Page 24 of Then We Shatter

I share the sentiment. Our attraction is a curse without cure.

There’s only so long Dad’s going to give his reluctant approval to this arrangement. There are so many obstacles in our way. So many things that could come between us. So many moving parts. But for now, I concentrate on our moving parts.

I soak in every detail of this moment. The way Katarina’s fingers rub against her clit without her long talons causing injury to either of us. The way her thighs tremble as her inner walls start to spasm. The way her tits bounce and her peaked nipples jut out in a way that’s making my mouth water. The way her lower lip catches between her teeth to trap the moan she isn’t allowed to release.

And those eyes. Eyes that meet mine as she starts to pant. “Faster.”

I give her exactly what she needs, and when she stops playing with her clit and reaches to put her arms around my neck, I pound into her. We’re nose to nose.

“Come for me, Kitty,” I plead. “Take us both over the fucking edge. Let me fall with you.”

She tugs at my hair, writhing against me as I nail her to the edge of the bed. There’s the sound of squealing rubber as I fuck Katarina so hard the massage table starts to move, but I can’t stop and I don’t want to be quiet even though I know we must.

I hinge my hips and press her back against the bed, fucking her in a frenzy while she yanks on my scalp to lift my head. I think she’s going to kiss me but she bites down on my lip to stifle her scream.

Her pussy is on fire and as she gets lost in the throes of her orgasm, I quickly follow. I come so hard I see stars. My cock pulses and I spill inside her, a grunt clawing at my throat with each thrust until I’m completely spent. My chest heaves and I breathe in the smell of jasmine and patchouli, or whatever the fuck that oil was. I just know it’s my new favorite scent.

When I straighten up, my woman stays wrapped around my body, her head resting on my shoulder, her lips pressing against my sweat damp skin.

“What now, Killian?” Katarina asks and the warmth of her breath sends a shiver down my spine.

“I want to see more of you, Kitty.”

“More than naked?”

“Just more.” I grab the sides of her head and drag her gaze to mine. “Don’t disappear on me. Not yet. Stay in Chicago.”

“Ash has plans in motion. I have a week. Two at most.”

I’ve known Ash for the best part of ten years. If anyone can pull off Katarina’s fake death, he and his brothers can. The stubborn bastard would never tell me where she was hiding and I’d lose her forever. Katarina knows it too and I don’t think I imagined the regret lacing her words.

“Give me what’s left of the summer,” I plead.

She cocks an eyebrow as she strokes her talons along my back. It’s her left hand and I can feel the weight of the diamond on her finger pulling us both down. I ignore it, just like I ignore all the reasons fucking the niece of my enemy is a bad idea.

“Just you and me, Kitty.”

“In this room?”

“Do you have any better suggestions?”

The corners of her mouth pull down. “Danyl and Andrey monitor my every move. They’re more like Vasili’s spies than protection. It’s my punishment for spending a night on my own in a mountain lodge with my fiancé.”

My jaw clenches. “You did what?”

“Have you forgotten that night so soon?” she asks with a smirk. She wanted to get a reaction from me and it worked.

“The mission in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Duke was your cover story.”

“He was,” she says. “He might hate playing my devoted fiancé, but he’ll do whatever Ash expects of him.”

“Do you think he’d play along for the rest of the summer?” I ask, hating that I’m relying on another man claiming her to secure her continued presence.

Katarina tightens her legs around me. “He’ll hang around longer than you will.”

“You think so?” I ask, rolling my hips. I’m still inside her, and when I do withdraw, it’ll only be to roll on a fresh condom. “As long as you give me a reason to haunt this city, I can divide my time between here and Vegas.”

“And John is OK with that?”