My lip trembles, his words touching my core. “How can you be sure?”

“Because I’ve seen you.” His words carry the weight of a thousand promises. “And I’m fighting for you.”

With our hearts banging wildly with the need for release, I reach up and grab his hair, kissing him deeply. My tongue dances against his. My grip is tight, and I hope to convey what’s inside me through my touch. Suddenly this isn’t only about need or want. It’s beyond the carnal pleasure of sex and lust. It’s as if, in a single instant, we bonded our souls.

Igor doesn’t ask any questions. Instead, he crushes my body against his while he kisses me back, his passion and hunger amatch for mine. An inferno surges through me, blazing through my chest and settling between my thighs.

“I’m not taking you gently this time, Katya.” His warning washes over me like a thunderstorm, goosebumps popping all over my arms. “It’ll be rough and real.”

“I’m not asking you to be careful,” I mumble.

He smiles fiercely, and his eyes dance with delight.

I lift up on my toes, wrap my arms around his neck, and draw him down for another kiss. Everything about Igor feels raw. His body, his emotions, and his connection to me are all consuming. In that way, I’m already on fire, well aware of what’s coming.

“I need to be inside you,” he growls.

“Yes.”

His arms and body surround me, reminding me that he will always be there and won’t let me go. I lean into the moment, enjoying the weight of him, and focus on breathing.

The love flowing between us heightens and changes. I surrender to the strength of his touch and sigh into his mouth. When he shifts his attention from my lips to my neck, I throw my head back and tilt my chin.

“The dress needs to come off,” I whisper, not caring if he listens to my instructions or not.

There’s no danger of being afraid or freaking out, and certainly no tears of frustration and sadness threatening. On the contrary, I feel brave. And free.

In that one moment, his heavy lips are against my jawline.

I grip onto him, loving the strength of his grasp. Releasing me, he pulls off my clothing but leaves me in my bra and panties. Meanwhile, I start untucking his shirt and slowly unbutton the top.

Once I get halfway down, he pulls his shirt over his head and tosses it aside. His naked chest meets my heaving chest, the muscles of his arms wrapping around my flesh.

I bite back a groan of pleasure when his hands gently fondle my breasts through the lace and satin of my bra. With the same tenderness, he places soft kisses against my neck and collarbone. I clutch his shoulders, clinging onto the sensations rocketing through me like a supernova.

“You’re driving me crazy,” I gasp.

His only response is a light chuckle against my skin. Pushed against the bed, I blink and stare at him.

“I can’t stop thinking about you. I can’t stop craving you. I can’t get enough of you.”

While I admire his honesty, I have no idea what to say in response.

“I can’t let myself fall for you,” I admit at last.

That’s the truth. But I’m already in love with him. The realization settles in my chest like a boulder. I’ve never been more certain about anything else. From the look on his face, Igor isn’t surprised.

As if he knew he had me regardless of how much I resist.

Tilting my head, I drink the sight in. He’s poised, waiting for me. As much as I love sex with Igor, it’s more than that. I love being with him. The intimacy means the world. We can’t change the past, but I’m starting to accept that what we have is special.

Maybe our relationship can work over the long distance.

He reaches for his belt and unbuckles it, a slow and deliberate movement. Steadily, he slides the zipper down and takes himself in his hand.

My breathing speeds up. My gaze latches onto his hard length.

Tearing my attention away, I take one final breath and turn my back to him, moving my ass closer, seeking his hardness. He puts a hand on my shoulder.