Authors: Elizabeth Moynihan
Aleksei’s deep laughter had him suddenly grunting as his wife’s elbow caught him lightly in the ribs and her censorious look had him lifting his hands in surrender. “Don’t look at me. I didn’t say a word!”
The grandfather clock in the foyer chimed the hour of midnight, its melodious notes unnecessarily calling the lover’s attention to the time.
Sergei slipped silently from his room, casting an eye toward the line of light that cast a soft glow from beneath the door of his parent’s bedroom. A moment later, a small sigh of escaped his lips as he watched the light disappear, and heard his father’s wicked laugh at his mother’s unheard words. It looked as if it would be a good night for the Rocmanov men!
Softly rapping on Chloe’s door, she cracked it open only a few inches and smiled at the silhouette she knew so well. “Hi,” she whispered, her eyes adjusting to the meager amount of light cast by the night light in the foyer.
“Hi, yourself,” Sergei answered, his voice a deep, sexy drawl.
“Is everyone asleep?”
“If not, then well on their way. Mom and Dad’s light just went out and I haven’t seen Dani or Hunter since we got home, so I’m assuming they’ve been asleep for a while now.” Sergei offered, his fingertips gently tracing a path along the line of her jaw, before rubbing his thumb against her full lower lip; his touch sending streaks of electricity through her body.
“Oh, God, Sergei. You make me want to do wicked things to your body,” Chloe whispered, just before his mouth gently took hers.
With a low groan, Sergei ended the kiss. “You won’t hear any complaining from me! Besides, I have a few wicked thoughts of my own as well.” he growled, gasping as Chloe’s hands traced a path across his chest. “Give me ten minutes to get everything together, and to make sure no one’s up and about, and then meet me in the gazebo,” he instructed, giving her a final quick kiss and turning to head down the stairs.
Chloe slipped through the kitchen door, closing it silently behind her and shivered slightly as the chill midnight air blew through the thin silk of her dressing gown and grazed over her naked skin. The chill of the breeze emphasized the heat she felt simmering within her and she trembled in anticipation as she followed the path toward the gazebo, and Sergei.
The stones felt cool and smooth beneath her bare feet, the light wind sending the silken fabric dancing around her long legs as she moved quickly through the pale moonlight; a nymph frolicking in a magical garden. All about her, the sounds of deep night surrounded her: the gentle song of a lonely cricket, the creaking of the large trees as the swayed ever so slightly in the night’s breeze, the peaceful trickle of water as it slid over smooth rocks and gathered in the small pool.
Up ahead lay the gazebo, a large white octagon with gingerbread woodwork. A soft glow flickered, and as she drew closer, soft music shared the cool breeze with the hoot of an owl. Stepping through the door, she found herself alone, and facing a bed of pillows strewn across the floor. Placed on the benches, where the pillows usually resided, sat dozens of candles, in all colors and sizes, casting a gentle glow that warmed the interior of the gazebo and kept the night at bay. A platter, on a small table, held luscious strawberries, a block of cheddar cheese and a loaf of crispy French bread. A bottle of sparkling cider sat beside two leaded crystal fluted champagne glasses.
Chloe’s emotions ran rampant, her heart swelled in her chest at Sergei’s thoughtfulness and she felt tears fill her eyes. Holding one hand to her trembling lips, she shook her head in wonder.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to go all mushy on me now?” Sergei asked quietly, withdrawing from the shadows and coming to stand before her.
Chloe shook her head back and forth; her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I can’t believe you did this for me,” she offered quietly, her teeth tugging on her lower lip.
“This?” he asked with a sweep of his hand. “It looks like this all the time,” he countered, lifting her chin with his hand and smiling gently down into her sparkling eyes. “Besides, my girl deserves only the very best,” he concluded quietly, his knuckles rubbing her chin lightly.
“You’re the best, Sergei. You’re all any girl would want; or need.”
“Keep saying things like that and I might get a swelled head,” Sergei chuckled.
“That wouldn’t be such a horrible thing,” Chloe answered tartly.
Sergei knew he’d given her an opening as soon as the words were out of his mouth, and he hoped she wouldn’t catch the innuendo, but her quick comeback and saucy look told him otherwise. “You’re certainly in a wicked mood tonight,” he stated in a husky tone, finally noticing the silken robe in tones of sapphire that slid over her body like water, the chilly air causing her nipples to press temptingly against the fabric.
“Complaining?” Chloe asked softly, walking around him, her silken clad shoulder brushing against his as she passed him, and lowered herself onto the floor of cushions.
“Never. Simply stating a fact,” Sergei answered, watching her as she settled the silken fabric around her, and reclined against the pillows, the silk sliding to one side and exposing one long leg. Sergei’s heart skipped a beat.
“You look very dashing all in black; kind of roguish and dangerous and very, very appealing. Even barefoot.” Chloe offered appreciatively, taking in the snug black jeans and black pullover T-shirt that fit him like a second skin and left his muscular arms visible. “Although, I know for a fact, you also look wonderful out of them.”
“I bet you say that to all the guys,” Sergei quipped teasingly, his eyes dark and lit with a sensual glow from within. “Might I offer you something to drink?” he asked huskily, wandering over to the small table and holding up the bottle of sparkling cider for her perusal.
At her nod of approval, he poured two glasses of the bubbling, golden liquid into his mother’s fine crystal glasses and joined her on the pillows on the floor.
“What shall we drink to?” Chloe asked softly, closing her eyes as the spicy scent of Sergei’s after-shave drifted by her on a light breeze and made her senses hum.
Sergei pondered her question, his gaze memorizing the way she looked draped in sapphire silk, her skin glowing with the luster of creamy pearls as the candlelight cast its golden glow about her, her eyes filled with love and happiness and anticipation. “To love, to forever, to destiny,” he toasted quietly, clinking his glass lightly against hers as she seconded his words.
A small shiver ran through Chloe as the cold liquid slid down her throat, and the bubbles tickled her tongue.
“Cold?” Sergei asked in concern.
“With you here, and looking the way you do? Hardly!” Chloe laughed brightly, taking another sip and sighing in pleasure as she felt the liquid trace a path through her body, before splashing into her stomach.
“What’s wrong with the way I look?”
Chloe heated look traveling slowly over him had his body responding hotly and his snug jeans grew even snugger, causing him to wiggle a bit in an effort to get comfortable. “ Absolutely nothing, except you have on too many clothes,” she stated in a low, sensual voice.
“You’re all covered up, except for that one lovely leg,” he pointed out, taking another sip of his drink. He nearly choked, as with the flick of her wrist, Chloe pulled the belt free from her robe and the sapphire silk slithered to her sides, displaying the pale, bare skin beneath. High, full breasts crested with rose hued nipples quivered as she took shaky breaths, her breath catching as his fiery gaze captured hers and held her captive.
“Any other problems?” she asked breathlessly, her eyes widening as she watched him pull his shirt over his head, the bulging muscles in his upper body rippling as he cast the shirt aside.
“Other than I don’t know if I can get out of these pants without cutting them off? None that I can think of,” he stated sardonically, smiling wickedly as he watched her eyebrows lift in surprise when she looked at the front of his pants.
“I can see your dilemma. Maybe I can be of help?” she asked in a deceptively innocent voice, her mischievous look anything but innocent. How she longed to feel the strength and heat and power within her, and her fingers flexed in want.
“I think you’ve ‘helped’ more than enough for the time being,” Sergei growled, knowing that if she touched him at this point he’d be lost.
Chloe’s shoulders lifted in a small shrug, the silk material shimmering in the candlelight as it slid off her shoulders. “Just asking. You will let me know if you change your mind later?”
“Of course.”
“Good,” Chloe nodded, a siren’s smile touching the corners of her full lips. “Are those strawberries for later, or might I talk you out of one now?”
Glad to have a moment to think about anything other than how Chloe looked nearly naked and gleaming in the candlelight, Sergei grabbed the bowl of strawberries off the table. Kneeling down, he held them out to her. In quiet deliberation, she plucked one of the deep red berries and brought it to her mouth, her straight white teeth taking a gentle bite of the fruit as her eyes caught Sergei’s and dared him to look away. In sensual torment, he watched her devour the sweet fruit, sighing in pleasure as she swallowed the juicy morsel, her tongue swirling around her lips to lap up each drop of sweet juice, and he found himself fighting to keep from simply ravishing her on the spot.
“Good?” he somehow managed to ask in a calm tone.
“You don’t know how good,” she returned breathlessly, her body humming as Sergei’s dark eyes sent her heated messages.
“I wouldn’t bet on that,” he countered, taking in the small drop of red juice that rested on the corner of her mouth. “You missed a bit of juice.”
Chloe’s hand came up to wipe the corner of her mouth, only to find her wrist captured by his hand.
“I’ll get it,” he offered, leaning forward to gently lap the sweet spot of strawberry juice from her mouth, holding himself over her, one hand braced against the edge of the bench seat.
Her sigh of pleasure at his touch had her senses exploding and her face turning toward his, their mouths only inches apart. “Might I help you with those pants now?” she whispered heatedly, her gaze filled with fire.
Sergei lowered her wrist, he held, and pressed her hand against the bulge that strained against his jeans. Her heated touch, even through the thick material of his pants, had his erection jumping in response. “Feel what you do to me, Chloe,” he growled and crushed his mouth against hers, his bare chest coming to rest against the bare skin of her full breasts. His tongue speared within the warmth of her mouth and dueled with hers, swallowing her low moans of pleasure and feeling the fire build within her, as their kiss grew more demanding, more wanton. Blood boiled in their veins, sweeping away rational thought as raging desire dictated their actions.
Sergei released her wrist, his hands delving into the shining mass of her hair, the strands wrapping around his fingers, as the kiss turned carnal. His heart pounded heavily in his chest, breathing became nearly impossible, and yet he couldn’t leave the ambrosia of her mouth.
Chloe’s hands struggled with the buttons of Sergei’s jeans, a sigh of triumph muffled as the buttons finally came free and his erection sprang free of its snug prison. He was satin and steel, a pulsing force and on fire as her hands created havoc against his skin.
Sergei’s blood roared through his veins, every nerve ending screaming for release, as her hands ran over him hotly. His mouth left hers, gasping for breath and he pushed her deeper into the pillows as all his attention was drawn to her swollen breasts. Chloe’s breath left her in a gasp as his tongue made tiny circles around her nipple before drawing it into his mouth and suckling the turgid flesh firmly. Fire shot through Chloe, ropes of tension knotting in her center and her hips frantically sought Sergei’s heat.
His low, dangerous chuckle had her squirming uncontrollably and her hands pushed against the fabric of his jeans, pushing the unwanted cloth away from his body, until it tangled about his knees. With a dismayed curse, he pushed away from her and stood, stepping the remainder of the way out of his pants and standing before her naked and proud and pulsing with need.
“Oh, God, Sergei, I want you so much,” Chloe pleaded, holding her arms toward him in welcome.
Sergei breathed harshly, trying to still the raging need he felt for her. He’d wanted to make this night one she would remember forever. He wanted to take his time, to slowly discover every square inch of her luscious body, find every erogenous zone, come to know each and every texture and flavor her body had to offer. “Don’t say that. You don’t know what you do to me. I want you so badly, I’m afraid of hurting you. I wanted tonight to be a night you’d remember all your life. One filled with love and gentleness,” Sergei whispered, his breathing harsh and shallow.
“It is, Sergei,” Chloe said softly.
“The way I want you is anything but gentle. I want you with such fierceness that it scares me. I want to be so deep inside you that I could disappear forever into the darkness of your body and be forever perched on that ledge that leads to oblivion,” he stated fiercely.
“Then show me,” Chloe urged in a low voice, her tone filled with challenge.
Sergei nudged her legs apart and dropped between her knees. His hands traced a slow, torturous path up the smooth silk of her legs, along the outside of her thighs, and up and over her breasts before returning to gently delve in the golden curls that hid the secrets of her womanhood. With fingers filled with fire, he caressed the center of her being, carefully avoiding the small center of sensitivity that could send her flying.