“Seven,” Vadim added, and she hurried inside to change.
Eve pulled out her drawer. The day before, he’d caught her staring at the purchases and told her she could order her own choices online and he’d pick the package up at the nearest post office. There was a nearby town, she knew that. That was where he picked up supplies. She’d tested him once, asked him to bring her there.
Not yet, he’d said, and she wondered if that was a lie.
Eve shook her head. No use examining every choice and action now. She dressed into clothes more suitable for hiking, and slipped into a pair of sneakers. They were probably a half size bigger than what she was used to, but a good estimate.
She didn’t know what to think of a man who paid so much attention to detail. Other women in her situation would have freaked out, but not her. Better living with a man whose wants she understood as opposed to the real monsters who wouldn’t hesitate to tear her apart and leave her an empty-eyed doll.
****
“Are we there yet?” Eve asked him, panting. He grabbed one of the water bottles from his pack, handed it to her to drink. She uncapped it, taking a huge gulp. “This view better be worth it.”
“I assure you it is.” The path turned uphill, uneven, full of wayward roots and rocks. Vadim slowed his pace, offering her a hand to cross harder areas. Missing a step, she startled and cried out, but he hauled her against him, amazed how her curvy frame fitted against his body.Perfect.
“Thanks,” she mumbled, still a little shaken.
“Slow down, don’t rush.”
She glared at him, crossing her arms over those luscious breasts he imagined sucking on, leaving his teeth marks on. Then he turned his attention to their destination. After the rocky obstacle, his ears caught the sound of running water.
“Are we near a river?” Eve asked, clearly excited.
“This way.” He led her past a trail of trees and into an opening, which led to the river that threaded the entire forest.
Eve caught her breath. “Pretty.”
“I knew you’d like it. We’ll have our sandwiches and rest here a while.” Vadim had packed enough for the two of them. They found a spot near the bank. Feeling ravenous, he finished his food in a few bites, noticing Eve do the same.
“What?” she demanded.
“I like a woman with appetite.” His woman, Vadim didn’t add, not wanting to scare her away.
“Most men aren’t like you.”
“You speaking from experience?” Unexplainable jealousy hit him like a punch to the gut. Thinking of some clueless fucker unable to comprehend what kind of treasure he held in his hands made him seethe.
“You jealous?” she threw back, and didn’t argue when he eliminated the distance between them. He sat behind her, legs spread on either side of hers, so the curve of her ass and her back pressed up against his front.
Vadim decided he liked this position a lot.
“This is wrong,” she whispered, twisting to look at him.
“What is, princess?”
“Me, wanting you after everything that happened.”
“Nothing wrong with that.”
She rose shakily to her feet. Vadim killed the urge to yank her back down, but she surprised him by straddling his lap instead, locking her fingers behind the nape of his neck.
“What are you doing?” he asked, amusement in his voice, but his cock formed a bulge in his jeans, seeking relief. What better way than to sheathe himself in the tight heat of her cunt?
“Princess,” he managed to grit out. “If you keep doing that, I’ll lose control. I’m only a man after all.”
She pressed one hand over his chest but closed his fingers over hers. “It felt good,” she admitted. “When you took my lips, kissed me hard enough to let me know you wanted to do wicked things to my body.”
“Would you want that?” he asked, brushing his mouth over hers, but not quite touching.