Alexei lowered his head and brushed his mouth against Natalya’s. He felt the slight tremble of her lips and parted them, tasting the sweetness of her mouth with the erotic slide of his tongue, sensing her hesitation and teasing her into compliance. He absorbed her faint sigh and went in deep.

      Revenge—did this feel like revenge?

      Not in any sense.

      As his mouth closed over hers the edge of his tongue sought to breach the tight seam of her lips and won, and her resistance faded as she fought against desire.

      ‘Let me go, Alexei. We shouldn’t be doing this.’

      ‘Why? You’re enjoying this as much as I am.’

      Natalya pulled away from him and Alexei let her go, despite wanting to pull her back into the strength of his arms. The kiss had stirred feelings in him he’d long tried to forget. Feelings only Natalya could ever evoke.

      ‘You think I’m willing to just scratch an itch with you, Alexei? Not going to happen.’

      ‘No?’

      ‘No. And if you think so you misjudge me,’ she replied, turning away from him—but not before noticing how his eyes had darkened and become almost black.

      ‘As you misjudge me,’ he assured her, far too quietly.