Page 38

I plant one knee beside his uninjured thigh and brace the other on the opposite side of his hips, keeping my weight off his abdomen. “You don’t give orders after forgetting me.”

His grip loosens. “Then don’t obey.”

I settle over his hips, making sure the drain tubing remains loose along his side. His breath catches, and I remember that sound against my throat and between my thighs while I gripped his hair and forgot everything beyond the room.

His mouth twitches as he studies my face. “You remember more than I do.”

I catch his chin and turn his face toward mine. “That isn’t something to be proud of.”

“I’m not proud.” His hand slides from my wrist to my waist. “I’m angry.”

I dig my nails into his shoulder. “At me?”

“At myself.” His thumb presses into my side. “For not remembering sooner.”

I kiss him before he can say more. His mouth opens beneath mine at once, my fingers knot in his hair, and the kiss turns rough before either of us slows down. His teeth catch my lower lip and pull the same sound from me that he remembered.

Alexei freezes.

I kiss him again because I can’t bear to watch him find me piece by piece. He catches the back of my neck and answers harder, but when he tries to rise, I press him against the mattress with one hand on his uninjured shoulder. He gives in enough to stay down, then cups one breast through my sweater while his other hand closes around my hip and drags me against the hard length beneath his trousers.

“Stay down,” I say against his mouth, keeping my palm against his shoulder.

His fingers spread over my backside. “Make me.”

I roll my hips once, careful not to press against his incision.

Alexei’s eyes close, and his head sinks into the pillow. I kiss the corner of his mouth, then his jaw, touching every place I remember. His hand leaves my hip and slips beneath my sweater, his palm finding bare skin, and when his thumb brushes my nipple, I arch before I can stop myself.

He opens his eyes. “Good?”

I catch his wrist and pin it loosely beside his head, careful not to pull the cannula taped to his forearm. “Don’t look pleased.”

“I’m trying not to beg.” His other hand curls around my thigh.

My hold on him eases. He touches my cheek and traces the corner of my mouth, and I turn into his palm, kiss it once, then bite the base of his thumb.

His pupils widen.

“Vera.” His free hand slips beneath my skirt.

I grip his shoulder as his fingers move higher. “Do you remember that?”

“No.” His thumb brushes over the damp fabric between my thighs. “But my body does.”

I kiss him before he can hear how much that hurts.

He lets me take over. I pull his shirt wider and press my mouth to the chess knight on his ribs, avoiding the bruises and fresh dressing. His stomach tightens beneath my lips, and his hand gathers my hair.

“Careful.” I look up at him.

Alexei releases my hair and opens his hand beside my face. “Tell me when to stop.”

I move up his body and take his mouth again. “I did once.”

“You did.” He grips the sheet instead of me.

I slide my hand between us and unfasten his belt, rocking against the fingers beneath my skirt until his breath breaks against my lips.