I felt him ready to snap.
But he held back.
I ran my tongue against his collarbone, peppered hot kisses across his chest, and sank my teeth into his abs.
Ivan released his hold, hands skimming up to my shoulders as I pushed his grey sweatpants down his thick thighs. I kissed him there too. Those powerful legs, strong enough to hold us. With a tug, the pants came free. But I kept his dark socks on only because I realized they were covering wrappings and bandages that coated the bottoms of his feet.
“My grandmother swore that devout nestinari would come away from their dance without a single scorch mark,” he huffed wryly. “Guess my faith isn’t that strong.”
I crawled over his body. “But your heart is.”
I placed a palm on his chest. His hands settled around my hips, that rough, calloused touch skimming over my skin.
With a rough, possessive tug, Ivan drew his arms around me and tugged me to his body. His growl was a hot exhale against my ear. “I tried to do the right thing. I tried to send you away.”
“Bastard.” I threaded my fingers into his hair and tugged. “I’m staying.”
“I know. And I’m selfish enough to enjoy that idea,” Ivan rasped.
I caught his jaw between my fingers. Though my hands were small compared to him, my grip was anything but gentle. “You’re going to come inside me this time. Got it?”
His lips tipped up despite my hold.
“I mean it, Ivan,” I said fiercely. “No pulling out. I want your cum.”
Funny that here, in the privacy of the room, with this man, I didn’t feel the least bit embarrassed by the scandalous demand. It was right. It waslongoverdue.
“If we do this, we’re as good as married in my eyes.” He lifted me and pressed me back, down along his length.
My wetness drew along his cock.
He sat me down on his thighs. One thick finger drew along his shaft.
“What makes you say that?” I breathed, struggling for air that didn’t quite seem to fill my lungs.
Ivan placed the tip of his finger on his tongue. His eyes closed, and he sucked. “Because once I’m in you, you’re mine. From now until the end of our days.”
My heart jumped and slammed against my ribs.
“I’m going to fill you up and pray to any god listening that I put a baby in you, Poppy.” Ivan lifted me again, both hands splayed possessively around my hips. “You can have your white dress inthe church. But I make my vow to you here and now. You belong to me. And I? I belong to you.”
He lowered me, this time tipping me forward ever so slightly to bring the head of his cock to my entrance.
“Nothing will be between us. We are man and wife. Our futures are twined.”
I bit my lip, struggling to keep back a smile.
But he saw. He always did. “Is that not the right word?”
I reached between us, rubbing his cock through my folds. “Entwined. Intertwined. Something like that.”
Ivan huffed. “Fuck English.”
“No.” I pushed his cock back, lining him up. “Fuckme.”
He brought me down on his cock with a forceful thrust. I sucked in a sharp breath, falling forward, hands catching his chest.
Ivan flexed his hips.
