Page 23 of Tracking Shadows

She cuts me off with a kiss, her fingers tightening in my hair, pulling me back to her. “I’m sure,” she whispers when our lips part. “I want this. I want you.”

I want you.

No one has ever said those words to me like that, with such intensity, such certainty.

“Alexei,” her eyes never leave mine. “Come here.”

It’s a command, a plea, and a request all at once. My control breaks at the sound of my name on her lips, the thread of desire that has been pulling us together finally snapping tight.

I settle myself between her legs, the movement making her gasp softly as she feels the proof of my need pressing against her. I hover over her, our bodies so close that every breath I take is filled with her scent.

I start to lower myself, feeling her body against mine, the softness of her breasts pressed against my chest, the heat of her skin through the thin material of our clothes. Her hands roam my back, her fingers splayed wide, learning the contours of my muscles, the dips and grooves of my spine. It makes me ache to feel her touch on my bare skin.

Slowly, I pull back, breaking the kiss, needing to look into her eyes. “Irina,” I say, my voice raspy, my eyes never leaving hers. “Let me touch you.”

For a moment, she doesn’t respond, just looks at me with those big eyes, her chest rising and falling with her rapid breaths. Then, slowly, she nods. “Okay,” she whispers. “Touch me.”

Her answer sends a rush of desire through me, and I know I need to go slow, to savor this, but it’s a challenge with the way she’s looking at me, her lips parted, her body arching up toward mine.

I lean in, my lips brushing hers gently, my hand coming up to cup her jaw. I kiss her slowly, my lips soft against hers, my thumb brushing lightly over her bottom lip. I taste her, take my time exploring her mouth, learning the feel of her lips, the way she responds to my touch.

One of her hands comes up to tangle in my hair, her fingers tightening as I kiss her, her body moving against mine. I can feel her desire, the way she wants to rush this, to consume each other, but I force myself to go slow, to savor every moment.

I pull back, kissing a trail down her jaw, her neck, nipping lightly at the sensitive skin. She gasps, her head tilting back, giving me better access, and I take advantage, sucking lightly on the spot where her pulse beats wildly beneath her skin. I want to brand her, to leave my mark, to let the whole world know that she’s mine.

Her fingers tighten in my hair, tugging gently, and I smile against her skin, enjoying the way she responds to my touch. I continue my path down her body, kissing along her collarbone, nipping at the curve of her shoulder, the hollow of her throat. Everywhere my lips touch, her skin blooms, a flush spreading across her chest, down her neck, staining her cheeks a delicate pink.

I want to devour her, to taste every inch of her skin, but I force myself to take my time, to make this good for her. I trail my lips down her body, pausing to pay attention to her breasts.

“Take it off.”

The words send a jolt straight to my groin, and I can’t deny her anything. Slowly, I sit up, never breaking eye contact as I pull her shirt over her head, baring her body to me.

My breath catches in my throat at the sight of her. Her breasts are full and flushed in her bra. Her skin is smooth, and her ribs expand with each breath she takes.

“You’re so beautiful,” I murmur, my eyes drinking her in. “So fucking perfect.”

She bites her lip, her cheeks flushing even darker. I lower my head, my lips brushing over one nipple through the fabric of her bra. She lets out a soft sigh at the touch, her hands coming up to rest on my shoulders, her fingers digging into my skin.

I mouth her through the fabric, paying attention to one breast while my fingers reach up to toy with the other, tweaking the nipple through the lace until it pebbles, hard and eager. I can feel her desire, the way her body moves restlessly against mine, the way she arches her back, offering herself to me.

I sit up and pull her bra straps down her arms, freeing her breasts. I take a moment to appreciate the view as her nipples tighten even further in the cool air. Then I lean in, my tongue swirling around one tight bud before drawing it into my mouth, sucking gently.

She makes a soft sound in the back of her throat, her fingers tightening painfully in my hair.

“Alexei,” she whispers, her hips arching off the couch, pressing herself closer to my mouth. “More.”

I move to the other breast, lavishing attention on it, my teeth scraping gently over the tight bud before I soothe it with my tongue.

I feel drunk with power, with the knowledge that I can make her lose control like this, that I can make her forget everything but the feel of my mouth on her skin.

I trail kisses down her stomach, each one slower than the last, feeling the tension build between us. My hands come up to cover hers, our fingers lacing together, grounding us in the moment. I can feel her pulse beneath my palms, the rapid beat echoing the desire in my own chest.

When I reach the band of her trousers, I pause, meeting her gaze, giving her one last chance to stop this. But her eyes are dark, filled with the same hunger that’s driving me, and there’s no hesitation when she nods, just the barest tilt of her head.

I take my time, undoing the button, sliding the zipper down slowly, savoring the way her breath hitches with each movement. Then, with a quick, fluid motion, I tug the fabric down her hips, exposing the smooth skin beneath. She shivers as the cool air meets her skin, her body arching toward me, silently urging me on.

I kiss her again, this time through the band of her panties, my tongue pressing against the damp fabric, tasting her desire. Her response is a soft moan, and her hips lift off the couch, seeking more. The sound sends a jolt of heat through me, tightening the need in my gut, but I force myself to go slow, to make this last.

---