“What is it that you’ve never done before?”
“I’ve never stargazed before.” I shrug, feeling embarrassed to admit it.
“Never ever? You’ve never just stared up at the night sky and watched the stars?” He can’t believe it.
“Never.” I shrug again, feeling my cheeks growing warm. I don’t want him to think I’m boring.
“Well, then I guess we are going to have our second adventure, aren’t we? We will have to stay out here all night, watching the stars, and staying warm together.”
“Really?” I ask, shocked. “All night?”
“All night.” He grins. “I already checked the weather before I planned this picnic, so I know it’s going to be a beautiful night. We’ll be warm, as long as we stay close together.” His hand presses against my stomach and I feel his fingers brushing over my skin.
“I can do that. I can stay close to you all night,” I whisper as nervous excitement ripples through me.
He grins down at me, where I am lying with my head in his arms.
“Are you comfortable?”
“Mhm.”
Lying naked in the forest as the sun begins to set, snuggled against the most gorgeous man in the world—it’s making my head churn. My body is so alive I can barely sit still, but I am trying. I keep having to stop myself from running my hands over his chest, down—
We are chatting and laughing about so many different things, and at least that is distracting me from the primal thoughts infecting my mind.
But it’s getting harder to control the longer we lie here.
Chapter 16 - Alexei
I’ve been lying beneath the blankets, completely naked, next to this gorgeous girl for far too long. My body is screaming at me.
I’ve been holding myself back, and actually really enjoying talking to her, laughing and sharing stories, but now the sky has turned purple, and the stars are beginning to show. Now, all I can think about is her skin against mine and how warm she feels. How smooth and soft and delightful her body is. I want to play with her, touch her and make her shudder with pleasure.
She is smiling as she stares up at the stars above us, glittering across the sky.
“I can’t believe I have never done this."
“Not even with clothes on?” I tease her.
“Not even with clothes on.” She laughs, a musical sound that moves between the trees and makes the place feel even more magical.
I shift slightly away from her.
I can’t ignore these urges anymore, and now that the stars are shining in full force, I want to make this night even more enjoyable and memorable for her.
As I pull my arm out from under her, she turns to look at me. “Are you uncomfortable? Is your arm falling asleep?” She moves as though she wants to sit up.
“Stay right where you are, baby girl. Don’t move a muscle.”
I know my smile is mischievous. I can feel it inside me.
She tilts her head as she looks up at me, her eyes glittering.
I run my hand over her stomach and lean down to kiss her, pressing my mouth against hers. I hear her breath catch in her throat as a little squeal of pleasure escapes her. Perhaps she has been waiting for the same thing.
Wanting me to touch her.
Trying to be patient.