Chapter Fifteen : New Territory
Corinne
As the words left my lips, I wondered why I had even been fighting them - fighting this. It wasn’t that I was opposed to marrying Dimitri - for being enveloped into the Bratva. It was the sheer arrogance in his proposal - or lack of one, that got to me.
Dimitri lifted me as if I weighed nothing and all I could do was wrap my legs around his waist as he carried me towards the shower. He didn’t put me down as expected, and I suddenly became wholly conscious of his broken ribs and the fact that he was lifting me. He deftly switched on the shower, engulfing us both in the warm spray of water before his lips crashed to mine as he pressed my spine to the wall.
His tongue dipped into my mouth, sweeping against mine, coaxing a new wave of desire to flood my core - Dimitri’s injuries forgotten in our passionate kiss for dominance. I pushed back against his mouth, allowing my teeth to graze his lush bottom lip as I heard him groan with need.
I slid my hands into the silky strands of his dark hair at the same time he drove his cock into me, reminding me exactly who we were. My gasp echoed through the shower at the feel of him, and as I widened my eyes, staring into the bathroom over his shoulder, Isis’ blazing gaze started straight back at me.
I clawed at Dimitri’s back with each pummel and retreat, never once allowing my gaze to waver from hers as she watched Dimitri fuck me into oblivion.
It was strangely erotic having a goddess watch Dimitri drive into me, but the weight of her presence also told me that she approved of this union - possibly even offered us her blessing.
But I couldn’t think about Isis and why she, a deity, was interested in my sex life, not when Dimitri was relentless in his claiming, thrusting and retreating with an abandon I hadn’t yet fully experienced. My heart beat fiercely against my chest as I sucked in the air I so desperately needed, willing myself to hold on, my body automatically opening more - welcoming him into me deeper. My gasp echoed as he thrust deep inside of me, hitting a spot that bordered the line between pleasure and pain.
ThisDimitri was pure adrenalin, and I wondered momentarily if I could survive a lifetime of this. Because this sort of intensity wasn’t sustainable - it couldn’t be, rather, it was insanity, and when we crashed and burned, I wasn’t certain how much of me would be left.
“Dimi.” I gasped as his lush lips found my nipple, teeth grazing in a way that had me arching up further against him - offering him more. His mouth demolished my ability to think beyond him - beyond this, as our combined need rose higher and higher until my sobs became soundless as I clawed at his back - his injury long forgotten in this mindless need that drove us as I ground down against him, seeking more friction, more pleasure, just more.
“Greedy.” Dimitri’s groaned words feathered across my lips as he raised his mouth to mine. Suddenly we were a clash of teeth and tongues once more until the tingle in my spine served as my only warning that my body was about to be wracked with pleasure.
It may have taken me by surprise, but Dimitri seemed to be anticipating it, somehow knowing my cues better than I did. His palms slid across my slick flesh until he cupped both breasts as he worked me against the wall, his firm grip holding my place as I shattered around him - as he chased my pleasure with his own.
My breath mingled with his as I panted against his lips. I expected him to release me - to put me down now that both of our souls had clawed their way to the surface, but instead, he held me steadfastly, his forehead pressing against mine. I didn’t think it was possible for my chest to expand more than it already had - for me to let Dimitri in even more. He already took up real-estate in the psyche of my mind, and the black depths of my soul, but as he held me, his gaze bearing into my mind, my stupid heart backflipped in all its giddy, girlish joy. Because this man had given me a ring - had given me a ring, and somehow claimed me as his own.
He finally lowered me to the floor, his arm snaking around my waist when my knees threatened to give way.
Wordlessly, he lathered my body in soap, turning me so that my back pressed against his chest, his smooth fingers massaging my scalp in deft circles that had me wondering why the hell we didn’t shower like this all the time.
“How many days have I been out?” His voice was almost soothing in the quiet of the bathroom.
“Four days.” My voice cracked on my answer, and I felt Dimitri’s fingers still in my hair - felt him stiffen behind me as he worked through what day it was - what it all meant.
“Tell me what I missed.” His breath hit my neck as he dipped down to whisper in my ear.
And so I did.
I told him how I handled Doc Benson. I told him about Ravi’s arm. I told him about the protection bracelets. I told him about Eli. I told him about the warehouse. And I told him about the two men the Bratva had lost in the explosion.
He accepted it all, not offering me any insight into his thoughts. I didn’t even know if he was satisfied with how I handled everything.
As I rinsed myself off beneath the warm water, I couldn't help but stop and admire the diamond that glinted off my finger. I was engaged - to Dimitri Petkov, no less. Hysterical laughter bubbled out of me, seizing my lungs as my eyes watered.
I needed to send Emily Rand a photo of my ring - something to brag about, show off. And for a second, I contemplated sending her a photo of Dimitri and I in the shower, my ring glistening beneath the fine spray of water.
“What is it?” Dimitri’s voice was laced with concern as he rubbed his palms in soothing strokes against my shoulders.
“I have to send my mother a picture of the ring.”
“Tomorrow.” He grunted as he pulled me out of the shower, drying me off with a tenderness I didn’t know he possessed.
“I’m supposed to be the one taking care of you.” I whispered softly into the space between us.
“And you have been.”
His dimples made an appearance as he looked up at me, and it was all I could do to hold his gaze - to simply look at him - to take him all in.