She lifts her head and straightens enough to gaze at me. I touch her soft cheek and admire the way her plump lips part as she looks at me.

I can't get over how changed she is. The burden she's carried for four years is now gone. "You're beautiful," I murmur and trace her lips and jaw with my thumb. "I've thought so from the first time you rejected me."

She smiles. "I never meant for you to be hurt or suffer or anything else."

"I know. You're too sweet for that."

"God, it killed me some days to tell you no!"

"That makes two of us."

"I am sorry, Petr." She searches my gaze.

"Don't be." I smile and touch my forehead to hers. "I'm happy you're happy now."

"You are the best person who ever lived." She takes my cheeks and kisses me, this time with far less control than before. Her hunger is contagious, the brittle barrier of restraint between us cracking fast. I shift to better embrace her and kiss her deeply, enjoying the feel of her warm body pressed to mine.

I trail kisses down the side of her jaw and to her neck. She shivers, clutching me to her closer. I push her shirt down to reach her collarbone. My tongue flickers out to taste her skin, and I almost groan.

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Everything about her is absolutely perfect.

She takes my face again and kisses me wildly once more. I'm doing my best to rein in my desire, but it's hard when the woman I want most in the world is all but daring me to break the bonds on my control.

"If you keep kissing me like this, I'll assume you want to stay tonight," I break away and whisper, gazing into her gorgeous gaze.

"On your floor?" she asks with faux innocence, breathless.

"Anywhere you want," I reply with a grin. "Is that a yes?" I hold my breath and wait, watching her expression. She confessed to being afraid earlier, and I see the flicker of fear that crosses her features, accompanied by a familiar yearning and desire. "Whatever you're ready for," I say gently. "You can tell me no for another month, if it makes you more comfortable."

"I trust you, Petr." She traces my face with her fingertips. "Today is already the best day of my life. I want to spend it with you. So … yes. I'll stay."

Laughter comes from down the hallway, a sign at least one guest is headed up to our area. Leaning back, I take Claudia's hand.

"C'mon. I have an equally good couch in my room," I say with a grin.




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