Page 12 of Veil of Shadows

He rises, his hands gripping my waist as he lifts me, and I can feel the strength in his arms, the hard planes of his chest pressing against me as he lays me back on the bed, his body covering mine. He’s still fully clothed, and the contrast between the rough fabric and my bare skin sends a thrill through me, making me ache for him, for the feel of him inside me.

He sheds the last of his clothes, and my breath catches as I take him in, his cock thick and heavy, the size of him both thrilling and intimidating. A flicker of worry crosses my mind, but he catches it, his hand moving to cup my face, his thumb brushing over my cheek as he leans down, his mouth claiming mine in a kiss that’s both fierce and tender.

“Trust me,” he murmurs, his voice a low promise as he positions himself at my entrance, the head of his cock pressing against me, stretching me. He holds my gaze as he pushes in slowly, and I can feel every inch of him as he fills me, the sensation intense, almost too much. A flash of pain makes me tense, my hands clutching at his shoulders, but he pauses, his eyes dark and focused, watching me, grounding me.

The pain fades, replaced by a deep, pulsing pleasure as he inches deeper, his cock stretching me, filling me completely. He thrusts slowly, each movement deliberate, his gaze locked onto mine as he watches my every reaction, a dark satisfaction in his eyes.

“You feel that?” he murmurs, his voice a low growl as he thrusts deeper, his cock sliding in and out, each movement slow and deep, reaching places that make me gasp, that make my body tremble with need.

“Yes,” I breathe, my voice barely a whisper, my hands clutching at him, needing more, needing him to take me harder, deeper.

He picks up the pace, his movements growing more intense, each thrust sending a fresh wave of pleasure through me, building me up, pushing me closer to the edge once again. I can feel every inch of him, the way he fills me completely, his cock sliding in and out with a rhythm that drives me wild, that makes me forget everything except the feel of him, the way he’s claiming me, possessing me.

“You’re so tight,” he groans, his hands gripping my hips as he thrusts harder, his gaze dark with desire. “I want you to feel every inch of me, Alyssa. I want you to know exactly who you belong to.”

The words send a shiver through me, and I feel the pleasure cresting, building to a point of no return. My body clenches around him, and then, finally, I come, my body shuddering, pulsing, the release overwhelming as I cry out his name, my hands clutching at him, pulling him closer.

He lets out a low groan, his grip on me tightening as he thrusts one last time, deep and hard, and then he shudders, his cock throbbing inside me as he releases, spilling hot and deep, filling me completely. The sensation leaves me trembling, a deep satisfaction settling over me as I feel him pulse, emptying himself inside me, marking me as his in a way that feels raw, unbreakable, like a promise neither of us can take back.

I close my eyes, letting myself sink into the feeling, the sense of him surrounding me, inside me, filling every part of me. He holds still, buried deep, his chest pressed against mine, his breath hot and ragged against my neck.

Reality creeps in like an unwelcome guest, gnawing at the edges of our stolen moment. Beside me, Viktor’s body tenses, muscles coiling like he’s bracing for a blow. It’s as if he can already hear the echoes of threats waiting beyond these walls. The air feels heavier now, the silence between us no longer a comfort but a fragile bubble about to burst.

I turn to him, catching that shadow in his eyes—a glimpse of the weight he carries, the things we never speak of. “Viktor...” The word is barely a whisper, a question I can’t quite form. But he cuts me off with a kiss. It’s softer this time, almost hesitant, like he’s afraid this moment might slip through his fingers if he moves too quickly.

“We’ll figure it out,” he murmurs, his lips brushing mine, a promise wrapped in the warmth of his breath. His voice is low, steady, and for a second, I almost believe him. The way he says it, it’s as if he’s willing the world to bend to his words, to give us just a little more time.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak, afraid that if I do, the spell will break. I want to believe in his words, in us—at least for tonight. His hand finds mine, his touch firm but gentle, grounding me as though he’s afraid I might slip away.

Lying there, I rest my head on his chest, listening to the slow, steady beat of his heart. The sound is a quiet lullaby, drawing me into a sense of peace I hadn’t expected. His fingers move idly along my back, tracing lazy circles that send tiny shivers dancing across my skin. It’s a comfort I didn’t realize I craved, the warmth of him anchoring me in a way I haven’t felt in years.

Time stretches, each minute a fragile gift that I cling to. I can feel him breathing beneath me, each rise and fall of his chesta gentle reassurance. In this quiet, the chaos outside feels like a distant dream. His fingers keep moving, slow, deliberate, as if he’s memorizing every inch of me.

Finally, he shifts, turning his head to meet my gaze. For once, his eyes are unguarded, the usual steel softened. He reaches up, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. The brush of his fingers sends a warmth spiraling through me.

“Tomorrow,” he says, voice rough and quiet, like he’s offering me a secret. “We take it one step at a time. Together.”

Something inside me flutters—hope, fear, maybe a mix of both. His words hang between us, heavy with a promise I didn’t expect. For once, there’s no hesitation in his eyes. He’s made his choice, and I can feel the weight of it

Chapter Eight – Viktor

The penthouse feels off tonight. Usually, the silence comforts me. It’s my space to think, to breathe, to believe that every decision I’ve made has a reason. But tonight, it presses on me. The quiet feels heavier, like the air is thick with everything I’m trying to avoid.

Alyssa's face won’t leave me. I can’t shake the way she stood there earlier, fire in her eyes. She didn’t back down. She didn’t look away. There’s something about her—too bold, too reckless. She’s not afraid to take on something she doesn’t understand, ready to risk everything just to prove she’s right. It’s dangerous, sure. But it's also… admirable. And that, more than anything, pulls at me.

I pour myself a drink, hoping it’ll numb the frustration clawing at my insides. I shouldn’t be thinking about her. She’s a problem—one I should’ve dealt with already. But the way she looked at me, like she was daring me to make her change her mind… it’s like nothing I’ve ever felt. It stirs something in me I can’t ignore.

The elevator dings, pulling me from the thought. Lev steps out, his gaze sharp and assessing. He doesn’t need to say a word. I know that look—curiosity mixed with caution, the kind that demands answers without asking.

I lean against the bar, expression flat. “You’re here late.”

Lev doesn’t waste time with pleasantries. “I could say the same about you, Viktor.” He watches me for a second,eyes narrowing. “People are talking. They’re noticing you’re... distracted.”

“Am I?” I take a sip, the scotch smooth as it slides down. But even as I speak, I feel the tightness in my chest. Lev knows me too well. He’s seen me handle problems with precision. And now he knows something’s off.

“Yes,” he replies, crossing his arms. “You’ve been less... predictable. This path you’re on—it’s risky. If emotions are getting in the way, it won’t be long before—”

“Before what?” I cut him off, my voice sharper than I intended. I know exactly where he’s going with this, and I don’t want to hear it.

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