Page 73 of Merciless Union
Like a balloon snapping, we both start walking toward the other, colliding in the middle of the room.
Maxim wraps his arms around me in a tight hug. I cling to him fiercely, not wanting to let go … ever.
“Are you hurt?” I ask, pulling back and scanning him.
“It’s not my blood. It’s Nik’s.”
“Oh. Any news?”
Maxim sighs deeply. “He survived the surgery. But right now, he’s resting.”
“Thank goodness he survived.”
He quirks an eyebrow. “I didn’t know you cared so much for Nik.”
I smile, reaching my hand up to cup his face. “It’s not Nik I was worried about. I’m … glad Stepan didn’t kill you.”
“I’m glad for that, too.” His voice grows rougher. “I can’t let him get his fucking hands on you.”
I shake my head. “That’s not why I was worried. It wasn’t for me. I was worried that if Nik died, you’d be in incredible pain, and I don’t want to see that from you.”
His hands tighten on my hips. “You’re that concerned for me?”
“Yes. I … care for you, Maxim. Of course, I was concerned for you.”
“So sweet,” he murmurs, cupping my face. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Well, I’m all you have.”
His lips quirk as he leans down and captures my lips in a gentle kiss. I cling to his back. Maxim lets out a soft groan as he kisses me harder.
I sigh when we pull apart. “What was that for?”
“I thought about what you said earlier. How you wanted me to make love to you. Arina, I … I don’t know if I can ever promise you love, but I know, after tonight, I don’t want to lose you like I almost lose Nik. I want to give you what you want.”
His words make my eyes water. “Really?”
“I … want to make love to you, Arina. Right fucking now.”
I smile, leaning up to kiss him. “Then what are we waiting for?”
He growls as he scoops me up and carries me into the bedroom bridal style, kissing me the entire way.
Maxim lays me down on the bed so gently that I can cry with joy. Even though he’s being sweet, I can see in his eyes how much he wants me.
He cups my face between his hands and kisses me so deeply that I feel it over my entire body. I lay back, Maxim leaning over me. I can feel his body press against mine through our clothes. Even though I’ve been naked with him before, this is the first time I’ve felt truly close to him.
I let out a soft moan as Maxim trails kisses down my throat as his hands grab my breasts, kneading them. I clutch his hands with mine as my head falls back, exposing more of my skin for his lips to touch. Maxim kisses and gently sucks and licks my neck, shooting shivers of pleasure over me.
I gasp as he grabs the straps of my dress, pulling it down, exposing my naked breasts to him. He meets my eyes, smirking, before leaning down and capturing one of my nipples into his mouth.
My back arches to meet his touch. My hands cling to his back, looking for some kind of anchor to hold me down.
He gently rocks his hips into mine as I open my legs for him.
“Arina,” he sighs, licking my nipple. “You’re perfection.”
I blush at his words.
