Ivan leaned heavily against the bedroom door. “After the meeting with the men. I figured it’ll be easier for you to suss out who may have been working with him if we can shock them a little with the sight of him.”
It was smart enough. And Nix was pleased the plan included his own skills. But really, who cared about the fucking business when Ivan looked so wrecked?
Nix patted the bed. “Come here.”
Ivan didn’t. He walked over to the bedroom window instead, looking out, his back ramrod straight. After a moment, he spoke. “He says I’m too emotional. Sergei. That it makes me a poorleader.” He tapped a finger against the window. “It’s a bit funny. My brothers have always complained I’m ice-cold.”
It showed how much Ivan’s brothers knew. Perhaps they’d been fooled because of their father, who by all accounts had been icy inside and out. But Ivan was more like a dormant volcano in winter. There might have been snow at the top, but the fire simmering under the surface could take out a city.
“Well, you put on a good facade,” Nix said. “But yes, Vanya, you’re quite emotional. Most big, scary men are, as much as they hate to admit it. But it won’t be a liability to your leadership,” he reassured.
“And why not?” Ivan asked without looking over.
“Because I’ll be here to keep you in line.”
Ivan tapped the glass again. “Until you leave.”
Nix sucked in a breath. “Ivan—”
Ivan whirled around, his expression blank. Icy on the surface indeed. “I don’t want to talk about that now,” he said dismissively.
As much as Nix wanted to disagree, it was probably best not to. Not when Ivan was such a powder keg at the moment.
Talking wasn’t the best strategy with this one anyway.
“Come here,” Nix repeated.
Ivan did as he asked this time, approaching the bed until he was standing between Nix’s legs. Nix cocked his head, his tail flicking out to slide against Ivan’s hip. “Would you like me to make you feel better?”
“What are you, my nursemaid?”
Nix tutted, his tail slapping lightly against the fabric of Ivan’s pants. “Try again, Vanya.”
A muscle twitched in Ivan’s jaw, but he answered, “Yes.” And then, without Nix even asking for it, “Please.”
Oh, what a good boy. Nix let his clothes disappear off his body, leaving him in another pair of lacy panties. He widened his legs, enjoying the way Ivan’s gaze immediately trailed over him, hotand hungry. “Tell me—have you ever sucked a cock before, Vanya?”
Ivan’s perusal stopped in its tracks, and he frowned at Nix. “You know I haven’t.”
“Would you like to suck mine?”
Ivan let out a heavy breath, and Nix thought for a moment he might not answer at all. But then— “Yes.”
Nix wanted to purr or preen. He did so love to get the exact answer he wanted. But he kept his voice firm as he ordered, “On your knees, darling.”
Yet Ivan stayed standing—acting as his own worst enemy, as usual. Getting in his own way. As evidenced by the skepticism in his next words. “You think getting on my knees for you will make me feel better?”
“I do.” Nix wrapped a leg around Ivan and grabbed his shirtfront, pulling him in close. He pressed his cheek against Ivan’s, whispering in his ear, “You don’t have to be in charge here, Vanya. Did you know that? You boss me around only when youwantto. The rest of the time, you can let your devoted demon take care of you. How does that sound?”
“And why would you want to?” Ivan asked, after a strangled breath. “Take care of me?”
“Because it pleases me to,” Nix told him. “And I’m all about pleasure.” He pressed the lobe of Ivan’s ear between his teeth, lightly enough that his fangs didn’t puncture, then released it. He leaned back to catch Ivan’s eye. “You want to get rough and fuck me into the mattress like there’s no tomorrow, we can do that. I’ll follow your every order like the devoted demon I am. But if you want a little rest from all that? Then you’ll let me do what I think best.” He tugged Ivan’s shirt again. Hard. “Won’t you, Vanya?”
Ivan held himself unbearably still for a long moment, then slumped in Nix’s hold, forehead landing against his. “Yes.”
Nix kissed him for his honesty, then pressed lightly on his shoulders. Ivan followed the cue, sliding down to his knees.
“Shirt off,” Nix told him.
