What was she doing?

Part of her was terrified. This was too much, too soon. But Evie wanted Alexei. Wanted him inside her, to assuage the ache that had been building since their kiss that afternoon. The way he’d been looking at her all night, as if she was special and precious, had made her heart race and her core tighten in anticipation.

She trusted him. Maybe not all the way, but enough to at least try this. To see where it led between them. She wanted to get back on the horse, deserved it. And there was no better time than now.

“Are you sure?” Alexei murmured, his eyes already darkening, fixating on her. He swayed forward, as if he was unconsciously drawn towards her.

“Yes,” Evie breathed, her chest squeezing. “But let’s go slow.” It was a warning, a plea. But Alexei seemed to understand. Slowly, he lowered his head. Evie’s eyes fluttered closed as she waited for him to cross the short distance between their mouths.

His lips brushed over hers, soft and sweet. He kept his hands planted on the edge of the sink, not touching her, not holding her down or caging her in.

Evie, though, felt free to explore his body as his lips coaxed hers open, as his tongue darted inside her mouth and played with hers. She ran her hands over his pecs, his shoulders, into his hair and down onto his back. She couldn’t reach his abs, or cock, given the way they were pressed closely together, but that was okay. There’d be time for that later.

For now, she just enjoyed the tightly-leashed strength in his hard muscles. As if he’d locked himself in place and quivered with a desire to let loose.

She arched her spine, rubbing her breasts against his hard chest. The friction caused an answering pull deep in her core. Heat flushed through her, and she moaned softly against Alexei’s mouth. Taking that as encouragement, Alexei finally released his hold on the kitchen sink and clamped his hands on her hips.

Evie only had a second to anticipate his next move before he’d picked her up and settled her on the narrow strip of counter between the sink and the edge. Her dress rucked up to the top of her thighs, spilling over them. Partly for balance, and partly because she wanted to, Evie wrapped her legs around Alexei’s waist and pulled him tight against her.

He groaned deeply as his hardening cock rubbed against her warmth, the sound reverberating through her. Her desire spiked, skin growing hotter as arcs of fire raced through her veins. They hadn’t even lost any clothes and she was already more turned on than she’d ever been in her life.

Alexei still held her hips. He broke the kiss so he could see her face, his eyes studying her carefully. The intensity of his gaze was enough to rob her of her breath. But, then he flexed his hips, rubbing himself against her. Even through two layers of fabric, his hard cock made her gasp, her head falling back in pleasure.

He did it again, eyes still intent on her face, and she got the impression he was paying attention to her every reaction. That consideration was even sexier, causing more heat to flood to her most sensitive areas.

“More,” she demanded.

Alexei complied, his hands leaving her hips to settle on her knees. Then, with deliberate slowness, his gaze still locked with hers, his hands slid up the outside of her thighs. His hands were rough and calloused. The sensation against her soft, over-sensitised flesh made her wet with desire. Her core clenched, waiting for him to enter.

But he took his time, pushing her dress out of the way and skimming his hands over her thighs as if he just enjoyed touching her.

“Alexei, if you don’t touch me, I’ll do it myself,” she gritted out. Alexei grinned at her demanding tone. He leaned forward to press a firm kiss against her mouth, then finally slipped his hand between her legs and brushed against her clit.

Her hips flexed automatically at the touch and she groaned. She was so wet, so ready for him, her body straining towards orgasm though they’d barely touched.

Apparently impatient now, Alexei shoved aside her panties and slid a finger inside her. Evie contracted around it, pulling it deep inside her. Alexei flicked her clit with his thumb, and slowly pulled out of her, pumping her a few times until he was sure she was ready for more.

Her skin tightened, her cheeks were flushed. Alexei looked even rougher, with sweat beading on his skin, his colour high. He struggled to keep control. Evie’s fingers dug into his shoulders, urging him on.

The fingers of Alexei’s left hand dug into her thigh, almost painfully. She was sure it wasn’t intentional, as he seemed desperate to keep himself under control. The willpower he exhibited turned her on even more, the evidence he cared so much about her and her pleasure.

He slid another finger into her, pumping harder now. His thumb still rubbed against her clit, and Evie rocked against him, matching his rhythm to increase the friction.

Evie’s last sight before her eyes fluttered closed was of Alexei, his teeth clenched and bared like a savage as he stared at her.

It was enough to send her toppling over the edge, coming hard onto his fingers. She went boneless, her head thudding onto Alexei’s shoulder.

He extracted his fingers from her, his chest bellowing beneath her head. He slowly loosened his grip on her thigh, then rubbed the spot he’d clenched absently, tenderly, as if soothing the pain.

“That was amazing,” she said as she finally got her breath back.

“We’re not done,” Alexei growled.

With that, he picked her up, anchoring her against his chest. Evie scrambled to lock her still-trembling legs around him so she wouldn’t fall. He kissed her as he turned away from the sink and stalked towards her bedroom. He was intent now, a man on a mission.

The idea sent a thrill through her, slowly stirring her already-sated body. The jolting movements of his walk against her clit were heightening the sensation.

He pushed open the door to her bedroom with more force than was warranted and then moved towards the bed. He put one knee on the bed, then the other, until he was kneeling. Then he slowly lowered her back onto the pillows, following her down as he did so.

It was only now, with the big, hard body looming over her, that Evie experienced her first clutch of nerves. She squirmed slightly, but didn’t run—an improvement over last time. Still, her newly reawakened arousal slowly drained out of her as she lay there. But she didn’t say anything, didn’t mention it. She didn’t want Alexei to walk away, or be upset with her.

So she kissed him back as he kissed her, trying to focus on all the good feelings he inspired, not the cold chill creeping within her. She could get through this. Even if she was too frigid to come again, she’d already orgasmed once, right? That was enough.

Her mind intruded on the moment, distracting her. She tried to wrench back her concentration, but she’d lost it.

Alexei froze over her, and then slowly raised his head to stare down at her. Light flooded in through the open bedroom door, illuminating half his face and casting the other half in shadow. It rendered the already harsh lines of his face in even deeper relief, not eased by his scowl.

Tears pricked her eyes. She’d already ruined it.

“I’m sorry,” she said miserably, not even sure what, precisely, she apologised for.

In a sudden move, Alexei rolled, placing her on top of him. She straddled him, planting her hands on his chest for balance. It was just like that first time, their first kiss. She was in control again.

“Sorry, I forgot,” Alexei said, his voice rough with regret and arousal.

Evie choked out a laugh. “You’re so unbelievably sweet, you know that?”

Alexei scowled, but this time there was a playful edge to it. “I’m not sweet.”

She giggled at the affront in his voice. “Yes you are,” she told him. “And I love it.” She said the words without thinking. She froze awkwardly for a second, not ready to think about what it meant. She did love his sweetness. That wasn’t the same as loving him, right?

To distract him from her words and what they might mean, Evie leaned forward and kissed Alexei. He was still hard, so she moved her hips so she could rub her core against him through his jeans.

Her arousal flooded back now she was in control. But the cold chill hadn’t quite left her. Hopefully it would fully disappear by the time she was completely aroused, not tainting this moment between her and Alexei.

Alexei’s hands clamped over her hips, encouraging her to use him to reawaken her arousal and she did, rolling her hips. Alexei’s hand then slid up her back and found the zipper to her dress. He pulled it down so the back gaped open. It allowed him to reach her bra, which he also unhooked.

She sat back, breaking the kiss and staring down at him as she slipped the dress off her shoulders. His eyes fixated on her breasts where they were barely covered by the unhooked bra. Then, he reached up to tug her bra away.

Her breasts sprang free. He admired them for a long moment, the hot desire in his gaze making her hips flex against his cock almost automatically. After a moment, his hands clamped over her breasts as if snapped there like a magnet. She arched her back, pushing her breasts further into his palms.

He squeezed lightly, and Evie glanced down to see his huge, rough hands contrasting against the smooth paleness of her skin. It was a strangely erotic sight, drawing to light their differences, and uniting them in a shared desire.

Suddenly desperate to have him equally as naked as her, Evie tugged up his shirt to his armpits, revealing the abs she’d so wanted to run her hands over earlier. She did so now, scratching lightly at the dark hairs covering his chest.

Alexei seemed content playing with her breasts, though his cock strained beneath her, so Evie took her time exploring him, allowing her desire to build. But she still couldn’t shake that voice of worry in her head, the cold, frigid wasteland that crept at the edge of her senses.

“What is it?” Alexei asked, dropping his hands.

Evie stayed where she was, still running her hands over his chest. “I don’t know,” she whispered. “I think I’m just worried what will happen if you lose control. I know you won’t,” she hurriedly assured him. “But you’re just so big. So strong.”

She swallowed nervously, eyeing him for any sign of offence. He sat up so they were chest to chest, their eyes level.

“What do you need?” he asked gutturally.

“I don’t know,” she answered miserably.

He studied her face for a moment. “Okay,” he said, then picked her up and set her on the bed next to him.

Misery clutched at Evie. She shouldn’t have said anything at all. Now, he’d leave, and she’d ruined everything.

But Alexei didn’t go. Instead, he unbuttoned his shirt and threw it on the ground, then went to her dresser. He dug around in the top drawer for a moment while Evie watched him in confusion. Then, he pulled out two pairs of stockings and held them up in triumph.

“What?” she asked.

Alexei grinned and prowled towards her. He held them out to her and she took them, staring blankly. It wasn’t until Alexei returned to the bed, lying on his back with his arms above his head that she understood.

“Tie me up,” he told her.

Even just the words sent a thrill of power—of arousal—through her. Tie him up? Put that big, powerful man completely at her mercy?

She licked her lips, contemplating it. Yes.

Flinging her dress away, Evie had a sudden attack of self-consciousness as she kneeled on the bed in only her panties, but Alexei’s hot gaze gave her all the confidence she needed.

She half-expected him to change his mind about being tied up as she leaned forward and grasped one of his wrists. But instead he watched her with hooded eyes.

“Have you ever done this before?” she asked as she anchored his right wrist to her headboard.

“No. Only for you.”

Her heart tumbled at the admission. He was willing to do anything to make her feel safe and in control. How could she not love him for that? It had been coming on so gradually she hadn’t quite figured out that’s where she was. But there was no denying it now. Her heart was his.

She just had to hope he wouldn’t break it.

Evie had no idea what he felt. He was kind and considerate to her, but maybe he was like that with every woman. In fact, she hoped he was. So how could she tell if she was special? She didn’t know what was normal behaviour for him.

And they hadn’t really talked about a future. He could get deported at any moment. And what if she told him about her feelings and he left, or got angry, leaving her alone and heartbroken all over again?

No, she had to wait. She had to be sure he felt the same before she confessed. Love was too binding. She wasn’t ready for that, not really.

She finished the last knot, then crawled back down the bed so she could see his face. His muscles bulged as he tested the stockings.

“Good,” he said.

She smiled, but then it fell from her face. “Why are you doing this?” she asked him.

His gaze locked with hers. “I want you to want this. And I don’t want to lose control and hurt you. You’re so…” He eyed her mostly-naked body, covered only by her panties. “Delicate,” he said eventually, then frowned. “No. Precious.”

She inhaled unsteadily. Yeah, she was in love. There was no getting around it.

Evie straddled him, low on his thighs, and unbuckled his belt. He was still hard, his cock straining as she manoeuvred his jeans over him with care. His cock sprang free, and she confirmed that it was in proportion to his huge frame.

She grew more damp at the sight of it, imagining what it would be like to have that organ pumping inside her. She’d soon find out. She dumped his jeans on the floor and immediately grasped his cock. Alexei groaned, his hips bucking at her touch. She stroked him for a moment, watching the way his hands clenched in their ties as he tried to keep control.

“Stop,” he told her after a moment, voice a harsh rasp.

Evie reluctantly released him.

“I want to touch you,” Alexei said wryly, eyes fixated on her breasts.

Evie huffed out a laugh. “That’s too bad. I’ll just have to do it for you.”

She plumped her breasts for his avid gaze, playing with her nipples. She was aroused again, wet and ready for him, her skin hot and wanting. But this time there was no arctic chill in the distance, waiting to wash over her at the slightest hint of fear.

“Lower,” Alexei rasped, telling her how he’d touch her if he could.

Evie stripped off her panties, revealing herself fully to his gaze. She returned one hand to her breast and dipped the other lower, trailing it over her stomach until she reached her clit. She stroked it with one hand, just how she liked, as the other continued to play with her breasts. It had been a long time since she’d explored her own body this way. Sex, even pleasure, had become such a foreign, frightening thing to her since Jimmy that she hadn’t dared.

But, now, under Alexei’s fierce gaze, knowing he couldn’t hurt her, even accidentally, she felt powerful and sexual in a way she hadn’t before. She wanted to bring herself pleasure, and him, and share that together in intimate moments.

She dipped her fingers into herself and out again, loving the way Alexei strained against the bonds she’d tied him in.

“I need you,” he groaned eventually, his hips tilting up to draw her attention to his straining cock.

An answering desire rose up in her, a desperate need for him to be inside her.

“Condom?” she asked, suddenly panicking. She thought she’d have more time before they went to bed, days or weeks where she could prepare for this moment.

“Jeans pocket,” he muttered. She leaned over the edge of the bed and dug into his pockets until she found two. He’d been optimistic tonight, and the thought made her grin.

“Bought when I got wine. In case,” he told her.

Evie nodded and tore the packet open, then rolled it onto his cock. She positioned herself over him, taking the time to rub the tip of his cock against her clit. They groaned in unison.

Slowly, she sank down onto him. He froze, holding himself still, watching the place where they joined. He was so thick, so hard, and he felt so damn good inside her. She already teetered on the edge of orgasm, knowing it wouldn’t take much to tip over.

She took her time lowering herself fully onto his cock, revelling in the sensations that sparked through her body. When he was fully inside her, Evie sighed in pleasure. She caught Alexei’s gaze as she rose again, wanting to feel the connection between them as she moved over him. His expression was tight and Evie could tell he, too, was close to the edge.

Each time she sank down, she clenched around him, milking him. Alexei pulled at his bindings, trying to reach her, yet unable to loosen them. She could see them cutting into his flesh but he didn’t seem to notice. He was too focused on her.

Evie worked him just how she liked it, heat building quickly within her. She played with her breasts, her nipples, and Alexei’s eyes darted between there, her face, and where they joined together, as if he couldn’t decide where to look.

Sweat slicked their skin. Evie was so close to the edge, so focused on the pleasure spearing through her. She moaned, the sound reverberating through the room.

Something within Alexei snapped suddenly, and he thrust up into her, following her on an upward movement. Evie held still as he planted his heels into the mattress and slammed his cock into her, again and again until she was mindless and panting.

So good. So fucking good.

She came, hard and sudden, but he didn’t stop, still thrusting into her until he, too, orgasmed with a guttural shout. They collapsed, Evie boneless on top of him until she slowly came to her senses and got her breathing under control.

As soon as she could lift her head, she untied Alexei and collapsed back next to him.

He smiled at her in thanks, running his hand down her naked side now he could finally touch her.

“Thank you,” she whispered to him.

“Any time,” he said playfully. His eyes grew serious. “I mean it,” he told her, and she could tell that he did.

Her heart sighed again, and she knew she was in real trouble with this man. The words were on the tip of her tongue, but fear caught her throat. She couldn’t tell him, not yet. Instead, she’d just enjoy her time with him, as much as she could, for however long it lasted.

She cuddled into his side, and slowly drifted to sleep feeling sated and content for the first time she could remember.