“Come here,” he ordered, and I knew the look in his eyes and the tone of his voice. Padding over to his side of the bed, I squealed when he caught my wrist and pulled me down fully on top of him. Hiswarm, muscled arms instantly went around me and trapped me to the naked expanse of his chest.
“Where are you going, wife of mine?” he asked again, rubbing the tip of his nose against mine.
When I first met him, I would have never guessed that his love language was touch. He curated his image of cold indifference so well, but in reality, he was a big softie who wanted to touch me at every possible opportunity, and I was OK with that because I liked him touching me.
I would even go so far as to say I liked him a lot, maybe even—
“When you should be naked and in bed with me.” He held me a little tighter, squashing my breasts against his chest.
My thoughts scattered as he kissed me slowly and almost lazily. It was a good five minutes before he allowed me to pull away, and by that point, my lips felt swollen and bruised, and the ache between my legs had turned into something else.
I wanted him…again.
“My sister is having a checkup today. I want to be there for her, but I will be back for dinner.”
Alexei didn’t answer at all. His lips were too busy kissing a trail of fire down my throat. I moaned before I could help myself. Why did he have to be so good at that? It made me want to throw all of my other responsibilities away, strip my clothes off, and crawl back into his arms naked.
“We will find her a heart, Amy, I promise,” he said against my throat.
I wanted to believe him, and I knew he was doing everything he could. But I also knew we were rapidly running out of time.
“Hey.” He caught my cheeks between his hands and forced me to look at him. “I am going to find her a heart, and Alessia will be fine. Believe me,” he blinked slowly. “Please.”
“I do. Didn’t you have plans today as well?” I asked, changing the subject.
“Yes, but not until eleven. You know the rules.” He winked.
I couldn’t help it. I smiled. Oh, those pesky rules. I especially hatedthe one where we spent every morning together until ten a.m., breakfast in bed, lovemaking, and just talking. OK, maybe I didn’t hate it at all. Maybe it was my favorite time of the day.
“So, take those clothes off and—”
I cut him off with a laugh. “It’s gone eleven, Alexei.”
For a second, he looked confused, and then, throwing back, his head he laughed. “Is it really? Oh, Amy, you are so bad for business it’s unreal, and yet—” one giant hand slid over my breast. “I don’t seem to mind at all. If I had my way—” He grinned. “Well, you get what I’m saying, right?”
“Sure do. And I feel the same way, but I really do have to go, and so do you.”
Reluctantly, he let go of me. “I guess you are right. Do you want to go out tonight? Somewhere nice?”
I couldn’t help myself. I kissed him. “We can do whatever you want. I don’t really care as long as I am with you.”
His bright blue eyes shone. “I want you naked and spread out in front of me, but part of me wants to take you out and show you off. Be ready at seven thirty and wear something,” a glitter of mischief flickered to his eyes, “that you won’t mind me ripping off your body later.”
My grin spread across my face. “You got it. It’s a date.” untangling myself from his arms. I headed towards the door, only turning at the last minute to stare back at the pure perfection of him lying in our bed with a soft smile on his face.
“Are you going to see Nikolai today?”
“I’m going to try.”
“I’m going to try as well, but if I can’t—” I left the rest unsaid.
“If you can’t, he will understand. My grandfather loves you, and he knows your sister’s situation. He will understand.”
“Thanks,” I shot him one last look, filling my memory with him, “I lo—” I stuttered to a stop. Confused about the words that had just tried to slip out of my mouth.
Alexei lifted an eyebrow.
“I look forward to our date tonight,” I amended quickly and rushed out of the room before I could say anything else.
