Chapter 188
Keira stared at the velvet box in Alexei’s hands, her heart hammering against her ribs. Now this… him giving her a ring
made it seem so real.
“Alexei.” Her voice came out smaller than she intended.
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“It’s not what you think,” he said quickly, reading her expression. “Not yet, anyway.” He opened the box to reveal not ant engagement ring, but a delicate gold chain with a pendant. “This belonged to my mother. She left it to me.”
The pendant was exquisite, a small sapphire surrounded by diamonds in an intricate setting that looked vintage and precious. Keira’s breath caught.
“Your mother’s?” She looked up at him, searching his face. “Alexei, I can’t-‘
“You can.” His voice was gentle. “She would have wanted you to have it. To wear it tomorrow night.”
“But what if-”
“What if what?” He stepped closer, the box still open between them.
“What if your father changes his mind about me? What if I make some horrible mistake tomorrow and embarrass your family?” The words tumbled out before she could stop them. “What if Maria is right and I don’t belong here?”
Alexei’s expression darkened at the mention of his cousin. “Maria doesn’t get to decide who belongs in my life. My father doesn’t get to decide. Hell.” He cupped her face with his free hand. “You belong here because you choose to be here. Because you’re brave enough to try. You know this isn’t going to be easy, but you still came.”
She leaned into his touch, drawing strength from him and his belief in her. “I’m terrified I’m going to mess this up.”
“Then we’ll mess it up together.” His thumb brushed across her cheek. “Will you wear it?”
Keira looked down at the necklace again.
“Tell me about her,” she said softly. “Your mother.”
Alexei’s expression grew distant, thoughtful. “She was… fierce. Like you. She married into this family as an outsider too, and she never let them change who she was at her core.” A smile ghosted across his lips. “My father said she could charm diplomats and intimidate generals in the same conversation.”
“She sounds formidable.”
“She was. But she was also kind, generous to a fault. She believed the crown existed to serve the people, not the other way around.” He looked at Keira directly. “I think she would have liked you very much.”
The simple statement hit her harder than she would have guessed. Tears pricked her eyes.
“Will you wear it?” he asked again.
Keira nodded, not trusting her voice. She turned around, lifting her hair as Alexei stepped behind her to fasten the chain. His fingers were warm against her neck as he settled the pendant against her throat.
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Chapter 188
“Perfect,” he murmured, his breath warm against her ear.
She turned back to face him, one hand rising instinctively to touch the sapphire. “How do I look?”
“Like you belong here.” His eyes were intense, holding hers. “Like you were always meant to be here.”
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Alexei stood close, his hands settled on her waist, firm and steady, drawing her flush against him. The warmth of her body pressed close to his, every curve inviting, every sharp inhale racing through his blood. His fingers flexed, tracing the swell of her hip, as if memorizing the softness beneath his palms.
God, I want you,” Alexei murmured, voice low and raw, the restraint breaking like a dam.
Keira’s gaze dropped to his mouth, lips slightly parted, she was hungry for him as well. Her pulse hammered in her throat, breath catching at the weight of his need. No room for second guessing, no space left for doubt. The desire in his voice
made her shiver.
Without pulling away, she tilted her face up, meeting his dark eyes. “Then take me.”
His fingers slid to the zipper of her dress, sliding the tab down, pulling the dress from her shoulders until the fabric pooled
around her feet.
Alexei’s mouth hovered at the delicate curve of her neck, lips brushing hot and wet along the tender skin, sending prickles rushing down her spine. He pressed deeper, mouth opening to claim her pulse point, teeth grazing lightly, eliciting a soft, ragged breath from Keira.
Her hands threaded into his hair, pulling him closer; every nerve ignited and trembling beneath his touch. She arched into
him.
His tongue traced slowly, deliberate patterns along the hollow of her throat, she let out a moan she couldn’t control. His hands roamed, exploring the bare skin his lips hadn’t yet reached, fingertips grazing along her skin, coaxing shivers and
gasps.
Keira’s breath hitched as he dipped lower, searing kisses trailing down her collarbone to the swell of her lace covered breasts. His mouth closed around her nipple through the lace, tongue swirling expertly, sucking with a hunger that made the lace wet. She cried out into the curve of his shoulder, fingers clutching at the nape of his neck,
“Lex…” Her voice broke as her core pulsed with the need to have him there.
He groaned, the vibration soaring through her, hands kneading the fullness in his palms, claiming what was his with a needy hunger. With every suckle and flick, waves of fire ignited, pooling deep within her. She squeezed her legs together.
She twisted against him, heart pounding in thunderous rhythm with his strokes. Her hands slipped beneath his shirt, drifting over the taut planes of muscle, he was always so warm to the touch. “Lex, I want you… everywhere.”
He lifted his head and covered her mouth with his, his mouth moved fiercely, almost possessive, every held–back desire in that kiss. When he broke free, his lips brushed a trail down her jaw, then along her neck, hot and bruising. It was like he needed to taste every inch of her.
“Say it again,” he demanded close to her ear, voice husky and rough.
Keira didn’t hesitate this time. Her nails raked down his back as her hips pressed into him. “I want you everywhere or Lex.”
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Chapter 188
Alexei’s chest rose and fell unevenly. “Both.”
“Lex please. I want you everywhere.”
“You’re trembling,” he murmured, voice hoarse with hunger.
Keira swallowed, breath hitching. “It’s because of you.”
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Alexei’s lips curved into something darker, hungrier. “Then let me take care of you. Because, baby, I don’t think you have
much control left.”
His hand slid beneath the dip of her spine, dragging her closer until she felt the heavy press of his cock against her belly through his pants. His hips shifted, grinding slow and deliberate so she understood exactly what waited for her. Her breath caught, her fingers clutching at his shoulders.
“Feel that? That’s all for you.” His voice was gravel, low and unrestrained.
Keira’s thighs pressed together against the ache tearing through her center. “Stop teasing me,” she managed between shallow breaths.
The corner of his mouth lifted. “Never.” He braced one hand against the small of her back, the other slipping down the front of her panties. The fabric stretched tight as his palm cupped her, fingers parting her soaked folds. Her body jolted.
“Ah…Alexei” It came out broken, half plea, half warning, as her head tipped back.
He pressed his mouth against the curve of her jaw, teeth grazing tender skin. “So wet already. My poor little firecracker… You really are so easy.” His fingers slid through her wet heat, circling her clit in skilled strokes that made her hips buck against his hand. “You need me to make you come.”
“Yes… God yes.” The words ripped out of her before she could stop them. Her fingers dragged over his chest through his shirt, desperate for something to hold onto.
His touch quickened, masterful and merciless. She buried her face in his shoulder, muffling the whimper threatening to give her away to anyone listening outside that door. He caught her hip with his other hand, stilling her frantic movements, forcing her to take the rhythm he set. “You will take what I give you at my pace.”
Her legs shook as he slid two fingers inside, curling them until her body arched hard into him. The pressure built impossibly fast, her stomach tight, pulse hammering in her ears.
“Look at me,” Alexei demanded, voice sharp with command. Her lashes fluttered open, blue eyes calliding with his. His mouth hovered over hers, breath mingling. “Come for me, Keira.” He used his thumb on her clit lifting her up onto her toes.
The control in his tone and that last tough snapped her restraint. She shattered against his hand, she dropped her head to his shoulder to muffle her cry as her body clamped down around his fingers, wave after wave ripping through her. He held her steady, guiding her through it until she sagged into him, trembling and breathless.
He pulled his hand free, bringing his fingers wet with her juices to his lips, sucking them slow while he watched her. His eyes gleamed.
“You taste like heaven.”
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Chapter 188
Keira, still shaking, could only whisper, “You’re insufferable.”
His smirk widened. “And you’ll beg me for more before we are done. Now get on your knees.” he said as he put a hand to her hair. The heat in his yoice was nearly predatory, and it turned her on in a way she wouldn’t have guessed was possible.
She hesitated, caught between the fire burning low in her belly and the lingering thread of resistance in her mind. His fingertips tightened in her hair, a sharp slap landing on her panty covered ass that sent a shock through her nerves.
Keira, do it now,” he repeated, voice controlled, no room for argument.
Her body moved before her brain could protest, and really, she didn’t want to. Being under his control was a turn–on. So, she sank to her knees, lifting her hands, her lips parting as she opened his fly. The zipper gave way easily beneath her fingers, a slow deliberate motion that made his breath hitch, she made sure to run her fingers along his length.
Alexei’s hands roamed through her hair along her shoulders one last time before he started to remove his shirt. He made quick work of the buttons before pulling it off, exposing his very toned body. He dropped it to the floor. Her eyes drank it in without shame, hungry and bold.
“Well?” he murmured, the low growl in his voice making her toes curl. “Are you going to do this? Are you going to take care
of me, Keira?”
She pulled his pants over his hips and down his thighs before she brushed her lips along the hard length of him, only his underwear separating her from direct contact with him. She wanted…
“Stop teasing,” he commanded, fingers threading through her hair with more pressure. “Take them off.”
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