Chapter 33
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Lily
Song- Forbidden Fruit, Tommee Profitt, Sam Tinnesz, brooke.
I’m panicking. Not in my usual way, where the walls close in and my chest locks up like I’m about to suffocate.
This is different. This is the kind of panic that comes from falling too fast and realizing there’s nothing beneath you if it goes wrong.
Is it possible to imagine a future with a man you’ve only just met? I’ve watched the films. Read the books.
But what if he’s just saying the right things? What if I’m letting myself believe because I want to?
No one has ever chosen me first and only.
Fuck.
I creep out of the bedroom and grab the chilled bottle of champagne from the fridge, pouring myself a glass. I can’t even bring myself to get into the dress I picked for tonight. Not when I know he’s right next door.
He distracts me. I don’t want dinner. I want him.
By the time I turn back toward my room, his door opens.
Drago stands there in boxers, bare chest on display, wet hair clinging to his skin. One eyebrow lifts as he leans against the frame, and my breath stutters like I’ve forgotten how to use it.
“Are we celebrating something?” he asks.
I pout. “Would you like a glass?”
He shakes his head and pushes off the door, stalking toward me with that dangerous ease. “No. I have to stay alert every second I’m around you.”
A smile tugs at my lips. “Moy zashchitnik.”
I run my hand up his chest, and he groans under his breath, plucking the glass from my fingers. I can see the internal fight he’s having with himself. He does deserve me. He needs to learn to forget his loyalties to anyone else and live in the moment with me.
It’s almost enough for some of the guilt to swirl in my stomach. Those loyalties are to my father. I’m putting him in this difficult position, which makes me selfish.
He calms my mind; that is pretty clear. Providing the safety I’ve longed for years for. I want to provide that for him, too.
“I think this is the moment you say fuck it,” I whisper.
He tips my chin up to look at him, a smirk spreading across his lips. “Fuck it.” His voice is rough, thick with a Russian accent.
He takes the champagne into his mouth, but doesn’t swallow.
His eyes lock with mine as he places the glass on the shelf beside me, and then his hands wrap around my throat, tipping my head back just enough to steal my breath.
His lips hover over mine.
I open my mouth.
The champagne spills between us, as he spits the contents into my mouth, and I swallow. My eyes flutter open to find his dark with want.
“I wanted to take you to dinner and do this properly,” he growls.
I slide my fingers into his hair. “You’ve already given me the best date I’ve ever had. I don’t need to be wined and dined, Drago. Not unless it’s on you.”
He blows out a breath, giving me a grin. “That was smooth, Lily baby. But, I’ll be the one feasting on you.”
My mouth drops open, the heat burning my cheeks.
“Well, go on—” I don’t even finish the sentence before his mouth crashes into mine, his hands tangled in my hair.
It’s the type of kiss that steals your soul. Desperate and delicious.
“I’m supposed to be protecting you,” he pants against my lips. “Not fucking you senseless.”
I smile against his lips, trying to catch my breath. “I’d say this still counts as looking after me. I have needs only you can tend to.”
His hand tightens around my waist, pulling me flush to him, his eyes searching my face for hesitation he won’t find.
“Is this what you need from me?” he murmurs. “You want me to make you feel good?”
I nod. I want that. But I also want everything from him.
His hand slides up my bare thigh as he presses me into the door, lifting my leg. I can feel how hard he’s getting through his boxers, and my body responds instantly.
“I want to make you feel good too,” I whisper.
“Only after I’ve worshipped you, lastochka,” he says softly. “Will you be a good girl and let me do that?”
My throat tightens, not with fear, but with something dangerously close to surrender. “I thought you’d be rough,” I admit quietly. “Dominant. Take what you want.”
He chuckles and kisses me again. “You’ll learn my tastes at your pace. Just like I’ll learn yours. Tonight isn’t about taking, it’s about you. I get off on your pleasure, Lily. That’s who I am… for you.”
My breath leaves me in a rush. “I’m not fragile. I do have sex.” I pause, biting my lip. “Okay, not often, but I still do.”
I’ll leave out the part that it always makes me feel dirty afterwards. That I get no real pleasure out of it.
He winces briefly, then steadies. “I know. But this requires trust. When the time comes, I’ll push your boundaries. I’ll give you everything you want. And I’ll punish you when you need it.”
Fuck.
“Are you real?” I ask quietly.
He brushes his thumb along my cheek. “I’m no Prince. I’m the villain in a lot of stories. Just not yours.”
I rock my hips into him, and he groans. I know I’m soaked for him, and I know he can feel that against his boxers.
“I’m not going to last five minutes,” he murmurs.
I wrap my arms around his neck. “Neither am I.”
He lifts me effortlessly, my legs locking around his waist as he devours my mouth, hands firm on my back, holding me exactly where he wants me.
“You’re perfect,” he mutters.
I grin against his lips as his teeth catch my bottom lip, and for the first time in my life, I don’t feel like I’m waiting to be wanted.
I already am.