Page 37 of Dark Desires

I nod. “Yeah, I guess they are. Do you really want to marry my cousin?”

“They were fresh out of full-blooded Ivanovs for this union,” he replies. “She’ll have to settle for scraps.”

“Which is ridiculous, by the way.”

“Ridiculous or not, this is our life,” he says flatly. “We’re like royalty, in a way. We get married to cement alliances, and what we really want has nothing to do with any of it.”

“Whatdoyou want?” I ask, both interested and slightly afraid to know the answer. “It should be obvious,” he tells me, his eyes darkening a shade.

“Humor me.”

“You,Devotchka.”

Just like that, my heart races faster, my blood turns hot, my pussy clenches.

He pulls me to my feet and doesn’t waste a second before taking my face into his big hands and kissing me hard.

I freeze, his hands tangling in my hair. His kiss is slow and deliberate, as if he’s trying to unearth every secret I’m keeping. It’s different than before—and it leaves me breathless.

I melt into him, parting my lips and letting his tongue find mine.

After several long, delicious moments, he pulls away.

“We can stop,” he says.

Too late. I’m already turned on like crazy, needing him more than anything.

“Don’t you dare.”

CHAPTER 12

ISABELLA

Alexei chuckles softly, his lips against mine.

His hands slide down my sides, tracing every curve like he doesn’t want to miss a single inch. I tug at his shirt, pulling it over his head and revealing the gorgeous body underneath. My heart races as I trail my fingers over his chest, savoring the heat of his skin.

“You’re staring.”

“Maybe I like what I see.”

“Good.” He leans in, his lips brushing against my neck, slow and teasing. “Because I like everything about you.”

His hands find the hem of my sweater, and with one smooth motion, he pulls it over my head. The cool air kisses my skin, but it’s nothing compared to the heat of his touch. His fingers trail along my bare shoulders, down my arms, leaving goosebumps in their wake.

“You’re beautiful, Isa.”

He kisses me again, deeper this time, his hands exploring every bit of me. My body responds instinctively, arching into his touch, craving more.

We sink onto the couch, a tangle of limbs and heat. He kisses me like I’m the only thing that matters, like the world could fall apart and he wouldn’t care as long as I was in his arms.

“Alexei.” My voice is shaky, full of want.

He pulls back just enough to meet my gaze, his blue eyes dark and full of something that makes my heart stutter.

“Tell me what you need.”

“You.”