With my toes curling and my heart dancing against my chest, an orgasm rushed through me. It was sweet and earth defying. I jerked up once again, staring up at the stars. This time the scream was silent, but I could feel another one pulsing in my throat just like my pussy muscles were clenching and releasing around his thick fingers.

  The earthshattering moment slowly ebbed, leaving me incapable of thinking. With stars in my eyes, I tilted my head to the side, pursing my lips together and doing nothing more than watching the tide ebb and flow.

  He was gentler with his actions, taking his time to savor every drop. He brushed his tongue down my leg and across to the other one, emitting a slow and husky growl.

  “Mmmm… Come again for me, butterfly.”

  “I can’t. I’m too sensitive.” And I was.

  He was having none of it, his fingers and tongue commanding my body as he’d done with his words. Two more cracks of his fingers and he pinched my clit. The earth around me shattered into a million little pieces as another climax rolled through me. Freight trains hitting my body couldn’t be this powerful.

  My voice was strained and I reached for him, managing to grab a handful of hair. He wasn’t deterred in the least that I was involuntarily trying to rip out his hair to hold onto something to keep me from floating off.

  He was licking me as if he were a man finding a well in a desert. When he finally lifted his head, I was spent and aching all over. From tension. From continued desire. From the kind of satisfaction that I’d only experienced with him.

  The man I was falling hopelessly in love with.

  Despite the obstacles.

  Despite the danger.

  Despite every issue that anyone might think of. I was head over heels about him.

  With hazy eyes, I tried to blink away the fog as he lay down next to me. In a strange act of romanticism, he reached for my hand, intertwining our fingers.

  I was vaguely aware I’d tried to pull down my dress to cover myself. If I’d succeeded, I wouldn’t know. I was simply lost in being with him. Lying next to him. I lolled my head on his shoulder, studying the bright and beautiful stars above.

  “Do you see that star right there?” He was pointing at the sky.

  “The bright one?”

  “Yes. That’s Vega. Over there is Sirius and that’s Canopus.”

  “How would you know that?” I tipped my head, studying his face. He was concentrating and more at peace than I’d seen him the entire time we’d been together.

  “When I was a kid, I loved watching the stars. My dad let me stay out all night long. We had a big truck back then and I’d lie in the bed of it just watching the stars twinkle. Eventually, my parents purchased a telescope and instead of hanging out in my room playing video games or talking to my friends, I studied the stars. They’re constant. They’re perfect in their imperfections.”

  “So true. That’s amazing.” Being with him was so comforting. I felt free to be myself. It felt as if I could simply let down my hair, which I’d tried to convince him to do.

  Maybe in truth that’s what I was advising myself to do.

  A wave of heat washed over me even though the night air was chilly. When I sat up, he didn’t move, but when I stood, he rose onto his elbow.

  “Is the cove safe?”

  “Safe?” he asked. “From humans?”

  I glared at him, laughing. “From sharks, silly.”

  “Oh. They don’t come in this far. The cove is protected. Why?”

  I backed away before he could stop me, glancing toward the house before yanking off my dress and tossing it aside. “How about a night swim. You need to be cooled off.”

  “Excuse me, lady. What’s wrong with being all hot and bothered?”

  “You could combust and explode. I wouldn’t want that.” I backed away, beckoning with my hand. “Unless you’re too scared, that is. But even if you are, I’ll protect you.”

  The way he rose to his feet was the same way he did everything else.

  With attitude.

  I continued backing away while enjoying the sight of him yanking off his clothes. His actions weren’t as precise as I was used to seeing. But they were sexy as hell. In the stream of moonlight, his skin appeared luminous and the sight of his fully erect cock made my mouth water.

  As soon as he took a giant stride toward me, just as I’d done before, I took off running. Only this time into the water.

  I didn’t hear him at first. Maybe because I was splashing as I ran in several feet.

  But he was suddenly there. I splashed water at him, laughing when I did. He was still advancing, only stopping to rake his hands through his hair. As if preening for me.

  “If you’re trying to drive me crazy, it’s not working.”

  “Is that what I’m doing?”

  “I think so. In fact, I know you too well, but two can play at that game.” I shoved my finger into my mouth, sucking as hard as I’d done with his cock. My body was still shaking from the sheer intensity of the pleasure and I was making loud enough sounds I could tell he was amused.

  He continued to advance and I backed away, tripping on something and falling into the water. A laugh burst to the surface and I scrambled to get to my feet. Still backing away.

  Still teasing him.

  “Come on, big boy. If I can handle it, you can. You need to be cooled off and put in your place.”

  “You’re going to get it for that.”

  This time his tackle was soft and purposeful. He pulled me into the deeper water close to the cove, immediately lifting me off the sandy bottom. I wrapped my legs around his waist and threw my arms over his shoulders.

  With his eyes never blinking, he turned me in a full circle. His lips were swollen from our kisses, the low and husky growls he emitted keeping me fully aroused. We were both on fire, our hunger never satisfied.

  His cock was pressed against my stomach and the heavy throb was powerful in and of itself.

  “What do you want, Lainey?”

  “Everything.”

  “Be more specific.”

  “I want your cock. Your lips. Your touch. Your body against mine.”

  “Is that all?”

  I slowly shook my head, surprised the moment was as unnerving as it was. “I want you. All of you.”

  My words managed to surprise him and for a few seconds, he shifted his gaze back and forth, his eyes imploring. Then the heat and fire returned with a vengeance.

  Pulling back, he gave me an authoritative look. I knew exactly what he wanted, which mirrored my raging desire. I pressed the tip of his cock against my pussy, slowly showing him my eyes when I was finished.

  A slight smile curled on his lips and I was certain he’d tell me once again to be careful what I wished for. He didn’t bother, sliding his cock inside. I was so wet and so hot that my muscles reacted instantly, cinching around him and pulling him in even deeper.

  The cries I emitted were strangled, much like his guttural sounds, and offered no room for doubt that what we were sharing was extreme passion. He walked us deeper into the water until the waves were lightly splashing over our heated bodies, swirling around us as if with welcoming arms.

  He pulled out, driving into me again and it was the friction of our connection, the sheer volume of white-hot electricity shooting through us that was a clear sign of the tight tether we’d formed.

  Call it chemistry.

  Call it kismet.

  It seemed as if destiny had driven us together. I only prayed the monsters lurking in the darkness didn’t tear us apart.

  When I issued another sharp cry, his mouth covered mine, stifling the desperate cries that indicated sheer joy and utter ecstasy. The pleasure was even more intense and beneath the stars, as his movements were slow and easy, I realized we were making love.

  This wasn’t about heated sex, although as I clawed at his skin, there was no mistaking the animal magnetism. This was about something deeper.

  Closer.

  More confirming of the way we felt about each other.

  As if our connection formed a bond that couldn’t be broken through time or space.

  Or even violence.

  It felt as if my entire body was shattering in his hold, tiny pieces of myself lost in the atmosphere. But he was here keeping me safe, ready and even eager to pick up the pieces if necessary.

  He broke the kiss but not his firm hold, wrapping his hand around the back of my neck as he lifted my head. The tickling sensations of his tongue in my ear were as powerful as the man. His thrusts turned wild, manic with such powerful strokes that water cascaded over us like a waterfall.

  This was our passion.

  Unbridled.

  Uncontrolled.

  Unyielding.

  I clung to him as he fucked me, wishing on the very stars above he’d pointed out that the intensity of what we were sharing would last.

  Every moan was infused with need, every growl he emitted creating a fire that burned so hot my core was swallowed up in waves of flames.

  With our bodies shaking, the rush of endorphins drove me into another even more fiery orgasm. When my body stopped shaking, I collapsed in his arms, the deep throb of his cock keeping me on edge.

  While his actions slowed, I sensed just as before he could no longer hold back. In the next few amazing seconds, he erupted deep inside.

  That’s the moment I was completely lost.

  There was no turning back.

  I was deeply and unsettlingly in love.

  CHAPTER 21

  Sasha

  “What is it, Bernie?”

  The man was fidgety, standing in the doorway of the office in the house as if invading my privacy. “I’m sorry to bother you, sir.”

  “You’re not bothering me and you can call me Sasha. I’m not an ogre. Although if you ask my daughter, she might disagree with me.”

  At least my admittance seemed to break the ice and he walked inside. Still fidgeting. “I adore your daughter. Such a nice kid.” He opened his eyes wide as if he’d disrespected her.

  I threw out my arm. “Please, relax around me. I think I know why you’re here.”

  “You do?”

  Nodding, I moved to the desk, sitting on the edge. “You were ordered back to Los Angeles, your work with Lainey completed.”

  “How did you know?”

  I pointed to my forehead just to tease him. “I know everything.” When he didn’t buy the act, I laughed. “She told me she was released from her contract. Apart from desiring to break a few heads, you don’t need to worry. Unless you would prefer heading back to your old life.”

  “Old life. My life was centered around Lainey. She’s been like family to me. In case you haven’t figured it out, she’s a great lady.”

  Grinning, I tried to keep my thoughts clean even though my hunger to hold her naked body against mine had only increased throughout the day. “I think I know exactly what you’re talking about.”

  “She’s so sweet, like an angel and those men were using her. They were fucking using her. That piece of shit Damien acted like she belonged to him. Do you have any idea how much she boosted his career? He’s a has-been and doesn’t deserve to be considered a hot anything. I should have beaten him to a pulp a couple years ago.”

  My grin widened. “You’re hired.”

  He started to rant about something else involving Damien then figured out what I’d said. “I’m sorry?”

  “It’s your choice, Bernie. You can go back to Los Angeles and maybe they’ll pair you with another celebrity you enjoy working with or you can stay right here. With us. Then you’ll return to Las Vegas where you’ll have a job and a new home.”

  He was genuinely shocked. “You’re serious.”

  “I’m serious. I’ll have my attorney prepare what I think will be an employment contract you can appreciate. Don’t worry. I’ll pay the tab for your time spent with us. Any family of Lainey’s is my family.”

  The smile on his face was one of shock and appreciation. “You’re a good man, Mr. Dmitriyev. I mean Sasha. She adores you and I can see why. Thank you very much.”

  “You’re very welcome.” I watched him walk out and laughed. At least I’d done something good for the day.

  Still smiling, I yanked out my phone and dialed my brother. I was certain my Pakhan was tired of hearing from me.

  “You need to learn to relax, brother,” Vissarian clipped.

  “And hello to you too. It’s been several days, Vissarian. You know I’m not the most patient man.” I didn’t know a single Russian who was.

  And they said men of Latin blood were hot. Not a chance.

  I glared out the window at the ocean, so completely unnerved that I was shocked.

  “You’re in paradise, brother, with a beautiful woman, I might add. What in the hell are you complaining about?”

  “I don’t like feeling as if I’m waiting for something to happen. What exactly is going on? What have you found?” My mind drifted to the emblem on the party assassin’s body. It nagged at me. The limited research I’d done on the internet had proven futile. Yet I’d seen it before. I was positive of it.

  “Nothing substantial. The man refused to talk. Except for one thing. He admitted a war is coming.”

  Snorting, I resisted bursting into laughter. “No shit.”

  “Yeah, well, evidently someone is trying to muscle in on the property we helped the O’Learys purchase.”

  “How so?”

  Vissarian grumbled. “By contacting the county commissioner’s office and spreading lies. Classic doxing scenario.”

  “I don’t care which criminal organization is behind this, they had to know that we have influence with every city and county office and doxing and hacking will be discovered.”

  “Exactly.”

  “They’re using smokescreens.”

  “Mikhail thinks they’re just buying time, testing our weaknesses and trying to push it so our guard is down. The security on our systems is tighter than ever, but the O’Learys are somewhat vulnerable.”

  “What did Liam do with our mutual friend?”

  “Trust me. He took matters into his own hands, but he suspects the man was working for O’Shaughnessy just by what he’s heard. He’s pulling every favor he has to try and discover if that’s the truth.”

  I gritted my teeth, my jaw aching from how many times I’d done that in the last two days. I’d tried to leave the situation in their hands, but in truth, I felt like a goddamn sitting duck. “Every favor. Does he not understand what is at stake?”

  “Trust me. He does,” my brother insisted.

  “Forgive me if I find that hard to believe. There’s a hit out on me and possibly my entire family.”

  “Of which I’m a part!” Vissarian rarely got angry. When he did, the man was explosive. “Just calm down. I know you care about Lainey and Nina. I get it. You’re safe there. We’re checking the dark web daily for any chatter. There is none. Okay?”

  If he thought that would make me feel any better, he was dead wrong.

  I didn’t like feeling like a caged animal no matter the surroundings or the company I was enjoying being with.

  Yes, I’d been allowed in the five days we’d been together to enjoy something that had escaped me for years.

  Relaxation. Or as Lainey had referred to it, being in the moment. Sadly, the more time went on, the antsier I became.

  The feeling of doom was like a shot of adrenaline.

  “What about good ole Uncle Yuri and his clan?”

  “Pops learned through old connections Yuri is ill. Terminal cancer. He hasn’t been in control of the family business in over a year.”

  “Are you trying to suggest one or all of his sons could behind another attack on our family, specifically on me for some unknown godforsaken reason?”

  “We can’t speculate right now. There’s no real activity inside Moscow.”

  “According to sources that can’t be trusted.”

  Vissarian sighed. “We’re doing our own research.”

  “Then maybe so should I.”

  “Did you ever think that maybe Selena wants you to find some peace? Do you think possibly she’d be happy about the fact you finally found someone?”

  I had no idea what he wanted me to say. I heard laughter coming from Nina’s room and suddenly, there was a sharp squeeze on my heart. I’d kept us in a lockdown since we’d been here. All my promises about taking them on adventures while we were here had been bullshit.

  Yes, we’d enjoyed the beach and grilled out on the deck. We’d watched a couple of movies and played tropical music until I was at the point that if I heard another Jimmy Buffett song I might turn violent. That wasn’t the same. Both my girls felt pent up as if I’d caged them.

  I had.

  It suddenly dawned on me that I’d called them both my girls. While being with her was the closest thing I’d felt to happiness in a long time and I’d claimed Lainey both in actions and in words more times than I could count, I couldn’t keep her against her will.

  At least not forever.

  “Don’t try and tell me how to live my life, Viss. I’m not in the mood.”

  “You never are, brother. I’m so sorry about your continued pain, but it is time to move on. You have a chance to regain your life back after having it ripped out from under you. From what I can tell, Lainey is the best thing that’s happened to you in a very long time. Since the birth of Nina. Why don’t you just take a step back from the family business and worries about someone chasing you to enjoy life.”

  As usual, I’d lashed out, which had been my typical response any time a single member of my family had tried to intervene. “Yeah, you might be right.”

  “Don’t you know I’m always right?” He laughed. “I thought I’d mention one aspect of business you’ll eventually need to deal with.”

  “Do I want to know?”

  “Probably not. Lainey’s attorney, Jackson Winfield has filed a lawsuit against Dmitriyev Enterprises and you personally.”

  “For what?” Another wave of anger hit me hard. I was sitting on rocket fuel at this point.

  “Get this. Alienation of affection.”

 

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