by Bella Rose
Ivan touched her head. “I’m close, sweetheart. You can back off and finish me with your hand if you like.”
Emily only sucked harder. Ivan cursed in Russian, his words jumbled as his brain fogged over with a haze of arousal. His hips thrusted reflexively as his orgasm hit hard and fast. Sliding his fingers into her loose hair, he held her head while he spilled his seed across her tongue. The sensation was incredible.
“Emily,” he groaned. “God, you’re killing me.”
She drew back, licking her lips. “Not yet, but give me time.”
Chapter Thirteen
“I’ve never done that before,” Emily confided to Ivan when they both snuggled naked into his bed.
“Then apparently you’re naturally talented,” he told her.
Ivan was rubbing idle circles on her back as she lay curled up against his side. The evening light outside the French doors was waning. They hadn’t eaten dinner, but Emily supposed that wasn’t important. This moment was all about doing exactly what Samantha had suggested. She had to make Ivan forget all about revenge and focus only on how good they were together.
“What are you thinking?” he asked quietly.
Emily threw her leg over his hips and moved so that she was astride his body. “I was just thinking that I want you very badly.”
“I see.”
She spread her thighs, moving her knees on either side of his body until her sex was splayed wide open across his shaft. He was beginning to harden right there beneath her. She could feel the blood rushing to his groin and see the heat of desire in his eyes.
Leaning over, she brushed her lips over his. “Do you want me, Ivan?”
“Yes.” He moaned the word, his eyes fluttering closed as she ground her wet pussy against his lengthening erection.
She felt the tip of him slide across the spread hood of her clit. Little pinpricks of hot pleasure lanced through her veins. She put her hands on his chest for balance and began to move more deeply. She arched her back and let her breasts jiggle and bounce as she rode him as though there were no other place in the world she wanted to be.
The wet sound of his shaft sliding through her pussy filled the room. Her folds felt swollen and almost achy. She moved harder, trying to get enough friction to push herself over the edge of climax. Finally she uttered a low sound of frustration. She needed more, but she didn’t quite know what. Fortunately, Ivan knew exactly how to help.
***
Ivan watched the expressions flit across Emily’s face—exhilaration, determination, and then frustration as two lines appeared between her eyebrows and she gave a high-pitched sound of arousal. He took hold of her hips, and in one fluid motion he rolled her beneath him on the bed.
Her eyes opened in surprise, but when he put one palm beneath her thigh and lifted her leg she seemed to guess his intention. She spread her thighs farther apart and welcomed him as he probed her hot core with the tip of his cock.
There was no being gentle this time. He plunged his cock into her heat and reveled in the way her body yielded to his. Pulling back, he thrust in once again. He continued this rhythm until there was nothing but the sound of his flesh slapping against hers and their mingled moans of need. The scent of sex overwhelmed his senses. He caught a hint of her wild feminine spice overlaid with his own masculine smell, and the combination made him drunk with lust.
His balls grew tight, burning as he pounded Emily’s sweet body. She arched her back and met him stroke for stroke. Her nails scored his chest and dug into his shoulders as she fought to pull him closer. He adjusted his grip on her bottom and angled his cock deeper. Each stroke sent the tip of him careening against the sweet spot so deep inside her body. He felt the length of his erection bottom out inside her until there was no part of her that he had not filled. In that moment, she belonged to him completely.
“Ivan!” she shouted.
He felt her tighten around him. The friction was so great that he could hardly move. Biting his lip, he pushed against the seizing of her inner muscles and was rewarded when she climaxed in a rush of warm cream and gasps of feminine delight.
Her cries were like beautiful music. He lowered his mouth to hers and slid his tongue inside her mouth as he continued to pound her pussy. She wound her fingers into his hair and tugged at the roots as though she might scalp him. Her hunger was like a drug. He felt himself slipping perilously close to the edge, but he wanted to feel her orgasm once more.
Reaching between them, he found the place where their bodies were joined and gently pressed his fingertip against her clit. She stiffened, biting his lip as she did. The intensity of the sensation made her bow her back as a harsh climax overtook her almost instantly.
She gasped and panted as the undulating waves of her release caused her to squeeze Ivan so tightly that he could hardly move. His cock pulsed suddenly before he ejaculated deep into her body. He convulsed against her. Wrapping his arms around Emily, he poured everything he had inside her and felt the most incredible sensation of bliss.
“Emily,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “You really are going to be the death of me.”
“Not to use a cliché, but what a way to go, huh?” Her peals of laughter filled the darkening room and put a genuine smile on Ivan’s face.
***
Ivan could not help but grin when Emily giggled. She was sitting on the center island in his kitchen, watching him cook. Her bare bottom hung below the hem of one of his dress shirts and her eyes were sparkling with humor. It was a beautiful sight.
“You’ve always enjoyed cooking, haven’t you?” she asked.
“I always liked to cook,” he began thoughtfully, “but it wasn’t until I moved here and started playing around with the industrial-grade appliances that I realized just how much I enjoy being in the kitchen.”
“I can boil water.” She made a little moue with her mouth. “Not much else, though. Although I can work a microwave.”
He waggled his eyebrows. “Thank God, I wouldn’t want you to starve.”
“So this is grilled cheese, right?” She cocked her head to one side. “What’s so special about that?”
Ivan chose not to be insulted by her comment. “You’ll just have to taste it and find out.”
He flipped the sandwich once more to make sure the bread was perfectly toasted. Then he slid it smoothly from pan to plate. There was just enough steam coming off the sandwich to heighten the aroma of perfectly blended cheeses. His mouth was already watering as he gestured for her to take the first bite.
Her position on the countertop really showed off her legs. They were taut and muscular and he was having difficulty thinking about anything but what it felt like to have them wrapped around his waist. Unfortunately, he was only wearing an old pair of sweats, which would do nothing to hide his arousal. He moved closer to the counter and tried to keep his mind occupied.
Emily reached down and picked up the sandwich. “It’s hot!”
“Yes. So don’t burn your tongue on the cheese.”
She took a little nibble and then moaned with delight. “Ivan, this is incredible! How much cheese did you use?”
“Five kinds,” he said triumphantly. “It’s my own combination.”
Taking a bigger bite this time, she raised her eyebrow at him. She finished chewing and wrinkled her nose at him. “Where’s yours?”
“Since someone said she wasn’t very hungry, I’d figured we would share.” Ivan held out his hand, indicating that she should hand over the sandwich.
“I don’t like to share.” Emily took another huge bite.
Ivan didn’t care about the sandwich. He was too busy being fascinated by Emily. “I’ve never seen you like this before.”
She covered her mouth with her hand, an adorable attempt to remain polite. “Like what?”
“Playful, I guess.” He struggled to find the right word. “Normally you’re very reserved.”
“Did you think I was reserved before?” Her counte
nance grew serious. “I think I’ve always been that way. It’s always felt so somber, you know? Everything is focused on business. I’ve started to realize over the last several years that Sergei is a bit of a workaholic.”
“Oh, only a bit,” Ivan said sarcastically.
She reached out and poked his arm. “And you aren’t? I’ve seen your office, remember. There is no way anyone who does that much for himself isn’t buried morning, noon, and night in business dealings.”
“I approached your brother about a merger of sorts today.” He wasn’t exactly sure why that had popped out.
“Really?” The hopeful note in her voice made Ivan wish that Sergei had been more receptive.
“Let’s just say that Sergei doesn’t see the purpose of pooling our resources.” Ivan tried to downplay the more irritating aspects of that conversation. “He considers me beneath him and therefore lacking as a business partner.”
“But that makes no sense,” Emily murmured. “I don’t believe my brother could be that shortsighted and arrogant.” She rethought her argument. “Okay, maybe he can be arrogant. But that’s counterproductive!”
“I don’t think he particularly cares.” Ivan picked up the sandwich that Emily had lain back on the plate and took a bite. The crunchy bread was well balanced by the cheese. Ivan munched in silence for a moment before speaking again. “At some point, you’re going to have to come to terms with who and what your brother really is.”
“That’s unfair!” Emily scooted to the edge of the counter and jumped down. She was glaring up at him angrily. “Sergei is my brother. He may not be as good at business dealings as you are, but he’s a good man.”
“Emily, please.” Ivan set the sandwich down and held out his hands. “What do I really have to gain by lying about your brother?”
“Seriously?” She looked at him as though he’d grown a second head. “You and I have been dancing around this issue since I first agreed to your stupid scheme!”
“What are you talking about?” Ivan’s gut began to tighten as he realized he hadn’t given Emily the credit she deserved.
“Oh please. You’ve been trying to drive a wedge between Sergei and me since the first day I met you. What do I know? Maybe this is part of your ridiculous plan for revenge on Sergei. Not only are you sleeping with me, going against Sergei’s wishes, but you’re going to teach me to think he’s a self-centered, arrogant prick who has been using me for his own ends since I was a kid.”
“Emily…” Ivan had the odd thought that she had put far more thought into his “revenge plot” than he had. “Look. It’s true that I wanted you in my bed because I knew it would really piss off your brother. But that doesn’t mean I don’t care about you too.”
“Yeah?” She put her finger in the middle of his chest and gave him a little shove. “I’m not sure what to believe anymore. What I do know is that I need to ask my brother the truth about what happened eight years ago, and what’s going on now. His is the only side of the story I haven’t really gotten to the bottom of yet.”
Chapter Fourteen
Emily was aware that it was nearly one o’clock in the morning when she pounded on the front door of her brother’s house. She didn’t care. She wanted to get to the bottom of this entire bullshit situation now. If anything, she had been waiting eight years to find out the real story.
“Emily?” Sergei’s hair was mussed and he looked groggy. “It’s the middle of the night. Are you hurt? Did Ivan do something horrible?”
“Not exactly.” Emily looked down at her bulky sweats. “Look, can I just come inside?”
“Of course.” He took a step back so that she could walk inside. “Can I get you anything? Hot chocolate or something?”
“No, thank you.” Emily walked into the front room and took a seat on the couch. She had always liked this room. It was cozy without being ostentatious or overdone. But then their mother had been mostly responsible for its decoration more than ten years ago.
“So what is the problem?” Sergei took a seat on the opposite sofa. “You seem very upset.”
“A few days ago you were telling me that you were never going to trust me again. Now you’re mildly concerned that I seem upset?” Emily wondered what game he was playing at. It occurred to her that if she asked him outright what she wanted to know, he could just lie. In fact, neither one of these men had a real incentive to be forthright with her. So perhaps she needed to use her brain and approach this issue from a slightly different angle.
“Emily, you’re my sister.” He seemed almost uncharacteristically calm. It was a little unnerving. “Of course I’m going to get upset, but I’m not going to just disown you or something equally ridiculous.”
Emily decided to put his strange behavior aside for the moment. “Can you tell me about heredity in the organization?”
“What?” A frown marred Sergei’s brow. “What do you mean?”
“Well how much importance does heredity play in rank and things of that nature? You inherited your position from our father. And I know the other made men under Yuri did as well. Is that the only way to become more than just a lackey?”
“It should be,” Sergei said fervently. “Our bloodlines have been keeping secrets within the organization and shouldering responsibility and blame for decades.”
“But it isn’t your blood that does that,” she argued. “It’s a person. Don’t you think there are people out there who would be good additions even though they don’t have the right parents?”
“You mean like Ivan?” The derisive tone of Sergei’s voice made Emily take a mental step back. Sergei curled his lip. “That man was born a bastard. His mother was a Russian immigrant, a woman who would spread her legs for any man in the organization as long as he would pay her.”
“That’s a horrible thing to say!” Emily perched on the edge of her seat and leaned forward. “Tell me that’s not why you didn’t want me dating him all those years ago.”
“Of course it is!” Sergei burst out. “Ivan Dedov isn’t fit to lick the boots of a Volkov, much less date and eventually marry one! And if you think that bastard really loves you, you’re more gullible than I thought.”
“What do you mean?” Emily’s heart lodged in her throat.
“Oh Yuri might let Ivan do business in our territory because it’s lucrative, but he would never let the man become a made man.” Sergei sliced his hand through the air. “In fact, Yuri told Ivan that just the other day. He told him that bastards stay in the sphere where they were born. That was right after your buddy Ivan tried to convince Yuri to give him my position.”
“I don’t believe it,” Emily said weakly.
Sergei leaned back in his seat, looking as though he were thoroughly enjoying her discomfort. “What’s the matter, Emily? Hearing that your romantic hero has ulterior motives is sort of hard. Isn’t it?”
“I would be a fool not to know that all of you have ulterior motives.” Emily stood up, feeling as though she were thirteen years old again and her older brother was explaining that her parents had died in a car accident and now he would be looking after her from now on. “I always knew you had your reasons for wanting me single. I didn’t really care. I knew you wanted to marry me off to one of Yuri’s sons even though I barely know the man and don’t like him at all. But I’ve never complained. I’ve respected you and tried to get along with you even when you make it hard as hell.”
Sergei’s expression seemed to soften. “Emily, please. I understand you might not know Yuri’s son yet, but you’ll like him. He’s a very nice young man.”
“And why am I not capable of finding my own nice young man, Sergei?” Emily demanded. “Seriously. What year is this?”
“You’ve never seemed as though you wanted to find your own husband.” Sergei looked honestly surprised. He made an awkward gesture at her as though he were completely surprised that she would care about her romantic future.
“Ugh!” Emily felt like stomping her feet and throwi
ng a tantrum. “You are such an idiot!”
“Idiot?”
“I haven’t been interested in anyone else because I’ve been in love with Ivan for years. Years, Sergei!”
“Ivan?” Sergei’s countenance darkened until he looked as though he was about to blow his stack. “That lowlife piece of crap is not marrying a Volkov!”
“Then I’ll change my name!” Emily knew it sounded ridiculous, but she was so disgusted that she didn’t really know what else to say. “And at this point, you’re both such jerks that I don’t want anything to do with either one of you!”
“Emily—”
The front door burst open and men and women wearing jackets emblazoned with the letters FBI came storming inside.
***
Ivan swerved through traffic, narrowly missing a garbage truck and nearly mowing down a pedestrian unfortunate enough to be near the edge of the sidewalk. He had gotten Samantha’s text only minutes before he went tearing out of the building, headed for his car.
“Come on, Samantha!” he barked at his phone. “Pick up!”
He got her voice mail once again. Swinging the steering wheel hard left, Ivan squealed his tires around a tight corner onto Sergei’s street. The house was as busy as an anthill. There were black SUVs with flashing blue-and-red lights parked everywhere. In the center of it all, Ivan spotted Samantha standing next to Emily.
“Thank God,” Ivan muttered as he haphazardly pulled up to the curb.
Emily wasn’t in handcuffs. She was standing beside Samantha and looked deep in earnest conversation. Ivan got out of his car and strode quickly in their direction. He hadn’t wanted Emily to come over to Sergei’s house tonight anyway, but he would have never allowed it had he known the FBI was going to start making their arrests.
“Emily!” Ivan said eagerly as he approached. “Are you all right?”
