Predator | 46

April rested her head on Nik's chest. He was still breathing harshly, but so was she. He had left her completely and utterly breathless tonight. April could never get enough of him. She rarely felt so content like this.

Tangled between the sheets, she enjoyed the closeness and the comfort his body gave her. Her ear was pressed against his chest. She could hear his heart thumbing, faintly but still audibly beating inside his chest.

Nikolaj's eyes were close, but he was not asleep yet, since he was caressing her back with his fingertips.

His face was relaxed and there wasn't a hint of stress left on his face. He looked peaceful. April traced her fingers over the slight stubble on his chin, enjoying the rough feeling beneath the pads of her fingers, before moving them up to his much softer mouth and tracing them over his soft bottom lip. His mouth curved into a gentle smile as he caught her hand and pressed a lingering kiss on each knuckle.

April notice that the rain had long stopped pouring down, so they didn't have to worry about the rain leaking through the roof.

That meant she could cuddle lazily in bed with Nik, without worrying to find another large puddle in the middle of his living room.

Later though they would have to fix the roof it they wanted to avoid the same scenario happening again all over again.

It would be hard work, there was no doubt about that, but she wouldn't let him do it alone, whether he would accept her help or not.

April had already noticed once or twice, that Nikolaj was quite reluctant to accept help. Now she wasn't sure whether it was an ego thing of his, or if he felt embarrassed to be in need of help. Nikolaj had to understand that he wasn't alone. He had to get used to accept her help eventually.

She snuggled deeper to his side, seeking the warmth his body provided. It was nighttime and April was exhausted, but still not tired enough to fall asleep. She made herself comfortable on his warm chest and was enjoying his presence and the soft strokes of his fingers on her back.

His bedroom was quite a cold place, but his body made sure that she wasn't freezing. It still amazed her how resistant he was to the cold.

She began to draw soft circles on his bare chest, tracing one of the more prominent scars that was engraved deep into his skin. He had so many of them and though they never really talked about it, she knew that they came all from the cage fighting.

When out of a sudden a loud and ear shattering howl erupted through the silent night, April flinched in surprise and slight fear. A cold shiver run dawn her back, making goose bumps forming on her skin.

April was now over a month in Rosewood, yet she still wasn't used to the fact that there were wolves running through the town.

And yes, she was aware of the fact that the man next to her was not human either, but she also knew that out there were creature that were downright ruthless and dangerous.

That thought made her heart beat painfully fast against her chest. She wondered if she could ever get used to it completely. Probably not. Not when she barely could face a dog without being anxious.

"It's just Shawn," Nikolaj spoke in a soft voice as if he was sensing her distress. He caressed her cheek in a soothing manner and gave her head a quick and loving peck.

April gave him an amused smile. "You can actually tell that by listening at the sound of the howl?" She asked him surprised, yet intrigued at the same time.

"Mmm, I can do that," he responded tiredly, a soft smile playing on his lips. "It's no different than recognizing someones voice," he explained.

"What is he doing out there? At this time?" She was worrying all over again.

"Just checking if everything is safe and well. Nothing too serious, don't worry about that."

April frowned and leaned her head back on his chest. Of course she was glad to hear that there weren't any problems lately, but that still didn't change the fact that there was still a lunatic wolf running free in Rosewood.

And still no hints. Not a single clue that could help them. Nothing.

The fact that nothing happened these days didn't make her feel any safer. If anything, it made her worry even more, not knowing when and where something worse would happen.

Her thoughts drifted back to the night of the full moon. Her stomach churned. April didn't think often about that night. Somehow she just managed to push the eery memory in the deepest corner of her mind, even though she find herself thinking about it once or twice before.

That was another time Nikolaj had saved her. It wasn't just the night where he came over to her brothers flat to clean her wound and make her drink the disgusting blood to make the wound heal. No, he also saved her from the three Lycans that had cornered them not too long ago.

She didn't want to witness something like that ever again. She didn't want anyone to witness what she had to witness.

Nikolaj did already so much for her, much more than she could ask. But still he wasn't able to see that. He failed to notice his own worth. It was sad, but it was another thing April hoped to change soon.

"Stop that," he demanded, pulling her back from her thoughts.

"Stop what?" She asked confused.

He opened his eyes and turned his head to watch her with his mesmerizing green orbs that always managed to take her breath away.

How was it possible not to get lost in his eyes?

"Stop worrying about unnecessary things," he repeated. "You are safe with me."

April took in a long breath. She wouldn't even doubt his words. She knew that she was safe with him and that he wouldn't ever let anything happen to her.

"I'm not even that worried," she tried to convince him, but she knew very well that her voice didn't sound convincing at all, not even to her own ears.

April breathed heavily. Was it even that obvious that she was worried? Or was he just good at guessing her feelings? Probably a mixture of both, she decided.

Suddenly Nikolaj rolled over on top of her with a sly grin on his face. Nik took both of her hands and entwined their fingers. He was still naked as the day he was born, now all pressed against her chest and only a thin white sheet were between them.

His chest felt firm and hot against hers and it was impossible not to think about the things he had done to her in this very same bed barely even ten minutes ago. Heat crawled up all over her face again.

"Liar." He gave her mouth a quick peck, longing peck, making her eyes flutter close for a few seconds. "What are you thinking about that makes you blush so beautifully?" He asked, his accent thick and prominent.

April's lips parted automatically, thinking of the right words to say. Judging by the way he was knowingly grinning down at her she was knowing very well that he knew exactly what she was thinking right now, but she was just too shy to admit that out loud.

His thumb caressed her check and then traveled further up to the area under her eyes, stroking her skin gently. His thumb left a tingling sensation on her skin.

"You look tired," he stated as his eyes traveled all over my face.

Nikolaj got out of the bed and searched for some clothes. While Nikolaj was still naked from head to toe, April admired his strong back and his ass.

He came back with a shirt and shorts of his. "You said you didn't bring any clothes with you. You can wear this tonight."

April dropped the sheets from her body and pulled Nikolaj's shirt over her head. His shirt was far too long for her body. And it smelled just like him.

"Thank you." She stood on her toes and gave him a kiss

And earth shattering smile appeared on his lips and he pulled her into the bed, moving her head on his chest again as he began to stroke her head.

"Sleep tight," he whispered in her ear and gave her another kiss on her forehead.

"Mmm, you too," was her response before her eyes slowly fluttered close.

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Hope you liked the chapter. I already started to write the next chapter. I hope I will be able to update on friday again. Thank you all for reading!