Page 42 of Dangerous Liaisons
“My son doesn’t need to witness that kind of thing. It makes him worry.”
Xavier sighed, running a hand through his long hair. “I understand. I never wanted to put either of you in that position.”
“You have to understand my world. Every time something happens, it affects him. I can’t have him thinking violence is the answer.”
He shifted his weight, expression serious. “I’ll protect you and him if it comes to that. I won’t stand by and do nothing.”
“I know that,” she said, her gaze softening. “But there are ways to handle things without resorting to fighting. Sergei forgets himself. Violence is the only thing he has known to resolve conflict. I’m trying to teach Mikhail differently.”
“Trust me, I get it.”
“Just… no more confrontations in front of him, okay?”
“Deal.” He raised his bottle in a mock toast. “To keeping the peace.”
“To keeping the peace,” she echoed.
Taking a long sip, Xavier kept his gaze on hers. Resting the bottle on the counter, he walked toward her, reaching out as he reached her to trap her with outstretched arms.
Isabella’s heart raced as he closed the distance, his presence overwhelming yet comforting. She felt the warmth radiating from him, a stark contrast to the tension in the air. “What are you doing?”
“I need you to know that I’m not going anywhere.”
“You can’t just—”
“I can,” he interrupted. “It’s okay to lean on someone, Isa.”
His words hung between them, heavy with meaning. She opened her mouth to respond, but found herself at a loss. The air was thick with unspoken emotions, and for a moment, all she could do was breathe. At that moment, something changed. The walls she’d built around herself cracked. The tensionbetween them thickened as she considered his words. Her heart raced, caught between the desire for connection and the instinct to protect herself. “What if I let you in and it doesn’t work out?”
“Then we’ll figure it out together. I won’t walk away.”
Isabella swallowed hard from the weight of his promise. She searched his eyes for any sign of deception, but found only sincerity. “It’s hard for me to let go of my defenses.”
“Let me help you lower them, one step at a time.” He reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
The simple gesture sent a shiver down her spine. With a deep breath, she nodded, a flicker of hope there amidst her fears. “Okay. One step at a time.”
A smile broke across his face, genuine and warm. “That’s all I ask.” His gaze traveled over his face before resting on her mouth. “I’m fucking dying to kiss you, little bunny.”
At the rush of heat at his intense scrutiny, the air between them crackled with tension, each moment stretching longer than the last. “Xavier…” she began, her voice above a whisper.
His mouth covered hers, and the kiss deepened, her hands grabbing onto his shoulders before finding his long hair. Breaking free, he lifted her, and she gasped, Xavier barely letting her inhale before his mouth was on hers again. This time, she pressed her lips to his. They were slow in the way they explored each other, but it built up inpassion each time their lips met. By the time he lowered her onto her bed, she was clawing at him in need. She tore her mouth from his, but his hands on her bare skin had all thoughts vanishing from existence. He felt good against her skin, warm and firm, his hands and lips everywhere she wanted them.
She bit down on his shoulder and chuckled in satisfaction as he growled before flipping her onto her stomach. He didn't waste time ripping her panties, tossing them aside without looking, and a firm smack against her upper thigh had her back arching into his touch.
“Stay right fucking there.”
“Hurry it up.”
Smirking, he rustled through his discarded jeans before moving back onto the bed with a condom in his hand. She stayed in position as he slid the condom onto his length, the sight of him tempting her insides to melt.
“Like what you see?”
“I might, but the longer you keep me waiting, the more I doubt that.”
“You'll wait.” He moved behind her and slapped at the round curve of her ass. He grunted in satisfaction. “Damn, Isa.”
She pushed her ass back toward his hips. He slapped her ass harder in response, and the sting had a curse flying from her mouth.The sensation of him thrusting inside of her almost triggered her orgasm. He wasn't gentle as he fucked her, the bed squeaking from his punishing thrusts, but she didn't care.