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DMITRI

I can barely contain myself as we stroll toward the park, my hand resting possessively on the small of Tash’s back. The silk of her dress teases my palm, and the sway of her hips drives me to distraction. I bring her closer every few steps, stealing kisses that leave us both breathless.

“Someone’s impatient,” Tash whispers against my ear, her teeth grazing my earlobe.

I lead her down the hidden path I discovered years ago, away from the main thoroughfare. Moonlight filters through the trees, casting mysterious shadows across her face. The secret garden lies tucked behind a wall of climbing roses, completely hidden from view.

I press her against the cool stone wall, caging her with my arms. “You’ve been teasing me all through dinner.”

“Have I?” Her fingers trail down my chest. “And what are you going to do about it?”

The scent of roses mingles with her perfume as I lean in close, my lips brushing her neck. My hand slides up her thigh, pushing the silk higher. “I’m going to make you beg.”

“Here?” Her breath catches as my fingers trace patterns on her inner thigh. “Someone could?—”

“No one comes here this late.” I capture her mouth in a searing kiss. “And if they did, they wouldn’t dare interrupt.”

Tash’s hands fist in my shirt. “What are you planning to do to me in this little garden of yours?”

“Devour you,” I growl against her lips, claiming them in a fierce kiss that steals our breaths.

My fingers find the delicate silk beneath her dress, and I tear the flimsy fabric away with one sharp tug. Her gasp echoes in the quiet garden, a sound that sends fire racing through my veins. The moonlight catches the flush on her cheeks, turning her into a goddess of shadow and starlight.

I press closer, trapping her between my body and the cool stone wall. Her hands clutch at my shoulders, nails digging in through my shirt. The pain only fuels my hunger for her.

The roses around us release their heady perfume into the night air, mixing with the intoxicating scent that is uniquely Natasha. My control slips further with each passing second. The careful mask I wear for the world cracks and falls away under her touch.

My fingers tangle in her hair, tilting her head back to expose the column of her throat. “Do you have any idea what you do to me?” I murmur against her skin. “How you make me lose control?”

I lift Tash, her legs wrapping around my waist as I press her against the wall. The stone must be cold against her back, but she doesn’t notice or care. Her fingers dig into my shoulders, and I capture her gasp with my mouth.

My control snaps completely. The careful facade I maintain shatters as need overwhelms me. Her silk dress bunches between us as I adjust our position. The moonlight catches the gold flecks in her eyes, turning them molten.

“Dmitri,” she breathes my name like a prayer.

I silence her with another crushing kiss, pouring every ounce of desperation into it. My hands grip her thighs, holding her steady as I position myself. The roses around us fade away until there’s nothing but Tash’s racing heartbeat against my chest and her breath mingling with mine.

Her nails rake down my back through my shirt, spurring me on. I can’t think or breathe—only this burning need to claim and mark her as mine. The careful control I’ve maintained my entire life dissolves under her touch.

I release my cock from the confines of my pants, frantic with desire. The urgency builds between us as I align our bodies. Her head falls back against the wall. I trace her throat with my lips, nipping at her pulse point.

“Please,” she whispers into the night air.

I comply, unable to deny her anything at this moment.

The heady perfume of roses fills my senses as I thrust into her. She’s silk and fire around me, and I can’t get close enough. Her legs tighten around my waist, and her breath comes in harsh gasps against my neck.

“You like it rough?” I growl, my voice rough with need.

“Yes,” she hisses, her nails digging into my shoulders. “Harder, Dmitri.”

I slam into her again and again. Her gasps and moans echo in the quiet garden, and I cover her mouth with my hand to muffle the sound. Her tongue darts against my palm, and she bites down on my finger, sucking it into her mouth.

“Fucking hell, Natasha.” My hand tightens in her hair, tilting her head back. “You’ll be the death of me.”

Her eyes spark with a challenge in the moonlight. “Only if I let you go.”

“Never happening.” I yank her hair, forcing her to look at me. Her eyes glitter like molten gold in the moonlight, daring me to do my worst.

“You’re mine.” I fuck her with hard, possessive thrusts. “There’s no escape.”

She bucks against me, her inner walls clenching around my cock. “Please—Dmitri, harder.”

Hearing my name from her lips drives me wild. I grip her thigh, leaving bruises that will match the ones on her neck and breasts. “You like it rough, don’t you, Natasha?”

“Yes.” She arches against me, her body begging for more. “I do, Dmitri. I need it harder.”

I give her what she craves, plunging into her with forceful thrusts. “You’re so tight around me, my perfect little slut.”

Her nails dig into my shoulders, scratching through the fine fabric of my shirt. “More. I need more.”

“You want my cock, don’t you?” I tease her, withdrawing almost entirely before filling her again. “Want me to fuck you against this wall until you can’t stand it?”

“Yes.” Her voice is hoarse with need. “I want you everywhere. I want everyone to hear me scream your name.”

“Dirty little exhibitionist.” I thrust hard, biting her neck as I claim her mouth. “You want the whole world to know you’re my slut, wanting my cock in public?”

“Yes.” She bucks against me, meeting each thrust with frantic need. “Fuck me harder. Make me yours.”

I hold her up, her legs locked around my waist. I angle my hips, seeking the spot that will drive her wild.

“You like that, Natasha?” I breathe in her ear, nipping at her lobe. “You like it when I fuck you like this?”

“Yes.” Her voice is a desperate whisper. “Oh fuck. Right there.”

I give her what she craves, driving into her with forceful, rhythmic thrusts. Our passion echoes off the stone walls, our frantic movements rustling the climbing roses. Their sweet perfume fills my senses, mingling with the scent of Natasha’s desire.

“Come for me, Natasha.” I thrust deep, claiming her mouth in a savage kiss. “Come on my cock, now.”

At my command, she shatters around me, her inner walls milking my cock as she cries out my name. I silence her with another kiss, swallowing her moans as I continue to thrust, prolonging her pleasure. Her nails dig into my back, drawing blood as her body tenses in her release.

Only then do I allow myself to follow, spilling myself into her as my name falls from her lips like a prayer. I kiss her hard, claiming her breath, her taste, her very soul.

The roses sway in the night breeze, their perfume mingling with the scent of our passion. Natasha’s eyes shine, and I stroke her face gently, brushing her hair back from her damp forehead.

“You’re breathtaking,” I whisper, my thumb caressing her cheek.

She says nothing, her eyes searching mine as if seeking answers to unspoken questions.

I gently lower her to the ground, adjusting her dress with sure fingers. Desire still courses through my veins, but concern for her welfare wars with my possessive instincts.

I help Tash straighten her dress, though my hands linger longer than necessary. The night air has cooled, but the heat still radiates between us. I shrug off my jacket and drape it over her shoulders.

“Come home with me.” I brush my lips against her temple. “I’m not done with you yet.”

She tilts her head, a familiar spark of defiance in her eyes. “Demanding as always, Mr. Ivanov.”

“Only because you respond so beautifully to demands, Ms. Blackwood.” I urge her back toward the path. My hand is possessive on her lower back.

“And if I say no?” Her teasing tone betrays her true feelings.

“We both know you won’t.” I urge her closer as we walk, unable to keep my hands off her. “Besides, I have that bottle of Bordeaux you love.”

“Trying to bribe me with wine now?”

“Is it working?”

Her laugh lightens something in my chest. But as we approach the street, reality crashes back. My phone buzzes, and I dig it out to find another message about Igor’s movements. The war we’ve started escalates faster than anticipated, and Natasha is caught in the middle.

I grip her waist tightly, scanning the shadows out of habit. She notices the change in my demeanor.

“Something wrong?”

“Nothing you need to worry about.” I flag down my waiting car, ushering her inside quickly—too quickly, and she gives me a questioning look.

“You’re a terrible liar, Dmitri.”

“I’m an excellent liar.” I pull her close once we’re moving. “Just not with you, it seems.”

She curls into my side, her fingers playing with my tie. “Should I be concerned?”

“No.” I kiss her deeply, trying to chase away my own worries. “You’re safe with me.”

The lie tastes bitter on my tongue. No one is truly safe in my world, especially not the woman I’m falling for. But tonight, I’ll pretend we have all the time in the world.