“Until you needed to take care of your mother.”
I nodded. “I sought him out and asked if he would help us. He agreed, as long as I did something for him in return.” I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment as I gathered the courage to continue. When I opened them again, I found Dmitry watching me. “Mr. Maslow, I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to spy on you, but I truly had no choice. It was the only way he’d give me the money to pay for Mom’s care. Without it, I would have been overwhelmed with debt, and Mom would’ve been kicked out of the facility …”
He reached out to grab my arm and yanked me to him. I let out a shriek of surprise as he arranged me so that I faced him, straddling his lap. The skirt of my slinky black dress bunched around my hips, and I felt that tingle of arousal return when his hands possessively clutched at my waist.
“Winter, you don’t have to explain. I get it. You were in an impossible position and you needed to protect someone you love. We were total strangers. You have no loyalty to me.”
“That’s not true, anymore,” I insisted, grabbing his shoulders. “I-I need you to know that. Now that I know you—after everything that’s happened—I-I think I’ve …”
“What, Winter?” he murmured, pulling me tighter against him. And God, I loved the way he felt. “You think you’ve what?”
I licked my lips, terrified to speak the words, but fully aware nothing could be fixed between us if I didn’t.
“I think I’ve fallen in love with you.”
He didn’t respond right away, and I worried that I’d revealed too much. Made myself too vulnerable. Finally, though, his lips curled into a grin.
“That’s good to hear, krasavitsa, as I’m definitely in love with you.”
14
Winter
I stared down at him in disbelief.
“What? What did you say?”
He cupped the back of my head and pulled my face closer so he could whisper, “I said I’m in love with you, Winter Rivers. I don’t know how you did it, but you captured me, heart and soul. I will do anything to make you mine. You will have everything you could want or need. I’ll make sure your mother is cared for, and that your father never darkens your doorstep again. All you have to do is let me love you and promise to love me in return.”
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Joy, relief, confusion, and gratefulness all battled for dominance within me as I gazed into the eyes of the man of my dreams. Tears slipped down my cheeks as I smiled and nodded.
“Yes, I promise.” I cupped his face and pressed my lips to his. “I promise, Dmitry. I’ll love you.”
He pulled me in for another kiss, deeper and hungrier than the one I’d given him. Hunger exploded within me and I opened my mouth to let his tongue sweep though and tangle with mine. I arched into his chest and moaned when I felt his growing hardness pressing between my thighs.
“I want you,” I whispered when he trailed his lips along my jaw and down my throat. “Please … sir.”
Dmitry released a growl as he yanked my dress up to bunch around my waist. His fingers plunged into my thong, and he stroked my pussy with rough strokes. I whimpered as he worked one finger into me, then a second, then a third. Leaning back, I held onto his knees and he pumped his fingers in and out of me, preparing me for what was to come.
“That’s right, sweetheart.” He yanked the straps of my dress down, then my strapless bra to reveal my breasts. “Get nice and wet for me. You’re going to ride me until you scream my name.”
“Yes, please Dmitry, I want it.” I arched into him. “I want your cock. I want you everywhere.”
He pulled his fingers from me with a snarl, then yanked his belt loose so he could undo his pants. Shoving them down his thighs, he pulled his cock from his underwear and slid the head along my wetness.
“Is this what you want, krasavitsa? Is this what you need?”
I groaned, nodding my head frantically. “Please, don’t tease me, Dmitry. Not now. Not when I need you so much.”
With one hand, he gripped my thigh, and with the other, lined his erection up to my entrance.
“Slide down onto me,” he ordered.
I did without hesitation. His cock slipped inside me with ease, and I cried out at the exquisite pleasure of feeling so full. This is what I’d been needing. This delicious stretch as Dmitry pulled me firmly down onto his lap so my ass was flush against his thighs. His hands on my hips were heavy, his grip tight, but I reveled in his rough touch. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my bare breasts into his chest as he bucked up into me.
“Hang on, beautiful,” he whispered at my ear. “We’ll go sweet and slow later, but right now, I need to fuck you hard.”