He didn’t wait. His hand was big and each swat was hard, leaving her cheeks red. He varied the pattern of hard and gentle, not wanting a rhythm she might catch. He stopped abruptly and began to massage, spreading the heat, just as he’d said he would. His fingers dipped into her pussy, finding her slicker and hotter. He grinned.
“I love how you love the things I do to you.”
She pushed back with her hips and he immediately removed his fingers and began all over again, swatting her cheeks. Just before he was certain she would protest, he began massaging, rubbing, kneading. He spread kisses and then bit down in the middle of his handprint.
Her breath hissed out of her, but she pushed back into him. Mitya immediately repeated the action on the other side in order to be fair. He caught her hips and yanked her to her knees, already on his. His cock in hand, he slammed home, nearly driving her back to the mattress. She cried out. Chanted his name. Pressed back into him with his every surge forward.
Fire raced up his spine, roared through his cock. Her tight muscles were so scorching hot he felt the burn right through his entire groin. He felt her heartbeat through her sheath and knew she felt his through his cock. His fingers swept back and forth along the crack of her cheeks. She was slick with honey and he pushed his finger into her, deeper than he’d ever gone, so he could feel his cock working her.
She sobbed his name and pushed back into him as the bundle of nerve endings heightened her pleasure even more. He couldn’t slow down, his hips driving deep over and over. He was so addicted to the sizzling flames he never wanted to leave her. He broke out in a fine sheen of sweat, and still he didn’t stop. He worked her body hard, and when the first orgasm hit her it was like a tidal wave, impossible to stop. It was all he could do to maintain as it engulfed him, her body clamping down, threatening to take him with her. She cried out but he kept pistoning into her right through it, so the friction was incredible.
Ania collapsed onto her elbows but now he held her hips with both hands, helping her to drive back into him every bit as hard as he was surging into her. His breath was sawing in and out of his lungs, so labored he wasn’t certain he would survive, but it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered but the time he spent in her body, in that tight, scorching-hot place of pure pleasure. He kept driving.
Her body tightened around his. Clamped down like a vise. For a moment it was as if everything stopped. Held his breath. Then it came, a tsunami beyond anything he’d experienced. Her muscles felt like a million hot tongues of silk, working him, sucking him dry, milking and pumping, squeezing and burning until the hot splash of seed coated her walls over and over again.
He collapsed over top of her, driving her to the mattress. Both lay panting, desperate for air. He couldn’t move, his heart pounding and his cock pulsing. Every ripple of her body squeezed his sensitive and very spent cock, but he didn’t have the strength to pull out of her. They lay together for a long time, just feeling their bodies and the way they burned together.
Eventually, Mitya forced himself to roll off of her so she didn’t die from lack of air. He swept his hand down her back to her bottom, gently massaging her cheeks. He loved her skin. He loved the feel of her. He loved the fact that no matter what he did, she was on board all the way. She never protested when he collapsed over her, even though he mashed her into the mattress.
Her face was turned away from him, so he took advantage. “I know you think I’m with you for my leopard. I’m not, Ania. I’m with you for me. You’ve given me more than I ever expected to have for myself. I never thought any woman would ever be able to live with me. Or put up with the things I want in a partner. I thought it was impossible for any woman to love me . . .”
The moment he said that, her head whipped around, her eyes on his face. “Why in the world would you ever think that?” she demanded. “Mitya, you’re a wonderful man.” A faint grin crept over her mouth, turning up her lips and lighting her eyes. “Without your exceedingly and annoyingly bossy ways, you’re really quite wonderful.”
He leaned in to her and kissed her nose. “You like my exceedingly bossy ways.”
She made a show of rolling her eyes. “I like you, that’s for sure.”
He sobered instantly. “Do you think you could love me, Ania? Given time? Is that even a possibility? I’d rather know now than wait to see . . .”
“You’re such a goof. Do you really think I’d be here because you threatened to come after me if I ran? I would go to Drake, or to one of the other families. I’m here with you because I’ve already found I can’t be without you. I may be scared out of my mind, and I don’t know if that’s because Jewel is, or I at least have some common sense, or it’s a combination, but I went out of the house that night because the thought of losing you was too much for me.”
“I can tell you without reservation, Ania, and I don’t know the first thing about love, so I’m not certain this is the greatest declaration, but I can’t do without you. If there is a person on this earth, other than my ridiculous cousins who got me into a mess, I can say you are the person I love. And since they got me into the mess, you’re far up the line in front of them.”
Ania started laughing. She rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling, her arms crossed over her stomach, laughter spilling out of her like a golden symphony. “You’re so crazy. Your ridiculous cousins got you into a mess? And I’m in front of them because of it? That’s your declaration of love?”
Her eyes met his and she suddenly rolled over again, this time flinging her body over his, sprawling over top of him, the laughter fading from her gorgeous eyes. “That’s the best declaration of love I’ve ever heard, and I’m going to cherish it. I honestly thought I didn’t matter to you, Mitya, other than as someone who held Jewel.”
His teeth scraped gently down her ear. “It’s the other way around. Dymka is very lucky that Jewel does it for him.”
“He’d better be good to her.”
“I think he’s learned his lesson. Let me clean up and get a washcloth for you. Then we’ll let the leopards talk and see if they can clear things up between them.”
“Jewel’s very sulky.”
“She’s going to rise very soon, especially if we get any wilder. Leopard sex is rough and often, Ania. When I take you, I mean to be gentler, but it isn’t working. I think Jewel is close to rising whether or not she wants to.”
“Are you saying when Jewel and I are no longer fertile at the same time, you and I aren’t going to have our crazy, wild sex together? Because I won’t be happy about that.”
He grinned at her as he shifted off the bed. “No, babe, I’m not saying that. I’m just saying that leopard of yours is in for a shock if she refuses to speak to him. We aren’t going to take chances that she rises without me being around. From now on, wherever I go, so do you.”
She didn’t protest, although he thought she might. Instead, she smirked a little, which gave him pause as he washed himself and then got a warm washcloth for her.
“Are you up to something?”
“Why would you think that?”
She was more relaxed with his ministrations now. She just widened her legs and let him wash her. He enjoyed taking care of her. He still thought she might be up to something.
“Ania,” he cautioned.
She smiled and shook her head. “I don’t want her emerging without you being around. Remember how awful it was for me in the bakery without you? If you don’t remember, I certainly do.”
He couldn’t argue with that, although he regarded her suspiciously.
11
“I DON’T know why men think women are the gossips,” Evangeline said, sliding into the chair across from Ania. “They’re all in the back where my husband has his office, if you can call it that—mostly he eats my pastries—and they’re talking about things I’m not supposed to overhear.”
Ania couldn’t help
smiling. “Do you want to know what they’re saying?”
“Absolutely not. I like baking my pastries and selling them to happy customers. The bakery is really popular, I think thanks to the fact that I’m married to Fyodor. This is the cops’ favorite place, and there seem to be a lot of cops around.”
“I think it’s more likely your bakery is popular because your pastries are the absolute best.” Ania leaned her chin into the heel of her hand. “How’s the work coming on the coffee shop? I know the wall was torn down and building had started, but I don’t hear any hammers.”
“It’s so frustrating,” Evangeline said, wiping her hand across her forehead. “Not that I want anyone to come to work sick, but the actual work was only supposed to take a few weeks. I think it’s more like a few months. Everyone seems to have gotten the flu. The foreman said he was going to hire a few new workers. Timur wasn’t thrilled with the idea, and they went round and round.”
“Timur is like Sevastyan, isn’t he?” Ania observed. “I’m getting to know everyone a little bit better.” She frowned as she watched Evangeline press her hand to her mouth. Her hand was trembling. “Are you still sick? I thought that went away after the first few weeks.”
“I think it usually does,” Evangeline conceded. “Unfortunately, remember I told you I have hyperemesis gravidarum? It just means I get very sick and sometimes need fluids. Mine doesn’t seem to be going away. The worst is, it can reoccur with other pregnancies, which doesn’t have me looking forward to more children.”
“That’s terrible, Evangeline,” Ania sympathized. “I’d hate that.” She looked around the beautiful bakery. Clearly, Evangeline had put her heart and soul into her business. “You love this place, don’t you?”
While she carried on the conversation, she practiced watching people on the sidewalk passing by. What were they wearing? What did they look like? Height. Weight. Hair color. Could she identify them again? Sevastyan talked a lot about gait. How someone walked. They might disguise appearance, but few changed the way they walked. Cars on the street. Packages. Really pay attention to packages. Anyone walking close to the bakery. Anyone coming into the bakery. Did they have a package? When they walked out, were they still carrying the package?
She needed a lot of work on observation. On the other hand, no one could match her driving skills. No one could match going over a car looking for bombs or anything at all out of the ordinary. Cars were her thing. She could name every make, model, color, engine; she could practically tell Sevastyan what kind of wipers were on a car.
She hadn’t said a word to Mitya that she was trying to worm her way into his security unit. He’d lose his mind. He was so protective of her she could barely go to the women’s room without five men following her in. Still, she wasn’t giving up. Sevastyan didn’t want her as a bodyguard, but he did want her to drive. They’d even discussed ways to get Mitya to agree to her driving him around.
There was only one small problem in the way. Sex. Mitya liked her in the back seat with him for a reason. The moment the car was in motion and the privacy screen was up, he wanted her mouth on him, or he wanted his cock in her. He sipped drinks off her skin, pouring them over her breasts and into her belly button. Once he shook up champagne and sprayed a small amount of it inside her, and then spent nearly the entire drive home sucking out every drop he could find. He loved sex in the car.
Okay. He loved sex everywhere. Sometimes he took her on the balcony at their home. Outside in the flower gardens. Once it was on the rooftop when he’d had her go up to see the stars. It didn’t matter where they were, he was more than willing to be inventive. She doubted if he’d give up sex in the car just so she could drive. In all honesty, she wasn’t certain she would give up sex in the car with him just to drive. She loved it every bit as much as he did.
She sighed and kept watching those passing by. According to Sevastyan, the foot traffic had increased by quite a bit in the last few weeks. That was good for Evangeline’s business, but not so good for those on security.
“Fyodor wanted to expand this room as well,” Evangeline said. “But after seeing how long it’s taking for Ashe’s coffee shop to be built, I said no. I don’t want my customers to listen to the hammers going all day. In fact, I was going to see if Fyodor could find a way for them to work in the evenings after I’m closed. I know that’s an inconvenience, but maybe if we pay more, it would be worth it to the crew.”
“That’s a good idea. Timur would like that as well.”
Evangeline made a face. “He wouldn’t. He likes being able to watch them like hawks. If he wasn’t down here, what if they snuck something into my kitchen? That’s how he thinks. Timur would prefer me to give up the bakery and stay at home. He thinks once I have the twins that’s what I’ll do.”
“You won’t?”
Evangeline shook her head. “I’m already working on a nursery here at the shop. I’ve been drawing it out, just the way I did this shop and Ashe’s coffee shop. Fyodor and Timur own all the buildings. The one beside the coffee shop is going to be empty in two months. I asked them if I could have that shop as well.” She flashed a small grin. “They think I really want to expand. I want to make a really nice nursery and playroom for the twins. That way I can have them down here when I’m working.”
Ania laughed softly. “I think you are amazing, Evangeline. How do you do it? I think I’m tough and then Mitya starts handing out decrees and I just seem to fall in line. You don’t argue, you just kind of do what you want.”
Evangeline shrugged. “You have to pick your battles with men like Fyodor and Mitya. All the cousins. They have certain things that really matter. Safety is huge to them. Huge. I watch Mitya’s face when he’s around you. He thinks the sun, moon and stars revolve around you. That’s dangerous, because his protection factor is already enormous. Couple that with the way he loves you and you don’t stand much of a chance of winning an argument when it comes to matters of safety. It just isn’t going to happen. You have to resign yourself to that.”
Ania shook her head. “I already have felt that edge with him a few times. Still, I love driving fast. It was always my outlet. I have this need sometimes for the big adrenaline rush, and I’d sneak out and street race. I’ve considered doing it a time or two. But then we have wild sex and the urge passes.” She laughed at herself but at the same time she felt a little guilty that Mitya could get around her so easily.
“Do you feel like racing is a big dream of yours? Because if it is, you need to talk to him about it.”
Ania knew it wasn’t. “No. Sometimes I just want that rush. Sex with Mitya is better.”
“Honey, if you really love him, you have to give him the things he needs. Do you really need street racing? No, probably not. You like it. You get a rush from it, but it isn’t something you need or crave with every fiber of your being. So concede there, jump him and get your rush.”
She looked around her and then gestured. “This shop represents my independence. My ability to rise above my childhood. I need it. I might not forever, but I do now. I had to sit my man down and let him know exactly what the bakery meant to me.”
“And he got it?”
“With some talking. The thing is, when they love you, when you’re their world, they will listen because they want you happy. Timur doesn’t care so much about my happiness as he does about my safety. He curses a lot, but he accommodates what I need. Now, Ashe. If she says she wants the shop and it’s important, that man will do handstands to give it to her. Still, she stays within the parameters he gives her for her safety.”
Evangeline leaned toward her. “But you deserve to have your dream, Ania, whatever it is. You sold your family business, so there must be something else you’ve always secretly desired.”
Ania looked into her latte as if that would give her answers. “I always thought I would have to take over the family business. I’m not very girly, b
ut . . .” She hesitated and looked around again. “If I wasn’t driving, which I would love to do for Sevastyan, then I wouldn’t mind trying my hand at designing cars.”
“Why shouldn’t you do that?”
“It isn’t hands-on. My father wasn’t that thrilled when I talked to him about it.” A flush of heat slid over Ania and her breasts suddenly felt swollen and achy. Her nipples pushed against her lacy bra, rubbing, hurting, yet at the same time, a flame of desire. She touched her tongue to her upper lip. “Excuse me, Evangeline, I think I need to go to the ladies’ room.”
Ania got to her feet and started to turn just as the little bell over the door sounded. She glanced over and her heart dropped as Alessandro Caruso strode through the door.
You horrible little hussy, she hissed at Jewel. You wouldn’t even talk to Dymka, but the moment he shows up, you’re rolling over and trying to get laid.
She didn’t so much as wave before practically running to the restroom. Little beads of sweat trickled between her breasts. Her clit pulsed and throbbed like a living flame. She burned between her legs. Staring into the mirror, she could see that her eyes looked dilated, a dark purple that resembled two drenched pansies pressed into her face. She gripped the sink as another wave of heat rushed through her. Her sex clenched emptily. She could barely breathe.
Jewel, what are you doing? I can’t betray Mitya. I won’t. I’ll live in this restroom before I do that.
Jewel seemed to be in a state of complete chaos. Fear, need, hunger and desperation were all mixed together in one terrible churning storm. I’m sorry.
The moment the female leopard apologized, Ania realized both of them couldn’t be out of control. The leopard had no idea what was happening to her. She was still very much afraid of Dymka. She’d stayed as still as possible, huddled in a miserable little ball while the hunger and need continued to wash over her. She’d delayed her rising. Prolonged the agony. All to save Ania from Mitya and his fists.
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