Chapter 37
Storm Break
Later that night, the storm broke.
Not from the sky, but inside the luxurious living room of the Princess Suite.
Lena stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, arms hugging herself, watching the tropical breeze toy with the palms outside. The memories from the afternoon still pressed in—the suspicion in the staff’s eyes, the tension under her skin.
David’s hands slid around her waist from behind in a full-body hug. “You were amazing today,” he murmured into her ear, pressing against her back.
She leaned into him without thinking, her back to his chest, head tucked under his chin, as she watched the gentle waves lapping at the shore. She’d left the connecting door unlocked for him, hoping that no new emergency would crop up and steal him away.
“You scared me.”
His hold tightened. “I’m sorry. I swear to you, we’re gonna stop them.”
Lena turned in the circle of his arms, caught off guard by the raw tenderness in his gaze. “You sound like a guy who doesn’t take promises lightly.”
David studied her, something unreadable in those intense blue eyes. His fingers skimmed up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t make them lightly, either.”
There was no dramatic drumroll, no clichéd perfect moment.
Only the quiet pull—like the irresistible tug of gravity—that brought his lips to hers, softly at first. Testing. Waiting.
Lena’s breath hitched, and she kissed him back with an unexpected hunger. His hands were on her hips now, while her fingers threaded through his hair. She reveled in the press of his body, real and strong and warm through the cotton of his t-shirt.
He pulled back far enough to whisper, his voice rough, “Tell me if I need to stop.”
“You stop,” she whispered back, “and I’ll fire you.”
A slow grin curved across his face, and he swept her off her feet—literally.
As David lowered her onto the plush couch, Lena’s heart pounded wildly, her blood rushing like liquid fire through her veins.
His eyes, now a blazing inferno of desire, never left hers as he traced the outline of her cheek, his touch tender yet possessive, sending a shiver of anticipation down her spine.
“You’re exquisite,” he murmured, his voice a low, husky growl that resonated deep within her.
He slid his fingers to the swell of her breasts, molding their curves through the thin fabric, her nipples hardening under his touch.
She arched her back, pressing into his palm, craving more.
His hands drifted lower, skimming her waist, her hips.
He caught the silky fabric of her dress, raising it inch by torturous inch.
Lena’s breath stalled as his knuckles brushed against her inner thigh, her body aching for more.
She was hyper-aware of every sensation, every trace of his fingers, every hitch in his breath.
He slipped a hand beneath her skirt, his eyes fixed on hers, seeking permission.
She answered with a nod, her body screaming for his.
He drew the dress over her head, leaving her exposed, vulnerable, wearing nothing but a scrap of lace. His eyes roved over her, his hunger palpable, making her feel both worshipped and ravaged.
She reached for him, but he grasped her hands in one of his, pinning them above her head. “Let me explore you, Lena,” he rasped, his voice a command. “Let me learn every inch of you.”
He trailed his free hand down her body, exploring every curve, every dip, every secret place. He circled her navel, her hips, before dipping lower, brushing against the lace of her panties. Her breath caught in her throat, her body crying out for more.
“Tell me what you need, Lena,” he demanded, his voice rough with desire. “Tell me what you want.”
“You,” she gasped, her body writhing beneath him. “I want you, David.”
A slow, predatory smile spread across his face. He released her hand, only to tangle his fingers in her hair, tugging her mouth to his. His kiss was fierce, demanding, a claiming. She surrendered to it, her body melting into his.
His free hand hooked onto the waistband of her panties, tugging them down her legs, his eyes feasting on her naked form. He trailed kisses down the line of her throat, over her collarbone, her sternum. Then lower, his tongue dipping into her navel, his hands gripping her hips.
When he finally settled between her thighs, his breath hot against her most intimate place, she couldn’t hold back the moan that escaped her lips.
He took his time, exploring her with his tongue, learning her secrets, her desires.
He licked, he sucked, he nipped; every touch triggered waves of pleasure.
She hissed, fisting her fingers in his hair, her body arching into him, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She was so close, desire coiling tighter and tighter, her muscles trembling with anticipation.
“David,” she pleaded, her voice a desperate cry. “I need… I need…”
He knew. With one last, long lick, he plunged two fingers deep inside her, sending her over the edge. Her orgasm crashed over her, a wave of pure, unadulterated ecstasy. She cried out his name as she convulsed around his fingers, her muscles clenching and releasing.
He surged up her body, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. She tasted herself on him, the intimacy of it sending another shiver through her.
David stood and Lena watched through heavy-lidded eyes as he stripped off his shirt in one swift motion, revealing the broad planes of his chest and the defined ridges of his abdomen.
Her breath caught at the sight of him—all lean muscle and warm skin, a thin trail of dark hair disappearing beneath his waistband. He made quick work of his belt, his movements urgent now, fingers fumbling slightly with the button of his pants before he shucked them down along with his boxers.
Lena’s eyes widened as she took in the full length of him, her core clenching with renewed desire.
He was beautiful—strong thighs, narrow hips, and god, the evidence of how much he wanted her standing proud and thick between his legs.
She’d imagined what he might look like beneath those tailored suits and faded jeans, but the reality was so much better.
Her gaze traveled back up his body, lingering on the hard planes of his stomach, the strength of his shoulders, before meeting his eyes. The raw hunger she saw there made her pulse spike, heat pooling low in her belly all over again. She raised her arms in invitation.
He lowered himself back down, pressing his hips against hers, his erection hot and hard along her inner thigh. She reached down, wrapping her hand around his cock, eliciting a guttural groan from deep within his chest.
“Fuck, Lena,” he growled a warning. “I need to be inside you.”
She smiled, and guided him to her aching pussy. He sank into her in a slow, careful stroke that sent lightning shooting through her. She wrapped her legs around his waist, her heels digging into his ass, urging him deeper.
He complied, moving above her, driving into her. Every thrust hit that spot deep inside her, sending her spiraling closer and closer to the edge. She clung to him; her nails raking his shoulders, her breath coming in harsh pants.
He shifted, changing angles, his pelvis grinding against her clit with every thrust. The room filled with the sounds of their lovemaking: the slap of skin against skin, the harsh symphony of their breath.
She was so close, her body coiling tighter and tighter, her muscles trembling with anticipation.
“David,” she gasped, arching up. “I’m… I’m…”
He wrapped a hand loosely around her neck, tipping her head until her eyes met his. “Let go, Lena. Come for me.”
And she did. With a cry, she came undone, her body convulsing around him, her inner muscles clamping down on him as pleasure rushed through her. Lena’s senses heightened; every touch, every sound magnified.
“Good girl.” David rumbled. Her breath faltered, pulse kicking hard beneath his hand as his gaze darkened. She arched toward him before she could stop herself. And the way he watched her—steady, assessing, satisfied—sent another wave through her that had nothing to do with fear.
“Now again.” Something inside her unraveled at the command in those two words. Not submission. Trust. A flush climbed her throat, heat pooling low as her body betrayed her before her mind caught up. She leaned into him without meaning to.
His heart pounded against her chest, echoing her own wild rhythm. His skin was slick and hot beneath her fingertips, his body a furnace, igniting her own. The length of him, still hard inside her, had every tiny movement sending sparks skittering along her nerve endings.
His mouth found her throat, lips grazing her sensitive skin, teeth nibbling.
“Oh, god…”
She gasped, her head falling back, exposing more of her neck to his ministrations.
He took advantage, trailing kisses down to her collarbone, his stubble rough against her soft flesh, as he stroked steadily into her.
His breath, warm and ragged, ghosted across her skin as he murmured her name like a prayer. “Lena…”
Lena’s hands explored his body, tracing the dips and curves of his muscles, feeling them shift and flex as he moved against her.
The restrained power in him, the coiled strength that was now hers to command—she needed more.
She dug her nails into his back, urging him on. And his control cracked a fraction.
“David... god...”
She felt it—the shift from careful to hungry. His grip tightened at her waist—not rough, just firmer. Like he’d reached the edge of his restraint and decided it no longer applied.
He growled into her neck, his hips pistoning now. She tightened her legs around his waist, drawing him deeper, craving more of him. He complied, his thrusts becoming harder, faster, hitting that sweet spot inside her that made her toes curl.
The pleasure built again, tightening around him. His mouth found hers, his tongue mimicking the actions of his hips. She sucked on his tongue, tasting herself on him, and reveled in his possession. This was her man, her lover, her partner.
He broke away from her mouth, his breath coming in harsh pants. “Look at me, Lena,” he snarled, his voice hoarse with desire. She forced her eyes open, meeting his intense gaze. The connection was electric; his eyes burned into hers, seeing into her very soul.
He pushed back, changing the angle, hitting a new spot inside her that made her cry out. His hands gripped her hips, holding her in place as he pounded into her, his eyes never leaving hers. She was helpless, held captive by his gaze, his body, his very being.
She screamed his name, convulsing around him. He rode out her release, hips pounding, his grip on her hips tightening. Then, with a last thrust and a guttural groan, he came undone, pulsing inside her, her name on his lips like a benediction.
They stayed tangled together, hearts still racing, breaths slowly finding the same rhythm. The world narrowed to warmth and skin and the steady beat of him beneath her cheek.
Other sensations slowly filtered in—the cool air against damp skin, the lazy thrum of her pulse, the weight of his arm anchored around her waist.
David brushed a strand of hair from her face, his touch gentler now, reverent in a way that made her throat tighten. She leaned into it, eyes closing as his thumb traced the curve of her cheek.
He rested his forehead against hers. “Well,” he murmured.
She huffed a quiet laugh. “That escalated.”
“Yeah.” He brushed his lips over her temple. “You safe?” The question wasn’t about the room. She understood that.
“Yes,” she said. “With you.”
He traced a slow line down her arm. “This isn’t a onetime thing, Spark.” It wasn’t a question.
She met his eyes, steady now. “I know, Geek.”
“What happened to Genius?”
She didn’t hesitate. “Upgrade.”
His mouth curved. “That sounds suspicious.”
“It is,” she murmured. “You’ve added a few new credentials. Very hands-on ones.”
He huffed a low laugh against her skin and pulled her closer. “I’ll take it.”
His forehead rested against hers, breath warm and uneven. Not controlled now. Not distant. Present. With her.
She had been handled before. Wanted before. But never like this. Never chosen. And for the first time in a very long time, Lena didn’t feel as if she was bracing for something to go wrong.
She felt held.