32

ALEXANDER

I never considered myself a patient man. No one who knew me would say I had the temperament to wait around.

So when Alina didn’t come down for breakfast at the time I’d given, I didn’t bother sitting still.

If I had to drag her out half-dressed, I would. She’d learn to keep time after that.

What I hadn’t expected was to walk in on her completely naked. I know how it sounds. She was in the bathroom, of course she’d be undressed. But clearly, I hadn’t thought it through. Because the second I pushed the door open and saw her, my mind went blank.

I should have fucking knocked.

Her scream hit the air as she lunged for her towel, and I just stood there, stunned by the vision in front of me. She was bare and perfect, her skin flushed and dewy from the shower. And when she tried to cover herself, instinct snapped through me.

The words came out rough and raw, but I didn’t even register thinking them before they left my mouth.

“Take it off.”

Her fingers gripped the towel tighter, fists small and stubborn. She still had it wrapped across her chest, shielding herself from me like I hadn’t just seen every inch of her. Her breasts had the prettiest dusky-pink nipples I’d ever seen. I caught that before the towel went up.

“Let it go,” I said again, softer this time. My voice dropped without meaning to.

My fingers twitched at my sides, desperate to reach out. I wanted to cup those perfect mounds, see how they fit in my palms, weigh them properly. My cock stirred hard in my pants, and another low growl rumbled in my chest before I could help it.

My gaze dragged down her body. Smooth skin. A softness that begged to be tasted. My thoughts hitched when my eyes landed between her thighs. The light dusting of hair made something possessive unfurl inside me. I wanted to press my hand there. Feel the heat. Mark the inside of her thighs so anyone who dared look at her would know exactly who she belonged to.

Mine. That’s what the marks would spell out. Mine.

I stepped forward, no conscious thought behind it. Just my body, pulled by everything she awakened in me.

She backed up.

My monster didn’t like that. He snarled inside me, furious at the retreat. She should want this. Want us. This craving couldn’t be one-sided. It couldn’t.

Not that it mattered. The bathroom was large, but she wasn’t going far. Not away from me.

She gasped when her back hit the glass of the shower. The sound was so delicate and so sinful I felt it in my gut. My lips twitched. Her reaction satisfied something primal.

Her eyes darted to the door. I could see the thought forming and I almost laughed.

“Run. I dare you.”

She shook her head, lips parted, but no words came out.

I had honestly hoped she’d try it. There was nothing I liked more than a good chase. And if she ran, I’d have the pleasure of watching her naked ass bounce while she did.

I knew it would be perfect. Every part of her was.

Maybe I’d give her a few seconds just to enjoy the view. Let her think she had a chance. Then I’d catch her, drag her close, and feel every inch of what was mine.

Her voice broke through my thoughts. “I—I’m sorry for not getting ready fast enough. I promise, Lisa had nothing to do with it.”

Lisa?

My brow furrowed. Who the fuck was that?

“Who the fuck is Lisa?” I growled. The idea that she was thinking about someone else while I stood this close made something dark inside me snarl.

I wasn’t sure I could even remember my own name with her standing there. And she was bringing someone else up?

“The person you sent to get me ready?” she asked, looking as confused as I felt.

“The maid?” I spat.

You have got to be fucking kidding me.

She nodded slowly, and I growled again before I could stop myself.

“I don’t give a shit what she did. You were late,” I bit out, then paused, inhaling deep.

Truth was, I wasn’t angry anymore. Not about that. Not when she looked like this. All flushed and bare and trembling. No man alive could stay mad in the face of this.

“I don’t care about that,” I said, voice lowering again.

“You don’t?” Her brows lifted, eyes wide.

“No.” I stepped back, watching her shoulders lower just a little. “I got to see you like this.”

My gaze swept over her body again. I watched the way her chest rose and fell, each breath shaking her breasts slightly, those perfect tips drawing my attention.

I reached out. My thumb brushed one pink nipple.

She gasped. A sound so sweet it made my cock throb.

She pressed her thighs together and I took it as an invitation.

I pinched her nipple between my fingers. She cried out, her spine arching, even as she tried to pull away.

She couldn’t decide if she wanted this or wanted to run from it. And I loved that. It made this a game. One I’d win.

I leaned in and grabbed her other breast, kneading it while I played with both nipples. She was so responsive I could barely keep up. When she moaned and threw her head back, I attacked her with both hands. Twisting, teasing, coaxing every sound from her.

Then she screamed.

Her hands flew to my wrists, gripping hard, trembling. Her body convulsed, and I realized—she was coming.

From that alone.

Her breaths came out in sharp pants. Her legs trembled. She clung to my arms like I was the only thing anchoring her.

I just stared. I had never seen a woman look that beautiful while orgasming. Never.

She didn’t even say my name. Didn’t matter.

The sight alone satisfied me.

Slowly, she opened her eyes. Dark and wide and full of wonder. Like she couldn’t believe what she’d just done.

“If you keep looking at me like that,” I murmured, “I’ll be tempted to teach you more bad things.”

She bit her lip, looking down, lashes fluttering.

That did it.

I grabbed her hair, wrapped my fingers into it, and pulled her in. Before she could speak, I kissed her. Hard. Deep. Possessive.

And just like that, I was gone.

How did kissing her get better?