Page 55 of You + Me – Against the World

He brushes a strand of hair away from my face and leans in close to my lips.

“I’ve never felt anything like this before either, Princess Lancaster.”

That damned nickname.

I give him a playful tap on the shoulder, then curl up against his chest, breathing in his scent, his warmth. My legs tingle, and my lips ache from being kissed so much. It’s a strange sensation—well-being mixed with pain, fullness, and inner peace. I’ve given him everything. I feel like I’m floating outside my body. I don’t even know if it still belongs to me.

Vadim gets to his feet first, looks around, then says in a playful voice, “Your turn to catch me this time.”

“Hmm… When I can walk again.”

Without hesitation, he lifts me off the ground, one arm under my knees, the other around my waist, and carries me across the gym. I have no idea where we’re going, but I cling to his neck anyway.

“Where are you taking me, my knight in shining armor?” I murmur in his ear.

“Patience, Your Highness. I’m looking for a place worthy of your rank.”

He leads us straight into the basketball players’ locker room, where he spots a cart piled high with fluffy, neatly folded bath towels. He lowers me gently into it, and I sink into the fresh-smelling cotton.

“Does this cozy little nest suit you, my darling?”

Standing in front of me, he performs an exaggerated bow that makes me smile. His gaze wanders over my bare legs in the dim light, and his mischievous look vanishes. He runs his hand over my neck, over my cheek, then through my hair, gazing at me with his intense, sexy look.

“We skipped a step, earlier…”

He leans in slowly to kiss me, and a moan slips from my lips. My heart is beating way too fast. I place my palms on his chest and push, challenging him. My eyes wander over his body: his bare chest, unbuttoned jeans, messy brown hair, the hands resting on my thighs, and the small scar marking his full lip.

“Do you like what you see, Princess?”

“Not bad, for a man without a crown…”

My teasing makes him smile.

He kneels in front of me, still perched on my cushioned cart, and slips beneath my dress. His tongue traces my stomach, circles my belly button, then moves lower, and lower still. It’s as if his mouth has learned me by heart. I forget everything around me, everything that keeps us apart, everyone who stands against us, and I surrender myself to him, to us… until pleasure takes over.

Vadim wraps his arms around me and rests his face against my burning stomach.

“Dare to take a shower with me?”

I don’t have time to answer before he hoists me up again, this time slinging me over his shoulder.

“You’re crazy! Put me down right now!”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to be brave enough to try anything with me?”

He imitates me, putting on an exaggeratedly high-pitched voice, and hauls me around like a sack of potatoes. I flail my arms and legs around in an attempt to stop him and even try to scream, but I quickly dissolve into laughter.

We reach the showers, and he turns on the water, which sprays us with an icy blast. I shriek, and he laughs even harder. The water warms up, eventually becoming scalding hot, and he finally agrees to set me down on the cold tiles.

Our eyes meet, and I glare daggers at him.

“You’re beautiful even when you’re mad.”

Jerk.

“You’ll pay for this, Arcadi.”

“Anytime, Princess. I can’t wait…”