Page 43 of Tracking Shadows

His grin widens, that cocky, teasing one I’ve seen a thousand times. “You like that about me, don’t you?”

I raise an eyebrow, determined not to give him the satisfaction. “You really think you’ve got me all figured out, huh?”

He steps closer, his eyes never leaving mine, and I can feel the heat radiating off his body. “I know you, Irina,” he says, “better than you think.”

I scoff, trying to keep my cool. “Is that right?”

“Mm-hmm,” he hums. He’s close enough now that I can feel his breath on my skin. “You pretend you’re all business. Cold. Focused. But I see the way you look at me when you think I’m not paying attention.”

My heart skips a beat, but I force myself to roll my eyes, trying to maintain control of the situation. “You’re imagining things, Alexei.”

“Oh, I don’t think so.” He brushes his hand lightly against my arm. “I see the way your eyes linger, the way you bite your lip when I get too close.”

“You try so hard to keep it together,” he continues like it's a secret only for me. “But I get under your skin, don’t I?”

I clench my jaw, refusing to meet his gaze, but he’s relentless. He steps in even closer until there’s barely an inch of space between us. His scent, that intoxicating mix of danger and something undeniably masculine, is making me not think clearly.

“Come on, Irina,” he whispers, his lips just a breath away from my ear. “Admit it.”

His voice sends a jolt of electricity through me, and I can’t stop the blush that blooms across my face. My heart pounds, and I know he can see it. That he can feel the way I’m reacting to him, even if I won’t say it out loud.

“You like me,” he sing-songs in a low, taunting voice, his lips brushing against the shell of my ear just enough to make my breath catch.

I shouldn’t want this, but I do. I shouldn’t be afraid of losing him, but I am. And when he presses his lips to the curve of my neck, I don’t pull away.

Alexei's fingers brush the curve of my waist, his lips still pressed to my neck. I can feel his breath, warm against my skin, and I shiver despite myself.

"You like it when I touch you here," he murmurs, his fingers skimming upward, threatening to dip beneath the hem of my shirt. "When I touch your breasts, your nipples get so hard, Irina."

I swallow hard, my breath coming in short gasps. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, my body betraying me with its response to his words.

"You like it when I take your clit into my mouth…. When I suck and tease you until you're begging for more."

My breath hitches as I imagine his mouth on me, his tongue swirling, and I bite my lip to stifle a moan.

"And when I fuck you with my fingers," he whispers, his fingers ghosting over my hip, teasing me with the promise of a touch that never comes. "You get so wet, Irina. Your body betrays you, doesn't it?"

I'm aching for him, my body coiled tight with longing. I want him to touch me, to finish what he's started, but he pulls back, leaving me wanting more.

"Tell me you want me, Irina," he says, his eyes boring into mine. "Say it."

I swallow, my throat dry as I meet his gaze. "I want you, Alexei."

He leans in, his lips hovering just above mine. "Tell me what you want me to do."

"Kiss me."

And he does, his mouth claiming mine with an urgency that sets my skin on fire. His lips are hot and insistent, demanding a response. I rise on my toes, pressing myself against him, and he groans, deep and low, his hands tightening on my hips.

His tongue tangles with mine, teeth nipping gently, and it's like a dam breaking inside me. Every nerve ending ignites, and I'm aware of nothing but the feel of his mouth on mine and the hard planes of his body pressed against me.

He lifts me easily, and I wrap my legs around his waist, my hands buried in his hair, holding him close. He walks us to the table, never breaking the kiss, and settles me onto the edge, bracing his arms on either side of me.

His lips move to my neck, and I tilt my head back, granting him better access. His mouth is magic, sucking and nibbling. One hand moves to the hem of my shirt, tugging it upward, and I lift my arms to let him pull it over my head.

He breaks the kiss long enough to drag his gaze down my body, taking in the lace of my bra and the swell of my breasts, and I shiver under his heated look. His eyes flash with a hunger that matches my own, and his fingers move to the front catch of my bra, unclasping it.

The lace slides off my shoulders, baring me to his gaze, and his eyes darken.

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