Scoundrel's Honor (Russian Connection 3)
Page 109
“Yes, it was. You have always known you would allow nothing to come between you and your revenge,” she hissed. “Certainly not me or my poor sister.”
“And if I tell you that I regret my choice? That I would make a different decision if we were back in that warehouse in London?”
She shook her head, refusing to consider his words sincere. “I would say that it is very convenient to claim such regret now that you have what you desire.”
His grip tightened and with relentless determination he turned her in his arms to meet the blazing gold of his eyes.
“But I do not have what I desire,” he rasped, his hands gripping her hips and pressing her against the swollen thrust of his arousal.
Dangerous warmth pooled between her legs. “Stop now.”
“Emma, have you no regrets?”
She turned her head, unable to think clearly when he was so near.
“Of course I do,” she muttered.
He placed a hand against her face, firmly turning her face to meet his tense expression. For the first time she noticed the shadows beneath his remarkable eyes and the pronounced jut of his cheekbones, revealing that he had lost weight since she had last seen him. An annoying pang of sympathy tugged at her heart.
“Then surely you can find it in your heart to forgive me?” he asked.
“I do not wish to forgive you,” she said, as much to convince herself as Dimitri Tipova. “All I want is to find my sister and return home.”
“Your home is with me.”
Her heart faltered at the sheer certainty in his voice. “No.”
The golden gaze blazed over her face. “Yes, moya dusha.”
She pressed against his chest. It was so simple to swear she was done with Dimitri and his persuasive kisses when he was far away. But when he held her so close against him…
Emma shook her head in denial. “I have no need of you.”
“Perhaps I have need of you.”
Her sharp laugh echoed through the gardens. There was only one reason Dimitri would need a woman.
“To warm your bed?”
“I will not deny I
am desperate to have you in my arms. But it is more than mere lust. You are meant to be at my side.”
“For as long as I please you.”
“For so long as we please one another.” In one fluid movement, Dimitri swept her off her feet, cradling her against his chest as he carried her toward the arched entrance of the women’s quarters. “Allow me to please you, milaya.”
Her heart raced with a combination of anger and searing need.
“No. Rajih…”
Her words were brought to a shocking halt as he covered her mouth with a tempestuous kiss that stole her breath.
He tasted of vodka and male desire. A heady combination that made her entire body clench with an aching hunger.
“I warned you not to speak that name,” he muttered against her mouth. “The only man on your mind or your lips will be me.”
She would have denied his stark claim of possession if he hadn’t kissed her again, her barely restrained desire flowing through her like molten lava. Instinctively, her arms lifted to circle his neck, her lips parting in silent invitation.