Christmas Tsar (Blood and Thunder 1)

by Susan Stephens

  “In the sea?”

  “Unless you’ve perfected a way of swimming on land I don’t know about.”

  She glanced at the crystal pool.

  “So boring, don’t you think?” Alexei murmured.

  ~o0o~

  Lunch was delicious, and later in her dressing room Amber found a few choice items of clothing, which she rifled through like a fashionista at a sample sale. Then it occurred to her that some previous girlfriend might have left them behind, and she drew her hands back quickly. A note she’d missed explained everything. Alexei had bought them for her.

  Dressed in a daring bikini, she plunged into the sea with delight. The swim was so refreshing and so much fun, and Alexei was the best companion ever—

  And she had to stop right there, Amber told herself firmly. This was not the start of a romance with a man who made her heart sing. This was a steamy affair with no rules, unless she made them. However she felt about Alexei, as far as Alexei was concerned, she was just another notch on his exquisitely fashioned headboard.

  She was glad she’d thought like that when they got back to the boat and they parted to go to their own quarters, because half an hour later she heard Alexei’s helicopter take off, and he hadn’t even bothered to say good-bye. He hadn’t said anything at all.

  And why would he?

  ~o0o~

  Russian Thunder was due to dock in the Canary Islands, where it was summer all year round. Amber enjoyed what was loosely called “access all areas” on the vessel, but in actual terms, this referred to the public areas of the ship and her own quarters. A detailed map had been provided to her, along with a provisioning budget equal to the annual GDP of a small country. She would be responsible for ensuring that Alexei’s superyacht was always billionaire-ready, even in his absence, and who knew how long that would be? She had kept herself busy while he’d been away, checking inventory in each of the twelve lavish staterooms, making sure they were superyacht clean and fully stocked with every possible amenity for any guests Alexei might choose to invite on board…

  Female guests?

  And if he did invite a woman on board, what business was it of hers? Realistically, she was a stewardess, stand-in chef, and lay-down, as and when required, fuck buddy. There was no point in pretending that he had any serious intentions toward her, and no guarantees when it came to making her part of his team.

  They moored offshore when they reached the largest of the Canary Islands, and the crew was taken off the ship in rubber ribs with high-powered engines. The head chef was one of the last to leave. “You should take a swim,” he advised as he prepared to disembark. “It’s quite safe here—in every respect,” he added significantly, reminding her of the dangers she’d faced in Monte Carlo. “The waters are safe and clean and quite warm. Make the most of the time to yourself while you can,” he suggested.

  Why not? She thanked him for leaving everything ready for her and waved him off. It was a beautifully warm day, and the clear blue sea was tempting. She just had to wait for a delivery of some things she had ordered for Christmas, and then she intended to take the chef’s advice.

  ~o0o~

  There were a few rowing boats bobbing about, but apart from that, there was just Amber, the sea, and the warm sun overhead. Rolling over onto her back, she relaxed, floating on the water and allowing her body to be gently buffeted by the waves.

  The next thing she knew, something touched her, and she was thrashing and choking as she tried to escape—

  “I didn’t mean to frighten you,” Alexei drawled.

  “You failed,” she exclaimed, still badly shaken.

  He caught her close.

  “What? Are you going to drown me now?” she demanded as she tried to catch her breath. “Could you please announce your arrival next time you want to surprise me in the sea?”

  “With a fanfare of trumpets?” he suggested, but there was concern in his eyes.

  “Just let me know when you’re coming back next time, okay?”

  “You know me better than that Amber, but I missed you,” he admitted before she could take him to task on his first comment. “You shouldn’t be swimming on your own,” he added, drawing her close until she could feel every hot and hard inch of him.

  Alexei wanted her. Yeah, right. No doubt he’d missed the great sex while he’d been away. There was a yawning gulf between great sex and a lasting relationship, and it would be wrong to mistake one for the other. But as he started teasing her with almost-kisses, his mouth was warm and persuasive, and whispered words in his own language sealed the spell. He tasted so good, so warm, so familiar, and she wanted him. Pressed up close like this, she couldn’t be angry that he’d been away. She could only be pleased that he was back.

  “Better now?” he murmured, holding her at arm’s length so he could stare into her eyes.

  She shrugged, playing it cool, but she felt like a Catherine wheel, throwing off sparks of happiness in every direction just because he was back.

  ~o0o~

  However she played it, he’d seen the hurt in Amber’s eyes. She couldn’t understand how he could leave her without a word of explanation. It was simple. He had no ties other than with Dante, Diego, and Cesar, and they were as close as brothers because they shared the dangers of the undercover work. It wasn’t safe for Amber to know where he’d been, or what he’d been doing. “Need to know basis” wasn’t just a glib phrase, it was a lifesaver. He’d been to clear up the contacts of the gang in Monte Carlo to make sure Amber was safe. They’d seen her face. He couldn’t risk any of them coming back for her. He hadn’t been away because he’d wanted to leave her but because he was concerned for her and cared deeply what happened to her, and even that was a warning that this…whatever it was they had between them, had to end. He couldn’t risk her life. He couldn’t be that selfish.

  “Why are you frowning?” she demanded.

  “I’m thinking about the very unsuitable things that are happening in my life right now.”

  “Like me?” she suggested. “Am I unsuitable?”

  “Hugely,” he said, drawing her close.

  “It doesn’t seem to put you off.”

  “It doesn’t,” he admitted, knowing that was the problem. Caring for her had set the clock ticking on their relationship. It would be a cruel indulgence to prolong it beyond Christmas. “Swim with me,” he said, needing a distraction. Nuzzling her hair aside, he kissed her neck.

  “Where to?” she whispered.

  “Just as far as that rowboat.” He released her so she could swim at his side. “Hold on to the anchor chain,” he recommended when they reached the small red boat.

  “You say such romantic things,” she said, starting to laugh. “And only choose bikinis secured by bows,” she scolded when he started to undo them.

  ‘I would love to claim responsibility for the purchase of this charming garment,” he admitted as he draped it over the side of the rowboat.

  “But you got someone else to buy it,” she guessed. “And now I know why I have to hold on.”

  “Don’t worry,” Alexei said with a dry smile. “I’ll keep you safe.”

  “In that case, I’m minded to forgive you,” she said as she wrapped her limbs around him.

  “Did you miss me?”

  “Don’t be silly. I was too busy performing my shipboard duties to even notice that you’d gone.”

  He hummed. “Are you serious?” Suddenly her answer mattered more than it should.

  He relaxed when she turned serious. “More than anything,” she admitted as she reached for him.

  He inhaled sharply as her tiny hands closed around him. “You’re not holding on to the anchor chain,” he scolded.

  “I only have two hands, and I can’t hold you in one. You’re very big Alexei.”

  He laughed and kissed her, and then he couldn’t wait any longer and plunged deep.

  ~o0o~

  Sex in the sea wasn’t just possible, it was incredible, Amber disco
vered, and poignant too, in a way she couldn’t quite identify. Alexei was an amazing lover and she’d missed him, but there was something more between them now, a closeness that hadn’t been there before. There was always part of him that held back, but not today. Today it felt as if he’d missed her as much as she’d missed him. Sex was always incredible with Alexei because he understood her body so well, but this time it seemed to bring them dangerously close. The expression in his eyes was a compelling mix of confidence and concentration, intimacy and concern, as if his entire world had been tuned to pleasing her.

  “I can’t hold on—”

  “And why should you?” he murmured.

  Taking her buttocks in a firm grip, he increased the pace the way she needed him to, working her rhythmically and quickly until she flew past the point of no return.

  Wailing and bucking as the pleasure waves washed over her, she created a small tsunami all her own as she thrust her hips wildly back and forth to claim a long and powerful release.

  “Better?” he murmured as she clung to him, groaning softly with contentment.

  “Getting there,” she teased.

  “Have you got the strength to swim back to the ship?”

  “What do you think?”

  “I think I’ll swim at your side to make sure you’re safe.”

  Dipping his head, Alexei kissed her again, and then he helped her to put on her bikini. When she was ready, he urged her in front of him. “I’ve got something to show you on the boat.”

  “Something else?” She turned in the water, smiling, to say this. For a moment, their stares met and held in a complete oneness, and then she splashed him, he laughed, and they swam away.

  ~o0o~

  Alexei lifted her out of the water onto the swim deck of the yacht. “You look like a mermaid,” he remarked as she wrung the water from her hair. “Except for the great legs,” he conceded, thumbing his stubble as he picked up one of the fluffy blue-and-white-striped deck towels to swaddle her in.

  “What’s this?” she said, feeling something in the folds and picking it out.

  “It’s just a small gift that caught my eye as I was walking past one of the hawkers in the dock. No expense spared,” he teased as she pulled out the small felt mouse.

  “For me?” Amber’s face was wreathed in smiles. “You bought this for me?”

  “It is Christmas.”

  “I didn’t expect anything.”

  That was just the point, he thought. And now he felt bad, because anyone would think the small gift had come from Tiffany’s.

  “I love it,” she assured him, hugging it close.

  He frowned. “Do you?”

  “Yes, I do,” she said fiercely.

  She had that same look again on her face, the look that said I trust you. If nothing else, they would have Christmas together, he determined.

  “I’m supposed to be making Christmas special for you,” she reminded him, “and now you’re buying me presents?”

  “One small and very insignificant gift,” he pointed out.

  “Don’t you dare call Mr. Mouse insignificant.” She clutched it close. “He’ll be spending Christmas with us, as our guest.”

  “As long as I spend it with you.” Using the towel, he bound her tightly against him. “I love that you’re a cheap date, by the way.”

  “Because I love Mouse?”

  “Because you’re you.”

  He kissed her, and they were instantly on fire for each other, but this time, he held back. “There is something else I want to show you—something I think you’ll like.” He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so excited at the thought of sharing his very private life.

  “What is it?” Amber demanded, staring up at him.

  Linking fingers with her, he walked to the elevator. There were seven decks on his yacht. Amber’s suite was located on deck three. His was on deck two. He brushed his fingertips across the elevator’s digital controls…

  “Deck nine?” she exclaimed. “I didn’t even know there was a deck nine…”

  Seeing everything through Amber’s eyes was like seeing it for the first time, and he was as blown away as she was when the elevator door slid open.

  Chapter Seven

  “And I thought I’d seen it all,” Amber breathed as they stepped out of the elevator into the underwater observatory.

  This was the sort of wonder his money could buy, and he’d never had anyone to share it with. Because they were moored offshore in deep water, the sea life beyond the toughened glass was extraordinary. All shapes and sizes, multicolored and varied, it was an incredible sight. Amber leaned her head against his chest. He looped his arms around her waist. It was one of those rare moments when nothing needed to be said.

  But of course, it couldn’t last. He couldn’t allow it to last, not with the closeness between them growing all the time.

  “You can only ever pay a fleeting visit to something that soothes you, can’t you?” she said as he nuzzled her neck and moved away.

  “I thought it might be time to test the strength of the toughened glass.”

  “Liar,” she murmured, staring at him with a mix of pity and disappointment on her face at the idyll so quickly lost.

  “So?” he pressed with an unrepentant hum.

  She shook her head and gave him a wry smile. “So, I’m totally up for a challenge.”

  “You can still watch the sea life,” he promised.

  “Like I won’t be distracted?” she said as he removed her towel and made a start on her bikini.

  She wanted Alexei so much it hurt, and not just physically. Her feelings had changed toward him, and she didn’t know how to hold them back.

  Murmuring what she had no doubt were outrageous suggestions in Russian, far too advanced for her sparse understanding of the language, he was steadily backing her toward a viewing bench. He was so sexy and she was so hot for him. But… “No,” she said, holding back at the last minute.

  “No?” he queried. Stepping out of his swimming shorts, he stood in front of her, utterly beautiful and completely unabashed. And he certainly didn’t need to tell her that there was nowhere else he would rather be.

  “I want you,” she said softly, wishing this could be enough for her.

  “I know,” he murmured. “I feel the same.”

  “So I see.”

  And then they were smiling into each other’s eyes with the type of understanding that only lovers have, and everything was all right again.

  He lowered her down to the bench and arranged her legs over the wide spread of his shoulders. She came the moment he touched her. That was how she felt about him. Alexei moved deep to take her completely. Throwing his head back, he lost himself in pleasure, while she was completely possessed by him, body, soul, and mind.

  What am I doing? Where is this going?

  Ever sensitive to her smallest change of mood, Alexei forgot about his own pleasure and stopped moving. That made it worse. She wanted this too much. She hadn’t realized how deeply embedded he’d become in her heart. And she knew he shunned close relationships. She knew that, so what was she doing?

  “Amber?” Searching her eyes, Alexei kissed her, and he kept on kissing her until she relaxed, but inside, she knew. He was like an island. He was like the fabled Isla Celeste, a destination to enjoy for a short time before moving on. That was how she should be thinking about him, but she was having a major fail in that department—

  “Do I have your full attention, myshka?”

  She smiled ruefully. “Stop with the mouse.”

  “Stop with this too?” he queried, moving his hands so they cupped her buttocks.

  She groaned with pleasure as he slowly rolled his hips from side to side. “You don’t play fair.”

  “Do you want me to? Why don’t you just let go, when you know you want to?”

  He knew her too well. It was so easy to do just that—too easy.

  Alexei took her from one peak to the next a
nd showed no interest in slowing down. He was devoted to her pleasure, and her ecstatic cries rang around the viewing room while the marine life provided a silent spectacle behind them.

  “Isn’t it your turn?” she asked at last. She didn’t wait for Alexei to reply. She arranged herself on the bench with her hips held high, tempting him. Her reward was his ragged groan of pleasure. Much later when they were still entwined, she teased his lips with hers for the pleasure of watching his hard mouth soften into a smile, and when he kissed her back, there was so much feeling between them, it overwhelmed her.

  “Tears, myshka?”

  “Exhaustion,” she lied, brushing off her reaction and the tears with a smile. If she said too much, she’d drive him away, and whatever time they had left, she was going to hang on to it with everything she’d got.

  “Bed?” he suggested.

  “Yours or mine?” she asked as they kissed and kept on kissing.

  “Mine,” Alexei whispered.

  Should she be quite so happy about that? Wasn’t this slipping deeper into his life everything she’d vowed not to do? But could she stop herself, even had she wanted to? Inhaling deeply, she closed her eyes and knew the answer to that was a definite no.

  ~o0o~

  “Happy Christmas!” she called out as she backed into Alexei’s stateroom with a tray.

  “What’s this?” he asked, opening one eye.

  “Room service?”

  “Excellent,” he murmured, raising himself up in bed to view her dressed in a skimpy robe.

  Putting the tray down on the side, she sat cross-legged on the bed in front of him.

  “Presents?” he exclaimed, frowning as he weighed up the contents of the tray.