Crave (Beneath The Secrets #3)

84. Lara

CHAPTER 84

LARA

Song- Ocean, Martin Garrix, Khalid

I’m eating. I’m not throwing it back up.

I’m in my safe space, away from the world.

I just found out my brother is missing. Or worse, dead.

I’m not sure I’ve fully processed that. I can’t until I know the truth.

But, I’m glad Alexei told me. That he didn’t treat me like I couldn’t cope.

Because I can. I am strong. Well, I’m trying to be.

Maybe this was the wake up call I needed to become better, to finally regain control of my life.

We’ve been at the cabin for three weeks now. Mainly just snuggling up and watching crap TV. And resting.

We both needed that, even Alexei, after his ordeal.

And it’s the first time I’ve seen him remorseful over taking a life. I knew all along deep down Alexei is a kind soul to those who deserve it. But I think even this new emotion is taking him by surprise.

“Your brain sounds busy, pchelka. Anything I can help with?” he asks, running his fingers through my hair idly.

I nestle closer to him, feeling the warmth of his body as I squeeze my arms around him.

“Just thinking about Mikhail, about you being stuck in a jail, and how peaceful it is here.”

“We can live here. I have all I’ll ever need.”

His response brings a warm smile to my face.

“You’d go stir crazy here, not being able to run free.”

“I’m never running far again. But yes, people need us back home.”

Especially with Mila about to give birth, I’d like to be around for my nephew and Elena.

“Don’t forget Sheila and Bruce.”

Much to Nikolai’s delight, he’s on flamingo duty. But Elena loves seeing them, so it was easy to get him to agree. He does anything for that little girl.

The room is filled with the loud grumbling of my hungry stomach.

“Time for dinner?” Alexei chuckles.

“Sounds that way.”

I’m opting for small, frequent meals to start with. Alexei had the place stocked with just about every food you could imagine, so there is always something I fancy.

“I’ll cook.” He taps my ass, meaning it’s time for me to untangle myself from him.

When he stands, I can’t help but ogle the outline of his cock in those gray sweatpants.

With a knowing look, he twists his head to glance at me and playfully winks, before continuing on his way to the kitchen.

I quietly get up and tiptoe behind him, trying not to make a sound. As he reaches up into the cupboard, I quickly lunge forward and yank down his sweatpants, causing them to drop to his ankles.

I gasp as his bare ass is exposed.

So I slap it. Hard.

I watch as he unabashedly turns to face me, his erection already becoming noticeable.

“My turn.” He smirks, and as he leans forward, I jump out of the way and dart towards the bedroom.

Fuck, I’m laughing so much when I slam the door behind me. I lean over the bed to catch my breath.

The sound of his heavy footsteps approaching behind me fills the room.

“You’ve been a naughty girl, Lara.”

My eyes go wide and I hiccup before turning to face him.

“Ah, you lost the pants rather than pull them up.”

I can’t stop staring at his enormous dick, the piercing catching my attention. God, it looks so good.

He stalks towards me, and excitement courses through me.

Grabbing the front of my delicate lace nightgown, he tears it apart in one swift motion.

Licking his lips, his eyes travel up my body until our gazes meet.

Instinctively, I wrap my arms around my exposed middle, and he places his hand over mine.

“You were made to be worshiped by me, baby. Let me show you?”

Maybe I need this? I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.

“O-okay.”

Gripping both shoulders, he guides me in front of a full-length mirror opposite the bed. I focus on him as he stands behind me and rests his chin on my shoulder.

“Don’t look at me. Look at yourself.”

I shiver as he lightly traces his fingertips down both of my arms and then slides the ripped dress from my body.

I squeeze my eyes shut for a moment. It’s almost painful being so exposed.

“Open them, pchelka.” His tone is firm yet soft.

I do as he says and make eye contact with him in the reflection. His face lights up with a smile, while his eyes gleam with desire. All for me. My belly erupts with butterflies, distracting me from zoning in on my imperfections.

I ignore the instinct to wrap my arms around my stomach to hide it. I can do this.

“Such a good girl.” He brushes away my long hair over my shoulder.

“I want you to watch. See how much I admire every single inch of you. Even the parts you hate, I’ll show you exactly why I love them, one kiss at a time.”

I can feel the tears prickling at the corners of my eyes as his words sink in. When I lower my chin to my chest, he delicately lifts it back up, guiding my gaze upward.

“You are enough. You are more than that. Way more. You’re everything.”

His touch is gentle as he traces his index finger along my lips, leaving a tingling sensation.

“I love how your lips feel against mine. So soft and plump.”

His fingers glide through my hair, sending sparks down my spine as he pulls my head back to rest against his shoulder.

“Your smile and your cute little nose. The way you bite your lip when you’re concentrating, the way your blue eyes pierce into mine. You see right through me, you always have.”

“I love kissing you here.” He licks all the way down my neck. “And I really like how my hand feels wrapped around your throat.”

As I clench my thighs together, I can hear a subtle chuckle escape from him.

I gaze into the mirror, and notice the red flush slowly spreading across my neck. My nipples stand at attention. There’s a hunger in my eyes for him.

Every kiss he peppers down my right arm ignites a spark that courses through my entire body.

“I love the way it feels when you wrap your arms around me. It’s like home.”

With a tender gesture, he presses his lips to each finger, saving the thumb for last.

“Some days it’s okay to feel like you’re not enough. Everyone has bad days. But I need you to tell me. Promise you’ll tell me, so I can take the time to prove to you, on my God damn knees if I have to, why you’re wrong. Why you are worthy. I’ll remind you every day how perfect you are if that’s what you need.”

I give him a little nod. If I speak, I might cry. Just out of pure admiration for this man.

Next, he cups my breasts and squeezes.

“And these. Fuck. These are perfect. Look at them in my hands. Enough to squeeze, to tease.”

He rolls my erect nipples between his finger and thumb.

“Look how responsive you are to my touch.”

He pushes his hips, his hard dick digging into my ass, and a little moan slips out of me.

“Feel how hard I am. That’s just by looking at you. I have to fight it every second I’m with you, or thinking about you. So every minute of the day, I’m redirecting blood from my cock.”

As I sway my hips, a mischievous smirk appears on his face.

“Do I get you wet just by thinking about me?” He nibbles on my neck.

“Y-yes. All the time. It’s distracting.”

When his hands glide down my sides, I exhale a deep breath.

“Look.” He nods to the mirror.

“All of you. I love it all. I don’t see your imperfections because to me, you have none. You never have. You’ve always been my perfect girl.”

That’s it. I can’t hold it in. I’ve tried to hold back the tears. And fail. I see them rolling down my cheeks.

“And do you know what? I should remind you of this. I love you. I want you to feel special, like you are the most beautiful woman on the planet.”

“I love you, Alexei,” I whisper, looking into his eyes through the mirror.

He grabs my jaw, tilting my head to the side, and presses his lips against mine.

His tongue glides across my cheek, gently collecting the salty trails of my tears.

“I’ll kiss away all your fears.” His hand gently cups my pussy. “And fuck away all your bad thoughts.” He smirks.

“And this is mine. All fucking mine. You know how good it feels when I sink inside you? I told you before, I never want to leave. You know what else? I could sit and eat you for days. Days, pchelka. I could just sit you on my face and make you come over and over.”

A gasp escapes my lips as he plunges his fingers inside of me.

“Oh, you like the sound of that? Hear how wet you are for me?”

He thrusts in deeper and it’s all I can hear.

Removing his hand with a naughty glint in his eye, he wraps his forearm around my neck and sucks them clean.

“Mmm. So fucking good. Put your hands on the mirror and bend over,” he whispers against my lips.

I feel a sense of emptiness and longing as he retreats, leaving me without the reassuring presence of his touch.

But I do as he says, adrenaline running through me as my palms meet the cool mirror. There’s a thud behind me as he drops to his knees.

“Remember the rules. Eyes on you. See how pretty you are when you come for me.”

His strong grip tightens around my thighs, sending a shiver down my spine. With one slow, deliberate lick, a rush of pleasure courses through my body, causing me to gasp and stumble forward.

With his firm grasp, he effortlessly pulls me back into position and holds me there.

“You taste so fucking good. Ride my face.”

Holy shit.

With each lick, my body trembles and I roll my hips. I swear every time his tongue connects with my clit, I almost come on the spot.

“A-Alexei. I’m close.”

“You better be watching yourself.” Is all he replies before his tongue dives inside of me and I scream out.

I study my reflection and the world around me blurs.

This flushed, starry-eyed girl stares back at me. The man of my dreams has his face buried in my pussy making noises come out of me I didn’t know possible.

A man who just declared his love for every inch of me.

He makes me feel worthy. Loved. And safe.

Confident even. For the first time in what feels like my entire life, I want to let go, and be free.

For him.