Page 17 of Between Power and Passion

Slowly, I come back to earth, my body spent and sated. Dmitri rises above me, his eyes dark and hooded as he takes in the sight of me—hair disheveled, cheeks flushed, body glistening and glowing with warmth.

My eyes trail over his sculpted chest, following the contour of his defined abs and the trail of hair that disappears below the waist of his pants. But it's the harsh scars that mar his otherwise perfect skin that hold my attention, remnants of the brutality he endured.

He steps out of his pants, leaving him naked before me. My eyes travel the length of him, taking in his muscular form, and I feel a tremor run through me.

He joins me on the bed, his body a welcome heat against mine. His lips capture mine in a searing kiss, his tongue tangling with mine in a dance that mirrors the more intimate dance about to take place.

With one swift thrust, he enters me, claiming me as his own. Pain slices through me, a sharp contrast to the pleasure that preceded it. My eyes fly open, tears welling as I bite my lip to stifle a cry. He freezes, his eyes searching mine.

"You've never..." he begins, his voice a mixture of wonder and concern.

I shake my head, my cheeks flaming with embarrassment.

Cursing under his breath, he makes a move to pull out, but I stop him, my hands clutching at his back. "No," I whisper, my eyes searching his. " Please, give me a moment."

He hesitates, his eyes hooded with desire but concern etched on his face. "Are you sure?" His voice is rough, his own need obvious.

I nod, reaching up to brush the hair from his eyes. "I'm sure. I want this, with you." My thumb grazes his cheek, my eyes never leaving his. "Give me a minute, and then we can—"

He silences me with another kiss, his lips urgent against mine. "Then I'll take it slow this time," he murmurs against my mouth, his eyes smoldering with a mixture of desire and something softer, something that makes my heart stutter in my chest.

I close my eyes, savoring the sensation of his lips on mine. This man, so full of darkness and pain, is also my sanctuary. In his arms, I find solace from the darkness that threatens to consume me. His lips trail kisses along my jaw, down my neck, and I feel his smile against my skin. His hand nestles into my hair and tilts my head back to grant him better access, and I surrender.

His kisses grow more insistent, demanding as he remains inside me. My breathing quickens.

With a gentle hand, he cradles my head with his arm. "Are you ready?" he murmurs, his eyes searching mine for any hint of hesitation. I nod. He begins to move, slowly at first, his eyes never leaving mine. As the initial discomfort ebbs, I feel the spark of pleasure igniting within me once more. My breath hitches, my body arching to meet his, urging him to quicken his pace.

He obliges, his thrusts becoming more insistent, his breath coming in sharp pants. "Val," he groans, his eyes sliding shut. "You feel so—"

He doesn't finish his sentence, his mouth crushing mine in a desperate kiss. Our bodies move in perfect sync, the rhythm of our joining like a dance as old as time. My hands roam his back, my nails scratching lightly across his skin, eliciting a sharp hiss from him.

"More," I whisper against his lips, urging him on.

He complies, his thrusts becoming harder, faster. My fingers dig into his back, holding on as he takes us both to the brink.

"Dmitri!" I cry out as the pleasure builds, threatening to spill over. "Don't stop!"

His response is a deep groan as he pulls me tighter against him, his body tensing as he builds his own release. The climax washes over me, my body convulsing as I cry out his name again, my release claiming me as I surrender to the all-encompassing pleasure.

Dmitri buries his face in the curve of my neck, his breath hot against my skin as he, too, finds his release. I feel his muscles tense as he spills himself into me, his body shaking with the force of his climax.

We're both panting, our bodies slick with sweat. Gently, he pulls out of me and rolls onto his back, tangling his fingers with mine as we stare up at the ceiling, catching our breath.

I feel a warmth spread through me that has nothing to do with the physical release we just shared. I'm acutely aware of his hand in mine and wonder at the ease with which he has breached the walls around my heart.

He turns his head to look at me, his eyes soft with affection, and for a moment, I lose myself in their depths.

"Are you okay?" he asks, his voice rough with concern.

The corners of my mouth turn up as I trace the contours of his face with my free hand, marveling at the fact that he's here with me.

"I'm more than okay," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion.

Chapter 8 – Dmitri

Valentina's head rests on my chest, her breathing slow and even. My fingers thread through her hair, the silky strands slipping between them easily. After last night, the thought of letting her go feels impossible. Her presence here, in my arms, makes the rage and the pain bearable, even if only for a moment.

She stirs and shifts closer, her body pressing tighter against mine. The warmth of her skin ignites something deep within me. I swallow hard, feeling an unwelcome arousal stir. Carefully, I move her off me and sit at the edge of the bed, trying to clear my head.

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