My heart, already hammering against my ribs from the force of my orgasm, skips a beat. I know if I agree, everything will be irrevocably changed, and part of me tells me to say no. To tell her I’m staying in my office and she should go to bed.
But her hand is warm in mine, and I’m so tired of fighting this. I’m so tired of being alone.
“Okay,” I nod.
She leads me out of the office, down the hallway, up the stairs. We don’t speak. Instead, we just exist in this bubble where the rules don’t seem to apply, where we can hold hands and want each other and not have to explain it.
When we reach her room, she closes the door behind us. I expect her to guide me to the bed so she can lay against me as she’s done before.
Instead, she turns to face me. And the dark look in her eyes makes my heart do somersaults.
“Vera?” I ask, but she cuts me off.
She rises on her toes and kisses me.
And I’m powerless to do anything but kiss her back
17
VERA
A groan rumbles in Dimitri’s chest and then his hands are everywhere—sliding into my hair, down my back, gripping my hips. He walks me backward until my legs hit the bed and we tumble onto it together, a tangle of limbs and desperate touches.
We just did this. Less than an hour ago, we had sex on his desk and couch. I should be satisfied and sated.
Instead, I want him again. Ineedhim again with an intensity that startles me.
With Alexei, it was never like this. Sex was... nice. Pleasant. He’d kiss me sweetly, touch me gently, and it felt good in a comfortable, uncomplicated way. I never craved it or felt this restless, aching need that makes my whole body hyperaware of every point where Dimitri’s skin touches mine.
I don’t understand how I can want someone this badly when everything about this situation is wrong. I should be grieving Alexei, not falling into bed with his brother. Yet, even as guilt settles heavy in my stomach, desire winds through hot and insistent through my veins.
But then Dimitri kisses me and I forget how to think. His hands bunch up my nightgown and I forget why this is a bad idea. He pulls back to look at me, his eyes dark and heated, and I forget everything except how desperately I need to feel close to him.
“I need—” I start, but I don’t know how to finish. Need what? Him? His comfort? To lose myself in sensation so I don’t have to think about the guilt and grief and confusion?
All of it. I needallof it.
“I know,” he says roughly. “I know.”
His mouth is on mine again and his hand finds the back of my head, sliding deep into my waves, and his tongue teases my own as he delves into my mouth. The kiss is all raw edges and sharp desire and my heart races a frantic rhythm in my chest as I draw him close.
I want him. I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anyone, including Alexei. Dimitri makes my soul sing and my body on fire.
Dimitri drops a hand to my leg, tracing circles on my inner thighs with his thumb, and a low moan spills from my lips against his. His body is firm and hard against my own, his kisses languid yet insistent.
I don’t know whether I’ve ever wanted anything more.
Drawing back, Dimitri stares at me for a moment, pupils blown wide. He snags my lower lip between my teeth, sucking the flesh between his lips, and the wicked glint that brightens his eyes makes my stomach twist into knots.
His hand grazes along my thigh, inching towards my center again, and a heavy exhale falls from me as I shift my body closer to him.
I tug on the hem of his shirt and he shifts to oblige my efforts.
“Again, Vera?” His voice rumbles against my throat before he captures my lips in a searing kiss. “Are you sure?”
“I want to,” I whisper against his mouth as he tosses his shirt to the floor. “If you do.”
His eyes flash. “I’ve never wanted anything more.”
