Chapter 8
ALEXEI
We’re driving back to my penthouse, and all I’m thinking about is that we are now approaching what has to be the easiest part of this entire nightmare. The consummation of our marriage.
She hasn’t said anything since we left the reception hall, and honestly, I wouldn’t know what to say to her, anyway.
This whole thing is going to be strange.
I’ve never been a one-night stand kind of man, and after Kira died, my desire for sex was slowly replaced with the demands of being Brigadier.
I don’t doubt my skills in the bedroom, even though it’s been a while.
I’ve just never been in a position where the sex I was having meant nothing.
At least Isabella is experienced in that department, or so the rumors have said.
I don’t relish what this night might’ve looked like if I’d married her sister instead.
There has never been any talk about her sex life, but not knowing is worse than this.
In fact, I imagine Isabella might not even mind this part of the night, from what I’ve heard.
We pull into the parking garage and Isabella says, “At some point, I should head back to my apartment and get some things—”
“That’s been taken care of,” I tell her. “Your things were moved to the penthouse while we were at the church.”
I feel her eyes on me, but she doesn’t say anything.
I pull into my parking space and we get out and go to the elevators.
In the elevator and on our way up, the glass doors reflect us under the harsh fluorescent lighting.
She’s holding the hem of her dress in one arm, her eyes looking down and away.
Her hair, which is far too short for my taste, is in spiral curls that hang right to the edge of her shoulders.
She has on too much makeup. The thought pops into my head as I mentally compare the way I’ve always seen her before.
Her ivory skin has always had just a little bit of makeup covering it with deep, dark eyeliner to accent her sleepy azure eyes.
She always had lipstick on her full lips, but usually, it was a softer color like pink.
Right now, her skin looks mottled by a layer of foundation and blush and her eyes have been shadowed in at least two different colors.
The only thing I think looks good is her lipstick. It’s fire engine red and it suits her. I’m sure I got some on me when we kissed during the ceremony.
The doors open and we walk down the hall together to my door.
Once we’re in the penthouse, I toss my keys in their place on the kitchen counter and lead her into the living room.
“Living room,” I say blandly. Down the hall and to the left are my study and guest bathroom, and to the right is the bedroom.
She nods, her eye drawn to the glass wall on the other side of the room overlooking the city. The lights of the city skyscrapers glow against the orange and blue skyline in a picturesque setting. “Wow,” she says with a little laugh. “That’s some view.”
“It’s suitable,” I tell her. Then I take her hand. “Come on.”
I lead her to the bedroom. As I pull the shades, I say, “I’m going to give you some time to change into something more appropriate.
Anya has taken the liberty of setting out something for you in the bathroom.
” I turn to her, looking her over again.
“While you’re in there, you might as well wash your face. ”
She notices me looking at her hair and she says, “You got some problem with the way I look?”
“Honestly, yes. You’ve got on too much makeup and your hair is too short. We can’t do anything about your hair, but at least you can clean your face.”
She looks a little offended. “Fantastic. Guess I’ll go change, then.”
She turns and goes into the bathroom. I leave the bedroom and go make myself a drink in the kitchen.
After a few sips of bourbon, I kick myself for assuming that she will be willing to have sex with me. It’s not like she has an option, but I don’t even know if she’s attracted to me. She has to know the stakes, though. There can’t possibly be any arguments from her.
By the time I finish my drink, she’s stepped out of the bedroom. The nightgown that Anya picked out looks good on her. Peach colored silk with thin straps. If barely covers her round ass and thick thighs.
“This doesn’t exactly leave much to the imagination,” she says, “and I can’t find my robe, so I hope it’s all right that I sleep like this.”
“It’s fine,” I say. I walk over to her and take her hand again, leading her back to the bedroom. “You probably want to get some sleep. This has been a long day for both of us.”
“It certainly has.” She walks through the door and I close it behind her.
“Right.” I turn around to her. “So, we should get this over with quickly, then.”
She blinks, her shining blue eyes the picture of innocence. “Get what over with?”
It’s almost laughable. “We need to consummate the marriage, Isabella.”
I see her visibly stiffen. She clears her throat and says, “I don’t see why we need to do that. We don’t even know each other, really.”
“I don’t see the problem. You’ve had one-night stands before, yes? This will be no different.”
She scowls. “That’s not the point. Look, this is just a business arrangement. We don’t have to sleep together.”
I cross my arms. “The marriage contract isn’t complete until we do.”
She adjusts her stance, leaning from one foot to the next. “Yeah, but we don’t have to tell anyone that we didn’t do it. We could just—”
“This has to happen, Isabella,” I tell her. “It’s not really up for debate. Our families—”
“I know. This is for our families,” she says.
I get what she’s saying, and honestly, I don’t blame her. I’m not thrilled about this either. “If it’s ever called into question, the alliance between our families is done,” I tell her. “My father will swallow your father’s empire. He will have nothing.”
She laughs a hollow laugh. “I can’t believe that I have to do this for him.”
“Not just him,” I say. “Trust me. You don’t want to be in my father’s crosshairs.”
She nods. “It’s funny how this all works out so well for you. You’ve got nothing to lose if we don’t… complete the contract.”
It’s amazing how little she understands about my life and my position. As if I want to be in my father’s crosshairs either. I can’t imagine what my father would do to me if I tried to lie to him about this. “You assume too much about me.”
She regards me for a moment, then, “Yeah, same.” I cock my head, and she sighs. Without looking at me, she says, “I’ve never done this before, okay?”
I think I must have lost my hearing for a second. “What?”
“I’m a virgin,” she says. “I never did it. So, pardon me if I’m not thrilled that this is about to be my first time.”
I’m stunned into silence. Of all the things I was expecting…
And yet, here we are in this position together. Shit.
“That changes very little,” I say. “I’m sorry.”
She stares at me for a moment. Maybe it’s shock that I’m still willing to go through with this. Whatever it is, it only lasts for a few seconds. Without another word, she pushes the thin straps down her shoulders and lets the nightgown fall to the floor.
Her body is pristine. Curved like an hourglass, beautiful, full breasts with dark nipples to contrast her ivory skin, rounded hips, and just a little bit of a belly hanging over her tiny white panties.
Maybe it’s been all the years without being in the presence of a beautiful woman, but my body responds immediately. My cock presses hard against the zipper of my slacks, aching to be released.
Old habits die hard as I watch her pull down her panties and step out of them.
My sexual instincts are awake as I look at her and I realize that even though it’s been four years, nothing has been forgotten.
I’ve always preferred to be in control in the bedroom.
Her inexperience is making that a necessity now. This could be enjoyable for both of us.
“Lie down on the bed.”
She complies, sitting and then sliding up until her head is on the pillows. I start undoing my vest and dress shirt, taking in the natural beauty of her body. Just looking at the curves of her hips and her creamy white skin registers within me, warming my body the longer I look at her.
Her eyes widen as I take my shirt off, looking over my form with apprehension.
“We’re going to do this properly,” I say to her.
I walk over to her and run my hand over her soft belly, moving over the soft down of her pubic hair until my fingers slip between her thighs, slipping down over her moist lips. She gasps a little.
“I need to get you wet,” I say as I stroke her slowly. “Much wetter than this before you’re ready for me.”
She bites her lip as her thigh shivers slightly. “I’ve done this much before,” she says. “Being fingered is no big deal.”
“Is that so?” I say as I spread apart her inner lips and slip a finger inside her.
She’s incredibly tight. I doubt I’ll be able to get another inside her before I claim her maidenhood.
Her breath is starting to quicken, betraying her bravado.
“The backseat of a car will be nothing compared to tonight.”
She’s getting wetter by the second. I lean into her, kissing her thighs as I massage her inner lips, alternating as I finger fuck her. She’s creamy on my fingertips as I move my fingers up to her clit. She flinches, shifting her hips away from me.
“Sorry,” she says. “You took me by surprise. No one’s ever touched me there before.”
I raise my eyebrows. I wonder if she’s ever had a moment of real pleasure in her life. “Have you ever touched yourself?”
Her brow knits together for a second, then she shakes her head.
I wrap my arms around her thighs and pull her thighs apart. The sudden movement surprises her and she braces herself on the bed. “Keep your legs open,” I tell her. “And stay right where I put you, or I will tie you down.”
She nods, a little smile tickling the corners of her lips.