by Bella Rose
“Beware,” she told him wryly. “If you intend to shower in there, you need the flexibility of a ballerina to do so.”
“Yeah, I think I’ll pass.”
She was wearing a pair of soft, loose gray shorts and a pink top with a wide neck that hung off her right shoulder. She had no bra, and her pert breasts bounced lightly with each step she took. As he watched, her nipples beaded into tiny points and pressed against the fabric.
Viktor swallowed. He wanted this woman badly, but she was a virgin. There was a way to go about this that wouldn’t leave them both angry in the end. It would just require a little more control than he was certain he had.
“Come and sit on the bed,” he suggested. “I can help you with that hair if you’d like.”
“Help?”
“I’m assuming you have a comb somewhere in that magic bag. Right?” He kept his tone intentionally light.
“Why the bed?” She looked almost alarmed.
Viktor glanced around the shabby living area. “Do you see a better place to sit?”
“Ah, yes, you’re right about that.”
Kira made her way into the bedroom and climbed up onto the bed. She settled herself near the middle with her legs folded. It was almost impossible to look at her long legs without imagining them wrapped around his waist.
He shook off the primal needs riding him ragged and kicked off his shoes and socks. Next, he took off his shirt, pleased when Kira didn’t make a sound. Climbing up beside her, he took the comb from her fingers and began to untangle her long hair.
The task was truly just an excuse to touch her. He felt her grow relaxed beneath his hands. He gently massaged her scalp with his fingertips as he continued to untangle the length of her incredibly soft hair.
“Kira, this is beautiful,” he murmured. “Why do you never wear it down?”
“I suppose I never think of it.” She gave a half-hearted shrug. “I have to have it in a bun when I dance.”
Viktor wrapped the length of her hair around his hand and moved it away from her neck. Slowly, he lowered his lips to her shoulder where it was exposed by the wide neck of her shirt. She froze at the contact, but she didn’t move away. Then she tilted her head more to give him better access. Viktor smiled. He would use her body’s wants to break down her defenses. That would convince her that physical pleasure was not all bad.
“What are you doing?” she whispered.
“Kissing you.”
“Why?”
“Because I very much want to.” Viktor let his tongue skim her skin, tasting her sweetness. “You’re extremely desirable. Did you know that?”
KIRA DID NOT know why, but she felt compelled to make sure he understood something. “I’m a virgin,” she belted out.
“I know that.” He continued to kiss her neck and shoulder, and Kira thought she might melt into a puddle right there on the bed. Then he gave a low, sexy laugh. “I’m not going to take your virginity tonight, but I am going to show you how good it would feel if I did.”
“You can do that?” she asked in wonder.
“If I choose.”
She swallowed back her fear. “Please. I ache, and I don’t know why.”
He wrapped his arms around her, and she felt the heat of his naked chest through her shirt. He placed his lips on hers. The kiss was intensely arousing. She moaned and writhed against him. When her lips parted, he pushed his tongue into her mouth and made her even hotter for him. She twisted her fingers into his hair to pull him closer.
Viktor placed one hand on her belly beneath her shirt. Then he slid it up over her ribs to cup her breast. Still kissing her, he used his thumb to play with her nipple. She arched her back. It felt so incredibly good! She wanted more. And then he rolled her nipple between his fingers, and the sharp little prick of pain gave her exactly what she needed.
Kira gasped against Viktor’s mouth and gave a high pitched cry of shock as her pussy grew hot and wet. Her inner muscles clenched as they ached for something more. She moved restlessly against Viktor. Her hands slipped down to his biceps, and she dug her nails into his warm, hard flesh. He growled and deepened the kiss.
Cupping her other breast, he pinched her nipple until she was all but screaming her approval. Everything below her waist was poised on the edge of something. Her clit burned. It felt swollen. She very nearly wanted to put her hands between her legs herself just for the friction.
“Do you need something, Kira?” His warm voice was almost a tease.
“Yes,” she moaned desperately.
“I’m going to put my fingers inside your pussy.” He whispered the words against her neck. “Have you ever done that before?”
“No.” She moved her hips, begging him without words. “I don’t care. I need you.”
His low laugh made her shiver. Then his hand left her breasts and skimmed down her belly and beneath the waistband of her shorts. She wasn’t wearing panties, and her pussy was soaked with juices.
“Shaved?” He sounded rough, but she sensed it wasn’t anger. “Sexy little minx.”
He rubbed the top of her mound, and she nearly arched up out of his lap. The sensation was unbelievable. It felt so incredible. Then he placed his hand flat across her nether lips and pressed down. The pressure gave her a little bit of what she needed, but she wanted more.
VIKTOR LISTENED TO Kira’s whimpers and nearly lost his tenuous hold on his self-control. Never would he have imagined her to be so passionate in bed. Yet here she was soaking his hand in her cream and nearly begging him to fuck her with his fingers.
Slipping two fingers between her folds, he felt her shudder as he brushed her clit. She was so close to orgasm he would only have to rub her once or twice to send her flying. He knew this would make it easier to penetrate her tight sheath. Even without touching her, he could tell she was delightfully tight.
“I’m going to make you come, Kira,” he promised. “Right now.”
He sank his tongue into her mouth as he thumbed her clit. Her body exploded into climax almost instantaneously. She hungrily devoured his lips, twining her arms about his neck and sucking at his mouth like a little beast.
As soon as he was certain she was in the throes of her release, he sank two fingers deep inside her channel. Viktor felt her stiffen in surprise, but he put his thumb back on her clit and gave her a rub. That was all it took to make her melt around his hand. Carefully moving his fingers inside her body, he fucked her gently until he could feel her inner muscles begin to adjust.
Kira pulled her mouth away from his and let her head loll back over his arm. She panted and moaned as she seemed to utterly lose control. Viktor watched with rapt enjoyment as she began to climb toward another peak. He gave her a little more pressure with his fingers, spreading them apart and then curling them up toward her pelvic bone to find her G-spot.
That was all it took to push her over the edge. Kira screamed as she climaxed a second time. A gush of cream saturated his hand as he continued to thrust his fingers into her body. He felt her tighten so hard around him that he could hardly move his hand. Then her release caused her entire body to loosen.
Viktor carefully slipped his fingers free of her pussy and lifted them to his mouth. Her sweet scent clung to his skin. Unable to resist, he licked his hand clean of her juices. A little gasp told him that she had seen him do it.
“Viktor,” she moaned.
He gently shifted on the bed until he could lie down with her still encircled in his arms. Though his cock was throbbing between his legs, he felt satisfied. Never again would his little bride talk about physical pleasure as something she could do without. He knew without a doubt that he had awakened a passionate desire inside her. She would come to him soon, and she would beg him to sheathe himself inside her body. Until then, he would wait. It would most definitely be worth it.
Chapter Seven
Viktor paced in front of Kira’s dressing room at the theater. He had wanted to give her privacy to get ready for her re
hearsal. Now, though, all he could think about was the fact that there was only a thin wood door between him and all that smooth skin. It was very distracting.
“Viktor!”
He turned to see Nicholas striding in his direction. His brother did not look pleased.
Viktor set his jaw and prepared to dig in his heels if necessary. “Hello, brother.” He intentionally stressed their familial connection.
“Reminding me that we’re related is not going to help you right now,” Nicholas snapped. “I need to speak with you. Now.”
Viktor intentionally led his brother a short distance down the hall. This section sloped upward from the underground dressing areas to the stage. There was less traffic, but Viktor could still keep an eye on the door to Kira’s dressing room.
“Now,” Viktor said expectantly. “What is it that you have to say?”
“What you did at the council meeting was inexcusable. You made me look weak in front of the other members. More importantly, you made me look weak in front of Anton Berezin! Do you know what that cost me?”
“No, but I’m sure you’re about to tell me.” Viktor didn’t bother to hide his annoyance.
Nicholas grabbed Viktor’s arm. “You will give me the respect that is my due!”
“I give you the respect you earn, which at this moment isn’t very much.” Viktor pulled his arm away from his brother’s grasp. “Now what is it you want?”
“I must catch this killer!” Nicholas said fervently. “He struck again last night. Anatoly’s wife was attacked.”
“What?” Viktor felt both furious and helpless at once. “Is she all right?”
“Now. Yes.” Nicholas grimaced. “Anatoly got to her in time. You can imagine there was quite a firefight. He said he saw three distinct men. All large.”
“And you want me to do what?” Viktor began to get a bad feeling about Nicholas’s next statement.
“You insist on letting Kira dance? Then let it be of use to us all. We will make her the bait. Send her home. Tell her to keep to her regular schedule. If we are lucky, we can catch the men in the act.” Nicholas shrugged and offered a sly grin. “If you are luckier, perhaps they will have murdered her and you will be free of the fake wife you did not want.”
“I won’t have Kira hurt because of some stupid plan to catch a killer.” Viktor felt the most intense revulsion at Nicholas’s words.
Nicholas got right in Viktor’s face. “You don’t have a choice unless you want the full power of my sanction coming down on you both.”
“You dare to threaten me?” Viktor growled. “Surely you know better what happens to men who make that foolish choice.”
“I am your brother and your leader. You will obey me in this, or you will pay the price,” Nicholas snarled.
KIRA POKED HER head out of her dressing room, but Viktor was gone from his post at her door. She felt strangely off balance. She should not care where Viktor was. Yet he had seemed really interested in watching her dance tonight. She had even felt excited about it.
She stepped out into the hallway and pulled the door firmly closed behind her. Suddenly she heard the familiar timbre of Viktor’s voice coming from down the hallway. She went in that direction, heading up toward the stage. Finally, she saw him ensconced in deep conversation with his brother. They looked angry. Her stomach knotted at the idea that she had caused such a rift between Viktor and a powerful man like Nicholas.
“Viktor?” Kira called out softly. “I’m ready to go up.”
He turned around, and there was not a hint of his foul mood in his expression. “My brother and I were just discussing the latest developments in the situation.”
“Oh?” She glanced at Nicholas, but immediately dropped her eyes away from the man’s angry gaze.
“Yes,” Viktor told her warmly. She saw him exchange an odd look with his brother. “You’re going to be going home tonight after practice.”
“Really?” She clasped her hands in front of her in a bid to contain her excitement. “That would be so wonderful! Thank you!”
“It was Nicholas’s idea,” Viktor said stiffly.
She cocked her head, confused by the strange dynamic between them. “Thank you, Nicholas. I really appreciate being able to return to my apartment.”
“No thanks necessary,” Nicholas said in his smooth liar’s voice. “I’m sure you’ll be quite comfortable there alone.”
“Alone?” She frowned. “So is the danger over?”
“Not alone,” Viktor corrected. “He means that the two of us will be alone in your apartment, finally living like any other married couple.”
“Oh.” Kira wasn’t sure how she felt about that, either. Having Viktor in her personal space was going to be taxing.
“Now. Are you ready?” Viktor held out his arm, and she took it.
He turned his back on Nicholas without another word and led her up toward the stage. Something about his manner felt off, but she wasn’t brave enough to mention it. That thought reminded her that she had information about her father’s men to tell him as well. Except she wasn’t sure how accurate it was.
“Viktor?” she began hesitantly. “If I thought I had an idea about who the murderer was, would it be best to wait until I was sure?”
He seemed distracted. “As tempting as it is to point the finger at all the assholes in the organization, it would probably be best to wait until you were certain you had the right asshole.”
His words made her laugh. “You’re probably right. My father’s men are assholes.”
“Is that why you came into the council meeting?” He frowned. “Were they intimidating you?”
“Always,” she said with a dejected sigh. “At some point I’m going to have to remember that I technically outrank them. Except I can’t beat the stuffing out of them, and that’s what I really need.”
Viktor grunted. “Forget the stuffing. If you want them beaten, I’ll happily knock the shit out of them any time you wish.”
VIKTOR SHIFTED IN his seat, watching the action inside the theater with interest. He had never had much interest in such things, but now he was surprised at all of the obvious work it took to put together such a production. There were lighting technicians hanging above the stage as they replaced bulbs and tested connections. The catwalks crisscrossing the ceiling overhead were a regular highway for set engineers as they repaired or replaced bits of scenery. Still, none of that could compare to the action happening on stage.
“Again!” the director shouted.
Dancers twirled, their practice skirts fluttering about their lean legs as they performed a short section of steps until they gained the director’s approval. To one side, he could see Kira warming up. She had her leg on the barre, her body bent at an incredible angle as her arm gracefully made an arc over her body.
A sudden flashback to a moment with Elena left Viktor nearly breathless. He had taken his wife to the ballet once. He remembered how enthralled she had been with the dancers, and how she had impressed upon him the dedication that it took to gain this level of skill.
Elena would have loved Kira.
The thought was somehow comforting. Then Kira took center stage with two other young women. The three of them moved with perfect coordination. He watched the sensual movement of Kira’s body. The strength of her muscles beggared his ability to describe it. She leaped into the air, turning and yet landing in exactly the perfect spot before going up on her toes once again. He saw her legs bend and flex and felt a stirring in his groin.
The sight of her brought to mind what she had looked like bent over his arm as she came so prettily around his fingers. The sound and scent of her lingered in his mind, and Viktor had to adjust his cock to avoid discomfort. He had never wanted another woman with such a fierce longing, not even Elena. It was a rather shocking thought.
“Ah, yes!” the director shouted. “And passé! Again! More height, Kira, please.”
The determination on Kira’s narrow features was awe
inspiring. Viktor watched her try again and again before finally nailing the steps in a way that made the overly dramatic director squeal with excitement.
“Yes, yes! This is beautiful!” he told her. “Magnifique! All three of you!”
The young women exchanged a nod and a glance, and Viktor realized that the camaraderie was not unlike what he often felt with his fellow mafia brothers. They were all in this together. And sometimes the bond created in those moments was as powerful as any friendship.
KIRA FELT VIKTOR’S gaze on her during the practice. It was strangely erotic. She remembered what it felt like to have his hands touching her body. He had awakened nerves she had never known she possessed and a hunger for fulfillment with a ravenous appetite.
“Who is that?” Tiana whispered. “That man? The one that looks like he could split a tree in two with one glare.”
“Split a tree?” Jessie rolled her eyes. “God, you’re dramatic!”
Tiana made a slight gesture toward Viktor. “Well, look at him! With that angular face and those dark eyes. He looks like a freaking mobster or something. Can’t you imagine him with a bunch of men at his back doing mob stuff?”
Kira had to stifle a laugh. “Mob stuff? Do tell. What exactly is it you believe that to be?”
“I don’t know,” Tiana hedged. “Like illegal gambling dens, and putting people’s feet in cement and then dumping them in the harbor because they owe you money?”
“You know what’s really stupid about killing someone who owes you money?” Jessie asked in a teasing voice as she unfastened her leg warmers and rolled them down her calves. “If they’re dead, you’re never going to get your cash.”
“You’re just saying that because Tiana owes you thirty bucks from last week,” Kira said with a laugh. She stretched her legs and then began removing her toe shoes.
“Well, there is that,” Jessie admitted. “So come on, Tiana. Give me my money before I make you swim with the fishes!”
“Girlfriend, you watch way too much TV,” Tiana pouted. “Although, if that guy wanted to come over here, I’d be willing to compensate him thirty bucks a thousand times over.”