He leans in, sucking my neck as his thumb focuses on my clit, and I go off like a Fourth of July firework. Holy hell. Colors swim behind my eyelids as the most intense pleasure I’ve ever experienced streaks through me. Just as my orgasm subsides, Daniil drives into my body one last time before he stills and then cries out. Warmth gushes deep inside me, and I’m boneless in his arms.
We’re both panting and cursing, drenched in sweat, but also, there’s a lightness between us. Like we’d just fucked away any of the lingering awkwardness.
Still inside me, he carries me to the bedroom. His bedroom. A room we’ve never been in together. And I don’t know what to make of it as he lays me down on the bed, takes off my dress and then removes all of his clothes before coming to lie beside me as our heaving pants fade into even breaths.
Before either of us ruin the moment by talking, I turn on my side, desperate to touch him now that he’s finally fully naked. I run my hands everywhere, worshiping his hard planes and bulging muscles.
Scars mark his skin, but he’s still perfect. Daniil hisses as I lean in and run my tongue over his chest and abs. He buries his hand in my hair, and I wonder how things have changed between us so drastically in such a short amount of time. Pulling me to him, he settles my head on his chest, and trails his hand down my back before resting it on the swell of my ass.
“I’m on the pill. For period cramps,” I clarify, considering he came inside of me unprotected, twice now.
He sighs and stares up at the ceiling. “I should have asked.”
I laugh. “Tonight was… unexpected.”
“That wasn’t supposed to happen.” He takes a moment, as if looking for the right words. “But I lost it when I realized you were without a guard. And that fucking dress.” He sucks in air through his teeth. “Never wear that again.”
“Oh, was there a problem with that dress?” I ask, batting my eyelashes.
He huffs out an annoyed breath. “Don’t make me take you over my knee, Bianca.”
A flurry of butterflies erupt in my stomach, desire coiling low in my belly. Apparently I’ve discovered a new kink.
“Considering you practically ripped it off of me, there’s no chance of me wearing it again.”
“I don’t like other men looking at you, printsessa. You are mine.”
“You don’t treat me that way,” I say, confused. “I know you regret this marriage, but—”
“I don’t regret it.” He props up on one elbow, my chin held firm in his powerful hand. I’m silent, unsure how to respond, so I go with sarcasm.
“Could have fooled me.”
“This is all new to me. I’m learning. And there’s definitely been growing pains.” His hand travels down my neck, over my breasts, and lands between my legs, his fingers brushing against my slit. He leans forward and whispers in my ear. “But does this seem like I regret it?”Okay, point made.I wiggle into his hands, my breathing already becoming erratic… then he pulls his hand away. “Not so fast. I’ll give you more orgasms soon, but first we need to talk about tonight.”
That sobers me up quickly. “What about?”
“Your safety. I can’t focus on anything when I’m worried about you. I need to know that you won’t ditch your guard again.”
A sliver of guilt moves through me, but it’s not like I’d ditched Mikhail on purpose. “It was so crowded,” I explain, “and I thought because it was one of your clubs, I was safe.”
“Unfortunately, that’s not the case.” Daniil lies back down, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I have enemies, Bianca, lots of them. I’m second in line to the Kozlov Bratva. If someone wanted to hurt me, they’d come at you. That’s the way it is in organized crime… you must have been a target when you lived with your uncle.”
“Hardly,” I say. My uncle would have to care about me for that to be true, but I keep that to myself. “Is something going on?” I ask, rising on one elbow. There’s something he’s not telling me, and I don’t know why.
His jaw hardens. “Not exactly, but with the casino now, and with plans to open another one soon, it makes us even more of a target. We’re high profile. I don’t want to take a chance, printsessa.”
Is he saying he cares for me or cares about being vulnerable to his enemies? I don’t know, but the tenderness in his eyes is confusing.
“I’ll be more careful,” I agree, lying back down. At that, he sweeps me into his arms and pulls me close against his body. I can feel the thump of his heart beneath me, and it’s such a comforting feeling, to be close to someone like this, being intimate with someone—not just sexually but in other ways.
“Hey,” Daniil’s voice interrupts my spiraling thoughts. “What are you thinking?”
“Nothing.” I flash him a watery smile. “Why do you ask?”
He huffs out a laugh, looking so sexy I avert my eyes at the ceiling to avoid melting. “Something is going on in that head of yours to make you frown.” He touches a point between my eyebrows. “Which makes that little line form right here.”
Ugh! I attempt to smooth out my features. “What do you want from me?” I ask, exasperated.