Page 24 of Sweet Dreams

"And to new beginnings," Beth added, clinking her glass against his. Their eyes locked over the rims as they sipped, the air between them charged with unspoken desire.

Yuri set his glass down, stepping closer. His fingers traced the curve of her cheek, feather-light. "You look beautiful, moye solnyshko," he murmured.

Beth leaned into his touch, her skin tingling. "You're not so bad yourself, Mr. Minsk."

His answering smile was slow and full of promise. He leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, "Perhaps we should skip dinner."

A shiver ran down Beth's spine. She pulled back slightly, meeting his heated gaze. "But you promised me a proper Belarusian meal," she teased, her voice breathier than intended.

Yuri's eyes darkened. "I did, didn't I? Well, I suppose I'll just have to make it worth the wait."

Before Beth could formulate a response, Yuri's lips met hers. It was an intoxicating mix of sweet and spicy. Her body softened against his, her senses surrendering to the raw heat radiating from him.

Her fingers traced a slow, deliberate path up his chest, each button of his shirt feeling like a heated stone beneath her touch. The firmness of his pectoral muscles under her hands sent shivers down her spine, making her heartbeat faster and louder in her ears.

Tangling her fingers into his thick hair felt like dipping them into warm silk. She tugged gently at the strands, eliciting a low groan from deep within Yuri's throat. It was raw and primal and echoed in every corner of the room.

Yuri's arms coiled around her waist like iron bands, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them. His grip tightened as if he feared she might slip away, anchoring her to him. The warmth of his body seeped through their clothes, enveloping them both in an intimate cocoon.

When they finally parted, both slightly breathless, Yuri rested his forehead against hers. "We should go," he said, though he made no move to release her. "Our reservation..."

"Right," Beth nodded, equally reluctant to break their embrace. "Dinner. We should definitely go to dinner."

Another moment passed before they finally stepped apart. Yuri offered his arm with an exaggerated bow. "Shall we, my lady?"

Beth laughed, linking her arm through his. "Lead the way, good sir."

The restaurant Yuri had chosen was intimate and cozy, with exposed brick walls and candlelit tables. As they were led to their seats, Beth noticed several patrons eyeing Yuri appreciatively. She felt a surge of possessiveness, pressing closer to his side.

Yuri, seemingly oblivious to the attention, pulled out Beth's chair for her. As she sat, he leaned down, his lips brushing her ear. "You know, your jealous face is incredibly sexy."

Beth felt her cheeks warm. "I don't know what you're talking about," she muttered, hiding behind her menu.

Yuri chuckled, taking his own seat. "Of course not. Now, shall I order for us? I promise to introduce you to the best Belarus has to offer."

As Yuri conversed with the waiter in rapid-fire Russian, Beth found herself captivated by how his lips formed the unfamiliar words, the subtle shifts of his expressions. When he turned back to her, catching her staring, his smile was knowing.

"See something you like?" he asked, his voice low and teasing.

Beth took a sip of her wine, gathering her courage. "Maybe," she replied, holding his gaze. "I'm still... sampling the menu."

Yuri's eyes darkened at her words. He reached across the table, his fingers intertwining with hers. "Well then," he said, his thumb tracing circles on her palm, "I hope you find something... satisfying."

The rest of the meal passed in a haze of delicious food and charged glances. Every accidental brush of hands, every shared smile, felt like foreplay. By the time dessert arrived – a decadent chocolate cake that Yuri insisted was "just like his babushka used to make" – Beth was practically squirming in her seat.

As Yuri fed her a bite of cake from his fork, his eyes never leaving hers, Beth made a decision. It was time to seize the moment.

"Yuri," she said, her voice husky, "take me back to the hotel."

His eyes widened slightly, then darkened with understanding. Without a word, he signaled for the check.

The taxi ride back to the hotel was torturous. They sat close, Yuri's hand resting on her thigh, his thumb tracing maddening circles on the fabric of her dress. Beth's entire body thrummed with anticipation.

The moment the elevator doors clanged shut, Yuri wasted no time. With a predatory swiftness, he had her pinned against the cold steel wall, his lips searing a fervent path to hers. His kiss was like wildfire, igniting a blaze that consumed them both.

Beth met his passion with equal fervor, her fingers clawing at the fabric of his shirt. She balled it in her fists, pulling him closer as she sought to lose herself in the intoxicating taste of him.

A low growl escaped from Yuri's throat as Beth's hand daringly ventured lower. Her fingers found evidence of his arousal straining against the confines of his trousers. A gasp slipped past her lips and into their shared breaths when she felt the hard outline of him.

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