Chapter TwentyIrina

Chapter Twenty

Irina

It's been two days since I intruded on Alexei's meeting with his brothers and Dimitri. And there's two days before the masked party.

I've tried to convince Alexei to let me tag along with them, but nothing I do seems to get through to him. I tried to make him a meal last night, and that was a disaster. Giving him the cold shoulder didn't do a thing to convince him, and now I have only one option left.

Seducing him.

No man can resist a woman they love seducing them. My mama told me that, and I believe her because I've seen her take the reins after my father made a decision. It's always like she cast a spell on him or something.

I huff out a sigh. It's a pity she couldn't do that to stop my marriage to Alexei though, not that I'm complaining. To be honest, I don't think I would change anything if I could go back in time.

My husband is perfect. Has a temper and loves to be dominant, but perfect regardless. I wouldn't trade what we have for anything else. I wouldn't have being married any other way.

Because I love him. I haven't said it to him yet, but I do. I have no idea how it happened because I'm pretty sure I despised him just the other day. I guess there's no explanation for some of the things that happen.

And that is why I have to protect him. There isn't much I can do for him but going with him will make things a lot easier and stop him from looking suspicious. Plus, I'll get to know he's safe. I feel like I'll die of a heart attack if I have to sit at home knowing he's at his enemy's party.

What if he gets hurt and I'm not there?

My chest squeezes and aches as panic surges through me. I don't care what it takes to convince him, I'm not sitting at home and waiting.

A car honks in the entrance. I jolt up from bed and run to the glass wall to peep. One of his bodyguards opens the backdoor and Alexei climbs out of the car, walking straight inside the foyer.

I hurry to the vanity table, spraying my most expensive perfume and applying more lipstick. I curled my hair an hour ago and let it fall over my shoulders. I'm also wearing the lingerie my best friend gifted me on my wedding day, it's revealing enough to give him a hardon the second he lays his eyes on me.

My heart beats faster following the sound of Alexei climbing the stairs. I return to the bed and sit on the edge, pushing my chest out to reveal more of my cleavage.

The door opens, our gazes meet, and I smile seductively. "Welcome home, husband."

Alexei's gaze sweeps over me. His eyes settle on my parted legs, then it slowly slides up to my breasts.

A flicker of surprise crosses his face before it's replaced with a dark intensity that sends shivers down my spine. He steps further into the room, his eyes never leaving mine. The air crackles with tension, thick with unspoken desires and secrets.

"What are you doing?" he asks, his throat bobbing as he swallows.

I lean forward and slide a finger between my legs. "What does it look like I'm doing?"

"You're playing a dangerous game, malyshka ." Alexei's voice is low, husky with a hint of warning as he approaches me slowly. I can see the barely restrained hunger in his gaze, the raw need that mirrors my own.

"I love danger, husband," I say softly, reaching out a hand to trace the sharp line of his jaw. His stubble scratches against my palm, sending a rush of heat through me. "I need you, Alexei. I missed you."

Alexei's breath hitches at my words, his eyes darkening with a mixture of desire and something deeper, something more primal. He captures my hand in his, holding it against his jaw as he leans into my touch.

"You have no idea what you're asking for, malyshka ," he murmurs, his voice rough with emotion. The intensity in his gaze sends a shiver down my spine, but I refuse to look away.

"I know exactly what I'm asking for," I reply boldly, my pulse racing as I meet his gaze head-on. The air between us crackles with tension.

Shit. I did this to seduce him, but I'm the one being seduced. I'm the one who's going crazy to feel him inside me.

Without breaking eye contact, Alexei slowly leans in, his lips hovering just inches from mine. The heat of his proximity sears through me, igniting a fire deep within my core.

He sniffs me in like I'm cocaine and grunts. "You smell so fucking good, wife."

Biting my lip, I reach for his tie and wrap it around my hand. I pull him even closer and whisper, "I bet I'll feel even better with your cock inside me."

"Naughty girl," he breathes against my lips, his warm exhale sending a shudder through me.

The ache between my legs grows. I want—need—him inside me right now.

He brushes his lips against mine. One arm wraps around my waist. He grips my neck, pulling me closer, and then his lips crash against mine.

His tongue plunges into my mouth, claiming me. The desire I've been bottling up bursts forth, and I respond in kind, my tongue dueling with his, my fingers now tangled in his hair.

He picks me up, my legs wrapping around his waist as he gently lays me down. He pulls away for a heartbeat, his focus entirely on getting me naked.

His eyes never leave mine. He kisses me again, deeper and harder this time, his hands exploring my body. He slips a finger inside me, eliciting a moan from me that fills the room.

I'm on fire, longing for him to fill me in every way possible. He removes his clothes, revealing his chiseled body. He's all muscle and ink.

He positions himself between my legs, breaking our kiss to look into my eyes as he enters inside me. The feeling is overwhelming as pleasure cocoons me.

We move in sync, our bodies dance in perfect harmony. Every thrust, every kiss, every moan, it's electrifying and soothing.

I grip his shoulders, my nails digging into his flesh as I arch my back, meeting his every thrust. My heart beats in rhythm with his. My body trembles with need.

"Is this what you want, malyshka ?" He slams into me with a powerful thrust.

I cry out from how deep it is. "Yes," I breathe. "This what I want. Fuck me harder, Alexei."

His eyes flare with hunger as he starts to move faster, harder, and deeper. The sound of our bodies slapping together fills the air, pulsating with the force of our need.

The room spins with the intensity of our passion, the taste of his lips, and the heat of his body enveloping mine. My chest heaves with each breath, and my heart beats like a drum.

My nails rake down his back as I cling to him, each movement driving me closer to the edge. Every thrust, every kiss, every breath, it's all for him.

Alexei gazes into my eyes, his focus entirely on me. His hands grip my waist, lifting me up and turning me, positioning me on my hands and knees. He pushes into me again, the change in angle sending shockwaves of pleasure coursing through me.

My body shudders with each wave of pleasure, and I cry out his name repeatedly. My climax builds, and I know I'm about to reach the peak.

"Fuck, Alexei," I moan, My body trembling uncontrollably. "I'm going to come," I gasp, the intensity of my impending orgasm overwhelming my senses. He groans, matching my pace, guiding me towards our shared climax.

As I reach the pinnacle of my pleasure, I feel his body tense, and he thrusts into me one final time, releasing his own climax. The force of his release sends me over the edge, and we collapse onto the bed, our bodies still entwined, our breaths mingling.

I love you, I want to say. The words are at the tip of my tongue, but I don't say them. Instead, I twist my head to meet his gaze. "Will you allow me come to the party now?"

His expression hardens. He doesn't look at me, but he frowns and stands from the bed. "Is that what this was about? Getting me to allow you come?"

"No-I—"

"I'm trying to protect you, Irina." His voice breaks. For the first time ever, he sounds frustrated. "Do you know how terrified I was the day you were hurt? I can't allow that happen. I don't know what I would do if something where to happen to you. So, my answer is the same as it was two days ago. No."

He picks up his clothes from the floor and begins to walk away angrily.

And then the words slip out from my lips. "I love you, Alexei."

He stops, and slowly turns to meet my gaze. "Irina…"

"No, let me finish. I know you don't love me, but I'm trying to protect you as much as you are protecting me." My voice crackles as tears stream down my face. "Please let me come, I don't mind getting hurt. I just want to be there with you and to keep you safe because I love you."

The silence in the room is palpable, but it's the expression on Alexei's face that makes me stiffen. There's no hint of emotion on his face, no sign he feels the same way about me.

"Irina…" He calls my name like it's a struggle. "Fuck."

He trudges to the bed and cups my face. His eyes soften now. "I love you too, Irina. I fucking love you, too. You have no idea how much."

He leans down and claims my lips. His kiss is deep and filled with emotion. I close my eyes and kiss him back. And I wish for nothing more than for this moment to last forever.