16. Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Aleksandr

The mansion was draped in shadows when I finally returned home. As I drove my SUV through the security gate, I could feel the weight of the day's events hanging heavily on my shoulders. Stepping through the door, I shed my coat and removed my tie with a sigh of relief. The usual buzz of activity in the mansion had quieted down for the evening, giving my thoughts free rein to echo through the still air.

My mind replayed the scenes from the club and the art gallery in an unending loop. There's no way I'll be able to sleep. My stomach rumbled, having skipped dinner tonight. Instead of waking up Abram, I crept into the kitchen to cook something to eat. Mama taught me how to cook her favorite meals when I was young. Our special time together was when Dimitri was out chasing girls, and Mikhail was playing cards with Otets.

The kitchen was dimly lit, the soft glow of the stove casting a warm light across the room. Filling up a pot with broth, I stirred it slowly, adding spices and chicken. Lost in my thoughts, a light noise pulled me back to the moment. Talia emerged from the hallway, startled by my presence at the stove. She looked weary, and the color washed out of her face.

"Oh, hi," she whispers. "I didn't know you were here." Her eyes meet mine briefly before flickering away. "I just needed a snack," she says softly, moving to the cabinet and reaching for a box of crackers.

"Mmm, that smells wonderful," she murmurs, passing by the stove to sit at the counter. "I didn't know you could cook."

"Now you know," I reply curtly.

Talia shakes her head, releasing an agitated sigh. "I'm not the enemy, Aleksandr." She stands to leave, but I catch her by the wrist and sit her on the stool.

"Stay." I ladle the soup into a bowl and place it before her.

"Thank you," she replies politely. I watch her plump lips as she blows on a spoonful of hot soup. My cock stirs in my pants, and I sit across from her to hide my forming erection. Even weary, she's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.

Glancing up at me, she opens her mouth to say something, then hesitates. "Is everything alright?" I ask, my voice laced with genuine concern.

Her words tumble out in a rush, tinged with anxiety. "I… I want to help find Mikhail's killer, but I don't know where to start. And I can't shake this feeling of being unsafe for Sandy and myself." She stares at her soup, chewing on her bottom lip.

My heart clenches at the vulnerability in her voice. I won't let anything bad happen to her. She's mine to protect. Where did that come from? My mind questions the feeling of possessiveness that is sucking the air out of my lungs. This feeling is something I've never experienced before, and it takes me off guard.

Wanting to reassure her, I reach across the counter and gently place my hand on hers. "We'll figure this out, Talia. You're safe here. No one can touch you within these walls."

Her gaze lifted to meet mine, uncertainty etched in her features. "And what about Sandy?"

Releasing her hand, I reassure her. "Sandy is safe. My men are guarding her."

"How will we find Mikhail's killer?" she asks, her eyes filled with determination and fear. "What's the plan?"

"I have eyes and ears on the club and your apartment. I know he is part of the Lupani family circle. Someone will talk, and we will find out who he is. When we do, I will gut him."

She nods slowly. "Okay," she murmurs, although her eyes don't reflect my confidence.

The tension between us is palpable as we sit quietly across from each other, eating soup. When Talia is finished, she puts the bowl and spoon in the sink.

"Thank you, Aleksandr." She turns to leave, but I don't want her to go.

"Come outside with me. We can sit by the pool for a bit." Hope rises in my chest that she will accept my offer.

"Alright," she says hesitantly.

After clearing the table, I lead her outside to the pool area. The night air was cool against our skin. I wrapped a soft blanket around her before pouring two glasses of wine. I offered her one, but she declined—an unusual choice that did not escape my notice.

Her shoulders slump slightly as she settles onto a chaise lounge, the world's weight seeming to press down on her. Without thinking, I move behind her, my hands instinctively finding their way to her tense neck and shoulders.

My touch is gentle yet purposeful. As my fingers work their magic, kneading away the knots of tension, Talia lets out a soft sigh. Her long, silky hair shines underneath the moonlight as I tangle my fingers in it. I gently tilt back her head and pepper soft kisses along her smooth neck. My hands travel from her shoulders to her waist, lifting her up and turning her around to face me. She let out a soft gasp, then stills entirely in my arms.

Her eyes find mine as anticipation builds between us. Her body melts into mine; her soft curves are against my hard lines. She's so beautiful, staring up at me with her hazel eyes. So vulnerable in my arms. I have no right to want this woman…to want to own her…but I can't stop myself. My lips find hers, and I steal a kiss, forcing my tongue inside her mouth to savor every inch of her perfection. I swallow her gasp as I greedily take more of her, kissing her deeply until she's gasping for air.

She's mine . The beast inside me rears up, pushing me to show her who she belongs to. I strip the blanket off her, and she moans into my mouth. "I need to be in you, Talia. I need to bury my cock deep inside your pussy and mark you with my cum."

"Yes…yes, Aleksandr…please…" she whimpers, her fingers clawing at my shirt.

Sliding my hands under her ass, I lift her up, wrapping her legs around my waist. I carry her to the daybed, placing her on her back. She sits up quickly and tugs at my belt. An internal fire ignites in my core as she undresses me. Her pupils are blown wide with desire.

I swallow hard as she runs her fingertips lightly over the dips and valleys of my abs down to my cock. It's thick and heavy in her hand. Nibbling on her bottom lip, she smiles coyly, then sucks my cock into her warm, wet mouth.

" Fuuuuck, " I groan. She giggles around my cock, running her tongue along the shaft. She swirls her tongue in circles over the tip, teasing me, until I wrap her hair around my hand and thrust my cock deep into her mouth. I pull back as she gags slightly. "Too much," I ask.

In response, she reaches behind me, grabs my ass, and pushes my cock deep into her mouth. Opening her throat inch by inch, she sucks me in until my balls are pressed against her plump lips. She feels so fucking good; her lips, her tongue, her silky hair in my hand. I feel like my balls are going to erupt, so I pull my cock out of her mouth. Trailing her tongue over her lip, she gazes at me with fire behind her eyes.

Grabbing her wrists, I stand her up to switch places with her. Standing her between my legs, I slowly strip off her clothes. Her supple breasts bounce lightly when I unhook her bra. Her pebbled nipples are begging to be sucked on. Admiring her beauty, I run my hands up her toned legs. Hooking my index fingers into the waistband of her panties, I slide them down to her ankles. She steps out of them, parting her legs slightly and cupping her pussy. That little tease.

"My turn, my dirty little kiska."