“Tell me to stop,” he said quietly.
Lena stared at him, seeing the dark hunger in his eyes, the restraint he was somehow barely able to hold onto.Then she kissed him first this time.That was all it took.Maksim’s control shattered completely after that, and she silently rejoiced in relief.
He lifted her effortlessly, and Lena wrapped herself around him instinctively as he carried her toward the bedroom, kissing her like he had wanted this for far too long.
The bedroom felt smaller once the door closed behind them, and it wasn’t because of the cramped walls or narrow bed, but because Maksim filled the space completely.
Lena could still taste him on her mouth.Her pulse was wild beneath her skin as he set her carefully on the edge of the mattress without breaking the kiss.
The contradiction of him kept undoing her.A man capable of horrifying violence touching her like she was something fragile enough to bruise.Maksim slid his hands slowly along her waist.
He dragged his gaze over her face with an intensity that made heat curl low in her stomach again.
“You’re shaking,” he murmured.
Lena let out a breathless laugh.“After what happened last night, I think shaking is reasonable.”
He lifted the corner of his mouth to what passed for a smile.Then he moved his hand to the hem of her shirt.Maksim paused there, not exactly asking, but giving her time to stop him.
Lena’s breath caught as his dark eyes searched hers.The choice sat between them heavily.Then she lifted her arms silently.Something heated flickered through Maksim’s expression at the surrender in the gesture.
He peeled the shirt off her slowly, like he wanted to memorize every second of it.Cool air brushed her skin immediately afterward, making her shiver.
He lowered his gaze over her naked body with slow, deliberate appreciation that made her heart pound harder.There was no rushed hunger or careless greed.It was as if he was silently worshipping her.
Maksim slid his hands up her sides gently, thumbs brushing beneath the curve of her breasts before he leaned down and kissed each nipple.Lena practically melted as he took one nipple into his mouth, then sucked down on it, before doing the same to the other.
Then he moved his mouth to hers again, savoring her.It was as if he was learning her reactions one touch at a time.Every time she made the smallest sound against his lips, his grip tightened slightly like he couldn’t help himself.
Maksim kissed the corner of her mouth, her jaw.Heat flooded through her as his lips brushed the sensitive spot beneath her ear.
“You’re still overdressed,” she whispered shakily.
A dark sound rumbled low in his chest.Maksim pulled back just enough to strip off his shirt, tossing it somewhere behind him carelessly.Lena’s breath caught outright this time.
Up close like this, he looked unfairly beautiful in a dangerous sort of way.He had broad shoulders, hard muscles, and tattoos that wound across skin that was marked with bruises and scars she now recognized piece by piece.Evidence of every violent thing he had survived.
Her gaze dropped to the fresh bandage she had wrapped around his shoulder earlier.
“You should be resting,” she murmured weakly.
“And you should stop looking at me like that.”
Heat crept into her cheeks.
“Like what?”Lena asked.
“Like you’re thinking dangerous things.”
Lena opened her mouth to deny it, then Maksim stepped between her knees.
The words vanished immediately.His hands settled on her thighs, sliding upward slowly enough to make her breathing uneven.Lena tilted her head back slightly as he kissed her throat, lingering there while his grip tightened possessively against her skin.
The room felt impossibly warm now, every touch seemed amplified.She finally looked at the impressive package between his legs.His cock was already long and hard, and she suddenly felt wet between her legs.Her nipples tightened to points and felt sensitive.
“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he murmured.
Lena blinked at him, slightly dazed.Her chest tightened unexpectedly.Maksim lifted her legs above his shoulders and she suddenly felt incredibly exposed, yet every part of her yearned for Maksim to take her, to fill her completely. Maksim brushed her hair back from her face slowly.
