Page 79 of Paved in Fire

“Your first time is a big step, Matvey. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” He cocks a brow at me. “Would you like some pointers?”

“I can’t believe you fucking held me back for this.”

I swipe my keycard for the elevator and push the button repeatedly, even though I can see it’s still on its way up. I’m stuck with Vitaly for the next few minutes, and he knows it. He leans against the wall, crossing his arms across his chest while he gives me hisI’m deep in thoughtlook.

“Are you nervous?”

I give him a very pointed look. “I’m not discussing this with you.”

He laughs. “Well, I just want you to know that I’m here if you need me.”

“That’s incredibly kind of you, but I’ve got it covered.”

He laughs at my tone and the look I’m giving him. When the damn doors finally open, I quickly step inside with Vitaly right on my heels. After I push the button and the doors slide shut, he nudges my shoulder with his.

“In all seriousness, I’m so fucking happy for you, brother.”

I look over at him and nod. “Thanks.”

He’s giving me a genuine smile, not the smartass one he so oftenhides behind. “She’s loved you for so goddamn long.” He laughs and shakes his head. “You have no idea how many times she’d stay up late talking to me about you.”

“When was this?”

“From like twelve on,” he says, laughing again, “but it really picked up when she was seventeen. She probably thought she was being pretty damn sly about it, but she was constantly trying to figure out if you were seeing anyone, if anyone was flirting with you, that kind of thing.”

“You told her no, I’m guessing.”

“Hell no, I told her you’d pretty much slept your way through Moscow.” He laughs at my expression. “Of course I told her no. Even if it wasn’t the truth, no way in hell was I going to break her heart like that. You two were made for each other, Matvey. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.”

I smile at what he’s said and at the image of a young Alina trying to pry information out of Vitaly in what must have been a painfully obvious way.

“I want lots of nieces and nephews when the time is right,” he says, right before the doors open. “And I better be their favorite uncle.”

He smiles and smacks my back, stepping off the elevator as soon as the doors open. His face lights up when he sees Katya. He pulls her close and kisses her while keeping one hand splayed out across her stomach. I never thought I’d see all my brothers married, but when I look around the room at their smiling faces, there’s no denying that they’re exactly where they should be and with the person they were always meant to be with.

“Everything okay?”

I look over at where Alina is standing and give her a wink. “It’s perfect, baby.” Taking her hand, I kiss the back of it and pull her towards the stairs. Finn trots along at her heels, and before we disappear from sight, I have just enough time to look up and see Vitaly and Lev, both of them giving me a thumbs-up with big smiles on their faces. I flip them off and smile back before disappearing from view. I know they’re just teasing, and I realize this is my first time, but I’m sure as hellnot some fumbling teenager who doesn’t know what the fuck to do with my cock. Being a virgin doesn’t mean I’m ignorant. I know Alina’s body, and I know exactly what to do to make her scream my name and writhe beneath me. This woman has all my firsts, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

We step inside our room, and I shut the door while Finn flops down on his giant dog bed and starts chewing on one of his bones. Alina stands in front of me, worrying her bottom lip while her eyes run over me. I step closer and cup her face, tilting her up to me.

“We don’t have to do anything,” I remind her. “I don’t ever want you to feel pressured to do something with me. I’m not going anywhere,malishka, no matter what.”

“I want to do this.” She grabs the bottom of my shirt and tries to pull it off me, but I still her hands.

“Patience, baby,” I tell her and then laugh at the look she gives me. “I just want to take my weapons off first.”

That appeases her enough to take a step back. Her eyes run over me, watching my every move as I remove the guns and knives and set them aside. As soon as I’m weapon-free, she closes the distance and runs her hands up my shirt, dragging her fingers lightly over my scarred back. Threading my fingers in her hair, I tilt her face up, staring into the blue-green eyes that are as familiar to me as my own.

“I would wait forever for you,malishka.”

“I’m tired of waiting.”

I lean closer and ghost my lips over hers. “You were worth every second.” She feels me smile when I add, “Every painful hard-on and jerk-off session in the shower was worth it.”

She laughs but when I pull back, I see the pain in her eyes. Bringing her hands out from under my shirt, she cups my face, running her thumb over the stubble on my cheeks.

Her eyes look glassy when she whispers, “Thank you, Matvey.” I lift a brow and she says, “For waiting for me, for loving me.” She gives me a wobbly smile. “For rescuing me and for helping me get revenge.”

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