by Ivy Iverson
She smiled at him. “Good,” she said.
Chapter Eight
An hour later, the thunderstorm that had been forecasted was in full swing, and Rae cursed herself for not grabbing a jacket with a hood. The school bus took everyone back to Cameron Stadium, where people got in their respective cars and drove off. Everyone, that is, but Stephen and Victoria.
Unlike his sister, Stephen was very quiet and solemn. Rae had only seen him smile on occasion after the game, despite everyone congratulating him on the great game and joking around with him. It was as if there was a constant stream of sober thoughts going through his mind, and she was sure it had something to do with their parents. Judging by Valov's furrowed brow, he was just as worried about the boy. “Do you know if your mother is coming to pick you up?” he asked.
Stephen hesitated and then shook his head. “I may have forgotten to tell her about the game,” he said. He held his sister's hand tightly, as if scared that he would lose her.
Valov looked at him skeptically, not believing that for a second. “Well, you and your sister can't walk home in this weather. I'll give you guys a ride.”
Stephen started to shake his head, so Rae said, “Where do you guys live?”
He looked at her warily. “Near Birch Hill Estates,” he said.
“That's where I live,” she said. “And Val was going to give me a ride there anyway. So it really is no trouble to drop you guys off on the way.”
Val looked at her but she only smiled back at him. Stephen nodded, finding this arrangement okay. “Fine,” he said. “Thank you for the ride, Valov.”
“Yes, thank you!” Victoria piped up, grinning at him.
“My pleasure,” he said. But he wasn't thinking about the kids when he said it. He was thinking about having Rae in his car.
Rae shivered when she got into the passenger seat in Valov's car. The rain from outside was freezing and she didn't realize how cold she was until now. Valov turned on the car and turned up the heat. The kids in the back put their seat belts on and leaned against the car windows, looking half-asleep.
It was quiet as Valov pulled out of the parking lot and into the street, and aside from Stephen giving Valov directions to his house, the car ride was quiet too. Soon, they pulled up in front of a scruffy-looking trailer that barely met the trailer park's requirements on appearances. Victoria and Stephen both got out, saying thank you again and waving goodbye as they ran inside to get out of the rain, which was still coming down hard. As Valov pulled away, he looked at Rae, who was soaked. “You know, I have a room at the Fairfield Inn,” he said. “We can both go there and get cleaned up.”
“Are you sure that's a good idea?” she asked.
“No,” he answered truthfully. He wasn't sure of anything when it came to Rae but he wanted her desperately. “I can also drive you back to your car,” he said.
“No,” she said suddenly, looking as surprised as he did. “No, let's go to the inn.”
“Are you sure?”
She smiled at him. “Not at all,” she said. “But let's go. I'll never be sure.”
He grabbed her hand as he drove toward the Fairfield Inn. It was cold and he rubbed it, wanting to warm it up. He smiled at her as they drove. He knew he shouldn't trust the press. After all, Nikolay had already shared his experiences with Valov and he knew that Rae's job was at stake if she didn't write a good article, but he couldn't sum up enough energy to care. She had never given him a reason not to trust her. She had already demonstrated trust in him by being alone with him, and it was about time he did the same. He knew, though, that as soon as he took off his shirt, she would see it, and there would be no going back.
He pulled into the Fairfield Inn parking lot and they went straight up to his room. He had originally booked it so he could have a night of privacy, away from his brother and work, but privacy was the last thing he wanted now. He closed the hotel door behind them and realized he was still holding Rae's hand. He dropped it reluctantly. “Do you want to--”
She silenced him with a kiss that seared his lips and made him instantly hard. Then she pulled back, looking at him hesitantly. “Sorry,” she said. “I don't know what I was thinking.”
He looked at her, trying to control his breathing. Did she have any idea about the effect she had on him?
“Rae,” he murmured, pulling her close to him. “Don't apologize.” He cupped her cheek with his hand and kissed her. He was slow and gentle. She could have pulled away if she wanted to, but she didn't. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his waist with such shyness that a lump formed in his throat. There was no way in hell he was going to let her be shy with him.
Valov grabbed her waist and pulled her close to him, parting her lips with his tongue and deepening the kiss. He listened to her moan and smiled before kissing her lightly on the temple. Rae buried her face in his shoulder, not a trace of her earlier fear here now. He stroked her hair for a couple of minutes before fingering the hem of her shirt, pausing.
“Take it off,” Rae said, her voice husky with desire.
He complied happily, his fingers running up and down her smooth, soft skin. Her breath hitched slightly at his touch and he didn't want anything more than to have her naked and on the bed as soon as possible. His hands moved to her lace-covered breasts as his lips found hers again. She whimpered as his hands slid underneath her bra. She pulled back suddenly. “This is a mistake,” she said. “I'm really sorry about this. I should go.”
“What?” he asked, unable to understand what he was hearing. Not wanting to understand. “No. Hey,” he moved in front of the door. “What's wrong?” he asked. “What did I do?”
“You didn't do anything. Really. It's just...” she bit her lip. “I don't think I can do this.”
He wanted to reach out and encircle her in his arms, but he couldn't. He was scared to touch her, in case that made her pull away even more. “Please, just tell me what's wrong,” he said. “I do not want you leaving here upset. We can just talk--” A tear slipped down her cheek and Valov couldn't take it anymore. He grabbed her and pulled her close. “Tell me what you're thinking. Please,” he whispered. If she were reacting this way now, how would she react when she saw what covered his chest and back? Maybe this was a huge mistake and his actions were now causing her pain, and he couldn't stand it.
“I'm really sorry, Valov,” she said, wiping her face.
“Don't apologize,” he said. “Just tell me what's wrong, please. I want to fix it, whatever it is.”
She sighed. “You're going to think it's stupid.”
“I definitely will not,” he said. How could she ever think that? She was one of the strongest people he knew. If something made her cry, it was definitely not stupid. He led her to the bed and made her sit. “Tell me,” he pleaded.
“You've just been so nice,” she said. “But I don't think I'm ready for this. For anything that's like a relationship. I know you just want a one-night stand, but I've never heard of one that was simply one night, and I'm not ready for another relationship. I like my independence, and I'm used to it. I don't want to change that.”
A one-night stand? Was she insane? There was no way he'd be satisfied with one night! Not after she had haunted him for days. She was delusional if she thought she'd be getting off that easy. As for her independence, she could keep that as well. He didn't want to change her in any way. “I'm not Greg, Rae,” he said. “I'll never abuse you like that, I promise.”
“It's not about--”
“Yes,” he said. “It is. I don't blame you. He's an asshole, and I'm glad I've never met him. I'd kill him myself if I could. I know you're worried.” He tilted her chin so she would look at him. Her eyes were full of confusion and fear and it felt like a stab in the chest to Valov. “I don't want just one night,” he said. “I want you. But Rae, if you ever feel pressured by me to do anything at all that you don't want, then everything I told you that was off the record is on the record, and you can print it.”
Her eyes wide
ned. “That would ruin you,” she said.
“I know,” he said. “But if I ever hurt you...” he closed his eyes. There would be no way he would ever be able to live with himself if he did. Just the thought of it made his stomach churn. “Rae, you have come to mean so much to me. I want you to know that. I don't ever want you to be scared of me trying to take your independence. In any way.”
“I-I don't know what to say,” she said, looking away. Valov didn't make her look at him again. Instead, he put an arm around her shoulder.
“You don't have to say anything,” he said. After a moment, he said, “I can drive you back to your car.” Please don't take me up on that offer. He wanted her with him always, and he definitely didn't want to leave her alone at night when she was feeling so vulnerable.
She shook her head. “I want to stay here,” she said. “I-I think I'm okay now.”
“We can stop now if you would like,” he said. “We don't have to do anything.”
“No, I'm okay,” she said. “I trust you, Val. Really. I know that now.” She looked up at him and smiled. “I'd never do that to you, even if it doesn't work out, though.”
“It doesn't matter,” he said. “I won't hurt you like that. I may not be perfect, but I can promise you that.”
“I know,” she said. She kissed him, stealing his breath away. He leaned in to deepen the kiss as both of his arms slowly traveled to her back. Her hands roamed under his shirt and sent trails of fire wherever they went. He groaned and then moved so she was lying on the bed under him as he kissed her collarbone and moved down to kiss her breasts, listening to her gasp with pleasure. He unhooked her bra and tossed it on the floor. She got more insistent with his shirt then. “I want to see you,” she murmured.
He swallowed and then kissed her lightly before standing up. Rae looked at him with curiosity. Not a trace of her earlier fear was there, and there was only lust in her eyes. He studied that look, memorizing it in case he never saw that look again. Then he took off his suit jacket and tossed it on a chair before pulling his button-down shirt over his head, not wanting to waste time with the buttons. Rae drank in the sight of him, stunned. Thick scars covered his skin like snakes. Some were thin and jagged, from pieces of glass, and others were thick like rope lashes. Small scars on his forearms and on the back of his neck were from burns, particularly from cigars.
“One of the reasons why I wasn't afraid of bareknuckle boxing,” he said, shifting on his feet, “is because I had already received a lot worse at home.”
Rae sat up and grabbed his hand, pulling him close to her. She pressed her lips to his stomach and traveled upwards, very slowly. Valov bit back a groan. It took all of his will power not to pull her back and fuck her right there. Her lips traveled over his chest and kissed his neck gently, right on the burns, before capturing his mouth.
“You are easily the sexiest man I've seen,” she whispered in his ear.
He groaned. “You're going to be the death of me,” he murmured. He pulled her closer to him and steered her onto the bed, kissing her, his hands roaming over her soft skin as he undressed her completely. She smiled and went willingly, her hands trailing over his chest, claiming him. Hers.
She couldn’t resist tracing her fingers over his scars, as he groaned. “It has been a long time since someone has seen me and touched me like that without revulsion.” Pushing at his chest, he rolled over willingly as she got to her knees. Not breaking eye contact, she leaned down and delicately followed her fingers as she licked his scars. Closing his eyes briefly, he muttered something in Russian as she worked her way around his chest.
Brushing against his nipple with her cheek, he hissed as it puckered in response to her touch. Smiling, she swiped at it with her tongue, licking it like a lollipop as Valov clenched his hands. Moving her way down his body, she kissed along the inside of his pelvis as he sucked in his breath. The sensations she was creating with her touch were rapidly becoming too much for him and he wasn’t sure how much longer he was going to retain any sense of control.
As Rae reached his cock, she could feel how tightly wound he was as he clutched at the blanket. Nuzzling her face in his groin, she licked his balls as she heard him mutter in Russian. Gripping his shaft with both hands, she admired how large it was as it bounced and twitched in her hands. Sliding one hand down, she kneaded his balls as she slid her other hand slowly down his shaft. Blowing on the head, she licked at his pre-cum with as much relish as if it were an ice cream cone before wrapping her lips around it and slowly pulling it into her mouth. Squeezing lightly with both her hands, she set a leisurely pace as she bobbed her head up and down taking as much of him into her mouth as she could. She wanted him to know that she wasn’t repulsed by him. That she found him sexy and as she pleasured him, how much it was turning her on as her nipples brushed against his leg and puckered in response.
Moaning, Rae could feel her own arousal grow as Valov’s hand tangled in her hair pushing at her head. With each downward push with her mouth, she managed to take more of his cock as she eagerly worked her way down. Unable to take anymore, he tugged at her hair as she lifted her head. Reaching down, he pulled her up toward him as he captured her lips with his. Sliding his tongue between hers, he groaned, as he tasted his passion on her tongue.
Rolling her onto her back, he looked down at her. “I have very little control, I do not think that I can be gentle,” he told her as he fought for breath.
Leaning up, she kissed him sucking his lower lip into her mouth as he groaned. “So be it.” Lifting her legs to his shoulders, he positioned himself as he slowly sank between her folds. Placing his weight on her legs, he leaned heavily against her as he managed to bury his cock deep inside her. They both moaned in pleasure at how well she fit around him. Placing his hands on either side of her, he continued to lean against her legs as he began to thrust in and out.
Clutching at his arms, Rae lifted her hips as she met each thrust, her muscles enveloping him before he pulled out. Rising to his knees, he lifted her hips higher as he used her legs as leverage and picked up a powerful pace as he slammed in and out of her. Moaning, she threw her arms over her head as she clutched at the headboard. Tossing her head from side to side, she could feel her orgasm build as she felt her toes begin to curl. Screaming his name, she arched up as he slammed into her. Clutching at his cock with each stroke, she spasmed around him as he shortened his thrusts before arching his back against her as his own orgasm hit and she milked every last drop out of him.
Collapsing next to her, he pulled her into his arms as he rubbed her back. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?” He questioned, as he looked down at her.
Chuckling, Rae wrapped her arms around him as she cuddled against him. “Are you kidding? I’m looking forward to round two.”
Chapter Nine
Rae woke the next morning to find Valov's arms wrapped around her, still fast asleep. She smiled and turned into him so she could bury her head in his shoulder. He was so concerned about her, especially after that embarrassing breakdown she had. She kissed his shoulder and he stirred slightly, but didn't wake up. He looked peaceful when he slept, much more so than when he was awake. She remembered her conversation with Chloe about his tortured eyes. If only she knew how fitting that description is.
Rae knew that it was a huge act of trust on Valov's part to let her see him like that. He had been completely vulnerable to her after years of building a protective wall around him, hiding behind intimidation and charm. But he had let her in, and showed him who he really was and she knew that despite his criminal record, he wasn't a bad person.
There was no way in hell she'd be able to write a single negative thing about him in her article. She would help him instead. After all, she had a reputation for having a lot of integrity with her work. A positive article by her would make a huge impact in the public's opinion of Val, or at least in her readers. Rae didn't want to condemn him anymore. Instead, she wanted to help him.
Her unbiased v
iew was probably completely compromised at this point, not to mention her judgment. Because even though Rae knew how dangerous it was, she was sure she was on the verge of falling in love with Valov Tonov.
When Valov woke up to an empty bed, panic jolted through him. He sat up and immediately relaxed to see Rae standing in front of him, wearing nothing but the hotel bathrobe, and holding two cups of coffee. She smiled at him. “Morning,” she said, handing him one of the cups.
“Morning,” he said, kissing her lightly on the mouth. She crawled back into bed beside him, tangling her legs in his. Valov put his arm around her shoulders as he sipped his coffee. “How are you feeling this morning?” he asked.
“Excellent,” she said, smiling. “And you?”
He chuckled. “I have been worse.” Satisfied that she wasn't having any regrets about the night before, he took a sip of his coffee and set it down on the nightstand. “Do you have any plans today?” he asked.
Rae giggled. “I don't know,” she said. “I do have an article to write, so I should be home around noon, but my morning looks very free.”
“Not anymore,” he growled, his hand sliding up her leg. “I think I've booked it.”
“Oh, really? And do I get a say in it?” She smiled so he would know she was only teasing. Valov grinned back.
“Not for now,” he said, taking her coffee from her so he could flip her beneath him and kiss her. Rae gasped before returning his kiss with equal fervor, as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I think I'm okay with this,” she said, laughing as he kissed her neck.
Valov closed his eyes, her laugh like music to his ears, and filling every corner of his heart.
Valov drove Rae to pick up her car at Cameron Stadium. “Are you sure you need to write the article tonight?” he asked.
“Yes, I am,” she said. “And you know I do, too.”
“I know,” he said. “And I know you want to. I just don't want to leave you.”