Page 45 of Lord of Justice

"He sounds like he was a very devoted father," Andrey says gently.

"Yeah, he was." I'm blinking back tears. "Maybe that's why our mother marrying that douchebag Jack was so painful. He was a greedy, scheming fuckface and nothing like Dad."

"It gives you a perspective to appreciate your father more."

I glance at Andrey, surprised. "That's true. And insightful."

He shrugs. "I try, occasionally." A boyish smile spreads across his face and is gone almost as quickly. It transformed him, though. I can see his passion. That smile was almost… joyful?

I'll be damned.

"Would you like to look through the telescope?"he offers. "I believe they're scanning the Triangulum Galaxy tonight."

"Are we allowed to?" I gasp.

I'm rewarded with another quick smile, fleeting, but real. "Of course we are," he says.

Once I'm settled in the seat and he tells me what to look for, I eagerly scan the swirls of color until they coalesce into a spiral of blues and dark pinks. "Now," he says, "look for the white clouds. Those are billions of stars."

I don't notice when my hand reaches out, but he takes it and we sit together, watching the Universe dance.

Chapter Twenty-One

In which there are some things better than cupcakes.

Iris…

I don't remember saying goodbye to the family, I couldn't say how we got home. I remember holding Andrey's hand, feeling the texture of his long fingers, how warm they were.

My brain seems to come back online after the security detail has done a sweep of the penthouse and Andrey and I are alone.

Fuck,he's beautiful in a tux. He's also beautiful in sweatpants and if I'm very lucky, I might find out just how beautiful he is naked. It hit me like a thunderbolt as we sat and watched the galaxy together.

What the hell am I waiting for?

We're standing in the hallway and he takes a step toward me, pulling off his bowtie, his eyes fixed on mine. I might've made a high little noise as he carelessly pulls off his jacket, dropping it onthe granite floor and then his shirt, popping the studs loose.

"You never just drop your clothes on the floor," I say, embarrassed by the little quiver in my voice.

"They're Nikandr's."

I frown, "They're –"

His mouth is on mine, hands pressed on either side of my head on the wall I'm leaning against. This kiss is different from the one he gave me after the camera crew left. That one tasted like pride. This one tastes like possession. I didn't know my mouth could beowned,and I was so wrong. His lips are firm and when he slides his tongue into my mouth, a groan rumbles through his chest that I canfeel.My nipples instantly turn into diamond hard points.

Andrey's big hand slides to the back of my neck, holding me still as he kisses my mouth, plays with my tongue, and travels down to leave a bite on my shoulder.

"This mouth," he says, his voice raspy, "delicious. I knew it would be sweet. Your pouty lips, so goddamn tempting." He punctuates each word with another kiss until I have one arm wrapped around his middle, and one curled around his neck. When he pulls back, I let out a little whine and then flush with mortification. His calloused fingertip travels over my collarbone and catcheson the strap of my dress. He pulls it down carefully, and does the same to the other side.

"I suspect that if I pull down this dress, your nipples are going to be hard little pebbles, aren't they?" he whispers in my ear before sharply biting my lobe.

"Maybe."He growls at my teasing tone and pulls the fabric down to my waist. I can't wear a bra with this dress, so it is immediately apparent that he is correct.

Turning, he lifts me onto the tall credenza against the wall with one arm and cups my breast with the other, greedily sucking one nipple into his mouth and then traveling to the other, holding my breasts together in his rough hands so he can kiss and lick each one.

"Beautiful…" he says, more to himself. "Wife, I want to take you upstairs. " He's still holding my breasts, squeezing, pulling on my nipples. "I want to put you in our bed and tear right through your virginity and make you mine. I suspect your pussy is going to turnme into an addict."

It's a combination of crass and sexy as fuck and suddenly, I'meager,I want this. Maybe it was the dance of the Universe or his honesty or the fact that everything he said he would do, he has, but it sets me free to wrap my arms around his neck and squeeze.