Scoundrel's Honor (Russian Connection 3)

Surging upward, he entered her with one smooth thrust.

Emma sucked in a sharp breath, her hands sliding down the rigid muscles of his back as he set a relentless pace that had her soaring toward the stars.

CHAPTER TWENTY

TUCKING EMMA AGAINST HIS side, Dimitri breathed deep in an effort to slow the thundering pace of his heart.

A task that would have been considerably easier if his potent awareness of her was not still rampaging through his body and urging him to take advantage of their rare moment together.

It had been too long.

Far too long.

And the need to drown himself in the pleasure of her sweet desire was nearly overwhelming.

Unfortunately, he could not ignore the manner Emma’s body was stiffening as sanity returned, her tiny hands reaching to press against his chest.

“I have missed you, milaya,” he whispered, pressing his lips to her hair as he sought to temper the palpable regret in the air. “This was—”

“Exquisite?” he interrupted. “Astonishing? A miracle?”

“A mistake.”

“No, Emma, the only mistake was attempting to leave me. We belong together.”

Her eyes shimmered like the finest emeralds in the firelight.

“I did not leave you, Dimitri.”

His fingers stroked the satin skin of her shoulder, his body already stirring at the feel of her warm curves pressed against his body.

“No?”

“No.” She shifted to meet his gaze with a somber expression. “I followed my sister. Something you attempted to prevent me from doing.”

His grip unwittingly tightened. “My only desire was to keep you safe.”

“That was not what I wanted of you.”

“I understand your need to rescue Anya,” he said. “I even admire your courage.”

“And yet you locked me in Lord Huntley’s house while you allowed Anya to be taken from London.”

He swallowed a sigh. How man

y years had it been since he had explained his decisions to anyone? Quite likely it had not been since his mother’s death.

And most certainly he did not apologize. Not ever.

At least, not until Emma Linley-Kirov.

“For how long do you intend to punish me for my impetuous decision?” he asked, his voice low.

She shifted on the cushions, a faint color staining her cheeks.

“I am not attempting to punish you. I am merely explaining why we cannot possibly be lovers.”

His brows lifted as he swept a glance down her naked form.