Chapter SixIrina

Chapter Six

Irina

I ignore the rumble in my stomach as I slide out of my wedding gown and release a breath. I swear I hated wearing that every hour I had it on. I pull my hair into a bun and head for the bathroom.

It's been a long day, and I still can't believe I am now Alexei's wife. It feels unreal, but the splash of cold water on my skin goes to prove I'm not dreaming. The wedding, our vows, the kiss…all of it is real and there's no going back now. After I take a shower, I grab a clean, white towel from the pile on the floating shelf and wrap it around my chest.

Thankfully, Alexei is still downstairs when I return to the bedroom. The only thing I have with me is the lingerie Arielle gifted me for my wedding night minutes before we left the hotel.

Home.

I can't believe I'm calling this place my home when I've spent less than an hour here. It's nothing like my father's vibrant mansion. There wasn't a sign of life in the foyer, unlike my parents' home where the maids are always busy cleaning or cooking. When they're not, my mother has friends over or she's tending the flowers in her little garden. I didn't even spot a maid here. I'll need to turn this into a home somehow.

I pull out the lingerie from the fancy bag Arielle gave me and stare at it. It's red, sexy, something I would wear if I was in love with Alexei. But I'm not and the thought of him seeing me in it just makes me… well, it's unnerving.

I don't want to wear it, but I didn't bring any clothes with me so I guess I'll wear it and hide myself under the blankets until he leaves in the morning. Hopefully he's not the kind of guy to sleep in late.

Another unnerving thought crashes into me. What if he expects something from me on our wedding night? What if he wants sex? My heartbeat doubles, my cheeks heating up at the thought.

I'm not stupid enough to think I can avoid sex with him all our married life. A dark part of me is curious about what's hidden beneath his clothes. I want to know how big he is and how he'll feel inside me.

I don't realize I'm licking my lips and trailing my finger down my neck when a knock on the door startles me. I instantly know it's not Alexei. He's not enough of a gentleman to knock before he comes in.

"Who's there?"

The door opens and a middle-aged woman enters the room. She smiles at me. "Sorry if I'm disturbing you, I'm the head housekeeper here and I mostly make the meals too. Are you hungry? I can quickly prepare something if you are."

I want to tell her I'm not, but my stomach growls again, louder this time.

Her smile widens. "I guess that's a yes. What should I make? We have pasta with a lot of cheese. Grilled—"

"A cup of hot chocolate and any snack you have will do," I say, cutting her off. I don't mean to be rude, but it's almost midnight and I'll feel really bad if I make her cook pasta at this time of the night.

"Are you sure you don't want anything else?"

I nod. "No, I'll be fine with that."

"I'll get it ready for you then." She leaves the room and shuts the door behind her.

I return my attention to the lingerie.

I'm not wearing that.

Throwing it back in the fancy bag, I briskly walk to the walk-in closet. It's enormous, lined with designer shoes, dress shirts and suits that are all black.

My jaw drops as I catch a glimpse of expensive wristwatches and cufflinks on a display in a glass-covered drawer. I can tell from just looking at them they're made of real gold and silver. Given how many they are, I could afford at least three mansions and the latest Porsche if I sold them. Not that I would, I have enough money to last me a lifetime, but still, the thought amuses me. Alexei has to be fucking rich if he can afford all of this. Not even my father has this many accessories.

I grab one of his dress shirts and throw it on, then return to the bedroom and stand in front of the glass wall. I have a perfect view of the city from up here and can see the stars glistening in the pitch-black sky. I wonder what my life will be like now.

Another knock sounds on the door and the housekeeper enters the room after I tell her to come in. She's holding a tray with hot chocolate and a slice of red velvet cake. She sets it beside the bed. "I hope you like it."

"Thank you." I pick up the mug and wrap my hands around the it. "I'm sorry. I didn't ask your name before."

"That's fine. I'm Ms. Vladimir. You can call me Nina if you wish," she says softly. She has a thick Russian accent.

"Nina. I'm Irina."

"I know. You're even more beautiful than I imagined," she says. I try not to blush at the compliment. "I'll show you around the house tomorrow, you can give instructions and I'll see to it that all your needs are met."

"Thank you."

She nods once, then leaves the room. I stare at the door, feeling relieved knowing there's someone around here I can talk to whenever I want. I'd hate to live here with just Alexei. I'd lose my mind with boredom.

I finish eating my cake and climb under the blanket. I don't get a chance to face the wall when the door creaks open and Alexei walks inside. He peers at me for a moment and I wonder if he can see me in the dimly lit room. He probably can.

He looks away and starts to pull off his clothes, letting his shirt fall to the floor, and then his pants. An inked weeping angel takes up most of his wide back. I'm Catholic, and I'm not supposed to find it attractive, but I do.

Alexei is all strength. His abs are ribbed with muscles and his shoulders are broad. His body is tanned and sexy, too sexy for his own good. It's hard to look away, hard not to gape at his gorgeous body.

I'm trying to get a good look at his dick when he turns the other way and saunters to the bathroom. I clutch the blanket at the sound of the running water, begging my body not to make me do something stupid.

I'm having a hard time breathing as I wonder what he'll do when he climbs in next to me. If he touches me, I'll definitely lose control and allow him to do whatever he wants with my body. I'm struggling to distract myself as it is.

God help me.

The water stops running and there's a moment of heart throbbing silence before he re-enters the room with a white towel wrapped around his waist. I expect him to put on briefs at least, but he rubs his hair with a second towel I hadn't noticed in his hand. Before my lust-fogged brain even notices, he slides into the bed next to me. Butt Naked.

I shut my eyes, gripping the blanket extra tight and try to think of something, anything to distract me. But my thoughts keep going back to that tattoo on his back and how I want to feel the muscles on him.

"Are you going to keep pretending you're sleeping?" he asks quietly. "Because I know you're not."

Fuck.

"I wasn't pretending. I'm trying to sleep." I hope he doesn't notice how much of a struggle it is for me to say those words. I open my eyes and twist my head to him. He's watching me like a predator watching its food. His dark-brown eyes are so intense, filled with hunger. "Y-you're not expecting hot, wedding night sex from me. Are you?"

He grunts, sliding his fingers through his hair. "Don't tempt me, malyshka . Unless you want me to rip my shirt off you and… Fuck," he groans. "I can't fucking do this." He sits up, rubbing his face angrily.

I sit up too. "We can…use separate rooms if that'll make you feel better," I croak. The suggestion is more for me than it is for him. I'm barely keeping myself under control, not when I have a burning desire to kiss him.

"That won't happen."

"Then what do you want?" I ask, my frustration turning to anger. "If you want to kiss me then fucking do it already."

Alexei whips his head to me, that dark desire burning in his eyes. "Is that what you want? I won't touch you unless you want it, Irina."

It's the first time he's calling me by my name, which means he's fucking serious. My chest heaves, and I know I should tell him no. But I whisper, "Yes, I want you."

And the next thing I know, his lips are on mine. He kisses me more deeply and ravenously than he did after we said our vows, and I kiss him back.

My arms curl around his neck as a flame of raw, sensual desire comes to life in me. I'm moaning, desperate for more than a kiss.

The room spins around us as Alexei's hands grip my waist, pulling me closer to him. I feel the heat of his body against mine, and I can't help but let out a soft moan. He breaks the kiss, his breath ragged, and stares into my eyes.

"Are you sure, Irina?" he asks, his voice low and hoarse.

I swallow hard, feeling my heart race as I nod. "Yes, I want this. Alexei." I may regret it later, but I want it now. I want all of him.

Without another word, Alexei gently picks me up. I wrap my legs around his waist, my fingers digging into his broad shoulders. His dick presses against my thigh and I grind against it, feeling how hard it is.

He twists and lays me down, his eyes never leaving mine.

As he kisses me. I can feel the wild, untamed passion between us. Alexei's hands explore every inch of my body, his touch sending shockwaves of pleasure through me as he unbuttons my shirt. I can't get enough of him

He rips my shirt off and tosses it away, then he cups one of my breasts in his hand and takes my nipple in his mouth.

My hips buck upward at his touch, my breath catching in my throat. The pleasure is intense, and I can't help but arch into his mouth, my fingers digging into his hair. He suckles my nipple, lightly nipping at the skin with his teeth.

"Fuck," I moan, gripping his hair tighter. "Fuck, yes."

Then his lips travel down my body, his mouth leaving a trail of fire on my skin. My heart races as I feel his tongue trace the outline of my navel, the heat of his breath sending shivers down my spine.

He looks up at me, his eyes dark with desire. "Do you like the way I touch you?" he asks, his voice low and rough.

I nod, my breath hitches as I watch him.

"I want to hear you say it," he groans. "I want to hear you say that you're mine."

"I'm yours." I rasp. "All yours, Alexei."

"Good girl," he whispers hoarsely, sliding his hand between my legs. I shiver because I know I'm fucking wet down there. That's how much I want him.

He slides a finger inside me, and I arch my back, a breathless moan escaping my lips. His touch is tender and possessive, making me feel like he owns me. And I don't mind one bit.

He fucks me with his fingers, his eyes locked on mine, as if he wants to make sure I'm enjoying every second of it. His touch is firm but gentle, and it sends shivers of pleasure through me. I can feel myself getting closer and closer to the edge, and I can't wait for him to take me over it.

He withdraws his fingers and crawls back up my body, his eyes never leaving mine. I can tell he wants this just as much as I do. He positions himself between my legs. A loud cry breaks from me as he presses his erection against my entrance. "Please," I beg. "Do it."

Alexei smirks as he slides his dick into me. I gasp as he thrusts, my nails digging into his back. He kisses me deeply, his tongue brushing against mine as he picks up the pace.

Our bodies move in perfect sync, his every thrust bringing me closer to the edge. I want more, I need more.

He pulls out suddenly, my heart races with the shock of it, and then plunges back in harder. I moan, my head thrown back in pleasure. He's hitting all the right spots, sending waves of sensation through me.

My body is trembling, close to the edge. "Oh, fuck, Alexei," I whimper.

He leans, tilts my head to the side and kisses my neck. "I want to hear you scream my name, Irina," he growls. "Who fucks you, Irina?"

"You." I breathe, my moan filling the room.

His eyes flare with desire as he continues to thrust, my body arching to meet each of his powerful strokes. "Say it," he commands, his voice low and gruff. "Say my name as you come."

I can't hold back any longer. I scream his name, my lungs emptying as his thrusts send me over the edge. My body convulses, every muscle tensing and relaxing over and over again.

Alexei's groans fill the room in tandem with my cries, his fingers digging into my hips as he pushes into me, his breathing ragged and erratic.

When he finds his release, it's a deep, guttural groan that fills the air. His body shudders as he empties himself into me, his mouth finding mine in a passionate kiss. And then he rolls off me and lies beside me.

Our ragged breaths fill the room and the last thing I remember before I fall asleep, is Alexei pulling me to his chest.