“Tell me,” she coaxed, letting her magic stroke him, then pulling away before he could list all the reasons why this was a terrible idea. “Tell me what you want to do to me.”
His chest heaved, as if he were struggling to draw breath. “You can’t truly want me to?—”
“If you won’t touch me, then talk to me, Niko. I need it. I need you.”
Niko inhaled, a sharp, jagged rush of air that ended in a growl. She looked up at him through her lashes, half-afraid of what she’d see. His lips were parted, baring those sharp white teeth that, in the form of his black dog, had rent demons limb from limb. His eyes were more pupil than iris, the white orb of the moon reflected in their depths. But the heat in them—Saints, were the two of them not standing in waist-deep water, she feared it might burn her alive.
“Touch yourself, my Dimi,” he said. “Do that, and I’ll talk to you. I’ll tell you what I wish I could do, if things were different and I could make love to you the way I’ve dreamed of. If I could finish what we started.”
It was only, after all, what she’d asked for. And if this was all she could have, Katerina had no intention of denying him. Her hands slid over her sensitive, water-slick breasts, her nipples peaking as the cool night air brushed against them. She held Niko’s gaze, pretending the touch was his. A low growl rumbled in his throat, his gaze darkening further still.
“Turnabout is fair play,” she said, her voice husky. “Touch yourself, then.”
She thought he would argue, tell her he didn’t trust himself to relinquish even that much control. But as if her words had compelled him, one of his hands slipped below the dark surface of the water. His muscles bunched as he stroked himself, moving in a slow, inexorable rhythm. One dark eyebrow rose, as if awaiting further instruction.
“Faster,” she told him.
A groan escaped his throat. “I can’t.”
“You can. Or are you not my Shadow, trained from the cradle to exercise control?”
Niko snarled at her, something she couldn’t remember him ever doing before. But he obeyed, his arm moving more quickly now, as she’d demanded of him.
“You’re so beautiful.” He bit out the words, a curse rather than a compliment. “Gods, you’re all I’ve ever wanted.”
“Prove it.” She pinched her nipples, unable to suppress the moan that escaped her at the memory of Niko’s calloused fingertips. Saints, how she wished he were touching her now.
He stirred then, taking a desperate step toward her before he stopped himself. Unable to resist, Katerina sent a hint of her magic into the water, heating it where it lapped against his skin.
Niko’s eyes narrowed. “That’s not fair.” His voice was pure gravel.
“No?” Her hand slipped lower, over her belly, and his eyes followed it, as if she’d hypnotized him. “What are the rules to this game, my Shadow? Perhaps you should remind me.”
“The rules—” He shook his head, water misting the night air. “If I can’t touch you, Katya, then neither can you touch me, with your magic or otherwise. It’s too dangerous. Can’t you see I’m trying to protect you?”
“Mmmm.” Her hand slid lower still. “I thought you were supposed to be trying to do something else. But I suppose I’ll have to do it myself.”
“You—” Whatever he was about to say dissolved as her roving hand disappeared beneath the dark water. The other toyed with her nipple, rolling it between her thumb and forefinger.
“Gods.” The word fell from his lips, dark and rough. “Do you have any idea how badly I wish I had my mouth on you right now?”
She gave him a lazy, seductive smile as her fingers slipped between her legs. “What would you do?”
“I’d lick every drop of water from your skin.” His voice was lower than she’d ever heard it. “I’d take your breasts in my mouth and suckle them the way you like, nipping at them until you cried out and then kissing the sting away. I’d do it until you whimpered for more, and only then, when you were soaked and pleading for me, would I slide my fingers between your thighs and give you what you need.”
Katerina gasped, her fingers thrusting deep, imagining the touch was her Shadow’s. He watched her, gaze hooded, as if he knew how good it felt.
“Are you wet?” he demanded.
She wanted to make a joke about how they were standing in a lake; how could she be anything else? But the words died on her lips at the intensity in his dark gaze. Instead, she just nodded, wordless.
“For me.” The words weren’t a question. “You’re wet for me.”
“Always.” Her fingers thrust faster now, her body clenching around them, seeking the spot that Niko always found when he was within her. She moved her palm more fully against herself, rocking against the sensitive flesh. “I want you, Niko. Please…”
His teeth sank into his lower lip, so hard she feared he’d draw blood. “What did I tell you about begging me?”
“I can’t help it.” She withdrew her hand and cupped both her breasts, an offering. “I’m yours. Take what belongs to you.”
