Page 279 of Merciless Daddy

I undressed her slowly.

Her dress came first. Then the delicate things beneath it. I kissed every stretch of skin I uncovered. Her shoulders. Her ribs. The soft curve of her stomach. The small tattoo hidden where her dresses always covered it.

Nothing about the ring made her mine.

Nothing about loving her gave me permission to stop asking.

“You’re so beautiful,” I said.

“Do not get sentimental now.”

“Too late.”

She laughed, but it turned into a gasp when I kissed the inside of her thigh.

My hands held her open with care. My mouth found her. She jerked at the first touch, fingers diving into my hair.

“Sal.”

“Tell me.”

“Just like that.”

So I did.

My tongue worked over her while two fingers pressed slowly inside her. I moved only when she moved. I listened to every change in her breathing. When she tightened, I slowed. When she pulled me closer, I gave her more.

“That,” she whispered. “More. Please.”

“Yes.”

Her hips rose from the bed. I held her through it, one arm across her waist, mouth never leaving her until she came with a broken cry and my name in it.

I stayed close while she shook.

I did not ask for anything.

I only kissed her stomach. Her hip. The trembling inside of her thigh.

When her breathing steadied, she reached down and caught my face.

“Come here.”

I went.

She pulled me over her. Her hand found me between us.

“I want you inside me.”

She straddled my hips before I could move. Her hand guided me to her entrance. Then she lowered herself inch by inch.

We both stopped breathing.

When she was fully seated, Yelena spread her ringed hand against my chest.

The sapphire flashed pale blue between us.

She looked down at me. Mine to love, I thought.