Page 123 of Thorns of Lust
“You want to know something, Tatiana?” I wasn’t sure that I did but I nodded nonetheless.
The thread that formed between us wasn't normal. Nor regular. I kept telling myself we were just two souls comforting each other. He pulled me out of my grief. I’d return the favor. But the thread somehow pulled on my strings and became as strong as chains.
Yet I didn’t feel like a captive.
“I would have killed my brother myself if it meant you’d come to me willingly.” The cold tenor of his voice didn’t match the inferno in his eyes. It made his words more impactful. It made my panic flare.
“T-this is temporary. A h-hook-up,” I stuttered. Oh my God, I never fucking stuttered. I shouldn’t be playing with fire. Illias wanted - demanded - a marriage. After all, he went to my brothers for it. It still pissed me off to think he didn’t bother asking me what I wanted. It was my life, nobody else’s.
It didn’t escape me that the uttered words made me a hypocrite. I wanted permanency. My own family. My own children. It turned out, I was a weak woman, caving into lust and desire. Yet, the intensity of his gaze sent fear rushing through me. Why? I didn’t know. Or maybe I didn’t want to know.
“Just temporary?” Illias’ voice dropped to a dangerous level. “What the fuck does that mean?”
“It means exactly what it sounds like. This is just…temporary.” My words faltered at the storm gathering in his eyes. Goosebumps erupted over my skin. I ignored it. “Understand one thing. My brothers don’t determine my fate or what I will or will not do. So yes, this is temporary, until I decide otherwise.”
His jaw ticked. His eyes darkened to coals.
“Temporary,” he ground out, repeating.
The cords of his neck visibly strained against his skin. The tension was so thick I could taste it on my tongue.
“Yes,” I breathed.You’re such a liar and a coward,my mind mocked, but I immediately shut it up. Besides, I wanted to bring the point across to Illias. If he wanted something from me, he’d have to discuss it with me.
“Nothing about us is temporary!” The force of his reply stunned me into silence. His granite mask cracked, revealing the torment underneath. “Nobody else is allowed to ever touch you again.” Every word was accented by another step, and it brought him closer until we stood toe-to-toe. “Nobody else is allowed to make you laugh.” The heat of his body enveloped mine. “Nobody else but me.”
His voice dropped, turning ragged. It fed my own ragged breathing and thundering heart. My blood drummed in my ears. Our gazes locked. This close, I could see the hints of gold in his eyes. It reminded me of flickering light in the darkness.
It resembled hope. His or mine, it remained to be seen.
“Nobody can have you.” He lowered his head and warmth brushed my lips. The darkness edged out the light and the gold disappeared, leaving pools of midnight in its wake.
My heartbeat slowed. My body burned. Our breaths intermingled. And time slowed.
For an agonizing moment, we stood, drowning in each other's gazes. In the next moment, he crashed his mouth down on mine and his hands wrapped tightly around my waist. Our bodies flush, I threaded my fingers through his hair and succumbed to my desire.
My body molded into his hard one, all muscle and heat, as his hand pressed my body firmly into his and his other gripped the back of my neck. His lips expertly kissed, exploring every corner of my mouth. Devouring me.
His mouth moved over mine, hot and demanding. The taste of him was intoxicating. Bold. Rich. Hard and primal. Completely addictive.
My body curved into his, grinding against him for friction. He kissed me like I was his salvation. His water after being stranded in the desert. A soft gasp escaped me. In one swift move, Illias hooked my legs around his waist and carried me across the room, our mouths never parting.
He set me down, our breathing ragged. His mouth descended on mine again as I pushed his jacket off his shoulders while he unzipped my dress. Our movements were frantic and desperate, as we tore our clothes off.
His jacket. His shirt. My bra. His pants. My panties.
All our clothing pooled at our feet, leaving us in bare skin. Our kiss broke apart and we stared at each other. He was beautiful. A sculpted body. Broad shoulders. Muscled chest. Mouthwatering chiseled abs with a faint dusting of black hair that tapered down to his hard shaft.
My mouth dried.
His cock grew in size under my scrutiny with every second that passed and a tinge of anticipation rolled through me. The mere thought of having him inside me again was enough to send me over the edge.
I finally dragged my gaze back up to his. His eyes were already on me, dark and smoldering. The heat in them was a molten flame.
He spun me around, his chest pressed against my back and his erection dug into my lower back. Hard. Ready. A full-length mirror hung on the wall, reflecting both of us. Illias’ hands on my breasts, palming them. Pinching my nipples until they hardened into full buds, craving more of his attention. My skin was flushed and bright against his tanned skin. My eyes shimmered like the lightest sapphires.
“Look at us, moya luna,” he rasped against my ear. Lust exploded through me hearing the gravel of his voice. The thickness of his Russian accent that was non-existent in other times. “Nothingabout this is temporary.”
He pinched my sensitive nipples. Hard. Pain and pleasure mixed. I craved it. I needed it.
