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His hand moves to grip his aching erection, slowly stroking up and down its pulsing length while imagining how it would feel buried deep inside me.

My own hands instinctively move to touch myself, fingers circling around my clit, eliciting a low moan from my lips.

Ruslan watches intensely, his own breathing becoming ragged as he continues to stroke himself in time with my movements.

The tension builds between us as we pleasure ourselves in front of each other. My fingers delve deeper inside myself, feeling the delicious pressure building within me while Ruslan's hand moves faster over his throbbing cock.

“I want you so badly,” I gasp, feeling my body tremble with need.

“God, Tara... Me too,” he groans, his free hand gripping the edge of the table for support. “I want to sink so deep inside your warm tight pussy…”

As we continue touching ourselves, we lock eyes, exchanging our raw desire for one another through heated glances. The connection only serves to heighten our arousal further until we both finally reach our breaking point.

“Fuck, I need you so badly, Tara!” Ruslan grunts loudly as he climaxes, spurts of hot cum shooting from his cock and landing on the floor.

Seeing him lose control sends me hurtling over the edge, my body convulsing as an intense orgasm washes over me.

Panting and flushed, we share a tender smile, knowing that even with the distance between us, our love remains undeniably strong.

We clean ourselves up, not breaking the connection, and then I take him to be with me. Propped up against my pillow, we laugh and talk until my eyes are heavy and we fall asleep on the call hours later.

“I love you, Tara,” Ruslan whispers, blowing a kiss through the screen. “Please come home soon, my princess.”

“I will,” I promise, and for the first time in almost six months, I drift off into a deep sleep with Ruslan next to me.

23

TARA

Present Day – Dragunov Village Castle Suite

“There’s your daddy,” I whisper to my belly as the helicopter touches down, and my heart pounds like a trapped bird as I see Ruslan standing, waiting for me.

Before anyone can help me, I have the door open and I’m bolting out of the chopper.

I’ve barely touched the ground when Ruslan sweeps me into his arms, his lips crushing mine.

Konstantin clears his throat behind us. “The pilot wants to lift off. Why don’t the two of you take that inside?” He shoots us a look that’s all dry sarcasm and brotherly concern. “I’ll grab Tara’s bags.”

My boots barely touch the stone floor of the castle as Ruslan rushes me inside. The moment the castle walls close around me, I feel it—a pulse of something ancient and powerful thrumming through the walls.

Ruslan is beside me, his hand warm and tight in mine, like he’s afraid that if he lets go, I’ll vanish again.

We laugh, breathless and a little overwhelmed at finally seeing each other in the flesh again after two days and nights spent through the glass screen of the tablet.

Ruslan pulls me through the grand archway, into the heart of the Dragunov stronghold.

It’s beautiful.

Stone and velvet, iron and firelight. Ancient walls whisper secrets as I trail my fingers along them. I feel like I’ve stepped into a dream built of blood and legend.

“I thought we could stay here until it’s all over,” Ruslan says, his voice low. “Until it’s safe for you and we can get Elena back.”

“I’d like that,” I say, smiling. “I always wanted to live in a castle.”

He walks us through the halls, pointing out his guards stationed at subtle intervals.

“Only this wing is operational for now. We’re at the very end of the hall. The others stay farther down. No one comes near unless I say so.”