Still jiggling, Rhea lowered her hands and let the lizard go. It scampered across the patio and dove into one of the hedge at the base of the stone wall around us."We were you scared of the lizard?", She asked."Of course not", I scoffed curling my fingers around the knot on my tie to straighten it out. The corner of my mouth was still curled up, hearing the breathy laughter coming from her sweet lips."You're home early today. I'm making soup for the dinner", She braced her hands on her knees to get up. Without a second thought, I swooped down, wrapped up my arms under her arms and lifted her up."I saw the soup", I said as soon as she was upright and against my chest. Her small hands braced my shoulders as she gaped up at me with a hint of pink growing on her cheeks."You're doing too much, Rhea. You should be resting", I brushed back a stray strand of her golden hair behind her hair, enjoying the softness of her skin when I traced my fingers along her jaw. She was shivering agains
I needed to feel more of her. All of her. One of my hands trailed down her side to her hip and i grabbed her, pulling her closer to my chest. I palmed her perfectly round ass, enjoying the softness of her petite frame in my hands.A little whimper slipped free out of her mouth when I pulled her harder against me, hoping she could feel my growing excitement. The way she arched her back and wiggled against me, I knew she could. I took the opportunity to plunge my tongue deeper in her mouth, the kiss turning wet and sloppy as if we were on the edge of devouring one another .Rhea's breathy whimpers of ecstasy drove me wild. The front of my pants felt tight as my groin throbbed with my growing desire. Her hands traveled down my chest, over my stomach, flicking open the buttons of my black dress shirt as she went. The feeling of her delicate touch on my skin made the muscles along my stomach tighten.I felt the smile on her lips against mine when she reveled in the feeling of my abs under
Something told me that Rhea was upset because of something I had said but I couldn't figure out what it was. Rhea was mine and she did belong to me. What was I missing?!The heat between us outside on the patio was smothered by the sudden cold tension surrounding us. It felt like Rhea put up a wall with no intentions of letting it down any time soon.I hated it. It drove me wild when all i wanted was to feel her and be with her. When I caught up to her at the stove stirring the pot, I couldn't help myself and looked down at the black brace on her ankle. While Rhea was walking on her own and everything else from the fall was healed, I was still afraid of hurting her.It was one thing to be rough with her when we were both caught up in the throes of intense passion but halting her recovery time because she made my dick hard?I was selfish but I knew it that she needed to get back on the stage. That's where she wanted to be. That's where she really belonged. My thoughts and feelings were
"Of course, I'm, Tetya, My driver takes Rhea to her doctor appointments and I do everything I can to help her","Then why is she the one making dinner?", Annika snapped back."Poor girl, slaving in the kitchen when she has a big, strong man to cook. Ni na chto ne godynyy plemyannik", "She was already cooking when I got home, I was just telling her to take it easy", I explained myself like a little kid to my strong feared Russian aunt."He is right Annika, He was just telling me to rest more. But between you and me, I'm not going to listen to him", She giggled and the sound was sweet. I smiled at her despite the brief statement she made.Annika barked out her laughter and curled her hand around Rhea's arm. "Good. Men are useless","I'm going to tell uncle that you said that", I quipped. Annika waved me off and turned back to Rhea at the stove. "Why don't you stay for dinner since you already here", Rhea offered. My knees felt weak and I wanted to pull my hair when I heard it.I wanted
While alone with my silent grandpa, l slowly thought about it all.I knew it that i was going to be soon heart broken but funnily enough I was worried how Annika would feel when the contract ends, and Aleksander and I walk in separate ways. I was truly loving her and i genuinely enjoyed those days she came to visit me. It was nice to feel like I was part of the family, but it also hurt to think of them like that.They were not my family and I would never see them again after the next six weeks. Looking at my grandpa's face, I reminded myself that this was only my family and I would do what is needed to be done for him.~~~After my morning visit with papa, I went to see the doctor about my ankle. Originally they thought it was worse than it was before. There was something to be said about my balance if I could save myself from a worse fate while falling down a flight of marble stairs.Had it hurt,?! Yes it did terribly but I was alive and insanely lucky to be recovering so quickly. I
A bell over chimed and I was hit by the scent of spiced meats and fresh bread.We placed our orders, sharing giggles and starting our catch up with little snippets of small talk. The weather, the local news and how we were feeling. There was no escaping the tension in Ricky's stare when we settled at the booth in the dark of the corner. No matter how hungry I was , I slowly picked up at the bread of my sandwich as Ricky stared holes through me. I could feel his burning holes through me and I knew what he was thinking about."I love you, Ricky but I can't really get into detail right now", A heavy exhale pushed from my lips and my shoulders sagged. "I have been staying with someone while I recover and he is very private","He?", Ricky's brows shot up and he leaned forward. Reaching across the table, he grabbed my forearm and gingerly squeezed it. "A boyfriend?""God no!", I scoffed, rolling my eyes. I took Ricky's hand on my arm and twined my fingers with his. "He is just helping me ou
ALEKSANDER'S POVA few sprinkles rained down from the sky when I stepped out of the office in the evening. Antonio was already waiting out front in the car, so I braced myself and jaunted out to beat the start of the storm. Thankfully he had windshield wipers going and the heat blasting for me when I settled into the back seat.It was the end of the week and I blissfully left the office early after dealing with Nikolai all afternoon. With the grand opening of our new club acquisition coming tomorrow, we were down to the wire to make sure all the plans were completed.My head was pounding, and I wished I could melt in the backseats of the Cadillac. Rubbing my forehead, I forced myself to tune into my driver talking to me."Nice seeing you leave the office early today, boss. That's a good start to the weekend", He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as we stopped at the crowded intersection. The sounds of the rain pattering on the car broke up the following silence."It would have
Through out the whole drive at home, I was lost in my thoughts. All my thoughts revolved around Rhea and the shadow of man she was with. All I could envision was a faceless figure embracing her and touching her in all places only I could touch.Another man had his hands on her today and I didn't know why that sent me spiraling the way I was right now. Each beat of my heart echoed through my ears, and I couldn't swallow over the dry hump in my throat.When the house appeared through the window under a thick curtain of rain, my vision tunneled."Good night, Antonio", I tossed out, sliding a tip over the center console. Then I shot out of the car and into the downpour.Rain soaked me as I fumbled with my key to undress the door. I needed a smoke to calm my nerves, but I was in a rush to get to Rhea with my erratic thoughts burning a hole in my head.Through the door, I tossed off my coat, not even caring if rainwater dripped onto the rug in the foyer. My laptop surely rattled around in m
EPILOGUE RHEA'S POV Three wonderful years came and went. Each one became a new chapter in my life that I'd never forget. I couldn't when I had otherworldly love pouring through me every day. More than I ever thought I'd experience in my life.Trudging through the grief of losing so much family ate a hole in my heart. Aleksander came along and slowly threaded the chasm together, healing me with each delicate touch and sensual kiss. An unlikely love formed from that illicit contract, and through turmoil and pain, we forged our story.Glowing, floating on top of the world, I swept into the kitchen. A delightful buzz from champagne left a rosy flush across my cheeks. I poured myself a glass of water, listening to precious laughter drifting from upstairs as I did."Rhea!" Annika's excited coo made me whirl around from the sink. I came face to face with her, waving her red nails, gesturing for a hug. I stepped into her arms. Annika shimmied against me. "How did the event go?""It was great
The technician broke the silence first. "Your chart says that you're estimated to be about eighteen weeks along. Is that correct?""Yes," Rhea swiftly answered. Her smile widened. "The size of a bell pepper this week.""That's right," the technician chortled. She glanced between the three Makalovs in the dimly lit room. One hand clicked a button on the ultrasound keyboard and the monitor flickered on. With the probe hovering over Rhea's navel, she asked, "Are you interested in knowing the gender?"Rhea's throat bobbed. Her fingers twitched in mine. Simultaneously, we locked gazes. It was an important question, and one we hadn't discussed nearly enough."I'm going to love them, regardless." Her bottom lip trembled as she studied my face. "As long as they're healthy.""Do you want it to be a surprise?" I whispered in my wife's ears alone. Leaning closer, I nuzzled into the side of her face. "Whatever you want, baby. Just say the word."Despite her nerves, Rhea giggled. She turned her he
ALEKSANDER'S POV A month passed, and we returned home.Keeping my promise to Rhea, I relinquished the reins over to Nikolai to close the loose ends with the Genovese crime family.My aunt and uncle understood and approved of my wish to keep my hands clean for my wife's sake. Nikolai didn't bat an eye when he proclaimed the Genovese would accept a deal and leave our family alone if we did the same.Antonio recovered from his injuries from the car accident. After two weeks in bed, he returned with renewed vigor. The incidents of that day wounded his honor, and he stated he needed to make up for it. As much as I argued, he needed to take time away. He continued showing up in uniform.Rhea had a checkup with her doctor. That was an appointment I wouldn't miss for the world. I held her hand through the follow-up tests, using her as my lifeline through the stress. I'm sure I was the same for her.The thumping sound of a heartbeat lifted a weight off my chest. Rhea cried from the sweet tast
Keeping one hand on his cheek, our lips a hair's breadth apart, I hooked my other arm around his neck. Chest to chest except for his hand on my breast, I breathed my promise into him. "I love you, Aleksander. Forever."A relieved shudder rushed through his body from head to toe. The stuttered sigh past his lips tickled my mouth. I repeated my vow to him, again and again, accompanied by each primal thrust of his hips. "I love you. I love you. I love you."Lush warmth blossomed in the center of my being. It rose from a taut coil in the depths of my core. All at once the carnal pleasure of Aleksander making love to me exploded through my body, rushing in waves from between my thighs to each of my limbs.Quaking against him with searing pleasure wracking my body, Aleksander couldn't hold back. My pulsing cunt forced him into the throes of his climax, following the heels of mine. He painted me from within, claiming me in the salacious way that I enjoyed.He caught my cries on his tongue, s
He seized me in his hands, tenderly stroking them over my fevered flesh. I didn't notice when the gloves came off, but I savored the sensation of his skin on mine. Aleksander explored every dip and curve of my body as if discovering me for the first time.His scruff tickled my throat as his lips tasted me from my chin to my collarbone. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and Aleksander grabbed my hips. In one swift motion, he lifted me off the floor. My legs curled around his waist.The stiffness of his growing erection slipped against the wet center of me. A groan escaped from his mouth into mine. We shared a brief moan at the sweet moment of friction.Aleksander's lips clashed with mine in a passionate frenzy. He moved forward, marching us under the hot spray of the shower. We didn't stop until my back met the tile, crushed between the shower wall and Aleksander's perfectly sculpted frame.I grasped the back of his hair in one hand, tugging slightly as Aleksander's teeth nipped at my
RHEA'S POV Every ounce of my consciousness slipped from my grasp the moment Aleksander freed me. While all the world moved around me, my thoughts stayed still within the pit of darkness consuming my mind. My awareness stayed on my pulsing veins, coursing with cold blood and the rough pounding of my heart throbbing through my limbs.Each breath cleaved through my lungs, strained and burning. Only the heat of Aleksander's hand on my arms kept me on my feet. He was my anchor to reality during a turbulent car ride, and as he swept me through the blinding lights of a semi crowded lobby.A hotel, I thought, somewhere downtown. My eyes couldn't focus on anything, from the onlooking strangers in the shadows to the overly bright glow of opulent lighting. Aleksander and Nikolai's hushed voices brushed against something inside my head. I knew they were with me, but I moved on autopilot.My body floated on a cloud. Up an elevator. Several turns down hallways that felt like a damn never-ending ma
Men screamed. Blood and brains splattered the walls and floors as they went down.A figure popped out around a corner. I fired one shot at his head, and he descended to the ground like an axed tree falling in a forest.Another came behind him. Too close to shoot from afar. My left arm shot out and blocked his. I used the momentum to force his aim up. My opponent shot and missed, bullets lodging in the ceiling. With my left hand, I pointed the gun at his stomach and fired two rounds.The last shot went into the side of his skull as he stumbled to his knees. Then he dropped like a stone on the filthy concrete.An arm emerged at the end of the corridor I passed through. I pulled the trigger, yet nothing left the chamber.Regardless of my unloaded pistol, I grabbed the arm in front of me. One twist of the wrist forced his weapon from his hand. The gun clattered away on the floor.The man grunted. When I jammed the butt of my gun into his face, breaking his nose, he screamed. As he fell, I
ALEKSANDER'S POV Nikolai burst from the front doors of the Makalov mansion. I followed hot on his heels, rushing toward the line of awaiting cars parked around the massive fountain at the end of the driveway.The very last thing Nikolai and I expected was to receive a call from an anonymous contact who worked for the Genovese. Someone in their organization vehemently opposed a potential war. Enough to give away Luca's location.Rhea was the one thing in this world I wanted more desperately than my body needed air. Luca Genovese stole her from me. Now betrayed by his own, I would take his life.The fiery glow of dusk settled itself over the horizon. A brisk wind whipped up the edges of my coat. My fingers twitched, itching for a cigarette to relieve my bristling nerves.Leaving Annika safe at the mansion, I joined my uncle in the backseat of the first car. Personal guards accompanied us. All well-trained and armed with the same pistol I carried.Savage anger writhed like a serpentine
"I'll handle it." The snarky response pulled me from my thoughts. Then the door at my back pushed open with a grating creak of metal on metal. I slammed back into reality, where I sat handcuffed to a chair in some semi-abandoned building.Every breath I took burned my chest. My body tensed with the fear running in my blood. As Luca's shadow rose ominously over the opposite wall, I couldn't breathe. I couldn't move a muscle as each sinister thump of his shoes carried him closer.Luca appeared in front of me with an eerie aura. His disturbing grin slashed wider upon finding me alert.I tried maintaining my gaze at first. He lasciviously ogled every inch of me with a malicious sneer, twisting his features. The threatening glint in his eyes forced my gaze down to his expensive leather loafers crunching on bits of broken glass beneath us."You're finally awake," Luca announced, cocking his head to the side. "The accident was unfortunate, but I didn't think your driver knew any defensive ma