Page 146

But every moment I spend with Lev gives me something else I’ll have to tear myself away from.

I should protect my heart by pulling away from him now. But I can’t. Every part of me refuses.

So until Mama tells me it’s time, I’ll hold on to every moment.

Even knowing each one will make leaving hurt more.

“What is she thinking now?” a smooth, deep voice says, cutting through the silence. Tempting and seductive, the voice pulls me away from my worries.

I look up and find Lev leaning against the door frame. He’s giving me that look again, the look that says he’s already undressed me right down to my soul.

A lopsided grin slides across his face, setting off the nest of butterflies living in the pit of my stomach.

I didn’t know it was possible to simply look at a person and think about sex straightaway. My husband proved me wrong.

He pushes off the wall and strolls toward me, his eyes roaming over my body slowly and purposefully. My skin turns hot, burning just from the heat in his eyes.

By the time he reaches the table, I’m wet and my brain has emptied itself of everything that isn’t him.

He leans forward and rests his hands on the table, tearing his gaze away for a moment to look at the book. Then his gaze climbs back up to mine.

“Malyshka.”

“Thank you for the art supplies.” The words roll off my tongue, but I feel like a mindless robot, speaking by default.

“Didn’t want you to be bored.”

“There’s no chance of that now. How on earth did you get everything here so early?”

“Had a little help from your friend.”

I smile. Anushka. “That was very sweet of you.”

His brows snap together playfully. “Sweet? No. I always have ulterior motives with you.”

“Of course. How silly of me.” I pretend to frown. “What do you want this time?”

“The same thing I always want.”

He walks around the table and picks me up in one swift move. Then his lips are on mine and he’s kissing me like he wants to consume me.

God, the man can kiss. It’s like he’s making love to my mouth.

The need for more instantly overpowers me, and I sink into the hard planes of his body.

Lev picks me up and suddenly, I’m sitting on the table and he’s nibbling on my neck. “This is what I want, printsessa. You, right here, on this table.”

My nerves spike. “Lev, we’re in the library. Anyone could walk in and⁠—”

He kisses my words away, along with my reasons, then he smiles against my lips. “I don’t care. I’ve been imagining this all fucking day. And since I always get what I want, you know what happens next, malyshka.”

His grip tightens, fingers digging into my hips as he pulls my skirt up to my waist. Then, teasingly, he brushes his lips over mine and plunges his tongue into my mouth, tasting me with every sweep.

The library disappears, falling away into nothingness.

The voice in the back of my head pleading with me to slow down mutes right down until it becomes non-existent.

All I can think of is how incredible his lips feel, and the strength of his muscles beneath my palms. The scent of him undoes me. That scent of masculine power and protection.