Page 19 of Between Power and Passion

Valentina watches me, her breathing shallow. She bites her lower lip, and it sends a bolt of desire straight to my groin. With a trembling hand, I grip my cock, stroking slowly as I meet her gaze.

"Touch your tits," I command.

She obeys, her fingers skimming lightly over her nipple. The sight sends a jolt through me. "Play with it," I continue, stroking myself.

She pinches her nipple lightly, and a drop of moisture forms at the tip of my cock. "Squeeze it, harder."

She does as I say, tugging and twisting gently, her eyes never leaving mine. I can feel my own desire reflected in her dark eyes, and it fuels the fire within me.

"Now, use your other hand to touch your pussy."

She gasps softly at my words, and her eyelids flutter as she places her hand between her legs. "I— I don't know how."

"Find the bud first," I squeeze the tip of my cock, willing myself to hold on. "That's it, just like that. Now rub it gently."

Her fingers find the right spot, and she moans as she begins to move them in slow circles.

"Now, put your fingers inside."

She slides her fingers inside herself, and her mouth forms an O shape. "That's it," I encourage, even as my own breath quickens. "Keep going."

Her eyes close as she begins to move her fingers in and out, her breath coming in short gasps now. "Don't stop." My own release builds as I watch her pleasure herself. Fuck!

Her hips buck against her hand, and her eyes fly open, finding mine.

"Don't stop," I repeat.

With a strangled cry, she climaxes, her body arching in the tub. The sight of her pleasure sends me over the edge, and spurts of cum shoot from my dick.

Valentina opens her eyes, a shy smile spread across her face. She steps out of the tub, and I pull her toward me. She settles into my arms, her head resting on my chest.

I kiss the top of her head. This woman has the power to bring me to my knees with just a look. It's terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

She shifts, her fingers trailing lightly over the wound on my side. I hiss softly at the contact, and she pulls away. "I'm sorry," she murmurs, her eyes filling with concern. "Let me dress your wound."

I nod, unable to deny the comfort in her touch.

Valentina fetches the medical kit while I get dressed. Her hair is tousled, and her skin has a dewy glow when she returns. I wince as she peels back the old bandage, the wound still red and angry. Her touch is light, but it sends a stab of pain through me nonetheless.

"I'll try to be gentle."

I nod. When she finishes, I pull her onto my lap, cradling her head with my hand. She leans into me, and I breathe in the scent of her hair.

"Don't let me lose you again," she whispers.

I sit at my desk, poring over the maps and intel reports scattered in front of me. The docks and the warehouse are both viable locations for the shipment drop, but I need to be certain of the timing before we move. Too much is at stake to screw this up.

The door swings open, and Alexei strolls in with a cocky grin on his face. He drops into the chair across from me, propping his feet up on the desk with a thud.

"So, you and the little Makarov princess are getting pretty cozy, eh?" He waggles his eyebrows suggestively.

I shoot him a warning glare, but he just laughs. "What? I'm just saying, I heard some interesting noises last night."

Heat creeps up my neck at his implication. Alexei has always been the more outgoing one, never shy about expressing himself, especially when it comes to women.

"We don't have time for this," I growl, pushing his feet off the desk. "Valentina gave me intel on her father's next shipment. It's supposed to be going down in two weeks."

That gets his attention. He sits up straighter, the playful glint leaving his eyes. "You trust her?"

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