Chapter 15Claire
15
Claire
T wo weeks pass, and the tension between Valerian and me simmers like a pot ready to boil over. I can’t forget his kindness during my miserable period. The contrast between the ruthless businessman and the man who cared for me in those moments leaves me reeling.
I’m in the kitchen, the scent of vanilla and chocolate chips filling the air as I slide another tray of cookies into the oven. Baking has always been my escape, a way to quiet my racing thoughts.
Today, it’s not working.
The front door slams, and heavy footsteps approach. Valerian storms into the kitchen, his usual grace replaced by tightly coiled anger. His jaw is clenched, eyes stormy.
“I need a massage. Now.” His voice is clipped, brooking no argument.
I glance at the oven timer. “The cookies?—”
“I’ll keep an eye on them, Miss Claire,” says Anatoly, appearing as if summoned. “Go on.”
With a grateful nod, I follow Valerian to the gray room. The space is familiar now, but today, it feels charged with an electric current. His mood permeates the air.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, expecting him to brush me off.
To my surprise, he pauses in unbuttoning his shirt. “A skirmish with a rival. Nothing for you to worry about.”
“A skirmish?” I echo, helping him remove his shirt. My breath catches as I spot an angry purple bruise blooming across his shoulder. “Valerian, you’re hurt.”
He waves off my concern. “It’s fine. Viktor shoved me to the sidewalk when he saw a laser sight on my chest.”
My fingers hover over the bruise. “A laser sight? Someone tried to shoot you?”
He settles onto the massage table, his muscles taut beneath my hands. “It’s part of the business, Claire. Now, are you going to fuss, or are you going to work out these knots?”
I bite my lip, torn between pressing for answers and doing my job. Professional instincts win out, and I begin to work on his shoulders, careful of the bruised area.
“You could have been killed,” I murmur, unable to keep the tremor from my voice.
Valerian turns his head, catching my gaze. “But I wasn’t, thanks to Viktor’s quick thinking.”
My hands move lower, working out the tension in his back. I feel the corded muscles beneath my fingers, and the strength barely contained beneath his skin. It’s intoxicating. “Does this happen often?” I ask, desperate to fill the charged silence.
Valerian’s chuckle is dark. “More often than I’d like. The Petrov Syndicate is getting bolder.”
I falter for a moment. “The ones who set up my brother?”
“The very same.” Valerian’s voice hardens. “They’re making a play for my territory. Today was just the latest move in our ongoing chess match.”
My hands continue their work, but my mind races. The danger he faces daily suddenly feels very real. “I don’t understand how you can be so calm about this.”
He shifts, sitting up to face me. His gaze lock onto mine, intense and unreadable. “Because showing fear is a weakness I can’t afford. In my world, the moment you flinch is the moment you lose.”
The vulnerability in his admission steals my breath. Without thinking, I reach out, cupping his face in my hand. He leans into the touch, his eyes closing for a brief moment.
“You don’t have to be invincible for me,” I whisper.
His eyes snap open, burning with an intensity that makes my heart race. “Don’t I?”
The air between us crackles with electricity. I’m acutely aware of how close we are, of the heat radiating from his skin. My gaze drops to his lips, and I see his do the same.
I glide my hands over Valerian’s muscled back, each stroke revealing new tension. The bruise on his shoulder stands out against his skin, a reminder of how close I came to losing him before I even had him. The thought sends an unexpected wave of panic through me.
“You’re quiet,” he murmurs.
“Someone tried to kill you today.” The words come out raw, unfiltered.
He shifts beneath my touch. “It’s not the first time.”
“That doesn’t make it better.” My fingers trace the edges of his tattoos, memorizing their patterns.
“Claire.” He catches my wrist. His blue eyes burn with intensity.
The air between us crackles with electricity. My heart pounds against my ribs as he pulls me closer, one hand sliding to my waist. His touch ignites something primal, desperate. “Tell me to stop,” he whispers against my lips.
Instead, I close the distance between us. The kiss is urgent, hungry—everything we’ve been holding back exploding at once. His hands tangle in my hair as I press against him, savoring the heat of his skin against mine.
He lifts me onto the massage table, stepping between my legs. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” That one word loosens the reins of his control, and I’m here for it.
Valerian’s grip tightens on my hips as I explore his chest, his stomach, and his arms. He groans when I brush my fingertips across his nipples, then gasps when I lean forward and take one between my teeth.
“Fuck, Claire,” he says hoarsely.
I smile against his skin, running my tongue along his collarbone. He smells like soap, sweat, and the smoky undertone of Dewars, which I’ve learned is his favorite drink. It’s intoxicating, and I nip at his neck, reveling in the way he shudders beneath my touch.
“You’re driving me crazy.”
“Good.” I slide off the table, pushing him backward until he hits the wall. I grasp his belt buckle with a sassy look, feeling bolder than usual. Maybe it’s his brush with death emphasizing how little time I might have with him. Or maybe it’s just the fact that I’m finally giving in to what I’ve wanted since I met him. Either way, I feel powerful, sexy, and desired.
Valerian watches me with hooded eyes as I undo his belt and unzip his suit pants. The wool fabric falls away, revealing black boxer briefs stretched tightly over his cock. I bite my lip, hesitating only for a moment before reaching inside to free it.
His erection springs free, thick and heavy in my palm. I stroke him slowly, watching his expression change from longing to pure need. He closes his eyes, letting out a low groan as I continue to tease him. “Claire...”
I drop to my knees, looking up at him through my eyelashes. “Is this okay?”
He nods, unable to speak.
I lick my lips and swirl my tongue around the head of his cock, savoring his musky flavor. He moans, tangling his fingers in my hair as I take his cock deeper into my mouth. I relax my throat, swallowing him whole.
“Oh, fuck, Claire. Feels so good.”
I hum in agreement, bobbing my head up and down on his shaft. He grips my hair tighter, thrusting his hips forward. I let him set the pace, enjoying the sensation of being used for his pleasure. I’ve never enjoyed giving a blow job before, but now, I can’t get enough. I love the way he tastes, the way he fills my mouth, and the sounds he makes as I suck him harder and faster.
Valerian pulls me off his cock suddenly, lifting me to my feet. “That’s enough,” he says, kissing me fiercely. “I need to be inside you.”
I nod breathlessly, letting him guide me back to the massage table. I’m expecting him to rip off my clothes and sink inside me, so I’m mildly disappointed when he starts undressing me with finesse, one button at a time. “Could you speed up?”
He chuckles. “Impatient? It’s my turn to tease you...”
I shiver as he slides my shirt off my shoulders and tosses it aside. His hands are warm and calloused as they skim over my breasts, making me gasp. He smiles wickedly, cupping them through my bra. “You like that?”
“Yes.” I arch into his touch, desperate for more.
He unhooks my bra, sliding it off my arms and tossing it onto the floor. My nipples harden instantly under his heated gaze. “Beautiful.” He leans down, capturing one nipple between his teeth. I cry out, gripping his shoulders as he sucks and bites gently.
My legs tremble as he moves to the other breast, lavishing it with attention. I moan, grinding against him shamelessly. “Please, Valerian, I need you.”
He releases my nipple with a pop, smirking. “Not yet. I want to taste you first.”
Before I can respond, he slides my pants and panties down my legs. I help by elevating my hips before lying flat on the massage bed again. “This isn’t the best place for this...” All thoughts of suggesting we move to one of our beds flees when he kisses my pussy, gently stroking my fluttering clit with his lips before his tongue gets involved.
“Oh…” I grip the edges of the table, trying not to squirm too much.
He laughs softly, licking and sucking my clit with expert precision. I writhe beneath him, panting and moaning while he brings me closer to orgasm. He slides his tongue lower, teasing my entrance before plunging inside. I cry out, bucking my hips as he fucks me with his tongue.
It doesn’t take long before I’m teetering on the edge, ready to fall over. “Valerian, please... I’m going to come...”
He growls, burying his face deeper between my thighs. He refocuses on my clit, swirling his tongue around it with single-minded devotion. My stomach clenches, and I quiver as heat builds. It’s more than just physical. There’s an entirely different warmth growing alongside my impending orgasm that has everything to do with him, and how I feel about him.
The realization sends me spiraling over the edge. I scream his name as I come, my body convulsing uncontrollably. He holds me steady, prolonging my pleasure until I’m spent by gradually slowing the pace of his tongue, until he’s just lazily licking me when I finally regain my senses.
“Wow.” I pant, staring up at the ceiling. “That was amazing.”
He grins, wiping his chin with the back of his hand. “Glad you enjoyed yourself.”
I sit up, reaching for him. “I want more. You. Your cock.”
His eyes darken with lust. “As you wish.”
We kiss passionately, tangling our tongues together. I can taste myself on his lips, and it turns me on even more. He parts my thighs, positioning himself between them. I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him closer. We both groan as his cock brushes against my sensitive folds. It briefly crosses my mind that we should use protection, but I forget about the idea when his cock rubs against my clit before slipping lower, edging toward my opening.
I break away from the kiss, gasping for air. “Now, Valerian. Please.”
He nods, pushing forward slowly. I bite my lip, savoring the feeling of being stretched and filled by him. His cock is thick and heavy, and I savor every inch when he sinks deeper inside me. I cling to him, digging my nails into his back once he bottoms out.
“Are you okay?” he asks, his voice strained.
I nod, unable to speak. I’ve never felt so full before, and it takes a moment to adjust to his size. Once I’ve relaxed, I rock my hips experimentally, urging him to move. He complies, withdrawing almost completely before slamming back into me. I cry out, arching my back as he sets a steady rhythm.
Each thrust sends waves of pleasure coursing through my body, and I meet him eagerly, lifting my hips to match his movements. Our bodies are slick with sweat, and he grips my hips tightly, driving into me harder and faster. Another orgasm is building, and I tighten my legs around him, desperate for release.
He groans, his movements becoming erratic. “Claire, I’m close.”
I nod, unable to form words. I’m right there with him, hovering on the brink of ecstasy. He reaches between us, rubbing my clit in quick circles. That’s all it takes to send me flying over the edge. I scream his name as I come, clamping my inner walls down around his cock. He follows soon after, spilling his seed deeply inside me.
Afterward, we lie tangled together, basking in the afterglow. I rest my head on his chest, listening to his heart beat steadily beneath my ear. He runs his fingers through my hair, tracing patterns on my skin. It feels good, intimate. I could get used to this.
But then reality comes crashing back down. This isn’t real. None of it is. We’re just acting, playing our roles, and once the movie wraps, we’ll go our separate ways. I try to ignore the ache in my chest at the thought.
“What are you thinking about?” he asks, breaking the silence.
I hesitate, unsure how to answer. “Just...everything,” I say finally. “I guess...how you nearly died today, and how it seemed like a good idea to seize the moment.”
To my surprise, he laughs. “If getting shot at leads to this outcome, remind me to fax my schedule to Matvey Petrov.”
I roll my eyes and shake my head. “You aren’t taking this seriously.”
His expression changes, becoming solemn and focused. “I am, zvetochek . My...line of work comes with certain risks, but I’m not shrugging off the incident. I’m merely appreciating how you’ve found a novel way to take my mind off the situation.” He slants me a half-smile. “Would you be up for continuing the distraction?”
I should say no and try to restore a semblance of order. Get us back to our normal. Instead, I nod and open my mouth when he kisses me again. I make the split decision to just enjoy the moment, and how many ever moments follow. This isn’t a happily ever after ending and never can be, but we might has well have some happy endings along the way.