Page 97 of Beautiful Cruelty

My hands grip her thighs, steadying her as she trembles. Every flick of my tongue makes her cry out louder, her inhibitions washing away with the falling water. I know I should stop this—I should pull back and restore the emotional distance that had been reduced to nothing.

But the way she responds to my touch is intoxicating.

Her body tenses as I drive her higher, my name becoming a breathless mantra on her lips. I can feel her getting close, her thighs quivering against my palms. When she finally shatters, her release hitting her in waves, I hold her steady as she rides it out.

The sight of her coming undone because of me fills me with equal parts pride and self-loathing. I'm marking her as mine in ways that go beyond the physical—creating bonds she won't be able to break when this is over.

Each intimate moment between us is another link in the chain I'm wrapping around her heart. Another piece to the trap keeping her next to me while pretending she has the freedom to choose.

I rise to my feet and pull her against my chest. Her breathing slowly steadies. She fits perfectly in my arms, her wet skin sliding against mine. The trust in her eyes as she looks up at me makes my chest ache with guilt.

"That was incredible," she whispers, pressing a soft kiss to my throat.

I tighten my hold on her, hating myself for how much I crave her touch, her trust, her affection. Because I know that the deeper she falls, the harder it will be for her to walk away when the time comes. Yet I can't bring myself to push her away.

I can't bring myself to a reality where she's not here in my arms.

"I want you against the wall."

Lacey's eyes widen, but she doesn't hesitate. She spins around, bracing her hands against the tiles, her head tilted back to look at me over her shoulder. Her breasts are flushed, nipples tight with desire.

I step closer, pressing my body against hers. Her breath hitches as I reach between her legs, sliding my fingers through her slick folds. "You're so wet for me," I murmur, my lips brushing her ear as I tease her clit.

She gasps, her hips rocking back against my hand. "Vadim..."

"You like this, don't you?" I ask, my thumb circling her sensitive bud. "You like knowing that I can make you come with just my fingers and mouth."

She moans, her body trembling as I stroke her. "Yes..."

I lean down, my mouth claiming hers in a hungry kiss as my fingers move faster, my thumb pressing against her in tight circles. "Come for me,zvyozdochka. Let me feel you fall apart."

Her breath comes in sharp pants, her body tensing as she teeters on the edge. "Vadim, please..."

"Let go." I suck her earlobe into my mouth, my fingers working her relentlessly.

With a strangled cry, she shudders, her body convulsing around my fingers as she climaxes. I hold her through it, my mouth on her neck, tasting the salt of her skin as she rides out the waves of pleasure.

When her trembling subsides, I spin her back to face me and lift her into my arms. Her legs wrap around my waist to steady herself in my embrace.

I press her back against the wall, my mouth finding hers in a hungry kiss as I thrust into her. She moans into my mouth, her fingers tangling in my hair, pulling me closer.

Stop this! You fool! Stop it while you still can!.

But I can't. I won't.

Her nails dig into my shoulders as I move within her, my hips snapping forward, driving us both closer to the edge. Her breath comes in short gasps, her body arching to meet mine with each thrust.

"You feel so good,zvyozdochka," I whisper, my lips brushing hers. "So tight around me."

She whimpers, her head falling back as I thrust deeper, claiming her completely.

With one final thrust, my release crashes over me as I empty into her for the second time. I rest my forehead against hers, fighting to catch my breath as I cum.

For a moment, we stand there, our bodies still joined, our hearts pounding in unison. Then, slowly, I lower her back to the ground, my hands sliding down to grip her hips. I lean in, my mouth finding hers in a soft, lingering kiss.

She tastes of passion and desire, and I dare to forget everything except the feel of her lips against mine.

When I finally pull away, her eyes are dark with longing, her chest heaving as she struggles to catch her breath.

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