"I've killed for money across continents, eliminated men who thought they were untouchable." He cups my face with both hands. "Every single one of those contracts earned me enemies. People who would do anything to hurt me. If you're with me, you become my weakness, my liability."
He leans closer, close enough that I can feel his breath against my lips. "Are you sure you still want to be with me, Solnishko?"
My heart knows only one word, "Yes."
Chapter 9
First Light
Anton:
Her yes ignites the flame that's been smoldering. Control fractures like glass as I close the distance between us, my hands caressing the delicate curve of her face.
I breathe her in before claiming her lips. "Solnishko."
The kiss starts as my mouth moves gently against hers. But when I draw her lower lip between mine and suck softly, she opens for me like a flower seeking sunlight. Her tongue meets mine, tentative at first, then bolder as I deepen the kiss.
She tastes exquisite, like honey and promises. My tongue explores the warmth of her mouth while her small hands fist in my shirt, anchoring herself to me. A groan tears from my throat when she tugs my lower lip between her teeth.
My cock hardens instantly. The ache builds, thick and unforgiving.
"I warned you," I murmur against her mouth, remembering my words from last night. "Once I start, I won't be able to stop."
Instead of pulling away, she kisses me harder, her tongue dancing with mine in a rhythm that mirrors what my body craves. Her soft whimper shoots straight to my cock.
My hands slide from her face to her waist, spanning the narrow circumference easily. She's so small beneath my touch, so perfectly made for my hands. The soft fabric of her dress whispers against my fingers as I trace the curve of her hip.
"Anton." My name on her lips sounds like absolution.
Control snaps completely.
In one fluid motion, I lift her from the barstool, her legs wrapping around my waist. The dress rides up her thighs as she settles against me, and I can feel the heat of her through the thin fabric. My arousal presses against her core, and the small gasp she makes nearly undoes me.
Her arms tighten around my neck as I carry her through the penthouse, each step causing delicious friction between us. She buries her face in my shoulder, her breath hot against my neck.
The sensation makes my steps falter for just a moment before I recover, pushing through the bedroom door with single-minded purpose Afternoon light streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows, filtering through the curtains and painting everything in warm hues.
I set her down, sitting on the side of the bed. My hands immediately return to frame her face. Her green eyes are dark with desire, pupils dilated, lips swollen from my kisses.
She looks thoroughly debauched already, and I haven't even begun to worship her properly.
I lean closer, my thumbs tracing the smooth line of her cheekbones, when she places her small hands over mine.
"Anton, wait. There's something I need to tell you."
The urgency in her voice makes me pause, though every instinct screams to continue claiming what's mine. Something flickers behind her green eyes.
Uncertainty. Fear.
I force myself to step back slightly, despite my body's protests at the distance. My hands remain gentle against her face.
"What is it, Solnishko?"
She takes a shaky breath, her gaze dropping to my chest before meeting my eyes again.
"I've never been with anyone." The words tumble out in a rush. "I've never had sex. I'm a virgin. And as much as I want this, I need to tell you because you might expect something I can't give you."
Her cheeks flame red, but she doesn't look away.
