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EIGHTEEN

B ess hesitated for a moment, her cheeks flushing at the thought of being so exposed, but the raw hunger in his eyes gave her the confidence she needed. She positioned herself over him, her hands resting on his broad shoulders for balance. Slowly, she lowered herself onto him, inch by glorious inch, until he was fully sheathed inside her. The sensation was overwhelming—he filled her completely, stretching her in the most delicious way.

She began to move, her hips rocking against his in slow, deliberate motions. Charov’s hands gripped her hips, his fingers digging into her skin as he fought to maintain control. “You feel so good,” he murmured, his voice heady with need.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, her lips finding his in a passionate kiss. Their tongues tangled, the kiss deepening as she continued to ride him, her movements growing more confident. The room was filled with the sound of their ragged breaths and the slick slide of their bodies coming together.

Charov’s restraint began to falter, his hips thrusting up to meet hers with increasing urgency. “Bess,” he groaned, his voice breaking. “I can’t hold back much longer.”

“Then don’t,” she whispered, her voice trembling with need. “Let go, Charov.”

His hands tightened on her hips, his thrusts becoming harder and deeper, until she felt herself teetering on the edge. The pleasure built, coiling tighter and tighter until it finally snapped. Her body convulsed, her orgasm crashing over her like a tidal wave. She cried out, her nails digging into his shoulders as she rode out the intense pleasure.

Charov’s own release followed shortly after, his cock driving deep inside her as he spilled his hot seed. He held her close, his breath ragged against her neck as they both came down from their highs.

She rested her forehead against his, her body still trembling with the aftershocks of her mind-blowing orgasm. “That was… amazing,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

He chuckled, his hands gently stroking her back. “You’re amazing,” he replied, his voice filled with warmth and affection. “I’ve never felt anything like that.”

She smiled, her heart swelling with a sense of deep connection. In that moment, she knew that this was just the beginning of something extraordinary.

Bess reluctantly separated from Charov’s naked body, her skin still humming with the aftershocks of their intense connection. His hands lingered on her hips as if unwilling to let her go, and he pulled her up with him onto the bed. The sheets were cool against her heated skin, but Charov’s body was a furnace, radiating warmth as he wrapped her possessively in his arms. His chest pressed against her back, his heartbeat steady and strong. It was a comforting rhythm that made her feel safe and cherished in a way she hadn’t known was possible.

She nestled into him, her head resting on his bicep, her fingers tracing idle patterns on the arm draped over her waist. The room was quiet except for their breathing, the air still thick with the scent of their passion. Bess’s mind was a whirlwind of emotions—excitement, disbelief, and a deep, aching tenderness she couldn’t quite name. She had never felt so electric, so seen , as she did in this moment, wrapped in the arms of a man who was everything she never knew she wanted.

“What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?” Charov murmured, his voice low and rough against her ear. His breath sent a shiver through her, and she felt his lips brush the curve of her shoulder.

She hesitated, her fingers stilling on his arm. “I’m just… trying to wrap my mind around everything. This isn’t exactly how I pictured my life playing out.”

He chuckled, the sound vibrating through her body. “Life has a funny way of surprising us, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah,” she said softly, a small smile playing on her lips. “But I think I like the surprise this time.”

Charov’s arm tightened around her, his hand splaying possessively over her stomach. “Good. Because I’m not letting you go, Bess.”

His words sent another thrill through her, a mix of excitement and something deeper, something she wasn’t ready to name yet. She turned in his arms, her eyes meeting his in the dim light of the room. His blue eyes were dark with emotion, his gaze intense and unwavering. She reached up, her fingers brushing a strand of dark hair from his forehead.

“You’re very sure of yourself, aren’t you?” she teased, her voice soft but laced with amusement.

“When it comes to you? Absolutely.” His lips curved into a smirk, but there was no mistaking the seriousness in his eyes. “You’re mine, Bess. My mate. My future queen. And I’ll spend the rest of my life proving to you that you made the right choice.”

Her heart skipped a beat at his words, the raw intensity in his eyes making her feel both vulnerable and powerful at the same time. She leaned in, her lips brushing his in a soft, lingering kiss. “I think you’re off to a pretty good start.”

He growled low in his throat, his hand sliding up to cup the back of her head as he deepened the kiss. His tongue swept into her mouth, claiming her with a possessiveness that made her toes curl. When she finally pulled back, they were both breathless, their foreheads resting together.

They lay there for a while, wrapped in each other’s arms, the world outside their room fading into insignificance. Bess’s mind drifted, her thoughts a jumble of emotions and sensations. Charov’s presence was overwhelming in the best possible way, his strength and passion a perfect counterbalance to her own quiet determination.

As the minutes stretched into hours, Bess felt her eyelids grow heavy, the exhaustion of the day finally catching up with her. She nestled deeper into Charov’s embrace, her body relaxing against his. His hand stroked her back in slow, soothing circles.

“Sleep, Bess,” he murmured, his voice soft but firm.

She didn’t need to be told twice. With a contented sigh, she closed her eyes, letting the warmth of his body and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat lull her into the most peaceful sleep she’d had in a long time.