“So what if I haven’t? I wasn’t interested in”—she moans—“stuff like that.”
My fucking God.
Unable to contain myself anymore, I press my lips to her soft mouth, my tongue darting out to find hers. To my utter surprise, she finds mine first, and I groan, feeling the same sleek and sweet flavor of hers that I only ever tasted back in the church.
I stroke her gently, in waves, mimicking the motion I’d inflict on her pussy if I were kissing her between her legs. Her back arches, and it doesn’t take long until she shatters under me. Her body trembles, legs twitching as her orgasm washes out of her, taking her by surprise.
I bring my hand to the hem of her t-shirt, snaking it underneath, cupping her round breast. Her nipple is hard, and my mouth waters, wanting to pull it between my teeth. I want to taste all of her. I want to feel her until I’m satisfied. But no matter how many parts of her I possess, I’m starting to believe that feeling will never come.
She’s fucking mine, and nothing else should matter. It shouldn’t, yet it does.
And if I had any sense, I’d stop this now… before I’m too far gone.
17
VICTORIA
Iwake to hard, muscular arms around me—half on my body, half splaying over the sheets. Charcoal sheets. Which means Wolfgang carried me back into his bedroom last night.
Why would he do that? After he made himself clear about not giving a fuck about me, it makes no sense. And yet, his hold is strong, possessive. As if he wanted to make sure I wasn’t going anywhere while he was asleep.
I try to shift, to turn around, but his hold tightens, pulling me closer to his body.
A sleepy groan rumbles from his chest. “I think you’re onto something, love,” he says. “Sleeping in is so much better than waking up when it’s still dark.”
I haven’t forgiven him. I’d like to, but since he hasn’t even apologized, he probably meant every word he said after our wedding night. So even though I see the effort he’s making to break the ice, I won’t accept it.
If you want to break an iceberg, better come prepared with more than a goddamn pickaxe.
“Shouldn’t you be downstairs, enjoying your only spare moment by yourself?”
“Mmm. Normally, I would. But turns out this—with you, in our bed—is a thousand times better,” he says, sliding a warm hand under my t-shirt, splaying it across my abdomen. Butterflies spur to life beneath his touch. I hate it, so I try pushing him away.
“Maybe for you. Move over, Wolfgang. I’m getting up.”
“Victoria…”
“No, noVictoria. You were right—last night, I deserved to feel good, and I let you touch me like that. But make no mistake, I’ve never wanted you, and I still don’t. In fact, the only reason I’m with you is because I have no other choice. You’d be wise to remember that.”
For a second, his hold on me loosens, but only enough for him to flip me on my back and tower above me, hand on my throat.
I expect him to squeeze, to make me regret what I said. Part of me wants that. But his eyes shift across mine, his handsome features brightening under the morning light.
“If you want an apology…” His voice is low, laced with sleep. The roughness of it makes me press my thighs together. “I don’t do that.” A muscle ticks in his jaw. “But if you think I left that morning because I regretted it, you’re wrong. I shouldn’t have been an asshole about it.”
I snort, looking to the side and back at him.
“You’re going to have to do better than that. Get off me,” I say, wrapping my hand around the one he has on my neck. “I need coffee.”
He watches me a moment longer, as if there are still words he can’t make himself say. We wait in silence, eyes locked, until, to my surprise and disappointment, he releases me. And I get up.
***
The library floor creaks as black polished shoes walk inside.
My eyes flick upward, catching Mikhail’s silhouette, before I return toCrime and Punishmentin my hands. I’m curled up on a divan sofa Ekaterina showed me during a house tour.
Other than flipping the page, I don’t make any sudden movements. I haven’t had much contact with him since the day Wolfgang introduced us, and being alone in the same room makes me feel uneasy.
