63

[REBECCA]
“I want to see where this journey takes us. I want to give it a try,” Artemy murmured, pressing his forehead against mine while his fingers tangled in my hair.
I closed my eyes momentarily, taking a deep breath before meeting his gaze again, staring deeply into his eyes. “I want to try too,” I whispered.
I knew I was playing with fire. Eventually, I would be consumed by the flames. But sometimes, when the fire rages within you, letting go becomes impossible. And I couldn’t let go. I clung desperately, even though I knew we would both be scorched in the end.
Artemy’s eyes ignited with joy, as if I had granted him the one thing he longed for.
I anticipated his lips to meet mine, but he remained motionless. Instead, his arms encircled my waist like an unyielding band of steel, his forehead still pressed against mine, while his lips lingered tantalizingly close to mine. I searched his eyes for any sign that he would finally kiss me. I sensed the longing, yet he hesitated, leaving me perplexed.
His gaze flickered to my lips once more, and his grip around my waist tightened. As realization dawned upon me, I clutched his jacket for support, feeling a surge of nervousness. My fingers tightened around the fabric, and I swallowed hard, bracing myself.
Closing the distance between us until our bodies molded together, I tilted my head upward and rose onto my tiptoes. Our eyes remained locked, and with a gentle touch, I softly pressed my lips against his. As my eyes fluttered shut, I heard a low growl emanate from his chest. He reciprocated with a firmer pressure, seeking entrance.
I gasped, granting him access as his tongue explored my mouth unhurriedly. At first, I was hesitant, but when he nibbled on my lips and suckled on my tongue, a surge of boldness surged within me.
Releasing his jacket, I reached up, my hands gliding through his hair until my fingers entwined in its strands. As I sucked on his tongue, his grip tightened on my scalp, emitting a deep groan from his chest. I responded with a moan of my own.
Artemy licked my lips, causing me to shudder against him, my fingers tugging at his hair. He pulled back slightly and cursed under his breath. “Damn.” Both of us were breathless. Witnessing a man like him unravel before me was astonishing.
Before I could utter a word, his lips crashed into mine once more. This time, he claimed my mouth possessively, as if he were famished for me. And I reciprocated his kisses with equal intensity.
Pressing me against a tree, Artemy held me tightly, never breaking the kiss. Instead, he seized my lips, branding me as his own.
Releasing my waist, his hand began to descend, reaching the hem of my dress. He withdrew slightly and then sensually licked my swollen lips. I was lost in a haze, his kisses driving me wild.
“Did I mention how stunning and alluring you look in this dress?”
His words seemed muffled, as if submerged underwater, but I understood them. I shook my head in response. Artemy leaned closer until his lips brushed against my ear.
He nibbled on my earlobe. “You look unbelievably beautiful in this dress,” he huskily whispered, his voice dripping with desire.
His movements were deliberate as he slowly lifted my dress. Artemy claimed my lips again.
It was too much. Everything was happening too rapidly. My head spun, my skin burned, and my body felt weightless yet feverish. I felt my knees wobble, so I clung desperately to his shoulders, my fingers digging into them. Artemy hissed against my lips.
When he didn’t budge, I once again entwined my fingers in his hair and pulled gently. Artemy groaned unhappily but reluctantly tore his lips away from mine. Our labored breaths filled the silent forest, and I fought for air.
“Too fast?” Artemy inquired.
“A little,” I replied, my chest rising and falling rapidly.
“Okay.” He rested his forehead against mine once more, and I opened my eyes, meeting his gaze. He offered me a small smile before leaning down to place a sweet, gentle kiss on my swollen lips.
Artemy released his grip on me and took a step back, leaving me yearning for his comforting touch. The expression in his eyes revealed that he felt the same way.
He raised his hand and ran his thumb gently across my lips. “I adore your lips like this… swollen and crimson from my kisses.”
” Artemy…”
He smirked and leaned down to kiss me once more, only to pull away teasingly. “I’ll have to kiss you often, then, to keep them looking like that.”
This man was utterly incorrigible.
I couldn’t help but giggle at his playful demeanor and words. Bashfully lowering my head, I smiled. But Artemy wouldn’t allow it. He placed a finger under my chin and lifted my face.
“What did I tell you?” he demanded, his eyes brimming with fierceness and intensity.
My mouth formed an ‘O’ and I tilted my head to the side. “You told me never to avert my gaze from you.”
Artemy brushed away a few strands of hair that obscured my face, gently tucking them behind my ear, before cupping my jaw and tenderly caressing its curve with his thumb. “Good. Remember that, my little kitten.”
“Hmm.” I smiled up at him.
“Come on, let’s head back,” he suggested.
This time, he didn’t stride ahead of me. Instead, he clasped my hand in his, intertwining our fingers firmly, and we strolled away from the creek together. Our steps were slow and unhurried, as if we were lost in our own thoughts.
Yet, in truth, we were lost in each other. Neither of us wanted this perfect, beautiful moment to end.
Happiness seemed an inadequate word to describe what I felt. Inside, I was bursting with joy, feeling giddy, warm, and utterly euphoric. My cheeks ached from the width of my smiles, but most importantly, my heart… it was complete.
It fluttered every time Artemy’s grip tightened around mine. It danced with delight every time I recalled our passionate kiss. And it sang with the intensity of his gaze locked onto mine.
As we made our way back to the grand mansion, I silently prayed that this profound happiness, along with whatever connection we shared, would not fade away before it had a chance to bloom.
***
The night was drawing to a close, and as I nestled my head on Artemy’s shoulder, a soft whisper escaped my lips, bidding him goodnight. In response, he murmured his own goodnight, but neither of us was willing to let go just yet. We held onto each other, caught in a moment of reluctance.
“I should really go,” I admitted, a tinge of weariness evident in my voice.
“You should,” he agreed, his words carrying a gentle tone that mirrored my own exhaustion.
“I’m so tired,” I confessed, my words barely audible as I lifted my head, locking my gaze with Artemy’s eyes. He nodded, a sigh escaping him as he reluctantly released his embrace.
Did I just witness a slight pout? It was a fleeting expression, almost imperceptible, but I was certain it had crossed his features. I thought it might have been a figment of my imagination, but the truth was undeniable.
“You were pouting,” I remarked, unable to contain my observation.
Artemy glared at me momentarily, grumbling something under his breath. “You must be delirious from lack of sleep, my little kitten. Rest now, for you need it.”
“No, really,” I persisted.
He shot me another stern look. “Rebecca.”
With a sigh, I slid off his lap and stood before him. “Goodnight.”
His gaze lingered on me for a moment before a smile graced his lips. “Goodnight, my kitten.”
As I walked away, closing the door behind me, I couldn’t help but mutter under my breath, “He was definitely pouting.”
After a quick ritual of brushing my teeth and washing my face, I turned off the tap and dried my visage. Once I changed into a light pink nightgown, I opened the bathroom door and stepped out.
But my movements halted abruptly when I beheld Artemy sitting on my bed.
“Artemy?” I called out, taking a cautious step closer, only to freeze once more.
He was clutching his jacket, the very one I had kept beneath my pillow.
A surge of panic coursed through me, twisting my stomach into painful knots while my heart raced relentlessly.
I took several deep breaths, desperately attempting to regain control of myself.
“I can explain,” I whispered, my voice laced with desperation, hoping beyond hope that he would understand.
Artemy rose to his feet, his grip on the jacket unwavering. Our eyes locked in a gaze filled with intensity and fear.
Then, without breaking eye contact, he took a step toward me and nonchalantly tossed the jacket onto the sofa.
In a hushed tone, his words reached my ears, stealing my breath away. This time, however, my racing heart soared for an entirely different reason.
“You won’t be needing this anymore.”