Chapter 23 #2
A massive golden firework exploded across the night sky above the Hudson, lighting everything up like daylight.
Then—Countless extravagant custom fireworks launched in succession, weaving through the darkness in a dazzling inferno, their brilliance reflecting in Viktor's eyes as he watched me.
This wasn't some holiday. This was him setting the night ablaze for me—the most spectacular, most extreme romance in this city that never sleeps.
My eyes filled again.
All my defenses, insecurities, fears—shattered under that sky full of fireworks.
Looking at this dangerous, powerful man who'd laid all his favor and vulnerability bare before me, that flame called "desire" inside me roared into a wildfire.
I stood on my toes, wrapped my arms around his neck, and kissed him.
Viktor's eyes ignited instantly. He bent down without hesitation and claimed my mouth.
This kiss was different from all the others. No more testing or pushing back—just pure, burning possession. His tongue carried the cool bite of champagne and his signature dominance, invading and greedily stealing every breath.
"Mmm..."
A helpless whimper escaped me as I clutched the front of his silk robe.
The night wind swept across the terrace but couldn't cool the rising heat between us.
Viktor's large hand slid up my waist, his calloused fingertips teasing my most sensitive nerves through the thin fabric. Every movement dripped with absolute control, making me tremble, legs weak, able only to cling to him.
"Princess..." He panted, lips trailing from my jaw downward, leaving scorching marks along my collarbone and neck. "Do you know how much I've wanted you these past days? I was going insane."
My heartbeat nearly broke through my ribs.
His movements were urgent but restrained from being rough. I gasped breathlessly, suddenly remembering—I tried to push him away.
"Your wound—"
"Just don't touch it." His voice was hoarse, forehead pressed to mine, eyes full of that familiar raging fire—but now it held an unprecedented tenderness. "Tonight, I want you, Hailey."
My heart pounded wildly.
Looking at those bandages, those still-healing injuries, I felt an impulse I'd never had before.
"Then..." My face burned, but my voice carried a reckless courage. I pushed him down onto the terrace's plush lounge chair. "Don't move. Let me."
Overhead, the fireworks kept blooming, one after another, in wild succession.
I leaned down, my fingers trembling with a mix of nerves and raw need as I untied the silk belt of Viktor's robe. The fabric parted easily, revealing the hard planes of his chest, the sculpted ridges of his abdomen, and the stark white bandages wrapped around his side.
I avoided them carefully, my lips brushing feather-light kisses along the uninjured skin—starting at his collarbone, trailing lower over the taut muscle of his pecs, then down the center of his stomach.
His skin was hot, feverish under my mouth, and I could feel the rapid thud of his heartbeat against my lips.
"Hailey..." Viktor's voice was a guttural rasp, hoarse with restraint as my kisses ventured even lower, skirting the edge of the bandages.
His abs clenched hard beneath my touch, and one of his hands fisted in my hair, not pulling, just holding on like I was his lifeline. "Fuck, princess... you're killing me."
I glanced up at him through my lashes, a small, teasing smile curving my lips despite the flush burning across my cheeks.
Emboldened, I shrugged out of my own clothes, letting the thin dress pool at my feet before kicking it aside. The cool night air kissed my bare skin, pebbling my nipples, but the heat radiating from Viktor chased away any chill.
I positioned myself carefully on the wide lounge chair, one hand bracing on the sturdy armrest for balance.
My other hand slipped between my thighs, fingers circling and then pressing inside, stretching myself open with slow, deliberate movements.
I was already slick, aching from the buildup of the night, but I took my time—wanting this to be perfect, wanting to drive him as wild as he'd driven me.
My breath hitched as I worked a second finger in, eyes locked on his.
Viktor's gaze turned feral, pupils blown wide as he watched me. His chest heaved, and he shifted like he was about to surge up and take over. "Hailey, let me—"
"No," I whispered firmly, my voice breathy but resolute. "Your wound. Stay still, Viktor. Let me take care of you tonight."
He growled low in his throat, the sound vibrating through me, but he obeyed—for now.
His hands flexed at his sides, veins standing out on his forearms as he gripped the edges of the chair instead.
The sight of him holding back, muscles coiled like a predator ready to pounce, sent another rush of wetness over my fingers.
I added a third, scissoring gently, my hips rocking into my own touch as soft moans escaped me.
After a few more moments of his intense, scorching stare making me feel like I might combust, I withdrew my hand and moved over him.
I helped ease him back fully against the cushions, mindful of his injury, then straddled his hips.
His cock was hard and heavy against my thigh, throbbing with need.
I wrapped my fingers around him, stroking once, twice, drawing a sharp hiss from his lips, before guiding the thick head to my entrance.
I sank down slowly, inch by inch, gasping at the stretch.
Even with my preparation, he filled me completely, the sensation bordering on overwhelming.
Viktor's hands shot to my waist, fingers digging in hard enough to leave marks, but he didn't thrust up.
He let me set the pace, his blue eyes locked on where we were joined, flickering with that wild, beastly light as another firework exploded overhead, bathing us in sapphire sparks.
I began to move, rolling my hips in tentative circles at first, then rising and falling with growing confidence despite my inexperience in taking control like this.
My palms pressed against his chest for leverage, careful not to brush the bandages.
The angle hit deep, sending sparks of pleasure shooting up my spine with every downward glide.
"Viktor... you feel so good," I moaned, my head tipping back as the rhythm built.
His grip tightened on my waist, thumbs stroking the sensitive skin there possessively. "You're mine, Hailey," he rasped, voice dark and wrecked, like gravel dragged over velvet. "Only mine. Say it."
The fireworks thundered on, mirroring the pounding of my heart. I looked down at him, meeting those intense eyes, my own voice steady even as pleasure coiled tighter in my core. "I'm yours, Viktor. Only yours. Always."
That seemed to snap something inside him.
A low, primal sound tore from his throat, and suddenly his restraint shattered.
With a surge of power that belied his injuries, he flipped us in one fluid motion, keeping me cradled so I landed on my back on the plush cushions.
His body covered mine, the heat of him enveloping me as he drove in deep with one powerful thrust.
I cried out, nails digging into his shoulders as he set a relentless pace—deep, hard strokes that claimed every inch of me.
No more gentleness; this was pure possession, his hips snapping forward with bruising force, the lounge chair creaking beneath us.
Each thrust pushed the air from my lungs, pleasure bordering on ecstasy as he hit that perfect spot inside me over and over.
"Hailey—fuck, yes," he groaned against my neck, teeth grazing the sensitive skin before sucking hard enough to mark. One hand slid down to hitch my leg higher around his waist, opening me wider as he pounded into me. The other braced beside my head, muscles flexing with every movement.
I was lost in it, arching up to meet him, my inner walls clenching around his thick length. "Viktor... I'm close—don't stop," I begged, voice breaking.
He didn't. If anything, he went harder, shifting to grind against my clit with each thrust, his blue eyes burning into mine. "Come for me, princess. Let me feel you."
"Ah..."
Every impact sent tremors through my soul. I was a boat tossed in a storm, could only cling to his shoulders while he dragged me under wave after wave of pleasure.
His sweat dripped onto my chest, his burning breath against my ear. Under that star-filled sky we gave ourselves completely to each other, feeling each other's heat, listening to each other's racing hearts.
The fireworks gradually faded. The night sky returned to deep stillness.
But the fire between us burned on.
On this night of madness, romance and raw passion, we stripped away every lie and shackle of identity. Two souls reaching perfect union beneath the stars.