Chapter 26 - Pippa
The door to Lev's room closes with a soft click, and the world outside seems to vanish. The chaos of the night fades away, leaving just the two of us, breathing heavily as we look into each other's eyes.
We hear the roar of the engines outside as the security convoy drives off, making sure we’re secured in the house.
"Lev…" I manage to whisper before he pulls me into his embrace, his strong arms wrapping around me tightly. My heart races, feeling the heat from his body pressed against mine. His familiar scent is intoxicating, and I bury my face into his chest, letting his warmth envelop me.
It’s the first time I feel at peace today.
"God, Pippa… I thought I'd lost you." Lev's voice trembles like he’s suppressing back sobs, for the first time in my presence. It's clear that this day has taken its toll on him too. As our emotions run high, I cling to him, tears streaming down my cheeks.
"Lev, I…" I pause, taking a deep breath to steady myself before looking up into his eyes. In his eyes, I see myself and I realize, I no longer know a life without him in it. "I love you," I confess, my voice shaking with emotion.
For a moment, Lev's expression falters. My heart skips a beat, and a seed of doubt threatens to plant itself in my heart. Does he…?
And then, to my surprise, a tear drops down his face. One single, lone tear. He closes his eyes and leans down, kissing my forehead before pulling away. “I’ve loved you for a long time now, Pippa. I don’t know why I waited this long to say it.”
At that moment, all doubts vanished like mist under the morning sun. Lev's confession washes over me, warming me from the inside out. The weight of his words settles between us, heavy with unspoken promises and a future we both never dared to dream of until now.
For the first time in a long time, I feel safe. I realize in this moment that from here on now, I’ll always have a family, with Lev.
“Oh, Lev,” I whisper. He gives me the sweetest, gentlest smile and takes my cheeks between his hands, bringing his face closer to me. I close my eyes as his lips brush against mine. I can feel his eyelashes flutter against my eyelids, and I take a deep breath, savoring his taste, knowing that this scent of mahogany and citrus is forever mine to claim. I lose myself in the kiss. This one isn’t fiery or hungry. This one is slow, permanent. It makes my heart soar and brings back the joy in my life.
Lev brushes a thumb gently against my cheek, wiping away the tears that linger and pulling away.
"I knew you would come for us when they took us. I never doubted it," I tell him, still staring into his eyes.
"Of course I came for you, my love. No one messes with what's mine." The possessive glint in his eyes tells me I’ll be forever safe.
"Yours? Really?" I raise an eyebrow, trying to inject some banter into this heavy moment. But deep inside, the word 'yours' resonates with me, making me feel cherished and protected.
"Always," he replies, smirking. "And I'm not letting you out of my sight ever again."
"Good," I say, my voice barely audible as I lean in and press my lips against his. The kiss is sweet, yet desperate, full of all the fear and longing we've experienced during our time apart. I reach for his shirt, to clutch it, to ask for more, but he holds my hands and pulls away.
Lev's eyes soften. "Pippa," he says, his voice tender and filled with sincerity. "When you were kidnapped, I was terrified. It felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest. You are the only woman I've ever loved, and ever will love."
His words unlock something deep within me. Suddenly, it all becomes so clear: Lev is my rock, my safe harbor in this terrifying storm. And I am his.
"Can you believe that I used to think you were just a cold, unfeeling brute?" I tease, smiling at the memory of our first encounter. "I guess I didn't know you as well as I thought."
"Ah, but I can’t blame you. I did kidnap you, after all" Lev chuckles, a playful glint in his eyes.
“I have to say, though,” I admit, extracting myself from his arms. “You are my favorite kidnapper.”
“I hope I don’t have any more competition,” he frowns.
I laugh and give him a wink.
Right after, in typical Lev fashion, he suggests I take a shower and a nap. Too tired to argue, I realize he’s right. When I come out of the shower, he’s laid out a whole meal for me with a glass of wine.
We sit in bed together, eating and talking into the morning hours, before falling asleep.
***
As the weekend passes, Lev and I stick to each other like glue. The warmth of his presence is a balm to my aching heart, and I find myself craving his company with every beat.
Sunday evening, we sit on the plush rug in front of the fireplace, the flames casting flickering shadows on our faces. Our conversation gradually slows, silence settling between us as we simply enjoy each other's company. My gaze drifts to his lips, a sudden heat igniting within me. I swallow hard, trying to ignore the undeniable urge surging through my veins.
"Did you ever think you’d have something like this in life?" I ask, my voice barely a whisper. “True love?”
"Never," he replies truthfully. "You are… special, Pippa."
"Lev," I murmur, my heart pounding in my chest. I take a deep breath, gathering my courage. "I want you."
His eyes widen, but he doesn't move. Instead, he searches my face for any hint of hesitation. "Are you sure, my love?" His concern is touching, so different.
"Absolutely," I reply, my voice trembling slightly.
“But after the trauma you’ve faced…” he begins.
“Shh,” I whisper, leaning over and placing a finger on his mouth. “Trust me, Lev. Nothing of that sort happened.”
“I’m just saying,” he shakes his head. “That night was… intense. I want to make sure you're ready for this."
I smile softly, my fingers tracing the lines of his jaw. "Lev, you've been patient and understanding through it all. I know what I want, and it's you," I affirm, my gaze locked with his.
Lev nods, understanding my needs while respecting my boundaries. He places a gentle hand on my cheek, guiding my face closer to his. But, instead of kissing me, he slides his fingers through mine and stares down at how our palms intertwine, as though in disbelief over how we just fit.
His free hand glides up to the edge between my ear and neck, gently caressing my cheek. I look into his eyes, clear and fierce. So protective. It’s like he’s cherishing me in this moment.
“So, will you make the move and kiss the girl already?” I tease.
He laughs and brings his lips closer to me, pressing his mouth to mine. I part my lips for his taking, so eager and hungry for this thing I’ve missed with him.
He releases my palm, and his hands reach up for the back of my neck, gently pressing against my skull. He pulls me closer, harder. A sliver of electricity forms where he touches me, going down my spine.
I shudder involuntarily.
“Excited much, Miss Anderson?” he asks, pulling away gently.
I bite my lower lip and lean forward, nipping his ear. “I missed you. This.”
His hands begin to roam over my curves, gently sliding up and down my thighs under my dress. He’s teasing me. I moan and hike my leg up for his taking, sliding it over his crotch and placing it beside him.
I can feel the bulge under his trousers. He reaches for the top of my dress. It’s tied together at the back, and he traces the outline of my dress until he reaches the strings, flicking them open in one go.
I gasp as my dress falls down one shoulder. Slowly, he peels it down both shoulders, letting it rest just below my bra. Gently, he traces patterns against my bra, his fingers etching along the curves of my cleavage, grazing over my nipples through the cotton.
I moan and inch forward, reaching for his cock, caressing him over his trousers.
"Patience, Love," he whispers into my ear, nibbling gently on the lobe. "We have all the time in the world."
“Maybe,” I whisper. “But I’d like to get a few more sessions in during that time.”
He chuckles, his voice deep and velvety. "And I thought you were a good girl," he smirks, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "But I see you have a wild side, too, Pippa Anderson."
His hands, still hovering over my curves, glide lower, teasingly playing with the hem of my dress.
I squirm, my breath hitching in anticipation. I decide I can’t wait any longer, and I unbuckle his belt, sliding it off. With both hands, I fumble with his trousers, unbuttoning and unzipping him. He lifts himself off the floor just a little to let me slide his trousers off a while.
He watches the way my breasts squeeze between my arms as I play out the motions. I blush and look away.
He leans forward and runs his hands up my thighs and whispers. “You’re stunning.”
Then, he slowly guides me to lie down. My dress lies at my waist from the top, and he lifts the hem up to above my hips. His hands graze the sides of my ass and I lurch from the electric desire pooling through me.
Slowly, he slides down the straps of my bra and pulls it below my breasts, freeing them to his lustful eyes. He watches them sway gently and he can't resist the temptation to reach out and run his fingers over their sensitive skin.
I arch my back at his touch, whimpering softly in pleasure. His hands move to the waistband of my underwear, his fingers teasing the edge, tracing a path toward my belly button. I can feel his breath on my skin, hot and heavy, filling me with desire.
"So, are you ready for this, Pippa?" he asks, his voice a husky whisper.
My heart races, and I can't deny that I want him more than anything. I take a deep breath and nod, my eyes never leaving his.
His hands grip my waist, pulling me closer to him, and I feel a tremendous surge of lust course through me. With a sudden motion, he yanks off my underwear, leaving me exposed and vulnerable to his gaze. His eyes widen, taking in the sight before him, and I can see the hunger and desire in them.
He moves closer, his body heat radiating against my skin, and I can feel his arousal as he presses himself against me. I feel the heat between my legs, the need to be closer to him.
I part my legs.
He notices the movement and smiles tenderly. He now balances himself above me, on his knees and one arm, the other holding my neck. He positions himself at the entrance of my pussy, and I bend sideways, reaching for his cock. I guide it right to the edge of my pussy and look him in the eye, my lips parted, trying to catch the wind that the sight of him knocks right out of me.
In one swift go, his gaze turns downward to where our desire is, to his cock, and he slides it into me. I gasp, feeling full and throbbing with pleasure. He enters me slowly, deliberately, letting me feel every inch of him. My body trembles in reaction to his touch.
"Oh, fuck," I pant, my voice shaking with desire.
He chuckles, a deep and velvety sound that wraps around me like a warm blanket.
"That's not a bad idea," he whispers, his eyes glinting with mischief. "But we'll save that for another time. Right now, I just want to be inside you. I want to make love to you."
He pulls back, almost all the way out, and then thrusts forward again, his cock sliding in and out of me with a slick, wet sound.
I moan, arching my back and gripping his shoulders. He's filling me up in a way I never thought possible, and I'm loving every moment of it.
"You feel so good," he whispers, his voice still deep and velvety. "So tight. So wet."
I moan again, my body moving in sync with his as he thrusts into me with a rhythm that's both primal and tender.
He leans forward and kisses me on the lips, and his hips swivel in circles as he hits every corner, every inch of my walls in slow motion.
The pleasure that seeps through me is so pure, so sweet that tears spring to my eyes.
“Shh,” he whispers, leaning closer and kissing my tears away. “Should I stop?”
“It’s so good,” I moan, letting out one single sob. “Please, Lev, don’t stop.”
He nods in understanding and continues to grind his cock in me. I clasp my legs around his hips and reach down with my hands, pulling his ass toward me, so I can feel his deeper, take him to places no other woman ever has before.
He thrusts into me harder, my walls tightening around him, my pussy throbbing in response to his every touch. My nails dig into his back, leaving marks that he will carry with him for days. I bite my lower lip to keep from screaming out his name, the pleasure building up and up until finally…
"Fuck, Pippa. Fuck," Lev groans, his hips thrusting in harder, faster. His eyes lock onto mine, the stormy gray turning fiery and possessive. "I’m close."
His words push me over the edge, and I come hard, my body lurching off the ground. He holds me up, his hand at the back of my neck, giving me support, and continues to drive into me. My pussy begins to clench and I close my eyes, moaning in sheer, pure pleasure.
“Lev,” I call out his name, seeing stars behind my eyes.
“Cum for me, Darling. Cum,” he says. He leans forward and kisses me, plunging out and back in with one strong.
With that, I shriek, my voice muffled under his kiss.
"You feel like heaven," he growls, his eyes scorching me with their intensity. "God, I'm so close, Pippa."
I cry out his name, the sound mingling with his ragged breaths. His hands tighten on my hips, and I know he's almost there.
"I'm right there with you," I manage to gasp between pants.
He groans, his eyes locked on mine, and then he does it. He thrusts into me once more, his cock hitting that perfect spot deep inside me, and I scream his name, my body trembling as we come together.
He collapses on top of me, his heart pounding against my chest, and I wrap my arms around him, our bodies still joined.
That night, we sleep naked, in each other’s arms, by the fireplace.
***
The next morning, I wake up in Lev’s bed. I look around, confused, and realize he must have carried me here.
But where is he?
Five minutes later, he emerges from the shower.
“Oh good,” he smiles at me. “You’re awake.”
“Why are you dressed so early?” I ask, confusion etched in my voice.
“Have to head into the office today,” he tells me, shuffling through his cupboard, finding the right clothes.
I take a deep breath, trying to find the words that will express the turmoil of emotions swelling inside me. I’m not ready to be away from him yet.
"Lev," I begin, my voice barely above a whisper. "Please, can’t you stay?”
He stops what he’s doing and turns around to face me, concern all over his face. He walks over and sits beside me, brushing away a strand of hair from my face. He cups my cheek gently. “Pippa. I swear I’ll be back as soon as I can. After everything that’s happened, my brothers and I need to meet and talk. We need to re-strategize to ensure nothing like that happened to Anoushka and you can ever take place again. I have to go… for you.”
I frown, not fully convinced by his words, but I don't argue either. He's always been the protector, the one who takes care of his family, and I understand that he needs to do what he needs to do… for us. For the Zolotov family.
"Alright," I concede, trying to muster a brave smile. "But promise me you'll come back soon.”
“Always, Pippa Anderson,” he leans forward, grazing his lips against mine. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I whisper.
“Just promise me you'll stay safe and indoors until then. No wandering off or cleaning houses alone, okay?"
I laugh.