All Chapters of His to Keep: Chapter 21 - Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Nikolai’s POV – Deepening CurrentsNikolai woke with the ghost of Arlo’s touch still lingering on his skin. The memory of last night played behind his closed eyes like a perfectly cataloged film reel: Arlo’s shaky hand wrapping around him, the broken way he’d gasped Nikolai’s name as he came, the way their foreheads had pressed together in the aftermath while their breathing slowly synced. It had been raw, imperfect, and deeply satisfying. A significant step forward in a game Nikolai had been orchestrating for years.He turned his head on the pillow. The guest room was empty Arlo had retreated there sometime after midnight, as expected. Nikolai respected the small boundaries for now. Pushing too hard too fast would make Arlo bolt. But the foundation was solidifying. last night had crossed another line. Next would come mouths. Then everything else.He rose early, as always, and moved through his morning routine with disciplined precision. Gym session. Cold shower. Black cof