Page 33 of Veil of Shadows

The kiss deepens, filled with pent-up longing and frustration. His hands move down my sides, his touch possessive and unyielding, as if he’s afraid to let go. I feel his fingers dig into my waist, anchoring me to him, and I know that this is more than just lust. There’s an intensity in his touch that feels like he’s marking me, claiming me as his.

He pulls back just enough to look into my eyes, his gaze searching, vulnerable. “I can’t keep you out of my mind, Alyssa,” he admits, his voice low and raw. “I don’t know what this is between us, but it’s stronger than anything I’ve ever felt.”

The honesty in his eyes disarms me, and I feel my own walls crumbling. “I feel it too,” I whisper, my voice trembling with the weight of the confession. “But it scares me, Viktor. You scare me.”

A flicker of pain crosses his face, but he doesn’t pull away. Instead, he holds me tighter, his thumb brushing over my cheek in a gesture so tender it takes my breath away. “I know I’m dangerous. I know I’m not what you need,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against mine. “But I can’t let you go.”

Before I can respond, he kisses me again, and this time, there’s no restraint, no hesitation. It’s a kiss that speaks of longing, of need, of a connection that neither of us can deny. His hands move down to my hips, pulling me closer until there’s no space left between us, and I feel the heat of his body pressing against mine.

With a gentle yet firm motion, he lifts me, his hands strong and steady as he carries me toward the couch. I wrap my arms around his neck, my fingers threading through his hair as I lose myself in the moment. Everything else fades away—the danger, the fear, the consequences. It’s just us, tangled in a web of passion and vulnerability.

He lowers me onto the couch, his body hovering over mine, his gaze intense as he studies me. “Are you sure about this?” he asks, his voice a low murmur, filled with a tenderness I hadn’t expected.

“Yes,” I breathe, reaching up to pull him closer. “I need this. I need you.”

He lets out a soft groan, his hand trailing down my body, his touch igniting a fire that leaves me breathless. His fingers slip under my shirt, brushing against my skin, and I shiver at the contact. He’s slow, deliberate, his touch reverent, as if he’s memorizing every inch of me.

He kisses me again, his mouth moving down my neck, his breath hot against my skin. I can feel his hand slide up my thigh, his fingers digging into my flesh with a possessive intensity that sends a thrill through me. I arch into him, my body responding instinctively, craving the closeness, the heat of his touch.

Viktor’s gaze locks onto mine as he removes the last barrier between us, his eyes filled with a mixture of hunger and something deeper, something almost like adoration. He positions himself at my entrance, pausing as if giving me one last chance to pull away. But I don’t—I meet his gaze, my heart pounding with anticipation, with a need that goes beyond words.

Slowly, he pushes into me, and I feel myself gasp at the intensity of the sensation. He fills me completely, his movements slow and deliberate, each thrust a declaration, a promise. I can feel every inch of him, the way he stretches me, claiming me, and I know in this moment that there’s no turning back.

He moves with a rhythm that’s both tender and unrelenting, his gaze never leaving mine. I see the vulnerability in his eyes, the way he’s letting me see parts of himself he’s kept hidden. And in that moment, I realize that I’m falling for him—this dangerous, complicated man who holds my heart in his hands, vulnerable and exposed. The realization is as terrifying as it is exhilarating, but I can’t deny it. With every touch, every thrust, Viktor etches himself deeper into me, making it impossible to imagine a life without him.

He moves with a relentless, consuming passion, his hands exploring my body with a reverence that leaves me breathless. His gaze remains locked onto mine, dark and intense, as if he’s searching for answers in my eyes, or maybe reassurance that this isn’t just a fleeting moment. Each slow thrust draws me closer,his body pressing into mine in a way that feels both protective and possessive, as if he’s determined to keep me with him, no matter the cost.

“I’ve wanted this—wanted you—for so long,” he murmurs against my skin, his voice a raw whisper. His admission sends a thrill through me, an acknowledgment of the emotions that have been simmering between us from the start. His hands grip my hips, grounding me to him, each movement of his body sending waves of pleasure radiating through me.

“Viktor,” I gasp, his name falling from my lips like a prayer. My fingers thread through his hair, pulling him closer as I lose myself in the intensity of his touch, the way he fills me completely. I feel myself spiraling, every nerve alight, every sense overwhelmed by him. He’s more than I could’ve imagined—both fierce and gentle, powerful yet tender, a contradiction that only makes me fall harder.

He pauses, pulling back just enough to search my face, his gaze softened with something achingly close to vulnerability. “I don’t deserve you,” he whispers, his voice barely audible. “But I need you. More than I can put into words.”

My heart pounds at his words, at the depth of emotion in his eyes, and I reach up, tracing my fingers along his jaw, grounding him to me. “Then don’t let me go,” I whisper, giving myself to him completely, surrendering to the feelings I’ve tried so hard to ignore.

A growl escapes his lips, and he pulls me closer, his movements more intense, more consuming as he buries himself deeper, his hands tightening on my waist as if he’s afraid to let me slip away. Our bodies move together, each thrust sending mecloser to the edge, my breaths coming in shallow gasps as I feel myself unraveling beneath him.

“I’m falling for you, Alyssa,” he murmurs, his voice laced with a quiet desperation. His words make my heart ache with both joy and fear, knowing the risks we face, the danger that surrounds us. But in this moment, none of that matters. All I can focus on is him—the man who has captivated me, who has shown me a passion I didn’t know I was capable of.

“Then fall with me,” I whisper, my voice trembling as I meet his gaze, my own feelings spilling over. I feel his body tense, his grip tightening as he loses himself in the intensity of the moment, and I know I’m on the brink, my body responding to every thrust, every touch, until I can’t hold back any longer.

With one final, desperate thrust, I shatter, waves of pleasure crashing over me, consuming me in a whirlwind of ecstasy. I cling to him, my body trembling as I ride the waves of release, feeling him follow soon after, his body taut with the force of his climax. He buries his face in my neck, his breaths ragged as he murmurs my name, grounding himself in me.

For a moment, we stay entwined, caught in the aftermath, our hearts racing in unison as the reality of what’s just passed between us settles in. Viktor lifts his head, his gaze soft and filled with an emotion I can’t quite name. “I meant what I said,” he whispers, brushing a gentle kiss against my forehead. “Whatever it takes, I’ll protect you. I can’t lose you, Alyssa.”

I nod, feeling a rush of warmth at his words, at the promise he’s made, and I realize that despite the danger, despite the complications, I don’t want to let him go. For better or worse, I’m his, and I know that whatever comes next, we’ll face it together.

Chapter Sixteen – Viktor

The dim light of the warehouse casts long shadows, and the air is thick with tension. As I step inside, the sound of my footsteps echoes against the concrete walls, a stark reminder of my isolation. The smell of dampness and dust fills my lungs, but it’s the weight of the conversation I’m about to have that weighs heavier on my mind. I spot Lev waiting by the far wall, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

“Viktor,” he says, his voice low and steady, but I can hear the underlying concern. “We need to talk.”

I nod, approaching him slowly. The silence stretches between us, heavy and charged with unspoken words. Lev has always been the one who holds the Bratva's interests at heart, and right now, those interests are at odds with what I feel for Alyssa.

“What’s on your mind?” I ask, attempting to sound casual, though my pulse quickens at the thought of her.

“Your plans regarding Alyssa,” he replies, narrowing his eyes. “The longer she digs into our affairs, the more of a risk she becomes.”

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