When my tongue connected with her folds, Isabella let out a gasp. I flicked her clit with my tongue, her moans turning into cries. But when I slipped a finger into her, she started to writhe. I pressed a hand over her waist to keep her in place while I continued my work, alternating between her clit and wet pussy.
“Oh God, Dimitri,” she groaned as her orgasm built.
“Not yet, Isabella,” I said, removing my hand. I climbed onto the bed, resting my elbows on either side of her head to prop myself up. And then I slid my tip into her entrance.
“Fuck, Isabella.” She was so damn wet, it took everything in me to control my release at that point. I wasn’t sure how long I’d last. I was pretty fucking turned on.
We moved together slowly at first. Then more frantically. We bucked together, her hand finding my hair as she balled it into a fist. Her other hand clawed at my back, her nails digging in and making my pumps fast and furious.
Her moans were louder, her muscles tighter. She was close. Ithrust into her harder and deeper, and her hips angled higher as I hit her G-spot.
“Fuck, Dimitri,” she cried out, throwing her head back as she clenched and uncoiled around me.
Watching her unravel tipped me over the edge. “Isa…” I said through clenched teeth. My eyes rolled into the back of my head as I found my release.
Sweat beaded along my back as I dipped my forehead to hers. Our rapid breathing slowly returned to normal after a few minutes.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Dimitri’s POV
I woke to sunlight streaming through the windows and Isabella still in my arms. A smile formed on my lips at the sight of her. Because the last time we’d spent the night together, I’d woken up to her hastily pulling on her clothes, her eyes filled with regret. Like she’d made a mistake. Like she wished she could take it back.
It had gutted me more thoroughly than any physical wound could have.
And I was beyond thankful that this morning was different. There was hope for us yet.
Isabella was still asleep, her face peaceful. Her body was curled into mine, trusting, relaxed.
I allowed myself a few precious moments to just watch her. To memorize the way her lashes cast shadows on her cheeks, the way her lips were slightly parted in sleep, the way her hand rested over my heart like she was checking—even subconsciously—that it was still beating.
This. This was what I’d been fighting for.
Not just her presence, but this quiet intimacy. This peace. This sense of rightness that came from waking up beside your mate.
Her eyes fluttered open, finding mine immediately. And instead of the regret I’d braced myself for, I saw something else. Something tender and raw and achingly vulnerable.
“Hi,” she whispered.
“Hi.” I brushed a strand of hair from her face. “How are you feeling?”
“A little bit sore.” A small smile played at her lips. “And…happy. Is that allowed? Given the circumstances.”
“It’s required, actually.” I traced her cheekbone with my thumb.
She tilted her head up to kiss me, slow and sweet. When we finally pulled apart, she sighed contentedly. “We should probably check on Adele.”
“In a minute.” I tightened my arms around her. “Just let me have this. Just a few more minutes.”
“Okay,” she murmured against my chest. “A few more minutes.”
We stayed like that for perhaps ten minutes before reality intruded. Before we had to get up and face the day, and all the threats still waiting for us.
Hours later, I stood in the hallway outside Adele’s room, watching Isabella sleep in the chair beside our daughter’s bed. Her hands were clutched around Adele’s smaller one, even in sleep.
My phone buzzed silently in my pocket. A text from Edmund.
Edmund: Everything is in place. Security has confirmed Selene’s location. Board members have been notified of the emergency meeting. It’s time.
