to my bare thighs.

My laugh was completely involuntary, my hand coming up to grasp my forehead. "Glad to see that all that whiskey hasn't fried your sense of humour."

His smile became more sincere in response. "I am being serious though. I remember you taking care of me, helping me to bed, but not much else. Why did you decide to stay in here?" He winced. "We weren't on very good terms when I left dinner."

"You asked me to."

"And after what I said, you humoured me?"

I thought that over and shrugged. "You needed me, and" I hesitated, unsure how he would respond. Fuck it. "-you're a sweet drunk."

His eyes widened at my admission. "I was?"

That had me intrigued. "Why is that surprising?"

"I've been told I tend to be more angry when intoxicated."

I looked down, fidgeting with my fingers as I recollected the first time I'd been in this room. It was weird to think that that was just yesterday. "Yeah well, I've seen that part of you too."

"Hey." He took my hand, prompting me to meet his eyes. "I'm sorry for how I behaved yesterday."

I searched his face for any insincerity, but found none. "Why the change of tune?"

"I was thinking about what you said at dinner, and it made me reflect on everything that's been going on. You were right, I shouldn't have been dumping all my frustration out, especially on you. I'm upset about a lot of things, but nothing that's your fault. I guess it was easier than dealing with the real issues." He smiled awkwardly. "Or I thought it would be, until you called me out on my shit." He scratched the back of his head, looking anywhere else but at me. "Maybe that's why I came back and drank like I did. It's been a tough couple of days, and there's a lot more for me to deal with than usual."

The apology truly had me at a loss, not to mention added fuel to the tiny spark of feeling I had for this man. He's not meant to be like this. "I can understand that."

He sighed, closing his eyes. "I know you can. I realise the situation I've put you in. You didn't ask for this, you would have been living your life, if I hadn't come along."

"To be fair, you did kind of save me."

It looked as if he had just realised that fact, a look of anger marring his expression. "I should have made him suffer." His look turned apologetic once more. "I hadn't even thought about that night till now."

"Truthfully, neither have I. The last couple of hours have been overwhelming. I'm about ready to get back home." He nodded, not seeming to know what to say next. "So, how are these next couple of weeks supposed to go?"

"According to mother, we should court as any other normal couple would."

I gave him a look. "We aren't a normal couple though, are we?"

"I guess not, but we could give it our best shot."

I frowned. "Listen, I'm not complaining but why are you suddenly so keen on making this work now? Just yesterday after your father's announcement you came in here intoxicated with another woman in your arms. I'd call that a red flag for any kind of relationship."

"Honestly?" I met his eyes as I nodded. "You attract and intrigue me unlike any other woman ever has, and I intend to keep you." He grasped my chin. "As for what happened here yesterday, I ask that you forgive me for that as well. I was shocked, angry, frustrated, and I acted irrationally, I know that now. I am not usually that man and I don't intend for anything like that to ever happen again."

As much as I wanted to believe that, I couldn't. At the end of the day, despite his behaviour thus far, this man was a dangerous stranger, and I had to remember that. He's a charmer Nicole, don't take the bait. "It's only been a couple of days." The apprehension was clear in my tone.

His demeanor changed then, becoming more adamant as one of his hands cupped my nape. His expression was resolved as his gaze met mine. "Make no mistake Nicole, I will make you mine."

Honestly it's been really nice getting back to writing y'all :D Hope you enjoyed the chapter! -Roxy xoxo