I tap my chin, then stroke over my bottom lip with my thumb while watching her. “I know that she cut me off because she’s determined to know everything. Even though it takes three of us working very hard together to make anything evenslightlya surprise. I currently feel punished.”
“If she doesn’t like surprises, that could be the issue, Hunter. If you’re not respecting her boundaries, there are consequences. People who rarely get good surprises, don’t like taking the chance that it’s bad.”
“I’ve seen her surprise others, though,” I argue as I start unbuttoning my shirt.
Valerie’s eyes dip to my chest, then harden as she looks at my face. “This is shockingly unprofessional.”
“It’s rather warm in here. Forgive me.” I undo one more button, so she can see the top of my abs. Her tongue peeks out, but she refocuses.
“Just because she’s given surprises, doesn’t mean she necessarily wants to receive them. It may boil down to her own ...” She pauses and takes a slow breath. “To something completely unrelated to you, Hunter. It may be her own insecurities in the relationship or in her self-esteem showing.”
“I don’t know how to convince her it’s worth it to wait and find out. That this is the best kind of surprise. I don’t know how to convince her that I love her and the last thing I would ever do is break her heart.”
“Maybe she needs evidence or a reason ... something that would get through to her.” Valerie’s fingers absently run through my hair.
If we’re doing a mock or serious counseling session off the books and I lie in her lap, she always ends up touching me. It’s like she can’t help it. I don’t even think she’s aware that she’s doing it. Maybe it comforts her. I love that idea.
“Well, if I broke her heart, two men would be eager to put a bullet in mine, but I’m pretty sure that seeing her cry because of me would break me,” I admit. Valerie gapes at me and I nod. “I adore the woman. She’s strong with a sweet side, but seeing her cry is so heartbreaking. I couldn’t bring myself to hurt her.”
“Hunt ...” She trails off. “I just want to know. I like knowing things.”
I sit up and cup her face between my hands. “You will know. At just the right time. In just the right way. You do so much for us every damn day, even when you’re not sacrificing yourself. Let us do this for you.”
She looks over my face and I put her hand on my heart. “I promise, dorogaya, the last thing I ever want to do is break your heart.”
I kiss her slowly, softly. Valerie trembles, but kisses me back. Her mouth fits to mine as her tongue strokes across mine. Her breath teases my lips as she draws back. “I love you, Krolik. So much it scares me sometimes.”
I adjust on her, so I’m straddling her. I run my nose over hers and brush my lips over her top lip. “Welcome to my existence since the moment I met you.”
“Hunter,” She moans my name. “I just ... I want to know.”
“It’s worth the wait. And the wait ... I can make that very fun.” I tug her hair back and plunder her mouth, devouring her, licking deep, sucking her tongue, pulling out every move she’s used on me.
Valerie moans and finishes unbuttoning my shirt, her hands spreading over my abs, then moving up my body to my chest. She pants, all ragged and needy. I cup her cheeks in my hand and draw out every kiss until I move to her jaw. Her nails dig into my skin and I hiss.
“I love how rough you are with me, dorogaya.”
“I like when you’re all honest and vulnerable.” She breathes. “It’s so sexy.”
I groan and bite her ear. Valerie whimpers and pulls me tighter against her. Little moans echo between us until I can’t take it anymore. I’m hard, annoyed by the last five days of her refusing to give me more than a kiss. I need her. Right now.
“Now, dorogaya. Now,” I order.
She nods, rubbing my sides. “Bed. We need the bed.”
I nod and stand so I can grab her, But Valerie darts towards the stairs. She turns around and takes off her shirt, tossing it to the ground. “Come get me, Krolik.”
My smile spreads over my face as I drop my own shirt to the floor. “Remember, when I catch you, that you dared me.”
She gives me a wicked smile and goes for her bra. She throws it at me, then sprints up the stairs. I follow, kicking off my shoes and then I catch her, wrapping both arms around her as she squeals, and coming down on top of her in bed.
Valerie giggles and squirms, but the second I release her hands, she wraps her arms around me. “You caught me. What are you going to do with me?”
“Well first, I have to make sure you don’t run from me again,” I growl in her ear.” I kiss down her neck and cup her breast in my hand. “so to use rope, or to keep holding you down and not be able to use my hands to enjoy every bit of you. Such a dilemma.”
Valerie squirms and rubs herself against me. “If you don’t tie me down, I might run off again. Will you be able to catch me twice?”
I bite her bottom lip and tug her towards me until her lip slips between my teeth. “I will always catch you, Valerie. Always.”