Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 76915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
This was not an embrace of passion. It was pure tenderness. I would die for this girl, I thought, and not for the first time.
“Mishka,” I murmured into her hair. “Thank you.”
I kissed her silky hair.
“I am sorry for worrying you.”
“It does not matter,” she said sweetly, her voice muffled from being pressed so firmly against my chest. I laughed at the sound and squeezed her tighter until she let out a little squeak. I laughed harder and released her.
“I love you, little one,” I breathed, unable to stop myself. Her eyes were wide and clear. She was surprised by my admission, but not shocked. She knew. I knew very well that she was not ready to say it back. It didn’t matter. It was there between us. My love would be enough to light the way. She would find me.
Her heart would catch up to mine. I knew it. I could feel it.
I would be patient with my little Russian doll.
My eyes fell to her pouting lips and then we were kissing. Deeply. Madly. Without thought or reason. I had never touched a woman without being extremely calculated about it. Sex and all its precursors had been mechanical to me. A skill to learn and become expert in. And I was an expert.
For the second time in my life, I lost all semblance of control. The first time had been in my study, when I tended to Mishka’s leg. I had kissed her wildly then, but this was different. My feelings for her had grown and changed. I had wanted her desperately then. Already loved her. But now? I belonged to her, body and soul.
This beautiful little girl owned me. To the outside world it might look the other way around. But I knew it to be true. I wondered if she knew it, too.
Her mouth opened beneath mine. I could feel her shyness and inexperience battling with her attraction to me. There was no plan. No practiced moves. No seduction. If anything, I was the one being seduced. Seduced by her beauty, her innocence, and her incredible spirit.
I was in awe of her. I had wanted her for so long. I had waited for so long. It was as if my shackles had been released. I was a bull charging a red flag. I was a racehorse let out of the gate.
Slow down. Slow the fuck down.
I tore my mouth away from her’s in shock. I lost all control with Mishka. Every single time. The spark between us turned into a conflagration without the slightest effort. It was dangerous. Particularly since she was untouched.
She stared up at me, her eyes soft and confused. Vulnerable. I was going too fast. But stopping suddenly would be just as shocking.
And there was no way in hell that I could.
“Mishka… I want you.”
Her cheeks turned pink so I knew she understood the gist of what I was saying. She was incredibly innocent but she hadn’t been raised in a convent. She must know what happens between men and women. I prayed she did, at any rate. If not, I would have an even more challenging task ahead of me.
This was one task I was eager to succeed at. There was no other choice. I must succeed. I must have her, and love her, all while protecting her. Even from myself. Especially from myself.
The beast within me wanted to devour her in one bite. I could not do that. I must not do that.
“Do you know what I mean?”
She bit her lip and nodded, her beautiful eyes shifting away from me.
“I… think so?”
I half groaned and half laughed, leaning my forehead against her. I was still desperate to get her clothes off, but the moment of levity had slowed me down. Not quite a cold shower, but close.
“I will not make love to you for the first time in any kind of moving vehicle,” I said with a laugh. “But perhaps the second time. Or the third.”
Her gasp of outrage only made me laugh harder.
“I am sorry, little Mishka. You are too adorable not to tease.”
She made a funny little harumphing sound but when I lifted her chin up to look at me, I could see she was not angry with me. Her eyes twinkled; despite the mock angry look she gave me.
“I will lock the cabin, however. To give us some privacy. Unless you are hungry. I know how much you love to eat.”
Now it was her turn to laugh. I pressed a quick, hard kiss to her lips. I spoke briefly to my staff, accepted two large bottles of mineral water and locked the door.
I turned and held up the bottles.
“Would you like some chamomile tea?”
She giggled. I felt myself relax. This was just a sleep over. I was not going to deflower her. Not tonight.