“A god?” I give her a wicked grin. "Tell me more."
"You made me come four times in the last twelve hours. I’m sure that qualifies you for some kind of divine status." She grins at me over the rim of the mug, playful and unguarded, and Christ, I want to keep her like this forever.
Just me and her in this magical place.
If only things were different.
I wrap my fingers around hers and gently pull her from the kitchen. She follows, her laugh making me think of how badly I want to hear that sound every day for the rest of my life.
“Where are you taking me?”
“You’ll have to wait,” I tease as I lead her toward the glow of the Christmas tree.
We sink down together at its base, the scent of pine surrounding us as colored lights dance across her face.
"What are you up to?" she asks, sensing my intent.
"I have something for you."
Her eyes widen. "Really?"
I laugh, loving her innocent excitement. "Really."
Reaching into the balsam branches of the tree, I retrieve the small box I hid in there earlier when I came down to make coffee.
She opens the box, and her lips part with surprise.
Inside is a key. It’s old and ornate, and made of tarnished brass.
"It's the original key to the lodge," I explain. "From when it was first built, over a hundred years ago. Obviously everything's electronic now. But this..." I reach out and brush my thumb over the worn metal. "This is from a simpler time. When all you needed was a key to come home."
She stares at it, her throat working as she swallows.
"I'm giving you access to my life,malyshka. To this place. To me." The words come easier than they I ever dreamed they would. "To my world."
"Nikolai..."
"And I’m asking you for yours. I know I have no right. But I’m going to ask you anyway. Be in my world because you want to be,malyshka. Stay with me because you feel this too."
She sets the box aside carefully, then climbs onto my lap and straddles my hips. Her hands frame my face, and when she kisses me it's soft and sweet and filled with emotion I can feel.
"Yes," she whispers against my lips. “A thousand times, yes.”
I slide my hands up her thighs, bunching the shirt at her hips. She's not wearing anything underneath, and my cock appreciates the discovery very much.
She gives me a wicked grin.
"Malyshka..."
She rocks against me, and I groan at the friction. At the heat of her already wet and ready through my sweatpants.
She reaches between us and frees my cock with practiced ease, and I watch, transfixed, as she positions herself above me and then slowly sinks down.
And every coherent thought I have scatters like ash in the wind.
25
HOLLY
