23. Katerina

My problem with being with Xander, is that he always manages to make every single fucking thing he does attractive. Not only has did he completely destroy an entire conglomerate in under two hours, which was incredibly sexy and reminded me why I fell for him in the first place. Now he’s also standing beside me holding a gun and pointing it at a dummy and, hitting every shot on target despite apparently never trying shooting before.

Its bullshit, I don’t believe it. I make sure to tell him that.

He chuckles and the sound of his laughter is like music to my ears.

“Seriously, princess. I just did what you told me. It’s not my fault, I’m good at following directions. You know just how good I am,” he says and I don’t miss the hint of suggestiveness.

“Unbelievable,” I mutter, looking away from his face. “Whatever, I’m done shooting. Let’s head back to the house.”

He doesn’t argue and we divest of the guns, turning them over to the capo in charge and walking back to the mansion. Neither of us really speaks the entire way there. My mind is still on the fact that he was able to pick up a gun for the first time and shoot that naturally. His technique and posture could use some work but he could be an ace shooter, if he really wanted.

“You know, it’s a little annoying that you’re just good at everything without having to even try. You’re lot like my sister in that regard.”

He looks at me and I’m not sure how he can tell but it’s like he’s able to effectively pick out the sadness that lays behind the last sentence.

“How are things with her?” Xander asks.

“Well, she’s still not speaking to me, so not good,” I reply. “But I am hopeful that eventually she’ll remember all the times I covered for her when she snuck out of the house when we were teenagers and forgive me.”

My words are light and teasing but the truth is my sister’s silence is bothering me. So much. Xander convinces me to give him the grand tour so we walk through the hallways, with me pointing out each room. Two living rooms, a long dining hall that we typically don’t use, especially now that my sister doesn’t live here anymore. We have an extensive library, which used to be my happy place when I was much younger, a home theatre, a game room, and staff quarters towards the back of the house. And a basement, that I don’t show Xander because I’m worried there could be dried blood or something unsavory clinging to the walls. We don’t use it anymore considering we have our headquarters, but when I was a child I would sometimes hear screams coming up from there.

By the time we’re done touring the house, I’m exhausted. We arrive in the area that contains my family’s bedrooms. Xander’s gaze strays to a particular brown door that has my heart rate speeding up. I see curiosity light up in his eyes and grab his hand.

“Come on, I’ll show you my room,” I tell him, directing him away from the room at the end of the hallway. The room none of us have been able to enter for more than two decades.

I open my bedroom door with a flourish and we walk in. “This is the room I grew up in,” I say. “I’ve redecorated it a lot over the years as I grew up but it’s my safe space.”

He looks around, eyes resting on the desk cluttered with papers and books before moving towards the closet door and then coming to rest on my bed. It’s been made up, I let the help in to clean every morning. I just never let them touch my desk because I don’t want them disrupting my work. His eyes linger on my bedside table and he walks over, picking up one of the picture frames. There are three. One of me when I was a child, one of me and Sophia when we were teens and then one with our dad.

“You were adorable,” Xander says with a grin as he studies the picture of me.

“Of course I was.”

While he continues his snooping, I lie back on the bed, my gaze going up to the ceiling. I’m actually feeling really good right now. Because we’re actually doing it. Apart from that moment in the kitchen which we managed to fight against, I’d say we’re doing quite well at being friends.

“It probably wasn’t such a good idea for you to bring me in here, princess,” Xander suddenly says.

When I look at him, I find his gaze fixed on my legs. Specifically the exposed part that’s showing due to my dress riding up. The look in Xander’s eyes is hungry. They’re dark and filled with so much desire, my breath hitches.

It’s dangerous and so enticing, I feel my mouth dry. I spoke too soon about doing well at being friends.

“Why not?” I ask, sliding off my bed and moving to stand in front of him.

Bad idea, a voice whispers in my mind. I ignore it.

Xander looks at me and his expression twists in a combination of frustration and desire.

“You know why.”

I shake my head, lowering my voice. “Actually, I have no clue.”

When he takes a step towards me, I take one back. The last act of preservation I can manage. Xander’s faster though, wrapping an arm around my waist to pull me back. I gasp as I find myself pressed against his chest.

“I want to do so many things to you when we’re alone, Katerina. And us being in your bedroom isn’t helping matters. Do you want to know what I’m thinking about right now?”

I should probably so no. But I am a weak, weak woman in the face of him.

“Yes. Tell me,” I breathe.

“I’m wondering just how many nights you’ve lain awake unable to sleep. How many nights you succumbed and decided to slide your fingers between your folds. Played with your clit, brought yourself to the brink. The more possessive part of my brain is wondering who was on your mind the entire time.”

I swallow softly at the vivid imagery he’s painted. He has no idea how right he is. I’m hit with the feeling that he was right here with me. All those lonely nights.

“Maybe I wasn’t alone,” I whisper suggestively.

His jaw tightens and his expression darkens with rage.

“I really don’t want to hear that, princess.”

“Relax. I said maybe. The truth is, you’re right. I have lain awake on my bed, alone and I’ve touched myself, several times. But the truth is, every single time I’ve done it. You’ve being on my mind. Only you,” I confess.

Xander swallows, his throat flexing with the movement.

“Show me,” he says in an undertone.

“What?” I blink in confusion.

“You heard me, Katerina. Get on that bed and show me what you did.”

My thighs clench at his tone and the suggestion. I know I shouldn’t and yet there’s a part of me that can’t deny just how much I want this. So I do as he asked. He walks backward until he’s leaning against my desk while I climb on top of my bed and lie down.

“Spread your legs,” Xander says.

His tone is light and commanding. I comply, parting my leg so that my dress rides up a few inches and then some, giving him a view of my panties. I keep my gaze fixed on him. His eyes are so dark and filled with lust. My heart is pounding in my chest.

“Shift your panties to the side, Katerina,” he tells me, and I do, angling my underwear to the side so my clit is laid bare. “Good girl.”

My cheeks heat. I would never be so pliable with anyone else, so willing.

“Now show me,” he murmurs, attention fixed on my spread legs. “Put your hands between your legs.”

“Bossy,” I mutter.

My limbs don’t move for a millisecond. I suddenly remember who I am.

He smiles, “Please,” he adds. “Put your hands between your legs, Katerina.”

My hand settles on my thighs, before slowly moving upward. When I get close to my pussy, his jaw tightens.

“Run a finger up and down your clit,” he says softly.

I moan softly as I do so, feeling just how wet I am. My arousal sticks to my fingers. My other hand goes up to my chest. I reach inside, cupping one of my breasts. I massage my nipple with one hand while running my finger continues to play with my clit.

I moan softly, my eyes falling shut.

“Open your eyes, Katerina,” Xander’s voice effectively penetrates the haze of pleasure. “Open your eyes and look at me.”

Very slowly, my eyes fall open. And then my mouth follow suit because someone his dick is free of his pants and he’s stroking it in his hands. His eyes are still fixed on me. I wait, heart pounding for his next words of command.

“Dip your finger inside and tell me how it feels.”

My skin prickles but my hand is already moving, dragging back and forth against my folds until I gently push inside. I hear a sharp audible groan which spurs me on. I slip my finger in further, just another inch, feeling my walls clamp around it. I whimper softly. His cock is still in his hands, large and pulsing and I can see pre-cum dripping from the head. The whole thing is sensory overload. I can’t even begin to describe how I’m feeling right now.

“Katerina, tell me how it feels,” Xander reminds me.

“T-tight,” I manage to say. “Wet.”

I’ve never seen anyone driven crazy before, but Xander looks like he’s on the brink.

“Fuck,” he groans. “I can see just how soaking wet you are from here, baby. I want so badly to feel that against my lips. To eat you out until you’re fucking screaming my name.”

“Please,” I beg, unsure exactly what it is I want.

I add another finger, moving them in and out, increasing the pace. My head falls back as I allow myself to simply just feel. I feel my orgasm impending, like a riot rolling through me. Just when I’m about to come, Xander speaks.

“Stop.”

It’s just one word, but I hear it loud and clear. It’s like dousing my lust with a bucket of ice. My hand stills. Frustration builds in my gut as I prop my elbow against the bed to look up at him. I notice his dick is back in his pants again.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I snap.

He shakes his head, “You don’t get to come until I say so, Katerina. And I want to be the one to make you come. Stand up,” he says.

I cross my arms over my chest, and glare. “Make me.” I don’t give a fuck how childish that sounds.

He grins like that’s a challenge he’ll happily accept. Then suddenly he’s standing by my bed, tugging me up until I’m kneeling on the bed right in front of him. He grabs a hold of my hand, the one that had just being inside of me. With his eyes still on my face, he raises it to his mouth and licks it clean. Arousal hits me like a bolt of lust.

“Your taste, Katerina...” he trails off, staring at me in wonder. “It’s indescribable.”

His gaze drops to my lips and I’m kissing him in the next second. My hands are gripping his chest, his hands are wrapped around my waist. He manages to pick me up, carrying me across the room until he’s propping me on the desk. The actions has several books and papers flying to the ground, but I don’t care.

Xander tilts my head back, tugging my bottom lip with his mouth. My hands wrap around his shoulders, pulling him closer, between my spread thighs. His hands slip beneath my dress, sliding past my ass and gripping my waist.

The moment turns into one of desperation. Xander practically yanks my dress over my head and in the same breath drops his mouth to my bare breasts. It’s all happening so fast, but considering the back and forth that’s been going on between us the past few weeks, it’s understandable. My hand reaches past the waistband of his pants, wrapping around his thick hard length.

It’s a frantic sort of hunger that drives us. I work him with my hand, pumping up and down as he takes one of my nipples between his lips. I cry out when he gently bites it before sucking the sting away.

“Xander,” I moan softly.

He doesn’t reply, too busy tugging at my panties. There’s a slight ripping sound that barely computes as I realize I’m naked, bared entirely for him. For the first time in almost a decade. He pulls away to assess me from top to bottom, taking his time consuming the sight of me. My skin prickles under his appraisal, then I reach out for him and he obliges, kissing me, his pace suddenly slow and sweet.

“I missed this,” he says against my lips. “I missed you. I missed us.”

“I missed you too,” I whisper back. “Please, please, please, fuck me now.”

“You sound desperate, Katerina. Haven’t done this in a while?”

He’s fishing for information. We’re about to have sex and he wants to know just how many people I’ve slept with since I was with him. For the love of God!

“I haven’t had sex with anyone else in about three years,” I tell him breathing heavily.

Before he can say anything else, I slam my mouth down on his. He groans, reciprocating and tugging me forward until my hips are barely resting on the table.

“Katerina, I don’t have a condom,” he informs me.

“That’s fine. I’m on birth control,” I assure him. “And I trust you.”

I haven’t stopped using it in years. And even if I wasn’t, a part of me knows that I would have wanted him inside of me regardless. Because we’ve waited too long and I can’t wait any longer.

“Get naked,” I say against his lips and he doesn’t hesitate to do so.

I help him take off his shirt and then his pants come off as well. He steps out of his boxer briefs until it’s only his cock, standing proud and erect. Xander looks at me like I’m the only precious thing in the world, but I also see something else in his expression, something I don’t really understand.

“You don’t have to say it. I know it’s a bad idea,” I murmur as he continues to stare at me.

His eyes meet mine, steady assurance in his gaze.

“Actually, this might be the best idea I’ve had in a long time, Katerina,” he states, placing his hand on my cheek. “I think I’m done fighting this.”

Relief rolls through me. Honestly I’m a little disappointed we caved so easily and couldn’t keep the friend thing going. But I’m just so glad that he still wants me. That he’s looking at me how he used to before.

I expect me to carry me to the bed. He does lift me but instead of moving to the bed, he stays in place. My legs wrap around his waist. We’re aligned perfectly, hip to hip, his cock resting against my wet center.

“You ready?” he asks and I have to wonder at his immense strength as he holds me up.

I squeeze my eyes closed and curl my toes as he sinks in the first inch. My mouth falls open. Another inch and a whimper escapes me.

“Oh,” I whisper.

Thanks to the angle he’s able to bury himself inside me to the hilt. I’m completely stretched to the oblivion.

“Katerina, breathe,” Xander commands.

I hadn’t even realized I was holding my breath. My grip on his shoulder is tight enough to bruise.

“It feels..” I trail off.

“Indescribable?” he asks.

I nod. He slowly pulls out of me and my walls clench. I feel him shiver.

“Do it again,” I plead.

He does, driving back into me, before dragging out again, nice and slow. Again I have to wonder at his strength. He’s not only holding me up without breaking a sweat, but is managing to set a pace that’s determined to drive me wild. I wrap my arms around his neck and press my naked chest against his.

Warmth explodes through me as he continues his slow pace. I lift my head to look at him.

“Xander, faster,” I say.

He groans and I feel us moving until my back is pressed against the wall. He’s still inside me but now he’s able to grip my thighs as he thrusts faster, deeper. His hand finds its way between my thighs, the pad of his thumb is rough as he plays with my clit.

“I’m so close,” I tell him as he continues teasing me.

He keeps on fucking me, his pace hurried and yet it also seems like he’s taking all the time in the world. He keeps until pleasure detonates through me. I’m dying, I swear I’m dying.

Xander chuckles and I realize I said that out loud. “You’re not dying, Katerina, I promise.” He kisses me soft and sweet before whispering against my lips. “Come for me.”

Like a puppet, I do. Every sensation bombards me, so hard that I nearly tap out. It’s too much. I’m burning up from within. Xander follows and together, we hold each other up, gasping and quivering as the pleasure rolls through our body. We don’t move from our position against the wall. If it wasn’t for Xander holding me up, I’d be putty on the floor. We stay like that for several long minutes.

So many words flood the tip of my tongue. But I can’t seem to voice anything. Xander sets me back on my feet and we lock eyes.

“Now what?’ I finally manage to ask.

He smiles and my insides melt. Xander leans downwards, kissing me hard.

“Now, we do it again,” he replies with a grin when he pulls away.