“Would you like a drink?” Diana asked.
“Lann?” Kat looked up at him. “Do you mind if I have a word with Diana in private?”
“Of course not,” he said with a curt nod. “I’ll wait outside. Let me know if you need help.”
Once they were alone, Diana said, “Holy cow! He’s even hotter in real life than in the blurry social media photos.” She pulled Kat down onto the sofa next to her. “What happened? I thought you were going to resist.”
“Don’t give me that I-told-you-so smile. He sent me a book, a very precious book, and I went to return it and I… I guess you could say I realized running wasn’t going to help.”
Diana lifted Kat’s hand and stared at the ring. “Shit. Is this what I think it is?”
“He just wants me to wear this for the month we’re together.”
“Month?”
“It’s a thirty-day thing.”
“A one-month stand?” Diana exclaimed.
“I know it’s out of character for me—”
“It’s about time you act out of character. I’m glad for you, Kat. Jealous as hell, but glad.”
Kat gave her a thankful smile.
“So, getting your stuff,” Diana gave her a nudge, “does that mean you’re moving in with him?”
“Just for the month.”
“Okay. I get it. You’re playing house for a month.” Diana got to her feet. “Listen, I know I’m the one who pushed you to go for it, but I was more thinking along the lines of a one-off roll between the sheets. Are you sure you’re okay with a month? It seems a bit weird with the ring and all.”
“I agreed, didn’t I?” When Diana hesitated, Kat added, “I can always come home if I grow tired of the game.”
Diana grinned. “Grow tired of him? Improbable. I better help you pack then. Can I tell people where you are, I mean, if anyone asks?”
“Sure, but let me tell my parents myself.”
“Of course.” Diana smiled conspiratorially. “Is he as good in bed as they say?”
Kat fought a face-splitting smile. “I’ve only been there for a couple of hours.”
Diana winked. “If you say so.”
Escaping the interrogation Kat felt coming, she got up and went for the door. “I better let him back in.”
Kat took little time to change before throwing a few outfits, personal items, her laptop, notes, and files into a bag. Despite the confidence she faked for Diana’s sake, she still couldn’t believe she was doing this. Lann and Diana helped her to get her books together. Poor Diana found it hard not to stare. As Lann took her bag, she gave Diana a hug and promised to call her. A short while later, they were gone, driving back to Lann’s place.
At home, Alfonso took her bag up to her room while Lann guided her to the kitchen. He told her the chef had already retired for the night, and that she’d meet the rest of the kitchen and cleaning staff the following day.
The kitchen was a long hall with a central counter running all the way down the middle. Everything was white, except for the stainless-steel counters and shelves. There were no less than five eye-level ovens and three double gas stoves.
Following her gaze, Lann said, “I’m planning on doing some entertaining. A necessary evil, sometimes.”
His statement didn’t surprise her. She’d already gathered that Lann wasn’t a social person.
He wrapped his hands around her waist and lifted her onto the counter.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Fixing you a hot cocoa to help you sleep.”
He knew about her difficulty sleeping? She watched him heat up milk on the stove, stir dark chocolate inside, and whisk it with a pinch of nutmeg until it was frothy. He poured it into a glass mug and sprinkled cinnamon on top.
“Drink up, krasavitsa,” he said, handing her the mug.
His voice was deep and low, sending delicious vibrations through her body. His Russian accent made her melt.
He watched her as she drank, standing very close to her with his palms on the counter on either side of her body. When the mug was empty, he took it from her without breaking eye contact, and left it on the counter. Then he removed his glasses and leaned forward, brushing his lips over hers.
She quickly got lost in the kiss. When she parted her lips, he gripped her knees and pushed her legs open to stand between them. He stroked his palms up her legs and her hips to cup her ass, lifting her slightly and pulling her against him. His erection rubbed against her clit. She gasped at the pressure. Tangling her hands in his hair, she dragged her fingers through the long, thick strands, inviting a deep male groan. He liked that. He jerked her against him again, harder this time, setting her body on fire. She tipped back her head to give him better access when he kissed her neck, but then his touch and heat disappeared.
Dazed, she opened her eyes.
“Prekrasnaya,” he said softly.
She had no idea what it meant, but it sounded tender, affectionate.
“Go to bed, Katherine.”
He lifted her left hand and kissed the ring, and then he walked away, leaving her to stare after him in confusion.
Chapter 5
Kat woke up in a strange room. It took her a second to recall the events of the previous day. Stretching, she remembered the taste of Lann’s lips, and the way his hands had felt on her body. Her insides heated at the memory.
She picked up her mobile phone and checked the time. Ten o’clock already. For once, she’d slept like a baby. Even if she was embarking on the greatest sexual adventure of her life, she had a thesis to complete. It was still her main and most important task to focus on. After coffee.
It was already hot outside. She’d switched off the air conditioner in her room, not liking to sleep with it on for how her throat ached in the morning, but now she turned it back on.
A cool shower helped to wake her up. She pulled on her blue dress with the thin straps. Like her mood this morning, the dress was light and feminine. After applying mascara and lip gloss, she went in search of Lann to ask where she could set herself up to work—maybe in one of the reading rooms that wasn’t in use.
In the hallway, she bumped into Alfonso.
“Good morning, Miss.” He surprised her with a smile. “Breakfast?”
“No, thanks. Just coffee, but I’ll go get some in the kitchen when I’m ready.”
“Just ring, and one of us will bring it to you. Sir already had his breakfast.”
“Oh. Thank you. Where is he?”
“In his office, Miss.”
When he turned, she said, “Alfonso, you can call me Kat. I’m not one for formal titles.”
“Yes, Miss,” he said with a small inclination of his head.
Shaking her head to herself, she made her way to the other side of the building. She’d put on her high heels, finding that the extra height enhanced her self-confidence.
She paused at the office door. Taking a deep breath, she knocked and pushed it open.
Lann sat behind his desk, his mobile phone pressed to his ear. He was pinching the bridge of his nose, massaging the mark left by his glasses. It looked like a serious discussion. She hesitated, but his face lit up with genuine pleasure as his lion-like eyes traveled over her.
“I’ll call you back,” he said before hanging up.
“Good morning,” she said, suddenly feeling shy despite all her resolutions and the high heels.
His smile was warm. “Close the door and come here.”
She shut the door and crossed the floor, stopping in front of his desk.
“Here.” He wheeled back his chair, and pointed at the space between his legs.
Advancing slowly, she rounded the desk and paused in front of him. He didn’t say anything. He just looked up at her while she stared down at him, holding her breath for something. Then he grabbed hold of her waist, and lifted her onto his lap so she straddled him.
With her legs dangling over his, her dress had pulled up high enough to rev
eal the white French-cut panties underneath.
“Do you always wear these?” Lann asked, sliding his hands under her dress without breaking their eye contact.
His touch made her shiver. “They’re comfortable.”
“They’re beautiful on you. I like the way the lace cuts up high over your ass with your cheeks peeking out beneath.”
She sucked in her breath at his directness. He slipped his hands back down her thighs, over her knees and calves, until he reached her feet. He lifted one foot by gently bending back her leg, and only then did he cut his gaze away from hers to inspect her shoes.
“You don’t usually wear heels.” He looked back at her face. “I like them on you.”
She didn’t ask how he knew. By now, she simply accepted that Lann had means of knowing things about her, however disturbing she found the idea. Right now, she was more preoccupied with the feelings rushing through her body.
“I’m glad you came,” he said. “I was starting to miss you.”
“I don’t normally sleep this late.”
“I know.” He cupped her breasts.
Her nipples hardened. She wanted more, but he simply kept his palms there, letting the warmth of his hands seep through the fabric of her dress. Her heartbeat spiked under his hands. He had to be able to feel how her heart was galloping.
She motioned at the phone. “I didn’t want to interrupt. I need to work and just wanted to check where I could set myself up.”
It seemed he’d heard nothing of what she’d said. His golden eyes moved down to where his hands were resting. He pushed up her breasts and planted a kiss on each curve. She couldn’t help but arch her back, demanding a deeper touch. He liked her response, because he groaned and squeezed her nipples. She bit her lip in an effort to prevent her own moan from escaping.
He moved one hand over her hip and slipped it under her dress. She gasped when he cupped her sex.
“Still sore?” he asked.
Her body came alive under his touch. She pushed harder against his hand, saying with a ragged breath, “I need you.”
His voice was husky. “How do you need me, krasavitsa?”
She frowned.
He kissed her lips. “Tell me what you need.”
“I need you to take me.”
He planted a kiss on the shell of her ear. “Mm. Take me is vague.” He kissed a tender path down her neck. “Sometimes women want men to make love to them, sometimes they just want to have sex, and sometimes they want to be fucked.”
“I just need you,” she whispered.
“How, krasavitsa? I could make it soft and sweet, or hard and fast. I could drench you in pleasure, until you beg me to stop, or I could be your slave, helpless in your hands. Tell me your fantasy.”
“I don’t have one.”
He leaned back to look at her. “If a man asks you your fantasy, tell him. If he’s a man, a real man, he’ll make it your reality.”
“What’s your fantasy, Lann?”
“To be the man you want in your body right now. For your pussy to ache for my cock, and my cock alone. I want to see your eyes go wide as I fuck you. I want my name on your beautiful lips as I make you come.”
Her heartbeat increased a hundred-fold. It hammered under his palm where it rested on her chest.
“You like it when I talk dirty to you, mm?”
She could only look at him, unable to utter a sound.
“You want it hard?”
God, yes. She moaned. The sound of fabric tearing registered in her lust-hazed mind.
“Like this?” he asked. “Is this what you need?”
He dropped her torn underwear to the floor. Yes. Yes, she wanted that, for him to take control. He did exactly that when he lifted his hips and unzipped his pants. The broad head of his cock nudged her slick folds. This was what she needed. Another moan confirmed it as he lifted her over his erection. All she could do, was grab the armrests as he lowered her, and, in the same instant, pushed up. He penetrated her hard and fast, just how she wanted.
With one thrust, he was buried inside her. When he starting moving, her clit rubbed with delicious friction against his pelvis. His cock stroked sensitive, abrased flesh, the pain driving her even higher. She cried out, already lost in the sensation of promised pleasure.
“Like this?” he asked.
She could hardly speak. “Y-yes. More.”
Instead of ramming up into her like she’d expected, he pushed her back with a hand between her breasts while keeping her steady with his hand on her waist, changing the angle of his penetration. She leaned back farther, feeling him even deeper. When he rotated his hips, she dug her nails into the leather of the chair. Her head rolled back. She couldn’t stop the needy sounds that fell from her lips. The burning eased until there was only ecstasy. The sensation was unbearable. Too slow.
“More, Lann. Fuck me. Now. I need you to take me hard.”
“That’s it, krasavitsa. Tell me what to give you.” He lifted her hands from the chair and placed them on his shoulders.
“Katherine.”
When she didn’t look at him, he repeated her name. She raised her head, battling to focus on him, on anything other than the release building inside her.
“I want to hear you say my name,” he said.
“Ah.” He was pushing her toward the edge, but too slowly. Why was he backing down? Why had he stopped moving?
“Katherine, can you do that for me?”
She blinked.
“Say my name, krasavitsa.”
Taking a shuddering breath, she said, “Lann.”
It came out as a whisper, but it pleased him, because he started moving again, not slowly, but hard, taking her with a force that had her, this time, screaming his name. He slammed up and at the same time forced her body down. She broke, came for him, and spent her passion as her inner muscles clenched and spasmed while he clung to her in turn, emptying himself deep inside her body.
It took a while to find her breath, and while she did, he held her in his arms with her cheek pressed against his neck. His hair fell around her face. She burrowed herself in his warmth and his scent, basking in the afterglow of her orgasm.
When both their bodies were relaxed, he kissed the top of her head, and lifted her to her feet. Picking up the shreds of her panties, he dropped them in the trashcan.
“There’s a bathroom in there if you need to freshen up.” He pointed at a door off to the side.
She looked down at her crumpled dress. Under it, his release trickled down her thighs. It felt personal. Intimate. She liked it.
“How are you doing?” he asked with a frown while zipping himself up. “Did I take you too hard?”
“No.” She bit her lip. “That was perfect.”
His frown didn’t fade when she went to the bathroom and closed the door.
When she returned after freshening up, Lann stood in front of the window, his gaze pensive.
He offered her a smile, but his demeanor was back to being formal. “I’ve asked Alfonso to set you up in the library. I’ll be working there for most of the day, and I want you close.”
His words warmed her heart, but his eyes seemed cold and far away.
“I need another shower,” she said, aiming for humor with a smile. “I’ll see you downstairs, I guess.”
She was already by the door when he said, “Don’t shower, and leave off the underwear.”
She turned in the frame. “What?”
“I prefer you just as you are.” His gaze darted down to her thighs. “With my mark on you.” When his eyes met hers again, they held a challenge. “Can you do that, krasavitsa?”
“Of course.” A little baffled by the request, she shrugged. “If that’s what turns you on.”
“Good.”
She could’ve sworn there was a purr in his words. She slipped out of his office and went downstairs.
Alfonso waited for her at the bottom of the staircase. He showed her a desk installed at th
e back of the library, facing Lann’s, that was set with a pot of Juan Valdez coffee and a croissant.
“Thank you,” Kat said, looking at the pastry, “but I don’t really eat breakfast.”
“Sir’s command, Miss. If you prefer something different, you just have to say.”
She said nothing at that, and the butler left. If Martina and the others wondered why she was there, they didn’t ask. They greeted each other briefly, and then Kat started to work in earnest.
The assistants gathered a pile of books Martina had set aside and left for the workshop. When there were only the two of them in the room, Martina said, “Are you working for Lann, Kat?”
“Um, no. I’m working on my thesis.”
“Oh.” Martina didn’t seem content with Kat’s evasive answer, but she didn’t press the issue.
For the next two hours, Kat worked in silence. She made good progress and was happy with her effort. She was just about to take a break when the door opened and Lann entered. She rubbed the sore muscles of her neck, stiff from typing on her laptop, and flashed him a smile. His face was expressionless, so when he walked over and massaged her shoulders, the thoughtful act caught her off guard. Groaning, she closed her eyes. When she opened them again, Martina was regarding them curiously.
“Working hard?” he asked with a smile in his voice.
“I need to. I’m behind my deadline. I have to hand in the next few pages of this chapter by the end of the week.”
His hair tickled her shoulder as he leaned over her and read what she’d typed on her laptop. When he was done, he wheeled a ladder to a shelf in the middle section, locked it in place, and climbed to the top level. He didn’t have to look for what he needed. He carefully removed a book. Kat watched his lean form as he carried the book to her and placed it on the desk.
“That’ll help,” he said.
She glanced at the title and looked up at him in awe. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” He smiled, and went to his desk.
The break she wanted to take was forgotten. She was too excited to go through the book he’d selected, which proved as helpful as he’d promised.
Aeromancist, The Beginning (SECOND EDITION): Prequel (7 Forbidden Arts Book 2) Page 7