"Really?" I giggled at his silliness. "A cereal cellar?"

"Well, I am pretentious after all."

"Yes. Extremely," I added with a grin. "And me? What am I?"

Yuri considered me for a moment. His lips pressed against my temple. "Perfectly perfect."

I wasn't so sure about that but I wasn't about to contradict such a lovely compliment. "Thank you. That's sweet."

He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and gathered me close to his side. I kept pace with him as we made our way into a cozy dining room just off the kitchen. It was smaller than the larger formal dining he'd shown me and fully furnished unlike most of the rooms I'd seen.

A moment after we'd taken our seats, Feodor appeared with a decanter of wine. As he filled my glass, he smiled at me. "I placed your things in the guest room, Miss Cruz."

"Okay. Um-thanks."

With a nod, he left the dining room. I glanced across the table at Yuri who sipped his wine and eyed me carefully. "What is it, Lena?"

I dragged my finger along the edge of the table. "The guest room?"

"I didn't dare presume."

I understood what he meant. Whatever happened tonight, it was my choice.

And I had already made my decision.

Chapter Nine.

After a delicious dinner and delectable dessert course, I found myself curled in the corner of a cushy sofa in Yuri's office. It was the only other room on the first floor that had been furnished and decorated. We'd fallen into a discussion about the European pipeline he wanted to construct. With his long legs stretched out in front of him, he sat on the opposite end of the couch. I still couldn't believe how damn sexy he made a pair of jeans look.

"So that's the problem with the pipeline in a nutshell." He wiped a hand down his face and shook his head. "Every time I think I have the project nailed down, something pops up and there's a setback."

"Is that a problem for the funding?" I asked the question without thinking. "Sorry. It's none of my business."

He shrugged. "The backers of the pipeline are public knowledge. I hold the largest interest, obviously, but there are others-and yes. They're nervous."

"Maybe one of them is sabotaging you. After that mess in Cyprus and the ongoing recession fears, it's possible one of your backers needs to pull out of the deal. If they want to save face and not have to expose their shaky financials, tanking the pipeline deal is a sneaky way to do it."

His gaze snapped to my face. His expression convinced me he hadn't even considered that yet. "Shit."

He was off the couch in an instant and digging his black phone out of his pocket. I'd seen the white one back at my apartment. The black seemed to be his business phone and the white his personal one. It wasn't the first time I'd worried about the way he had so much to juggle.

"I've been so focused on environmental groups protesting the pipeline and rivals and the political angle that I didn't even think about that possibility"

I watched him pace back and forth and talk hurriedly to Anna, the executive assistant who had botched the email about our postponed date. If she was that bad with personal correspondence, I hated to think what else she'd let slip through the cracks in that office.

Because they conducted the conversation in Russian, it was impossible for me to follow. He seemed curt and to the point. It was odd to see him so focused. His demeanor totally changed as he gave his orders. I realized then that the way Yuri was with me was so completely different than he was with others.

As he finished his conversation and set aside his phone, he leaned back against his desk and held my gaze. "What's that look, Kitten?"

My eyebrows arched. "Kitten, huh?"

"Would you prefer sweetheart or perhaps something in my own language?" His lips twitched with amusement. "How about zaychik moy?"

I narrowed my gaze. "Do I even want to know what that is?"

"I'm sure Vivian would be thrilled to translate for you."

"No doubt." I rose from my comfy spot and crossed the distance. Resting my hands on his hips, I gazed up at him. "You're different with me. It was strange to see the ultra-focused business version of you pacing back and forth in here."

"I'm relaxed with you. At ease, "he said and cupped my face. Our lips met in a gentle kiss. "I would love to stand here and promise that my business dealings won't bleed over into the time we spend together but I won't lie to you. That," he gestured to his black business phone, "comes with me as package deal."

"I know." I rose on tiptoes to kiss him. "I can handle it." I stroked my hand down his chest. "I wish I could help you with this pipeline thing. It sounds like it could really turn into a tangled mess."

"It might," he conceded. "Your suggestion of sabotage isn't one I'd considered but it's one I'm reluctantly willing to admit might be correct."

"Earlier, when we came in here, you told me that the details of the environmental report were part of a private assessment. Who else would have that information, Yuri? If it's not a backer, it's someone from the inside." I traced my thumb along his chin. "I got totally screwed by my crew at 716. Don't let the same thing happen to you."

"I won't."

"Good." Standing there, pressed up against his solid heat, I became intensely aware of how desperately I wanted to feel his naked skin against mine again. Our shower had given me a taste of the exquisite pleasure he offered.

My gaze fell to his phone. "Are you expecting another call from Anna?"

He nodded. "Later."

I picked up his phone and tucked it into the pocket of his jeans. "Then we'll leave this on the bedside table."

Desire darkened his eyes. Without giving me a chance to change my mind, he grasped my hand and dragged me out of the office. I scurried to keep up with him. Excitement fluttered in my belly. I so wanted this. I wanted him.

We ran upstairs and took a right down a long gallery hall. Startled by the sight of one of Vivian's paintings, I skidded to a halt. He snapped back when I was an arm's length behind him. Glancing at the wall, he smiled. "Oh. That."

"She'll stroke out from pure elation if she sees that you nestled her painting between a Basquiat and a Galan."

Yuri shot me a surprised look. "You know your art."

"I didn't have much of a choice. Until Nikolai moved Vivian into her own studio in that warehouse of his, I was surrounded by her paint and sketches and books for years." I took a step back to get the full effect of the wall. A smile played upon my lips. "She looks good there."

"Not as good as you're going to look in my bed," Yuri said before bending down to sweep me up in his arms.

I squealed with surprise as he tossed me over his shoulder. "What are you doing? Put me down!"

"I've waited long enough. No more stalling." He strode down the long corridor with me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. The sound of Sasha barking and bounding upstairs echoed in the still house. I lifted my head to see the massive, furry beast racing toward us. No doubt my squeal had alerted and confused him.

At the end of the hall, Yuri spun around and gave Sasha a stern command. The dog slid to a stop but whined pitifully when he realized Yuri was leaving him in the hallway. I felt bad for the dog but the idea of having a canine audience wasn't one I particularly relished.

Safe inside his room, Yuri carried me to the bed and dropped me on it. Giggling, I bounced twice before he crawled over me. With his knees on either side of my thighs, he pinned me in place. Our gazes clashed as he loomed over me and interlaced our fingers. He trapped my hands overhead and captured my mouth in a punishing kiss.

Trembling with anticipation, I wound my legs around his waist and surrendered to the erotic swipe of his tongue. His fingertips drifted down my cheek and along the curve of my throat. Yuri shifted his weight so he had unimpeded access to my body. I shuddered as his masterful hands outlined my breasts and followed the slope of my tummy.

Our rapidly exhaled breaths mingled as Yuri unbuckled the thin belt I'd paired with my dress and tugged down the side zipper hidden along my ribcage. When he pulled me into a sitting position, I went willingly. He peeled the dress down to my waist and unhooked my bra.

Already my nipples had formed dark, tight peaks. He palmed my breast and brushed his thumb over my sensitive flesh. "God, you're so beautiful, Yelena. Such silky, warm skin..."

I gasped and fell back to the bed as he suckled my nipple. He eased the sharp arcs of delight caused by his suckling mouth with slow drags of his velvety tongue around my puckered flesh. I ran my fingers through his hair and lightly scratched my nails against his scalp. "Yuri."

He kissed his way down my belly and nipped playfully at my belly button. Grasping my dress, he dragged it down my hips. I answered his silent plea and lifted my bottom. With a couple of pulls, my dress and panties were whisked away and tossed to the floor. I felt a little silly for choosing my sexiest pair of undies when Yuri hadn't even paid them notice.

When he stood and started to undress, I pushed up onto my knees and crawled to the edge of the bed. I shoved his hands out of the way and flicked through the buttons lining his shirt. He toed out of his shoes and yanked off his socks before unzipping his jeans. I licked my lips as he stepped out of his jeans and boxers. That thick cock jutted forth so proudly.

He shrugged out of his shirt and let me run my greedy little hands all over his sexy chest. I couldn't get enough of his ripped physique. "You're so damn fine."

He laughed and kissed me, sliding his arms around me and taking me down to the mattress again. "No need for the compliments, Kitten. I'm already out of my pants."

I giggled at his lighthearted remark and then moaned with need as his wicked mouth found that spot on the side of my neck that made my toes curl and my tummy clench. He caressed my naked body with such reverence. His big hands teased and squeezed and stroked until I was so hot I felt sure that any moment I would spontaneously combust.

Only then did he slowly, teasingly, walk his fingers down my belly. Our gazes held as he cupped my bare mound. He nuzzled our noses together and nipped at my lower lip. "Spread your legs for me."

I inhaled a shaky breath but complied with his order. He brushed his fingers up and down the seam of my pussy. I ached so badly down there. My clit throbbed mercilessly. I could feel the evidence of my arousal seeping from my core.

Even so desperately aroused, I was clearheaded enough to think about consequences. Benny and Dimitri's impending parenthood was proof enough of what happened when a couple got caught up in the heat of the moment. For those two lovebirds, the unexpected surprise of a baby was a welcome one but for me? I wasn't ready for that responsibility.

I touched Yuri's jaw. "I'm on the pill but I won't have sex without a condom. Do you have protection?"

He kissed me long and hard and deep. "I would never put you at risk. I've got it covered."

"Thank you."

With the necessities out of the way, I closed my eyes and enjoyed the erotic caress of Yuri's hand between my thighs. He kissed my neck and cheek before sliding down a little lower in the bed so he could use his mouth to sensually torment my breasts. While he traced my nipples with his tongue, he parted the tender folds of my pussy and explored me with his fingers.

Head thrown back, I tried to calm my racing heart but it was impossible. Yuri's talented fingers discovered my pulsing clitoris. Every tug of his lips around my nipple was punctuated by the gentle pressure of his finger swirling over the throbbing pink pearl. I curled my hands into the fluffy white comforter and tightly gripped the fabric. His fingertip alternated between those lazy circles and a side-to-side motion until I was panting and pleading.

"Please, Yuri." I arched off the bed and into the heat of him. "Please."

"Soon," he whispered and abandoned his sensual torment of my nipples. Ruddy and swollen, they throbbed without his soothing tongue. I cupped my breast, supporting the weight of my aching flesh, but it wasn't the same as having Yuri's strong, masterful hands on me.

He zigzagged down my body, peppering ticklish kisses along my ultra-sensitive skin. I knew exactly where he was headed and dragged short, almost panicked breaths into my lungs. Sliding off the bed, he knelt at the edge and grasped my waist. Showing his impressive strength, Yuri pulled me toward him and used those big hands of his to spread my thighs wide open.

I trembled violently inside as he gazed at my pussy. He murmured something in Russian, his voice so incredibly husky, and then dipped his tongue between my dusky lips. I cried out and clawed at the bedding. The wild sensation threatened to make me scream so I stifled my moan with a hand pressed tightly to my mouth.

Yuri's head popped up at the stifled sound. He clasped my arm and tugged my hand away from my mouth. "Don't you dare hold back with me. I want to hear it all." He nuzzled his face against my hot pussy. I could hear the grin in his voice as he added, "Stroke my ego."

When he lapped at my exposed clit, I decided to do exactly as ordered and let loose a loud groan. Yuri pushed my labia apart with his fingers and coaxed my clit from beneath it protective hood. His skilled tongue fluttered over the little nub. My hips started to move as the wild urgings took hold.

I wanted to come so badly. Submitting myself totally to Yuri, I closed my eyes and concentrated on the feel of his tongue gliding over me. I reached down and threaded my fingers through his thick hair. His free hand moved across mine. The intimacy of the moment hit me hard.

Yuri hummed against my clit. The delicious vibrations rattled through me. The hand that had been clutching mine drifted away. Two fingers speared me and I gasped at the wonderful intrusion. He worked them in and out of my soaking channel at a leisurely pace, awakening all the nerve-endings in their path.

Overcome with ecstasy, I writhed atop his bed as his tongue found the perfect rhythm. He drove me crazy with his talented mouth and those thrusting fingers. Rocking my hips, I climbed the heights of ecstasy. My tummy fluttered and clenched. "Yuri. Oh. Yuri!"

I shouted his name as the rapturous waves of my climax tore through me. He groaned with excitement and forced my thighs even wider apart with his broad shoulders. Totally exposed and open to him, I had no choice but to surrender completely to the wicked ministrations of his mouth. He feverishly flicked my clit until I screamed a second time.

Head throbbing and body pulsing with the sheer delight of two incredibly powerful orgasms, I sagged against the bed. It wasn't until I heard the sound of a bedside drawer opening and closing that I also became aware of the pitiful, high-pitched whine Sasha made on the other side of the door.

"Ignore it," Yuri said as he tossed a strip of condoms onto the bed and climbed on top of me. "He isn't used to the sounds of lovemaking." With a mischievous grin, he kissed me. "I'm sure by the end of the week he'll have acclimated to the sound of you shrieking with pleasure."

My cheeks grew hot. "Sorry."

"Kitten, don't you dare apologize for that." He grabbed my hand and dragged it down between our bodies. "Feel how hard you've made me."

I gulped as I clasped his stiff erection. Hard was an understatement. I stroked my hand down the rigid length of him. His eyelids drifted together and his jaw clenched as I teased him with my hand. Wanting to show him the same pleasure he'd just given me, I asked, "Do you want me to suck you?"

His eyes flashed open. He traced my lower lip with his thumb. "I can't even tell you how many nights I've fantasized about you kneeling at my feet and taking my cock between these silky, pouty lips."

His heady admission made my tummy wobble. The idea that Yuri had been fantasizing about me in the same way I'd been dreaming about him made it all so much hotter. I nipped at his thumb. "Show me how you want me."

Yuri rolled off me and stood next to the bed. He pointed to the spot in front of him. "Kneel there."

I scampered off the bed like an overeager puppy and knelt at his feet. I'd never really been enthusiastic about giving a blowjob-it was simply part of the quid pro quo of relationships-but I couldn't wait to get my mouth on Yuri.

"Hands behind your back," he said in a voice tight with desire.

Apprehensive, I glanced up at him. He must have read the worry on my face. He cupped my cheek. "I wouldn't dare do that to you."

Reassured that he wasn't going to make this into something ugly, I clasped my hands behind my back. I noticed the way my new position thrust my breasts forward. Yuri gazed down at me with such appreciation. He swept his palms down my neck and across my breasts before taking his cock in hand and rubbing it from the tip to the base.

When I opened my mouth without being asked, he smiled down at me. Stepping forward, he brushed the head of his dick against my lips. I flicked my tongue out and swiped at him. I heard air hissing between his teeth as I sucked him gently, just the tip of him, and swirled my tongue along the sensitive underside of his cock.

He groaned and sifted his long fingers through my hair. Gathering a handful in one hand, he started to slowly pump his hips. I gazed up at him and was shocked to see such utter adoration etched into his face.

Relishing the way he looked at me, I bobbed up and down on his shaft. I painted his skin with my tongue and sucked him deeper and harder. The subtle rock of his hips pushed his cock against my tongue. Humming around him, I took more of him into my mouth.

He grazed his fingertips along my jaw. "Do you want me inside you now?"

I let his hard cock slip free from my mouth. "Yes."

"I can't promise that I will be gentle. I'm on the edge, Lena."

I sucked him into my mouth again and held his gaze as I took him long and slow and deep. When I released him, he shuddered. Nestling my cheek to his thigh, I whispered, "I don't need gentle tonight. I just need you."

He reached for my hand and helped me stand. With his fingers still tangled in my hair, Yuri claimed my lips in a possessive kiss. I could feel his trapped cock throbbing against my belly as he plundered my mouth. When he guided me down to the bed, I went willingly.

He knelt on the edge of the mattress and ripped open a condom packet. After he sheathed himself, Yuri moved between my open thighs. Planting his hands on either side of my head, he dipped down to kiss me. I wiggled my bottom until our bodies were perfectly aligned. With one rough thrust, Yuri entered me.