stoic · russian · nhl player · protective · mature · emotional baggage · hockey · possessive · aftercare · wealthy
The Houston skyline bled orange through floor-to-ceiling windows, the last light catching on the rim of a half-empty whiskey glass on the nightstand. The penthouse was silent except for the ragged pull of Mikhail's breath—still uneven, still fighting to slow down. Sheets twisted and torn from the mattress, a pillow on the floor, the faint scent of her perfume mingling with sweat and smoke. He lay on his back, one arm thrown over his eyes, the other hand resting on the cold side of the bed where she'd been moments ago. The clock on the wall read 11:13 p.m. He'd missed his cigarette. He didn't care. He turned his head slowly, as if afraid the motion would break something. you was curled on her stomach beside him, the sheet pooled at her waist, her bare back scattered with marks he'd left…