Page 6

CHAPTER 6

DINARA

Who knew my first time could feel like this?

Sure, it hurt at first, but the moment he took control, that was when everything shifted. The pain faded as he gave it to me without hesitation, without fear. And I didn’t want him to stop.

I can’t wait to tell the girls all about it. Oh God, I wonder if they’re okay. But I know Konstantin will look after them if anything goes wrong.

Does he know I’m here with Cillian?

My chest tightens. I hope not! That would be mortifying.

Letting out a sigh, I nestle into Cillian’s chest, a smile slowly spreading across my face. His fingers drift lazily up and down my spine, the sensation sending shivers through me. This feels so right, to be tangled up in him like this after what we just did. My muscles are weak like jelly, and the thought of standing up makes my head spin. If I even tried, I’m pretty sure I’d just collapse.

“We should probably get dressed now,” I murmur, the words heavy with reluctance.

“Why? Got somewhere better to be?” His voice is low, teasing, as he lifts my chin with two fingers, pulling me in for a kiss—soft, lingering.

I sigh against his lips, the kind of sigh you see in those old romantic movies Mom always loved. The kind that makes you feel everything all at once.

At the thought, the memory of her crashes down on me, sharp and sudden.

A hollow ache spreads through my chest. She wouldn't approve of what I've done. She always told me to wait until marriage. She was old-fashioned like that. It was how she grew up.

I can only hope she’d understand why I did what I did, and I can't help but wonder if she ever experienced the same level of passion. If, before my father, there was someone who made her feel this fire too. I hope she had that. Because if he was the only one, I can't even imagine the loneliness she must have lived with.

I blink away the sudden mist in my eyes, trying to push the thoughts aside.

“It’s just that my friends are here,” I tell him. “And we all came in my limo, so I should probably get them home.”

His knuckles graze my cheek, and I feel the weight of his gaze, heavy and unhurried. “That’s too bad.”

The heat of his hand leaves a warm trail on my skin, spreading through me, making everything feel hazy and…dangerous.

“The more you touch me, the harder it is to leave.” My words are barely above a whisper, filled with something I can’t name. “But I really should get up.”

I prop my chin on my palm, looking down at him. He’s sprawled out, so impossibly relaxed, and I don’t wanna leave.

This is just sex. Don’t get any ideas.

“Thanks for the…well, you know.”

“The fucking?” He grins, his smirk devilish and confident, and my stomach flips.

He’s infuriatingly charming, and the way he watches me, like he’s already unraveled every part of me, knocks the breath from my lungs. Add in that rugged, rough-edged sex appeal, and it’s ridiculous how easily he checks every one of my boxes.

But it doesn’t matter. This was great, but that’s all it was.

My heart betrays me, thudding against my ribs at the thought of never seeing him again.

You knew this would end before it even began, so stop pretending there’s a happily ever after in here somewhere.

I start to move, but his arm tightens around my back, pulling me closer again. “I’m not done with you yet.”

The warmth of his body is too much, and the world outside suddenly feels a little colder.

As he flips me beneath him, his mouth lowers to mine, so close I can almost feel his lips. A growl escapes from deep in his chest when I grind my hips into his.

“What do you plan to do to me now?” I nip his bottom lip, and he grunts, making me want to stay right here for the rest of my life.

“So many things…” His fingers slither between us until they land over my core, still throbbing with an ache from how roughly he took me.

“Oh God, I can’t… It’s too much.”

“You can take it.” He thrusts harder while his thumb plays with my clit, lips skimming over mine. “Just one more. Come on my hand one more time. Let me feel this tight cunt squeeze my fingers again before I let you go.”

He doesn’t give me a choice, plunging deep with a wild intensity, his gaze locked on me until I shatter beneath him.

“Cillian!” The strongest orgasm rolls over me, and I don’t know what’s happening.

“Shit, look at you squirting for me, love.” His piercing gaze burns with radiating heat before his mouth crashes over my lips, consuming my cries of pleasure. Consuming everything I give.

He kisses me like it’s the last time. Like he’ll never have the chance to touch me, taste me, feel me again. And as the rush fades, a wave of sadness crashes over me, settling deep in my chest.

What the hell is happening? Why should I care if I ever see him again? He’s just a random guy.

Who gave you the best orgasms you’ll probably have in your life.

“Fucking hell,” he mutters, grabbing the back of my head and pinning his forehead to mine. “I can’t get you out of my system. If I was a bastard, I’d fuck you again, but I’ll save that for next time.”

Next time? He thinks there will be a next time? Then what? We ride off into the sunset together? The thought is laughable.

His semi-hard cock rubs against my center, and my need for him builds, like a fire crackling with that first spark.

No, this is ridiculous. There's no reason for me to get attached to some random guy I met at a club. He may even know Konstantin.

Shit, what if he does? What if Konstantin doesn’t approve and decides to kill Cillian for it?

Then again, he allowed me to come here. It’s not like he expected me to just watch and take notes.

Doesn’t matter, though. I can’t see Cillian again. How would that work? Have him over for family dinners?

Hey, let me introduce you to my family. Surprise, we’re in the Russian Mob! We like loud parties, alcohol, and good food. We’re also fiercely loyal and will kill you if you’re not. I can really see this relationship going somewhere, can’t you?

Yeah, right. Whoever I end up with will be in the Mafia. Konstantin could even decide to arrange a marriage for me, and I’d have no choice in the matter.

“What are you thinking about?” He presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth, and instead of pushing him away, I hold on tighter.

I can’t seem to get you out of my system either.

He’s like a tasty snack you can’t stop eating.

“You’ll have to,” I whisper, stroking his back.

“What?” He looks down at me.

“You’ll have to get me out of your system. This was a one-time thing.”

He chuckles, low and gravelly, and it only makes it harder to escape this bed.

“So you give a man your virtue, then leave him with a broken heart?” A showstopping grin makes a slight dimple appear on his right cheek. “That seems unfair, a ghra.”

Really? He has to have a dimple? Those are my kryptonite. A dirty-talking, dimple-wearing gorgeous man takes my virginity and I can’t see him again? How is that even fair?

“I wasn’t that attached to my virtue.” I pop a brow. “And I’m sure a woman or three will heal your poor little heart right up.”

“Unless you’re that woman, that’s not possible.”

My heart skips a beat. Na?ve, stupid heart. I’m sure he says that to all the girls he screws.

“Such a smooth talker. You almost have me convinced.”

His jaw clenches. “I want to see you again.”

“What?” There’s no way I can do that. “When?”

Oh my God, shut up! Stop talking before you get this dude killed.

“I don’t know. We can figure it out after you give me your number.”

“We don’t even have our phones.”

His wry laughter fills the room. He cups my cheek, his eyes sinking into mine like they’re trying to find something they’ve lost. “We have napkins, and I have a pen in my pocket.”

Crap! Don’t do it.

“Okay.”

You definitely can’t be trusted around men, because then you do dumb shit like this.

“Where do you live?” I wonder.

Maybe he’s too far and this won’t ever work out. I’m absolutely not doing a long-distance anything.

“I’m in Jersey,” I elaborate.

“Not too far. I’m in Massachusetts.”

I scoff. “That’s far. How do you plan on seeing one another?”

“Why does it sound like you don’t want to see me again?” His thumb sweeps over my lips.

“I didn’t say that. I just don’t do long-distance. It never works.”

“It will the way I do it.” He hits me with a crooked grin, and my body grows languid.

This man is dangerous.

“And how is that?”

“I have a jet.” His knuckles roll across my chin. “I can come to you, or I can take you anywhere you wanna go. A penthouse in New York City. A villa in France. Literally anywhere. Would you like that?” His tone grows all husky.

I nod, my pulse hiking up the more he talks, the more he touches me.

“Good.” His eyes dance over my features, like he’s committing them to memory. “I told you we’d work it out. I’m gonna pick you up next weekend and take you to dinner.”

Oh yeah, that’s not happening. Then again, I can have him pick me up at a random place. I’ll just say I don’t want him to know where I live for safety reasons.

Shit, what the hell am I going to do when my bodyguard follows us? Maybe I can say my family comes from money and they take my safety seriously. He sounds rich. He’d understand.

That makes me wonder who he really is. Maybe I can ask Konstantin. Or maybe not. I don’t want him knowing my business, though I’m sure he’ll find out about Cillian eventually. But he doesn’t have to know right away.

“Okay, we’ll figure it out. But I really need to go now.” I start to get up, and this time he lets me, sitting up himself to grab his pants.

He gets dressed while I do the same, his gaze never leaving me, as if he can’t get enough.

When I slide into my dress and place the mask over my face, he finishes the last few buttons on his shirt, then moves toward me. His arm wraps around me, pulling me tightly against him, his lips grazing mine before he deepens the kiss, claiming me completely. It’s slow, intimate. Like we’re rediscovering each other all over again, each kiss a silent promise.

His tongue sweeps over mine, a growl—animalistic and raw—vibrating in his chest until I feel it rattling in my bones. And when we come up for air, a wild, untamed gleam burns in his eyes, as if he’s struggling to rein in the fire raging inside him.

“I may not be able to wait a week to see you.”

“You’ll have to manage.” I press my lips together, holding back a smile at the longing in his voice.

“No, I won’t. I’ll see you in two days. Just tell me where to get you.”

“You’re gonna come to Jersey?”

No, no, no! This is too soon!

“Yeah. Is that a problem?” A furrow builds between his brows.

Yes! A huge problem!

“No. Not at all.”

Now I really need a plan. Maybe poison my bodyguard? Give him severe diarrhea? Beg him not to tell Konstantin who I’m meeting?

Fuck! What do I do?

Okay, worst-case scenario, Konstantin finds out, doesn’t approve, and makes me end it. I’ll survive. Right?

Ugh.

“Let me write down your number, then I'll give you mine.” He pulls away from me and moves toward the small bar across the room, picking up a napkin and retrieving his pen.

Looking toward me, he waits for my number, and once I give it to him, he returns with a napkin for me.

“Keep it safe.” He smirks.

“I will.”

Maybe Konstantin will force me to end it before we see each other again. Maybe this is it.

The thought is like a punch to my gut.

Before I can change my mind, I grab the back of his neck and kiss him. His palms clutch my behind as he groans into my mouth. Teeth nipping, tongue sliding with mine, he sucks my bottom lip, making it harder for me to go.

“I can’t control myself around you.” He exhales roughly, touching his forehead to mine, palms clasping my hips.

Neither can I.

“You should go.” He holds me closer, while my arms circle his back.

“I know.” I let out a sigh. “Alright, well, I guess this is goodbye.”

“It’s goodbye for now, love.” His gaze turns molten, and goose bumps spread down my arms from the hungered way he takes me in. “I’ll be seeing you real soon.”

His lips skim up my throat, causing me to groan while my fingers slide into his hair. He takes my hand in his, kissing my knuckles as he gazes down at me, and I don’t think my heart can take much more.

“I’ll walk you out.” He pulls me toward the door, and the woman who led the group nods her goodbye.

When we slip out of the room, the music from the club surrounds us again.

“Are you gonna let me go now?” I hit him with a playful grin.

He laughs, squeezing my fingers. “Not until you’ve found your friends and are safe.”

And they say chivalry is dead.

Maybe he’d approve of my unconventional family. I’m not even giving him a chance. I’m sure I can convince Konstantin too. We can all be one happy family. I can see it now.

Yeah, good luck with that.

As we make it closer to the bar, I find both Natalia and Alisa there, chatting up two men.

“Hey, guys,” I call out, and that has them both turning in our direction.

“Oh my God, there you are!” Natalia peers between Cillian and me, her mouth curling. “Had fun?”

“Maybe.” I quirk a brow.

The two men they were talking to order drinks, standing behind them.

“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Alisa asks, glancing at sexy dimple man.

“Alisa, Natalia, this is Cillian.”

“Hello there. Got any brothers?” Natalia smiles flirtatiously.

He chuckles, extending a hand to each of them. “Two, actually.”

“This is perfect!” Natalia flips her hands in the air. “One for me and one for Alisa.”

“She’s just kidding.” I expand my eyes at him.

“I’m totally not.” She snickers.

“Anyway, we should go.” I separate from Cillian. “It was nice to meet you.”

He eyes the napkin in my hand. “Let me know when you get home.”

My heartbeats flutter so loud, I can almost hear them. “I will. Promise.”

His fingertips reach for mine, and this time when he lets go, he starts to turn. But at the very last moment, he pivots back around, grabs my face with both palms, and kisses me. All the air evaporates, and everyone ceases to exist. Right now, I don’t care if Konstantin finds out—if the whole world does—because it’s worth it.

“Damn.” Natalia’s voice seems almost distant while the kiss lasts forever, though not long enough at the same time.

“Now I can go.” His thumbs gently trace my cheeks while those eyes stare deeply into mine.

Then, just like that, he steps back, his warmth disappearing as he turns.

As I watch this stranger slip away, melting into the crowd, I can hardly believe any of this just happened.

* * *

“So, did you fuck him?” Natalia stares at me in the limo, while Alisa narrows her eyes, like this is an inquisition.

“Fine.” I raise my hands in the air. “I did, okay? I know you both have been dying for me to say it.”

“I knew it!” Natalia spins toward Alisa, her eyes wide with excitement. “Didn't I tell you?”

“She did. I had my doubts, but Natalia was certain you let the hot man pop your cherry. Was he good? Please tell me he was good.”

A smile crawls on my face. “He was amazing. Even better than that.”

“That’s what I’m talking about!” Natalia slaps me on my forearm, donning a huge grin.

“Too bad you won’t see him again.” Alisa sighs. “What a shame.”

“Actually...” I hesitate, watching as both of them stare at the napkin I just pulled from my handbag.

Of course, I’ve already saved his number in my phone, but I couldn’t bring myself to throw away the scrap of paper he gave me.

Natalia’s eyes expand. “You got his number! That’s my girl. Are you going to call him?”

“I’ll wait for him to call me first.”

I’m not about to seem desperate. If he wants me, he knows where to find me.

“Maybe he’s future-husband material. Imagine telling people how you met.” Alisa laughs.

“Okay, relax, Cupid. No one is marrying anyone. This is just a fling. Nothing more. You know very well I can never have a relationship with some random guy.”

“Never know…” Natalia wags her brows. “He may be from our world, and you just don’t know it yet.”

“Yeah, right.” I roll my eyes, but in the back of my head, I wonder if she’s right.

The rest of the conversation turns to the guys they were talking to and how Natalia made out with one, but neither of them did anything else. Soon enough, Pavel drops them both off, and I make it home to Konstantin’s in about thirty minutes. The moment I arrive, I grab my phone, ready to send Cillian a message to let him know I made it, just like I promised.

But as I unlock my screen, I find a text from him already waiting.

Cillian

I can’t get you out of my mind.

A huge smile spreads across my face as I step out of the car, waving goodbye to Pavel. I nearly trip on my heels as I make my way up the steps to the door.

Dinara

Sounds serious. Maybe they have medication for that.

He starts to type, then stops, and my heart seems to freeze in my chest. Did I say something wrong?

I stand by the door, anxiously waiting for his reply. Just as I’m about to lose hope, my phone lights up with his message.

Cillian

I’d rather live with the pain.

I fight back a laugh, shaking my head, but every part of me feels lighter, giddy with excitement.

Dinara

Doesn’t sound healthy. Maybe a therapist?

Cillian

My infatuation with you is quite unhealthy, but I don’t plan on getting rid of it.

Dinara

That’s a shame. I barely even thought about you on the way home.

Cillian

Bet you’ll be thinking about me the next time you’re fingering your pussy.

Holy shit. My cheeks heat up.

Dinara

You’re full of yourself.

Cillian

I liked it better when you were full of me.

I shiver, a throb pulsating between my thighs.

Dinara

Bye now.

Cillian

Made you blush, didn’t I?

Dinara

Of course not.

Cillian

Bye, love. I’ll talk to you tomorrow so we can plan our dinner date.

Dinara

Yeah, I’ll think about it.

Cillian

It’s cute that you think you have a choice in the matter. Sleep well, leannan.

Biting the inside of my bottom lip, I fight a smile as I stuff the phone in my bag and head inside, two guards opening the door for me as I do.

Slipping off my shoes, I rush up the stairs, needing to get to bed so I can read his texts all over again.