Chapter 9 First Light
First Light
Anton:
Her yes ignites the flame that's been smoldering. Control fractures like glass as I close the distance between us, my hands caressing the delicate curve of her face.
I breathe her in before claiming her lips. "Solnishko."
The kiss starts as my mouth moves gently against hers. But when I draw her lower lip between mine and suck softly, she opens for me like a flower seeking sunlight. Her tongue meets mine, tentative at first, then bolder as I deepen the kiss.
She tastes exquisite, like honey and promises. My tongue explores the warmth of her mouth while her small hands fist in my shirt, anchoring herself to me. A groan tears from my throat when she tugs my lower lip between her teeth.
My cock hardens instantly. The ache builds, thick and unforgiving.
"I warned you," I murmur against her mouth, remembering my words from last night. "Once I start, I won't be able to stop."
Instead of pulling away, she kisses me harder, her tongue dancing with mine in a rhythm that mirrors what my body craves. Her soft whimper shoots straight to my cock.
My hands slide from her face to her waist, spanning the narrow circumference easily. She's so small beneath my touch, so perfectly made for my hands. The soft fabric of her dress whispers against my fingers as I trace the curve of her hip.
"Anton." My name on her lips sounds like absolution.
Control snaps completely.
In one fluid motion, I lift her from the barstool, her legs wrapping around my waist. The dress rides up her thighs as she settles against me, and I can feel the heat of her through the thin fabric. My arousal presses against her core, and the small gasp she makes nearly undoes me.
Her arms tighten around my neck as I carry her through the penthouse, each step causing delicious friction between us. She buries her face in my shoulder, her breath hot against my neck.
The sensation makes my steps falter for just a moment before I recover, pushing through the bedroom door with single-minded purpose Afternoon light streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows, filtering through the curtains and painting everything in warm hues.
I set her down, sitting on the side of the bed. My hands immediately return to frame her face. Her green eyes are dark with desire, pupils dilated, lips swollen from my kisses.
She looks thoroughly debauched already, and I haven't even begun to worship her properly.
I lean closer, my thumbs tracing the smooth line of her cheekbones, when she places her small hands over mine.
"Anton, wait. There's something I need to tell you."
The urgency in her voice makes me pause, though every instinct screams to continue claiming what's mine. Something flickers behind her green eyes.
Uncertainty. Fear.
I force myself to step back slightly, despite my body's protests at the distance. My hands remain gentle against her face.
"What is it, Solnishko?"
She takes a shaky breath, her gaze dropping to my chest before meeting my eyes again.
"I've never been with anyone." The words tumble out in a rush. "I've never had sex. I'm a virgin. And as much as I want this, I need to tell you because you might expect something I can't give you."
Her cheeks flame red, but she doesn't look away.
"Plus, can you please be gentle with me?"
The confession stops my world completely. Every thought, every plan, every assumption shatters and reforms around this new truth. She kisses me back with such fire, but she has never been touched.
Never been claimed. Never been taken. Mine to worship. Mine to teach.
I take her hand and bring it to my lips, pressing a kiss to her palm. I know how precious trust is. I need to be gentle with her. Patient. Worshipful.
"Are you scared, Solnishko?"
She nods, her teeth catching her lower lip. "I am. I've heard it hurts, and if everything about you is as big as it looks..." Her gaze drops to where my arousal strains against my shorts. "Yes, I'm scared. But I also want you."
Those green eyes lift to mine again, and the combination there nearly brings me to my knees. Pure innocence warring with raw, honest lust.
She looks at me like I'm both salvation and damnation, like she knows exactly what she's asking for and fears it in equal measure.
But she's trusting me despite that fear.
"We'll go slow," I promise, my voice rougher than I intend. "As slow as you need."
My thumb traces her jawline, marveling at the way she leans into my touch.
"But once I have you, there's no going back. I don't let go. Ever."
This is my vow.
Her hands slide up my chest, fingers tracing the tattoos visible at my collar. The gentle touch sends electricity racing through my veins.
"I've been yours since that first kiss," she whispers, and something inside my chest breaks open like a dam.
Her trust settles into my bones like a benediction. This woman, who could have anyone, chooses me, damaged goods and all.
"Stand up for me, Solnishko."
She rises on one unsteady leg, the afternoon light catching the amber threads in her hair. My hands find the hem of her dress, fingers brushing against silk-soft skin as I gather the fabric.
"Arms up."
She lifts her arms obediently, and I pull the dress up and over her head in one smooth motion. The fabric whispers as it falls to the floor, pooling around her bare feet like spilled wine.
Christ.
White lace cups her breasts, delicate as spun sugar. Matching panties sit low on her hips, the contrast against her pale skin enough to make my mouth water. Everything about the set screams innocence and purity, yet the way she stands before me radiates quiet confidence.
"You're perfect."
Pink blooms across her chest, creeping up her neck. I guide her onto the bed, watching as she settles against the charcoal sheets. Her hair fans out like a halo, green eyes wide and trusting.
I strip my shirt off slowly, giving her time to adjust to the sight of my inked skin.
Her gaze travels over every mark, every scar, without flinching. When her eyes meet mine again, there's no fear.
I keep my shorts on. Too much too fast will spook her, and I need her to be comfortable; I need her to want.
The mattress dips as I climb onto the bed, positioning myself above her small frame, my shoulders blocking out the light. I brace my weight on my forearms, careful not to crush her.
"I won't do anything you don't want." My promise comes out rough with want.
She nods, her breathing quick and shallow. I lower my head, capturing her lips in a gentle kiss before trailing down her jaw to the sensitive spot behind her ear. She shivers when I nip the tender skin.
My mouth follows the elegant line of her throat, tongue tasting the sweetness of her pulse. Each kiss draws soft gasps from her lips, her body slowly relaxing beneath mine.
I kiss between her breasts, the lace rough against my lips. Supporting my weight on one arm, I slide my free hand beneath her, fingers finding the clasp of her bra.
"Can I?"
"Yes."
The hooks give way with a soft snick. I lift my head, meeting her eyes as I press a venerate kiss to the swell of her cleavage. Her breath catches, pupils dilating.
I peel the lace away slowly, freeing her breasts to my hungry gaze. Full and perfect, rose-tipped nipples already peaked with arousal. Everything in me roars mine, but I force myself to move with intended care.
Lowering my body, I trace the curve of one breast with my tongue before drawing the hardened peak into my mouth. She arches beneath me, a soft moan escaping her lips.
"Do you like that?" I murmur against her skin, switching to lavish attention on her other breast.
"Yes." The word comes out breathless, needy.
I suck harder, feeling her hips move restlessly beneath me. Her small hands tangle in my hair, holding me against her. The sound of her pleasure goes straight to my cock, but I ignore the ache. This is about her, about showing her how worship feels.
"Anton, please."
I lift my head, studying her flushed face. The nervousness is melting away, replaced by a growing desire. Her body moves against mine with instinctive need.
"Tell me what you want, my Solnishko."
"More. I want more."
My mouth charts a path down her body. Her skin tastes like sweet vanilla, soft beneath my lips as I trace the curve of her ribs. She trembles when I press my mouth to the hollow beneath her sternum, her breathing quick and shallow.
"So beautiful," I murmur against her skin, tongue tracing as I keep going down on her abdomen.
Her muscles flutter beneath my touch as I kiss lower, following the subtle line that leads to the waistband of her panties. White lace stretches across her hips, innocent and tempting.
I can see the evidence of her arousal through the fabric, and the knowledge that I've brought her to this point makes my chest tight with possessive pride.
I hook my fingers beneath the elastic, ready to slide them down her legs, when I feel her body go rigid beneath me.
I release the panties instantly, hands moving to frame her face instead. "Solnishko."
Green eyes swim with uncertainty and something that looks dangerously close to panic. Her lip trembles between her teeth, and I want to kill whatever thoughts are making her afraid.
"We stop," I say simply, shifting my weight off her petite frame. "Right now."
"No." The word comes out fierce despite her obvious nervousness. "I want this. I want you. I'm just scared."
I settle beside her on the bed, pulling her against my chest so she doesn't have to feel exposed. Her small body fits perfectly against mine, head tucked beneath my chin. I can feel her heart racing against my ribs.
My hand strokes through her silky hair while she processes my words.
"If you want me to stop, I stop. If you want me to go slower, I go slower. If you want me to touch you differently, you tell me how." I tilt her chin up, making sure she sees the sincerity in my eyes. "Your pleasure is the only thing that matters to me."
She studies my face, searching for deception she won't find.