FIVE - NIKITA

It took a while for the words to sink in. Then my stomach dropped, and fear and confusion shot through me like a rocket.

Oh, goddammit. This was the beginning?

I ran my eyes over her again, from head to toe and back again. My mind was racing, and I couldn't get my expectations and reality to match up. I thought she would be an older, power-hungry woman, but she wasn't. In fact, with her loose, comfortable pajamas and messy ponytail, she looked like a college girl from the west coast who was home for winter break.

The soft fabric of her top made it easy for me to see her tanned skin and big breasts. Her waist was small, and then her hips were full and curvy, which was very attractive. Her arms and shoulders were thin, but there were ripples of muscle underneath. It was clear that she worked out or enjoyed sports. Her hair was the color of expensive caramel, and even though the top of her head didn't reach my shoulder, her whiskey-colored eyes were on fire.

In other situations, I'd b