Chapter Three

Ralph, their dedicated concierge, showed them into their suite at the Ritz-Carlton. Michail stopped and spoke to Ralph in low tones, while Finley moved further into the interior to explore the suite.

It was tastefully done in grey and blue hues, with little pops of color like the red chairs in the spacious living room. There was a dining room that seated eight, the walls a vibrant purple. Finley had been a little dubious about Michail's claim that he used the suite for business, but it was pretty clear that it was designed to accommodate meetings. A separate pantry sat off the dining room with a guest bathroom off the living room. Doors that opened up to a terrace with stunning views of the city completed the main living area. The suite was larger than Finley's apartment.

There was also a bedroom, that Finley studiously avoided. All of a sudden this all felt too real. Finley slid the doors open to the terrace and stepped out taking in the sweeping city view. Watching the lights wink and dance and listening to the street noise down below. The night air was chilly but it felt good on her overheated skin. She needed a minute to process the fact she was in a hotel room with Michail. A man she barely knew. A man she had only kissed twice before tonight. It felt too sudden, and long overdue at the same time.

Now that they were here, Finley felt nervous. Maybe she'd been too bold. Maybe this was a mistake. Well of course it was a mistake, but some mistakes were worth it. Finley didn't want to spend the rest of her life wondering, dreaming. They'd do this and the spell would be broken, the magic gone and she would be able to get on with her life. She wouldn't have to wonder about what might have been with Michail, she would know. The problem was she was afraid once would never be enough, and her addiction to him would only be worse. He would be like a drug she could never resist.

A tingle of awareness prickled at the base of her spine causing her to shiver. She felt, rather than heard, Michail come up behind her. He rubbed his hands up and down her arms, the friction warming them.

"It's chilly, come inside." Michail leaned down and pressed a kiss where her shoulder met her neck.

His closeness warmed her; his kiss set her on fire. He gently kissed her neck his lips hovering over and gently sucking the pulse point in her neck. She knew he could feel it fluttering wildly.

"Finley." Her name from his lips startled her, and thrilled her. "We don't have to do this. We don't have to do anything tonight. There is no pressure."

Finley turned and wrapped her arms around his neck. She pulled his head down and captured those soft lips, driving her tongue deep, tasting and exploring him. She wanted to make it clear what she wanted. When she heard him groan against her mouth and felt his hands slide down her back cupping her ass and pulling her roughly against him, she was pretty sure he knew there was no reluctance on her part.

Michail returned her kiss, nipping along her bottom lip before plunging his tongue back in her mouth, deepening the kiss, and teasing her with a promise of what was to come. Finley thought he was very talented with that tongue, and desire quaked through her. She could feel his hard unyielding body pressed against her, and the evidence of his desire prodded at her belly. She slid her hand down his chest, resting on his taut stomach. She could feel the flutter of his washboard abs beneath her fingers as she feathered across them. When her hand slid downward, she felt him capture it.

"No krasotka, I want to go slow. I want to learn everything about you. How you taste, how you smell, how you feel. I want to learn how your breathing changes ever so subtly right before you lose control." The silken caress of his voice caused goose bumps on her overheated flesh.

"I want to know every sound you make. Especially the one you make when I hit just the right spot." Michail nuzzled her neck, inhaling her scent. Anticipation fluttered in her stomach. "I want to savor every touch of your skin, and learn exactly how to touch your body so my name is the only thing that echoes in your head."

"Why?" Finley thought out loud. Because this was the only time, they would probably ever be together? Michail seemed to read her thoughts.

"So, the next time I make love to you, I know just what pleases you." Michail murmured as he feathered light kisses along her collarbone and the hollow of her throat. Finley felt her knees go weak, at the thought, and desire pooled between her thighs. She thought it was entirely possible she wouldn't survive an encounter with Michail. If just his words could cause her body to tremble as it alternated between hot and cold, what would it do if he actually touched her. The pleasure might be more than she could bear.

Michail stepped back and took her by the hand, inviting her back inside. When he let go of her hand, the sudden loss of contact left her bereft. She craved his closeness, his touch. Finley knew right then she was in real trouble. Fantasy Michail left her aching with unfulfilled need, but real Michail could bring her to her knees with just a touch.

Michail walked over and turned on the gas fireplace. Its amber glow illuminating the living room, giving it a cozy glow and a sense of warmth and intimacy. It felt romantic, Finley thought. She took a moment to study him. Even bathed in the soft glow of the firelight he radiated power. Michail had taken off his suit jacket, and was standing with his back to her dressed only in slacks and a shirt. Without the jacket, the sheer perfection of his male form was on display. She was treated to the sight of his broad shoulders and powerful back that tapered in a V down to his very fine, very perfect ass. She couldn't believe she was really here with him. She felt her stomach tighten and flutter with anticipation.

Michail pivoted and caught her looking at him, studying him. Her breath was suspended. The firelight illuminated those perfectly sculped cheekbones and those lush lips. Lips that had just been kissing her, with the wicked promise of more. They stared at each other for a beat, the look he gave her conveyed just how much he wanted her. A testament, no doubt, to his unrelenting force of will.

He looked like a proper and polished businessman, except for that shoulder length mane of dark hair. A dead giveaway just how untamed and dangerous he really was. Something shifted in her at that moment. The ache deep in her belly spread to her chest and became more than just physical longing. Finley looked away. She was terrified that he would see the fact that she just might be a little in love with him. That it would be written all over her face, and that would never do.

She heard the soft chime of the doorbell and watched Michail as he went to open the door. His movements were fluid and graceful. He looked like a man that was completely comfortable in his own skin, and very much in control. No nervous energy or wasted movement, just relaxed perfection. She envied that confidence and certainty.

Ralph came in pushing a serving cart, the wheels made just a whisper of a sound on the plush carpet. No squeaky wheels or rattling dishes for the Ritz. He rolled the cart into the dining room and parked it in the corner. Finley looked over the items on the cart with limited interest. It wasn't the food she was interested in, or terrified of. The cart included an artfully arranged fruit plate with choices that spanned the rainbow, assorted cheeses, and bread. As Ralph left, he discretely handed Michail a bag.

Finley wandered over and looked closer at the food, mainly for something to do. She felt awkward just standing there in the corner. The fruit and cheese looked good, but her hunger was definitely for something else. The limo hadn't eased any of her hunger for Michail. No, if anything it had made it even more pronounced.

Michail was watching her. Assessing her. Stalking her every movement with his eyes. Finley felt butterflies in her stomach as his gaze continued to roam her body. There was nothing polite or restrained about his gaze. The way he looked at her thrilled her and sent little tingles all over her body, and down her spine.

Michail motioned to the cart. "Are you hungry? I thought we might want something now, or later." His voice trailed off. It was clear he thought later was the more likely option, but he was giving her time. Giving her an out.

While she appreciated his restraint, she really wished he would just stalk over and sweep her up in his arms and toss her on that big bed. That is what she really wanted. She knew if she had one ounce of common sense she would run for the door, but good judgement had never been a strong suit, and she figured there was no reason to let it rule her life now.

Finley gave a negative shake of her head, not daring to speak. She was afraid her voice would fail or come out sounding like a strangled animal. Her eyes cut to the bag with a questioning look.

Michail gave her a sheepish grin and for the first time tonight, he seemed a little uncertain. The rustling of the paper bag sounded abnormally loud in the quiet room as he reached in and pulled out a box of condoms. He gave her a helpless shrug. "I didn't know if we would need these, but I thought we might. Still, there is no pressure. I just wanted to be prepared in case. Well, in case, you know." Finley watched as he snapped his mouth shut like he was willing himself not to babble. She suppressed a smile. Michail was as nervous as she was, he was just better at hiding it. That little feeling in her chest, right over her heart bloomed.

Finley was irrationally glad he didn't have condoms in his wallet, that he didn't always walk around prepared for sex, picking up women or more likely, in his case, visiting well vetted ones. A man in Michail's position didn't really have the luxury of picking up random women. It was too much of a security risk. Declan and Nikko had always lived the same way. It was just one of those limitations that came with the position. Women could be just as deadly as men.

Finley realized she was also glad that this night hadn't started with that expectation either. At least not on his part. She'd certainly hoped for it when he'd shown up at the club. The fact that he had just wanted to see her. Just wanted to spend time with her tugged at her heart. Somewhere in the back of her mind she realized it was entirely possible that they were both in trouble. That this thing between them wasn't just physical, and neither one of them would have the good sense to just walk away when this night was over.

While his darker complexion did a good job of hiding it, she could see just the slightest blush dusting his cheeks. He was adorable. His unease making him vulnerable, and just a little human.

Finley gave him a wicked smile. "So, you think that's enough?"

She saw his brows furrow in confusion and he ran his hand through his thick mane of hair. "It's a dozen." He sounded uncertain, like maybe he was missing something important.

Finley caught his gaze, amusement in her eyes. "Like I said, you think that's enough?"

She saw the tension ease from his shoulders and Michail laughed. "You are a wonderfully wicked woman."

Finley looked down and toed the carpet. It seemed weird that this was the part of the night that seemed awkward, considering what they were about to do. "I am on birth control, so we will definitely be covered between that and these. Thank you for doing this, for being responsible." And she meant it.

Michail's arm snaked out and he pulled her to him. All the playfulness was gone, replaced with desire so intense Finley felt like she would combust under his heated stare. He leaned in and kissed her temple. "Shall we test your theory? See if it is enough?" He murmured.

Finley thought that sounded like a fine idea, maybe even the best one he'd had all night. She knotted her fists in his shirt and hauled him up against her. She didn't want any space between them. She wanted to feel the hardness of his body, his heat. She heard a half-groan, half-growl low in his throat as he pushed her back against the wall. He pressed into her, molding against her body pushing his leg between her thighs. The soft fabric of his pants sliding against the delicate flesh of her inner thigh made her gasp. This time, she did rub against him, shamelessly. Her proper self obliterated, as a feral sound escaped her lips. The soft material and the delicious pressure caused her heart to pound.

"You don't know how many times I've thought about this or how long I've wanted to do this." His rough voice was next to her ear.

She could feel his breath on her skin, and it sent a little shiver through her. She felt her nipples strain against her dress, begging to be touched as they brushed against his hard chest. Finley figured Michail had thought about doing this about half as many times as she had.

She felt his fingers trace down her temple and along her jaw. His hand pushed her hair back exposing her neck and she felt his lips skim along her neck, pressing whisper soft kisses. She tilted her head giving him better access as she closed her eyes and focused on the feel of him. It was a study in contradictions. His hard body pressed against her, while his lips feathered soft kisses on her neck. His soft, silky hair tickling her.

She knew he could feel her pulse as it skipped and fluttered wildly. Desire running from her neck, through her chest, down to her inner thighs as she pressed against his leg trying to ease the building ache.

"Strawberries." She heard him say. "You smell like strawberries.

Finley felt him bite her neck, immediately followed by a gentle kiss. Her knees almost buckled as desire liquid and hot flooded through her, coating her thighs. She was grateful she was pressed against the wall, anchored by his big body. She wasn't sure her legs would actually hold her. The temperature in the room seemed to soar to a hundred degrees.

Finley reached out and started working the buttons on his shirt, frustrated with her clumsy fingers and slow progress. If she didn't get him out of his clothes and soon, she was afraid she might start to beg.

Michail's hands were gripping her hips and she felt them glide up and splay across her ribs, resting there for a moment as his mouth finally claimed hers. It felt like they were sharing the same breath, his mouth consuming her. His kiss was unrestrained, exploring her, teasing her, setting her on fire. It was a kiss meant to brand her, to make her forget any other lips had ever touched hers. She thought it was entirely possible, her heart was going to beat right out of her chest.

She hungrily kissed him back. Mouth open, her tongue stroking him with long and slow licks. She sucked his bottom lip into her mouth and gently bit him before delving back in. Finley wanted him to feel her desire. Feel what he did to her. To never kiss another woman without remembering the feel of this kiss. They could have kissed for one minute or one hour, the feel of his lips on hers and his body pressed against her, caused time to slow. She wished they could stay this way forever.

Finley gave his shirt a frustrated yank and finally pulled it free of his slacks, undoing the last of the buttons and pushing it back off his shoulders. She reached out and ran her hands over his abdomen just above his belly button. She felt the ripple of his hard muscles under her fingers as she slid her hands up his stomach to his broad chest. His skin was smooth and hot to the touch, his spicy scent more pronounced. She tore her lips away from his.

She wanted to see him. Feel him, taste him, memorize him. She splayed her hands on the hard muscles of his chest and pushed him. He let her push him back a step. His gaze locked with hers, and she saw his nostrils flare as she reached out and started exploring his chest with her fingertips. Light strokes.

His chest was rock hard with a light dusting of hair in the V that trailed south. She took her fingertip and traced his tattoos. He had the rose with the dagger through it on his arm. That one she'd seen, and she knew the story. He had a star above his heart and Roman numerals on his flank. When she ran her fingertips over the numbers, she could feel a slight puckering of skin. She knew it covered a gunshot and she felt her stomach tighten. He'd been shot by Ivan and at least one other time. It reminded her of the fact that Michail lived a dangerous, difficult life.

It was as if Michail could read her thoughts. He captured her hand and brought it up to his mouth kissing the delicate skin of her inner wrist.

"It was a long time ago krasotka. Things are better now."

She forced herself to swallow past the lump in her throat. The man was twenty-nine and he had been shot twice. How long ago could it have really been. She forced those thoughts out of her head. Tonight, she just wanted to enjoy him. There would be plenty of time for regrets, of that, she was sure.

He was so beautiful, and she wanted to capture this moment, savor it, and keep it forever in her memory. She leaned forward and trailed soft kisses across his chest as her hands explored his stomach and slid around his back. She cupped his ass and pulled him back to her. She could feel him hard and demanding against her belly. She loved his sharp intake of breath as she rubbed against him. She could tell his control was shredding.

Finley felt him reach around and unzip her dress. His hands felt like fire as they slid across her bare back.

He leaned his forehead against hers. "No bra." He mused. "You really are trying to kill me." She felt him smile against her lips as his mouth claimed hers again.

Michail hooked his hand under the strap of her dress and pulled it down her shoulder. He stepped back and her dress pooled to the floor. The cool air suddenly hitting her skin caused her to shiver. She had no idea how the room could feel so hot, and she could still shiver.

His eyes were dilated almost black as he looked at her, murmuring something in Russian. She wasn't quite sure what he said, but it was definitely words of appreciation. He brought her arms above her head and pinned them with one hand. Her lips parted and she sucked in a sharp breath, at his dominance.

Finley felt his other hand slide up her abdomen and cup her breast rolling her nipple between his thumb and his forefinger, twisting and tugging with enough force that pain and pleasure hung in the balance.

His head dipped down and his mouth found her other breast. He sucked her nipple into his mouth and grazed his teeth across her, giving her nipple a little tug eliciting another sharp intake of breath from her. She needed more, wanted more. With her hands pinned above her head and his hard body pressed against hers, she was completely immobile. His dominance and strength on full display. She arched her back and pressed her breast against his hot mouth. Urging him to give her more. Her breasts felt heavy. Her nipples sensitive to the touch, and with each flick of his tongue across them, Finley felt an ache building in her core. The sight of his dark head against her porcelain skin, as he feasted on her breasts caused heat to pool between her thighs as she ached and clenched.

She heard herself begging him for more. She barely recognized the need laced voice as her own. Michail tore his lips away from her breasts and rested his head on her forehead. His breath was ragged. He closed his eyes for a minute, wrestling for some semblance of control.

He let go of her arms, and ran his hands down around her back cupping her backside. With one fluid motion he picked her up, her arms wrapped around his neck and her legs wrapped around his waist.

Michail carried her into the bedroom, following her down on the bed. He was holding his weight off of her, and used his knees to gently nudge her legs apart creating space for him. He leaned in and gave her a lush deep kiss, before trailing kisses down her throat.

Michail worked his way down her body, resting between her thighs. He was doing something fabulous, something amazing, something she couldn't even name with his mouth. God, she didn't even know what it was. No one had ever done anything quite like it to her. It was a wonderful combination of licking, sucking, biting, and that wicked swirling and delving tongue, coupled with those magic fingers. Whatever it was, she hoped he never stopped, the pressure and sensation building within her.

She could feel the silky strands of his hair tickling and stroking the sensitive skin of her inner thighs, as he tended to her with single-minded focus. When she arched up and saw his dark head between her pale thighs it was her undoing. Her release roared through her as she screamed his name. "Oh god, oh fuck, don't stop." She cried, as she yanked his hair, and pulled him closer as he coaxed every last wave of pleasure from her body.

Finley fell back on the bed, slicked in sweat, spent. Her body felt boneless, her breath coming in erratic pants, as her heartrate started to slow from its frantic pace.

''That's one." She heard him whisper as his tongue started its exquisite dance again. It was actually two, but Finley didn't bother to point that out. She figured if he wanted to start counting over, that was fine with her.

She felt his fingers brush across her, starting those delightful little circles again and pushing deep, but Finley was too sensitive and swollen. His touch was too much, almost bordering on painful. She tried to pull away from him, but he used his arm to anchor her in place. Pleasure started to build again, and she heard herself whimper. She thought it was entirely possible this man was going to be her undoing.

When the sensation became too much, she tried to close her legs but he pushed her thighs back, farther apart and held them open, continuing the devilish dance with his tongue. Giving her what she didn't even realize she needed. Within seconds she was arching up to meet his eager mouth.

"Please." Finley begged. "I need you now."

She felt him smile against her inner thigh, and then she felt his teeth as he nipped her. She gave a startled yelp.

"Patience." Came his gentle rebuke.

Michail was unrelenting with his marauding tongue and fingers. The sensations fluttering through her, causing her entire body to hum with desire. All she could do was helplessly grasp and twist at the soft sheets, her hands gathering them into knots, as he held her firmly in place, legs open, leaving her exposed and vulnerable, pushing her limits and then tearing through them.

As her desire continued to build, her mind shutdown to everything but the pressure building between her thighs and the aching inside of her. She was wild, crazy, and desperate for him. All of him. She wanted more and was feverishly writhing against him. She could only manage "oh god, oh god" over and over as all coherent thought left her brain. From the guttural sounds he was making; it was clear he was enjoying it as much as she was.

Her back arched off the bed, and she came with a violent shudder, wave after wave of pleasure washed over her.

"Now." Finley had her hands fisted in Michail's silky hair, pulling him towards her.

"Not yet, krasotka. I need to make sure you are ready." She felt his fingers glide in an out of her wet heat. Her back arched, pleasure starting to build again.

A little shiver of anticipation laced with fear went through her at his words. Ready? Ready for what, she thought. If she got any more ready, she would be nothing but a melted pool of desire.

Michail's gifted fingers brought her right up to the edge and stopped. Finley let out a frustrated breath, but watched with fascination as he stood up and stripped off the last of his clothes, shedding his suit pants.

She propped herself up on her elbows. All she could do was stare at him, in all of his raw, obscene male glory. His body was spectacular. Every last inch of it. There was nothing soft about him. All hard angles, and rippling muscles. Her gaze traveled downward and her lips parted with a little gasp.

Finley raised her eyebrows and locked eyes with him. Giving him a little smirk of appreciation. "You could probably kill a girl with that thing." Finley was impressed, but also a little terrified. She was only half joking. Her voice came out husky, and laced with just the right amount of awe.

She saw the slight smile on his face. "No krasotka, I promise."

Finley gave him a wicked smile as she reached for him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and pulled him closer. Finley figured she should probably take a closer look and get better acquainted. She pulled him down on the bed and pushed him on his back. Michail let her. She straddled his body, and ran her hands up his sides putting his hands over his head, pinning them much as he had done to her. Michail took advantage of her body over his and sucked one of her taut nipples into his mouth raking his teeth across it, causing her to moan.

He sat up with her straddling him. She could feel his hard length pressing against her. He ran the tip of his tongue from the valley between her breasts up her chest, stopping at the hollow of her throat, where he placed gentle sucking kisses. His tongue continued up the column of her throat, kissing, sucking and nipping.

Finley felt a flood of desire, and she heard him groan against her neck. Michail had felt it too. He pressed his long length against her, gliding back and forth teasing her, but not entering her. It was sweet agony and delicious pressure. Finley pushed down on him, rubbing back and forth increasing the building pressure. He felt like hard steel against her softness, and she was momentarily distracted from her goal of exploring his glorious body. With a great deal of effort and self-control, she pulled away from him.

"My turn." She gave him a challenging look as she pushed him back down on the bed pinning his arms above his head again. Michail just smiled, keeping his hands above his head.

He let her take control, touch him, and explore him. She returned the favor of kissing her way down his perfect body. Finley had a few tricks of her own to try. She licked, stroked, and touched every inch of him. The sheer maleness of him was intoxicating.

"Pojaluista." Michail's normally silky voice was rough.

She smiled. "Please what Michail." She was thoroughly enjoying returning the favor, enjoying the power of making him breathless with pleasure. Begging for more.

Michail made a guttural sound that sounded suspiciously like a growl, and Finley found herself flipped on her back with lethal speed. Michail moving over her. His strong legs pushed her thighs apart as he nestled between them. She could feel the length of him pushing against her, demanding entry.

"Play time is over." He growled. Michail locked eyes with her and slowly pushed in inch by glorious inch. Pushing and withdrawing, easing his way in as he let her adjust and accommodate him.

Even still, he was pushing her limits, and she felt the momentary sting of discomfort. A breathless cry escaped her lips, and she bit down on her bottom lip.

When she heard the whisper of his voice against the shell of her ear, she knew he had felt her body tense. "Relax krasotka, I'm never going to hurt you. Open your legs wider."

Finley was a little afraid that wasn't true. While he would never hurt her physically, it was entirely possible her heart might end up shattered into a million little pieces, but there would be plenty of time to think about that later. Mainly when she was alone, missing him.

Her body was rippling around him and her legs were trembling, but she complied. Easing her legs further open, she felt his hand slide under her hip, tilting it up. Changing the angle ever so slightly, opening her, and allowing her to accept more of him.

The sensation was overwhelming and Finley tried to close her eyes.

"No Finley, look at me. I want to watch you, to see you. I want to remember this moment. And, I want you to remember that you are mine." The authoritative bite of his tone pulsed through her.

Their eyes were locked, and she knew he could read the truth of that statement written all over her face, and feel it in the way her body responded to him.

With that he thrust into her. She cried out his name. His possession of her complete.

He felt impossibly deep. Her core tightened and clenched around him, as he exquisitely stretched and filled her. His commanding rhythm stroking that aching, tender spot deep within her.

She realized those raw, absolutely delicious noises of intense pleasure were not hers alone. As his control frayed, his tempo increased. She wrapped her legs around his waist driving him further into her.

"Bolsze." She whispered. "Slozhneye." Finley wouldn't have thought it possible, but as she used his mother tongue to tell him what she wanted him to do, she felt him grow harder and thicker. She heard him growl his appreciation.

She could feel the muscles in his back rippling and the sweat gathering along his spine as he complied, working to exploit the friction between them, changing angles, and pushing deeper.

Her release was hard and brutal. His mouth covered hers, swallowing her harsh cry as she shivered and trembled beneath him. As the waves subsided, she was left feeling shattered and vulnerable, a swirl of confusion until she locked eyes with Michail. His gaze had softened and was filled with tenderness, maybe even affection. His fingertips gliding reverently across her face as he brushed the damp tendrils of hair away.

He leaned down and brushed a soft kiss, across her lips inhaling her breath. "Ya vijo tebya vo sneh kazhduyu noch." Michail whispered. (I see you in my dreams every night.)

He just held her and pressed soft kisses all over her face. Her forehead, her cheeks, her nose, and chin. Each graced with a butterfly kiss.

As her raging heartbeat began to slow, she ran her hand over his body, touching, caressing, exploring. The guttural sound he made was somewhere between appreciation and pain. Soon the only sound in the room was their sweat slicked bodies coming together, with insistent and urgent need.

She watched his face as his eyes became unfocused, blind with need, moving over her. The last of his control fraying as his chest heaved with ragged breaths. Finley was mesmerized as he went over the edge with a feral sound, his features softening with unexpected vulnerability. Cupping his face, she brushed her lips across his cheek. His stubble rasping and tickling her lips.

Michail collapsed, wrapping his arms around her and pressing his face into the curve of her neck. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him, absorbing the little aftershocks that shook his body.

"Wow." He breathed, shaken. Finley just smiled and kissed his temple, because that really was the understatement of the century.

A/N:

Bolsze - more

Slozhneye – harder

Krasotka – beautiful girl

Pojaluista - please