Sweet Dreams (Ladies of Stanford #1)

12. Eleven

Eleven

T he hotel room was illuminated by the gentle flicker of candlelight, creating a dance of shadows on the walls. Beth stood by the window, watching snowflakes in the streetlights below. Behind her, she heard the pop of a champagne cork.

"To unexpected adventures," Yuri's voice was low and warm as he handed her a flute of bubbling champagne.

Beth turned, her breath catching at the sight of him. Yuri had changed for dinner, trading his casual day wear for a crisp white shirt and dark slacks. The top buttons of his shirt were undone, offering a tantalizing glimpse of his collarbone.

"And to new beginnings," Beth added, clinking her glass against his. Their eyes locked over the rims as they sipped, the air between them charged with unspoken desire.

Yuri set his glass down, stepping closer. His fingers traced the curve of her cheek, feather-light. "You look beautiful, moye solnyshko," he murmured.

Beth leaned into his touch, her skin tingling. "You're not so bad yourself, Mr. Minsk."

His answering smile was slow and full of promise. He leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, "Perhaps we should skip dinner."

A shiver ran down Beth's spine. She pulled back slightly, meeting his heated gaze. "But you promised me a proper Belarusian meal," she teased, her voice breathier than intended.

Yuri's eyes darkened. "I did, didn't I? Well, I suppose I'll just have to make it worth the wait."

Before Beth could formulate a response, Yuri's lips met hers. It was an intoxicating mix of sweet and spicy. Her body softened against his, her senses surrendering to the raw heat radiating from him.

Her fingers traced a slow, deliberate path up his chest, each button of his shirt feeling like a heated stone beneath her touch. The firmness of his pectoral muscles under her hands sent shivers down her spine, making her heartbeat faster and louder in her ears.

Tangling her fingers into his thick hair felt like dipping them into warm silk. She tugged gently at the strands, eliciting a low groan from deep within Yuri's throat. It was raw and primal and echoed in every corner of the room.

Yuri's arms coiled around her waist like iron bands, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them. His grip tightened as if he feared she might slip away, anchoring her to him. The warmth of his body seeped through their clothes, enveloping them both in an intimate cocoon.

When they finally parted, both slightly breathless, Yuri rested his forehead against hers. "We should go," he said, though he made no move to release her. "Our reservation..."

"Right," Beth nodded, equally reluctant to break their embrace. "Dinner. We should definitely go to dinner."

Another moment passed before they finally stepped apart. Yuri offered his arm with an exaggerated bow. "Shall we, my lady?"

Beth laughed, linking her arm through his. "Lead the way, good sir."

The restaurant Yuri had chosen was intimate and cozy, with exposed brick walls and candlelit tables. As they were led to their seats, Beth noticed several patrons eyeing Yuri appreciatively. She felt a surge of possessiveness, pressing closer to his side.

Yuri, seemingly oblivious to the attention, pulled out Beth's chair for her. As she sat, he leaned down, his lips brushing her ear. "You know, your jealous face is incredibly sexy."

Beth felt her cheeks warm. "I don't know what you're talking about," she muttered, hiding behind her menu.

Yuri chuckled, taking his own seat. "Of course not. Now, shall I order for us? I promise to introduce you to the best Belarus has to offer."

As Yuri conversed with the waiter in rapid-fire Russian, Beth found herself captivated by how his lips formed the unfamiliar words, the subtle shifts of his expressions. When he turned back to her, catching her staring, his smile was knowing.

"See something you like?" he asked, his voice low and teasing.

Beth took a sip of her wine, gathering her courage. "Maybe," she replied, holding his gaze. "I'm still... sampling the menu."

Yuri's eyes darkened at her words. He reached across the table, his fingers intertwining with hers. "Well then," he said, his thumb tracing circles on her palm, "I hope you find something... satisfying."

The rest of the meal passed in a haze of delicious food and charged glances. Every accidental brush of hands, every shared smile, felt like foreplay. By the time dessert arrived – a decadent chocolate cake that Yuri insisted was "just like his babushka used to make" – Beth was practically squirming in her seat.

As Yuri fed her a bite of cake from his fork, his eyes never leaving hers, Beth made a decision. It was time to seize the moment.

"Yuri," she said, her voice husky, "take me back to the hotel."

His eyes widened slightly, then darkened with understanding. Without a word, he signaled for the check.

The taxi ride back to the hotel was torturous. They sat close, Yuri's hand resting on her thigh, his thumb tracing maddening circles on the fabric of her dress. Beth's entire body thrummed with anticipation.

The moment the elevator doors clanged shut, Yuri wasted no time. With a predatory swiftness, he had her pinned against the cold steel wall, his lips searing a fervent path to hers. His kiss was like wildfire, igniting a blaze that consumed them both.

Beth met his passion with equal fervor, her fingers clawing at the fabric of his shirt. She balled it in her fists, pulling him closer as she sought to lose herself in the intoxicating taste of him.

A low growl escaped from Yuri's throat as Beth's hand daringly ventured lower. Her fingers found evidence of his arousal straining against the confines of his trousers. A gasp slipped past her lips and into their shared breaths when she felt the hard outline of him.

"Yuri," she breathed out huskily against his mouth, her voice laced with desire. "I need you."

His response was a guttural groan that vibrated through her body like an electric current. "Beth," he rasped back, hot breath fanning over her neck as he nipped at her sensitive skin. "You're driving me crazy."

As the elevator doors opened, they stumbled out onto their floor, giggling and shushing each other like teenagers. At the door to Beth's room, Yuri paused, his expression suddenly serious.

"Beth," he said softly, cupping her face in his hands.

Beth silenced him with a kiss, her tongue darting into his mouth with urgent need. "I want you so much," she breathed against his lips. "I need this. Now."

Yuri's grin was pure sin, a promise of the pleasure to come. He opened the door and in one swift motion, swept Beth off her feet, her surprised gasp morphing into a moan as he pressed her against his hard body. He kicked the door shut and strode to the bed, his intent clear in his heated gaze.

He dropped her onto the plush bedspread, his muscular body rippling under his shirt as he crawled over her, a predator ready to devour its prey. His eyes roamed over her body, filled with a hunger that made her heart pound and her body ache. This was more than just lust; it was a primal, consuming need.

His lips crashed onto hers, their tongues clashing in a wild dance. His hands were everywhere, rough and demanding as they explored her body. He squeezed her breasts, pinched her nipples, and she arched into him, a gasp tearing from her throat.

Yuri growled, a low, feral sound, as he trailed hot, wet kisses down her neck, his mouth latching onto her nipple, sucking hard before biting gently. Beth cried out, her body writhing under his touch. He moved lower, his hands gripping her thighs, spreading them wide as he settled between them.

Through his pants, his cock was a hard, throbbing line against her thigh. She reached for it, stroking its length before unbuttoning his pants and shoving them down. He sprang free, thick and hard, the tip glistening with pre-cum. She wrapped her hand around him, stroking firmly, and he thrust into her touch with a groan.

"Fuck, you're perfect," Yuri grunted, his eyes wild as he took in her body, bare and ready for him.

He shifted lower, his tongue darting out to taste her, licking her clit with firm, steady strokes. Her body jerked, her hips bucking as he brought her to the edge, her orgasm crashing over her in a wave of pleasure.

Beth reached for him, her body still trembling, and pulled him up. She pushed him onto his back and straddled him, her wet pussy sliding against his cock. He gripped her hips, trying to guide her onto him, but she resisted, teasing him with a wicked grin.

"Fuck, Beth," he growled, his body taut with need.

She leaned down, her breath hot on his ear. "How bad do you want it?" she whispered, her voice sultry and low.

With a snarl, he flipped her onto her back, his body covering hers. "I. Fucking. Need. You," he grunted, each word punctuated by a thrust of his cock against her wet entrance.

He slammed into her, filling her completely. Their bodies moved together, a fierce, carnal rhythm that left them both panting and moaning. His cock pounded into her, hard and deep, each thrust sending waves of pleasure coursing through her body.

He flipped her onto her hands and knees, his fingers digging into her hips as he fucked her from behind, his thrusts wild and uncontrolled. Their bodies slapped together, the sound of their fucking filling the room, mingling with their gasps and moans.

Beth pushed back against him, meeting each thrust with a wild abandon that matched his own. She screamed his name as she came, her body convulsing around his cock. With a roar, he followed her over the edge, his cock pulsing as he filled her with his hot release.

Panting heavily in the aftermath of their shared climax, Beth looked into his eyes. Wild, hungry, and completely consumed by their passion, she knew this was just the beginning.