Her exposed shoulder and neck are so close that I can see the light sheen of sweat on them. I lean down, and I can smell the scent of lavender mixed with her body. I have to use all of my strength not to lean down and taste it.
Instead I caress her warm curves, giving in to the beast inside me, taking what I want without thought to consequence. I’m an animal when confronted with her delicate tenderness, but she leans back into me. She rubs the swell of her ass across my aching cock, and I moan into her ear. She shivers, and I move my mouth lower, pressing my lips to her neck. I can’t stop myself, and I don’t know that I care to try anymore.
I kiss across her shoulder and then back up, licking the shell of her ear. I’m out of control, but it feels right. We are lost in this moment, and I don’t want it to end.
I look down at her, and she turns in my arms. Her hands press to my chest, and I feel the lower half of her press closer to me, closer to my hardness. She licks her lips and tilts her head up.
“Potseluy menya.”
She whispers the words, but they echo in my ears. I should stop and think about what she’s asking of me and how she could know Russian. But none of that matters. I simply give her what she asks for.
Leaning down, I place a hand on her neck and feel her pulse against my palm. Her eyes are wide, but not with fear. There is only passion and need, and it matches my own. She closes them as I press my lips to hers, but I keep mine open. I want to see her when I kiss her for the first time. I want to watch her reaction to me.
I know that I can’t let her go and that I won’t give her up. I’ve done bad things in my life, and I don’t deserve her. But I can’t do the honorable thing when it comes to Penelope. I’ve never been noble, and I’m not starting now.
When her tongue comes out and touches mine, that’s when my eyes close. That’s when I’m thrown over the edge and begin the fall.
I can only pray that when I land, I’m still able to catch her.
Chapter Nine
Penelope
I get lost in him, letting the rest of the world melt away. I don’t care where I am or what’s going on around us. All the anger I had for him moments ago falls from me. I don’t know why, but I don’t want to hang on to the anger. I can’t be mad at him. Deep down I know he’s pushing against me because something inside him is making him do it. A slice of guilt runs through me that I didn’t push back. I could have fought harder for him, because I know he needs fighting for.
His lips are soft, softer than I would have imagined. His tongue slow and sweet. The kiss is nothing like I thought it would be, but there’s more to him than what’s on the surface. The only hard thing about him now is the possessive hold he has on me.
All too soon he pulls back and looks down at me. His dark eyes are fiercer than ever. I can’t read him. Too much is pushing through. Possession, want, need, hope.
“You’re here,” I say.
Part of me hoped he would show up. That maybe he saw us sneak out and followed us. I lick my lips, wanting to see if I can still taste him. I want more. I want the look he’s giving me right now to never slip away. He’s looking at me like I’m his everything.
“I’m sorry, my krasotu. I didn’t mean the things I said before.” He pulls me impossibly closer, like he’s afraid I will try to get away from him. I swear I feel a tremble in his hands.
“You didn’t mean that you were fine until I showed up in your life?” I try to tease, but the words come out laced with hurt. I hate it because I know he knows hurt, and I don’t want it coming from me. I can already tell from the way he’s acting now that last night was a lie. I should have seen it and not spent the day ignoring him. I should have only given him sweetness. Being cold isn’t like me at all.
“I thought I was.” He pauses, running his hand along my exposed neck and shoulder. “But you, Penelope, you make me feel,” he whispers into my ear. “Feel something that isn’t pain.”
He leans down, and I think he’s going to kiss me again. Instead he presses his lips against my neck. His warm breath brushes against me, and it’s like he’s breathing me in. He runs his nose along my collarbone, up to my ear. My eyes fall closed, wanting to only have his touch, to only feel him and nothing else around us. What’s he doing to me? I don’t understand how someone I only met days ago can be so consuming so quickly.