He unstiffens, collapsing on top of me, and I rub his back while he’s still inside me. It’s the sexiest experience I’ve ever had. He’s still hard. I can feel his shaft pulsating as the climax continues convulsing through it.

We’re both breathing as if we just won a race. Euphoria makes me giddy. David props himself on his elbows, his expression soft and tender as he kisses my forehead, then my nose, and finally my lips.

“You’re beautiful,” he says. “Fucking you is the best part of my life right now.”

I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him closer. “I agree, baby.”

“I’m so glad you’re in my life,” he breathes out, calmer now.

“Me too.” I trace his jawline with the tip of my finger.

David’s eyes glaze over. They’re bluer in this light now, less gray. “You make me forget all my problems, and there are a lot of them.”

“I’m here for you, baby,” I admit, gazing up at his chiseled face, his muscular frame. “Whatever you need. I know jail was hard, and that you went through hell in there. I’m just glad they didn’t keep you in there forever, that you’re free and here with me.”

He drags his hands through my hair and lays beside me, scooping me into the little spoon position. His cock is soft against my ass. I sigh out, content and comforted.

We lay there together, naked and sweaty, drained and happy.

If only we could have this kind of peace and quiet all the time, but I know it’s fleeting. That’s why I know I need to bask in it for as long as it can last, never wanting to let him go back to that bratva life.

I am falling too hard. The thought of losing him sends tears prickling behind my eyes. I push them away, vowing to enjoy life in the moment.

22

David

I’m standing on my condo porch smoking a cigar, waiting for Vlad to arrive. A few seconds later, his headlights stream a cone across the building, putting me in a spotlight as if I’m on a stage.

Vlad parks, steps out of the car, slams the door, hits his key fob. The lights flash as the car locks. He struts over to me, tipping his chin up in greeting.

I blow smoke up to the sky and stub my cigar out in the ashtray perched on the wooden railing of my porch.

“Where’s Hazel?” he immediately asks.

I motion vaguely toward the house. “Upstairs. Sleeping.”

“How are things with the two of you?”

A vision pulses through my brain of her naked body pressing against mine, her moans and back arching as she climaxes whenI bury myself inside her or slide my tongue across her swollen clit.

“We worked everything out,” I grunt, keeping the details private.

Vlad nods and doesn’t press me. “Where do you want to talk?”

“Inside.” I push the front door open, and we step into the foyer.

“Do you want something to drink?” I ask over my shoulder.

Vlad follows me into the kitchen. “Yes, god knows I need it.”

“Been a long day?” I arch my brows as I pour an aged Russian bourbon into two glasses, then drop two ice cubes into each.

Vlad sighs and rubs his jaw. “Well, yes, and I have some news you’re going to want to hear about.”

“About Oleg?”

He purses his lips and nods. “Yes.”