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  “A little, but my father was never supportive back then. In fact, he hated the idea of me painting, so I had to do it in secret.”

  She sat and listened to him open up about a childhood she couldn’t have imagined for him. He always seemed confident and easy going. Happy. However, she learned that Mikhail’s father was borderline abusive, at least to the standard in how children are raised and cared for today. It made her feel more blessed to have the parents she had.

  “My dad was old-fashioned and still is. Boys don’t paint. Boys don’t do a lot of stuff he saw just for women.”

  While they finished up their meals, she shared with him what it was like growing up with her parents and her brother.

  “I was loved. It was only at school that I learned not everyone would love me.”

  Before he could remark, she stopped him, “Let’s not ruin the groove.”

  He nodded and they finished their drinks before leaving and dancing the night away.

  Nova had a lot to process when it came to Mikhail, but in this moment, with his hands on her hips and rocking with her to the beat, all she wanted was to have a good time. When he leaned in and whispered in her ear as the music was changing, “You feel so good, Nova.” She realized she would have to later process whatever they were doing and why she was choosing to do it with him.

  Chapter Five

  Some might say that was too easy. That Mikhail should have had to jump through many more hoops and hurdles to get her to agree to come to his cabin, but she had been ready for this. Not ready for a relationship, by any means. She knew she wasn’t his type in that way. But she had been secretly hoping for validation that she was pretty, and who better to give her that than this man?

  He could have filled her up with alcohol to make her more relaxed, but he didn’t. Instead he used a sweet caress to her bare shoulder and that made her dizzy with desire. The kiss he placed there next had her leaning into the heat of his embrace. His energy consumed her, made her heady with want.

  His lips pressed against her collarbone and she arched her and allowed him to maraud her with more.

  The sun setting through the balcony window shone onto his onyx skin, making him appear to be a dark-skinned angel, one who came to send her the message that she was, in fact, beautiful. Worthy to be loved.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers playing in the twists of thick dark hair at his nape. He leaned down toward her face to kiss her but she stopped him with her words, “Is Toya still in the picture?” He shook his head no. His warm brown eyes were penetrating and searching. She realized he was waiting to see where she would go with this.

  “No, we are over and have for a long time. That is old news, Nova. A history I never want to repeat.”

  She trembled in his arms at his sincerity, making her weak. What she thought she could do without trust, she now realized she couldn’t. In his gaze, she only found patience and openness, both of which he’d given to her so easily. It made her sidling closer to him that much easier. Made feeling the rock-hard solidness pressed into her belly mind-blowing. She couldn’t wrap her brain around its dimensions, let alone imagine wrapping her lips around it, which she’d been thinking about since the boat tour.

  The pressing of his fingers burned through the silk fabric of her dress. Her breasts were crushed against the hardness of his chest and he groaned, holding her tighter and making her clench in anticipation. He bent his head closer to hers, waiting for her to make a move, needing it from her. Answering his call, she stretched on her toes attempting to reach his lips and grabbed his head and pulled his face to hers.

  That was all he needed to take it from there. This was no mere pressing of lips, although that’s how it began. This kiss was overwhelming and all-consuming; her desire was unleashed. His sensual teasing was slow and passionate all at once. The combination of the yeast from his beer and the delectable flavor in his wet hot mouth made her moan, sending the reverberation down his throat for him to hold on to. She shoved his coat from his broad shoulders, vaguely aware of the sound of the thud as it hit the carpet.

  They were both so caught up that they realized at the same moment they needed to breathe. They broke apart gasping for air and watching each other intently. She could imagine what she looked like to him; her lips felt swollen from the sweet punishment of his kiss and her eyes heavy with her desire for him. She looked away for a moment, needing to break away from the intensity of their connection, needing to regain some control because she was losing it fast, more than she ever had with anyone. But, he wouldn’t allow it and took her face in his hands, turning her face back to him, the heat from his palms searing her cheeks, and then continued to ravish her mouth, making her desperate to feel his skin against hers. She started to work on the buttons of his shirt, frustrated by the obstruction, but just as she tugged his shirt from his shorts, he abruptly released her lips, shaking his head.

  “Leave that to me,” he rasped. “I want to take my time and focus on you first.”

  The heat in his voice ran through her, coating her with anticipation, leaving her thong drenched and soggy between her lips. His warm lips teased her neck and on instinct, she arched in so that he’d have more access to her sweet spot. The licks to her collarbone enflamed her. His tongue trailed lower, down into her cleavage. His rough tongue making her flesh pebble and her legs weak, helpless to him and all that he had planned for her.

  He took advantage of her condition, not allowing her to resist, knowing her will was long gone and she, at that moment, didn’t have the strength or desire to fight what was inevitable.

  The tie of her dress was undone and it fell to the floor with a flutter, the departure of it from her skin was a symbol for her shedding her inhibitions for him tonight. The sound of her parting zipper mingled with their ragged breathing and hushed moans echoed in the otherwise silent room. Her dress fell away, down her legs, and to the carpet, leaving an orange cascade of silk pooled at her feet, and cool air washed over her burning skin like a high wave.

  “Step out,” he murmured.

  She obeyed him without question, realizing that he could now view her partial nudity and her black thong covering her wet sex.

  His ran his eyes up her body, from her pedicured toes, up to her heavy breasts; her nipples puckering under his heated perusal. He stepped back and slowly shook his head as if he needed to break from a daze. “Damn, you’re beautiful, Nova; everything about you. Never doubt that.”

  She shut her eyes as he moved closer to her, overcome by this moment, the dominant woodsy notes of cologne served as an aphrodisiac as he ran his callused hand against the delicate skin of her hip. His nose trailed up her neck to her ear where he started to suck on her lobe, sending a tingling sensation throughout her body. The act was a prelude to what she hoped he’d do to her clit. He took her right breast within his palm, and flicked her nipple, sending a shooting sensation through her womb. Caught up in him, she hadn’t realized he’d been moving her backward until her knees brushed against the mattress.

  “Lie back,” he commanded. She could hear the repressed need in his voice, as if he was holding on by a thread; wanting to take his time as he promised but being close to forgetting all about it. She could relate. Her body was on fire and her patience was waning. She eased back onto the down comforter and propped herself up on her elbows, her legs spread wide in offering while he undressed.

  The moonlight helped to serve as his spotlight while he gave her a strip tease; removing his clothing one piece at a time. She was sure that wasn’t his intention, but his deliberate movements made it so. Anticipation made her bite her lip as he took his time removing his boxer briefs; knowing that she was about to see the erection that had taunted her while they were holding each other made her own sex quiver.

  He pulled his boxers down, freeing himself to her eyes. It sprang forth rigid and thick. Its color reminding her of semisweet chocolate, one of her favorite treats. Her eyes widened a fraction and her lips p
arted. Mikhail was extremely blessed. She’d never been pleasured by one so magnificent, but she was not afraid — only extremely happy. It was with that thought she grinned. His face broke out into one too as his big body with fluid grace moved over her on the bed, kissing her shoulder and moving to the underside of each breast, lavishing her skin with swipes from his tongue, wielding her to him. Her head fell back as he continued to manipulate more of her: Her nipples were wanting of his attention, she needed him to place them in his mouth and nurture them, but he ignored them while he continued torturing her.

  The moist heat from his breath made her open her eyes to see him hovering at her nipple. As she watched, he swirled his tongue around the peak of it and started to draw it into his mouth, the intensity of the suction driving her to frenzy. She could feel it in her center, making her gush. She cried out. He treated the other to similar attention, paying attention to her pressing more of her breasts in his face, and he taking more into his hungry mouth. He sucked her harder; the sensation nearing painful, but the pleasure was too great and made her weak. As she shifted, she could feel the sweet stickiness between her thighs coating them.

  He crouched down before her, inserting his thumbs inside her thong, pulling it down her hips, then throwing the scrap of cloth away from them. All movement ceased for a moment. The way his eyes darkened made her press her thighs together, wanting to shield herself. He grabbed her ankles, flinging her legs apart, to have an unencumbered view of her. She knew how she probably looked to him; freshly waxed, bare and wet. She could smell her own arousal enough that she knew he could too. Heart racing, her breaths started to come in pants as he leaned over her. His rough fingers parted her thick lips, exposing her to the coolness in the air-conditioned room. She moaned. He plied her bud with his finger, making her head fall back to the bed and her cry out. She couldn’t watch any more. The double onslaught of sight and touch while he worked her body was too much. Whimpers escaped her lips, which she hadn’t been able to close for trying to get as much air as possible. She wanted to move away, and she tried, but he wouldn’t relent. His fingers penetrated her, the squishing sound of her wetness encouraged him to groan and curl his fingers to her spot. “Mikhail,” she wailed. The sudden removal of his fingers made her look at him. As she watched, he sucked his glistening fingers, looking pleased with the taste and grumbled, “You taste so so….so damn sweet.” She shuddered.

  Soon, she felt herself being lifted by her ass. He palmed her, holding her close to his hungry, latching mouth. She screamed. His tongue opened her up, lazily stroking all parts of her swollen labia from her bud, which he knew so well now, to her canal, which he proceeded to penetrate. She clutched the comforter so tightly that her fingers cramped. Tears stung her eyes because it felt good. She reached out, seeking his head, the coarseness of his hair brushing her palms as his head moved back and forth and in a circular motion. Her hips rocked to his rhythm so that he wouldn’t miss anything. His fingers pinched her skin. His grip was so tight. His groans let her know he was enjoying feasting on her and the baritone of his voice as he hummed served as a vibrator. So close to climaxing, she tried to push away because of the force of it, but he held tightly to her, wrapping his soft lips around her clit and sucking softly. That did her in.

  She bucked against his mouth while calling his name in refrain as he brought her back to reality gently with kisses, slowly working his way up to her neck. She opened her eyes to see him above her holding his weight effortlessly on his arms, the cords of his muscular arms straining. She leaned up to offer her lips. He seemed surprised at first, but she was not afraid to taste herself. She enjoyed it.

  They kissed each other for a while. The bed dipped as he reached for something and then she noticed that he had already prepared for the next step by having protection nearby. He rolled the condom on his engorged length. His skin glistened with perspiration, his muscles primed. He took a breath as if to summon control. Her control was long gone and she needed him to hurry up.

  Nova watched as he grabbed a pillow and brought it up under her lower back, it being cool to her skin. He brought her thighs to rest on his as he kneeled in front of her again, the hair on his tickled her for a moment. He then grabbed his erection and rubbed the hot thick heavy head of it around in her honey, adding to the lubricant, and intensifying where she was already. Excruciatingly slow, he entered her, making her gasp and arch; it felt so superb. He was full and large and for just an instant, she felt like he might be too large. He seemed just as affected, his face contorted. “Damn, you’re tight.”

  She couldn’t speak, it was too much and she needed her air just to breath. He began working her, thrusting partially, lightly hitting that spot that very rarely got touched, kissing it and then retreating almost to the point of leaving her. She grabbed his strong arms for purchase as he continued to guide himself in her. Before she knew it, she had relaxed enough to take all of him and he tapped it so hard, her muscles started to clench around him tightly, making her explode with a scream. Light danced beneath her lids as her body shook and her toes curled. When she finally caught her breath, she realized how quickly she’d cum. She blushingly asked him, “I left you behind, didn’t I?”

  Without responding, his head descended, capturing her nipple quickly, clamping his lips around it, sending spikes of pleasure through her. He was bringing her back to that place where it was just the two of them again and all her inhibitions were gone. His eyes held hers as he lapped at her flesh, arousing her again. It felt incredible. Her flesh still impaled by him tightening in anticipation. Before she could take her next breath, she was pulled into him swiftly, her pelvis knocking against his. The thrusts came hard and fast after that. Her breast bounced as he held her tightly, making sure she received all of him. And she wanted it all, so she wrapped her legs around his strong waist, wrapped her arms around him, feeling the cable of his muscles working in time with his rhythm. His timing was impeccable. The room filled with the sounds of slapping skin made more intense from their sweat, creating a song

  She was reaching that pinnacle again. That he could bring her there again so easily amazed her. He seemed to be just as affected. Her gaze connected with his, she watched him bite his bottom lip in concentration, while hers quivered. His pace slowed and the sensation from him rocking languorously inside of her, made her tighten her hold on him. He pulled her close, his hands right above her ass. She clenched his tight ass to pull him in deeper while he took his time. She rotated her hips with his, squeezing him inside of her, taking control of him, if only for a moment. He groaned and once again, the sound ran through her, making her tighten and slicker. He was hitting that spot, slowly drilling into it over and over again.

  Before long, he began to stroke faster, his hips moving like a piston and all she could do was hang on for the ride. He captured her lips, his tongue tangled with hers. She pulled away to scream when spasms started to take over and she no longer had control of what she was saying or doing. Her nails raked his back, but he didn’t miss a beat. He was determined to bring her all the way through, “Mikhail, I’m cumming!”

  She felt him tense a moment before she started to tremor and jerk under him, having the most intense orgasm of her life. He shouted her name as he climaxed, and then embedded his head in the crook of her neck with a groan. Neither of them moved for some time; his weight on her, neither stifling nor unpleasant. Eventually he removed himself from her, discarding the condom with a Kleenex from the nightstand, and rolled onto his back and pulling her to him.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice of his anticipation rippling through her.

  “Yes, I am more than okay.” She couldn’t see his expression but when he exhaled a deep breath, she could tell that he was pleased. The arm holding her pulled her in closer, making her mold her sticky body to his large frame. She draped her leg over his, her palm resting on his tight abs. The feeling of being in his arms was sublime; the heat of his skin warming her insides to putty, the sound of hi
s heartbeat was soothing. She didn’t want to leave his embrace now or never. To think that just this morning, she didn’t even know this man and later at dinner, shunned any kind of romantic entanglement. But the connection between them now couldn’t be denied. She wanted desperately for him to want to figure out a way for them to have something. What, she didn’t know. But this feeling was too good and for once, she deserved something good when it came to a man.

  It was with those thoughts that she drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

  Chapter Six

  A month later …

  The alarm went off, jarring Mikhail from a deep sleep where his dreams lead him to rouse with a hard-on. That’s how every morning had been since his return from the cruise where he sexed Nova over and over again. Her moans asking ― no pleading ― for him to not stop still replayed in his mind. Her small fingers grasping at his back and his butt, still leaving an impression that he’d never forget. She was not only sexy but passionate. Insatiable … and he wanted her every day. But she wasn’t having it.

  He wished he could have spent his days and nights reliving those moments and doing nothing else, but life had to go on. He had to look after his Pops and he had to work. But today, he was heading to the gym to work off the last vestiges of drinking and eating

  Although he had planned to maintain his regimen on the cruise, it didn’t happen. The all-you-can-eat atmosphere with food fit for royalty and a drink package that allowed him to splurge on alcoholic beverages and premium juices, his desire to get to the gym started to dim each day. In addition, once he and Nova hooked up, she was his workout regimen. Each moment he spent in her company instead of the gym had been a workout, he just wished he had something to show for it now. But that ship had sailed, literally.