Chapter 170: I need you too much

I faced the door at the sound of Andrey's voice. He was just standing there with the glass in his hands, the dim light casting shadows that made his presence feel even larger, almost predatory.

"I didn't know what else to do, so I got you a glass of ice water", he spoke, his voice steady, but carrying an undercurrent of something primal as usual.

When I heard his words, I froze for a moment. I was now sure that Volkov came after me and brought me back here because he genuinely cared, not just because of the dangerous, controlled world he ruled outside these walls.

"Elena, are you alright?", His eyes widened when he noticed the fresh tears that were spilling down my cheeks. He set the glass of water down on the bathroom counter and crossed the chasm that was separating us quickly, his movement almost unnaturally smooth, like a predator closing in on something he was bound to protect.

At that moment, I made up my mind. To find my happiness where I could and take what I wanted for myself. And I wanted Volkov. To find my happiness with him, even if it was only for a limited time. Even if we only had right now. I was going to take it.

Taking a step, I wrapped my arms around him before he could close the distance first.

"Stay. Please stay with me", I whispered.

He paused only for a second. Then I felt his shuddered breath as he hugged me back. His hands encircled me, pressing me harder into his chest. My eyes closed, and I felt him inhale deeply at my hairline, the scent of him wood, smoke, and something  beneath it filling my senses.

Volkov held me as if I was a delicate thing worthy of cherishing. I needed that comfort from him right now. He was the only person I could allow myself to rely on.

In this moment, all I wanted was to stay with Volkov. I needed him to stay at my side. He heard my unsaid request and held me tighter. I didn't need to say anything; he could feel it too.

We didn't speak, the moment was good, not until the sound of the splattering shower broke up the melting tension. Volkov let go of me, and we shared one last look. Then he began carefully peeling my clothes away, his movements smooth, controlled, almost as if he was in tune with a rhythm I couldn't yet understand.

The gentle caress of his fingers over my skin made me shiver. The relevant hunger in his eyes was enough to make me melt on the spot. Cool air kissed my skin as he undressed me, and steam from the shower swirled around us.

He followed me into the shower, and I didn't stop my roaming eyes from taking in every impressively toned inch of him. From his broad shoulders, to his sculpted abs, down to his long legs. Volkov allowed me to look but didn't comment on it. Instead, he lathered my favorite soap and began to wash my hair, his touch careful yet commanding, like he was guarding me.

His massaging fingers kneaded every inch of me as we showered together. This was a different intimacy from all the other times we had been in this situation. There was a carefulness in his touch now that differed from his aftercare, almost as if his wolf senses were aware of my need before I even voiced it.

Even after the tender shower together, Volkov helped me dry off. I loved the feeling of his hands on my skin and in my hair. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't awakening an inferno inside of me with each touch. My nipples pebbled, and there was an ache between my thighs. It was getting harder and harder to ignore.

"Volkov," I whispered as he dropped the towel from my shoulders. I caught his hand, swallowing over a lump in my throat. Then I moved his hand over my chest, just over my breast, so that he could feel my erratically pounding heart.

"I missed you," I whispered, pressing his hand more on my chest.

His other hand rose to my cheek, and I leaned into his palm. My eyes closed, and I listened to him exhale heavily. There was something in that exhale, something deep and animalistic, yet protective.

"Elena, I missed you so much," he admitted.

Then he crushed me against his body. We were flushed together, skin to skin, causing me to burn up. His hand cradled the back of my head, pulling it back so it forced me to look him in the eyes.

We stilled at the same instant. Those brown eyes with flecks of green swept me up, and I allowed myself to feel everything again, the wild pull beneath his gaze sending a shiver down my spine.

"The breath in your lungs belongs to me, and I want it back," he suddenly said, and without warning, kissed me. Without really deciding to, but simply because there was nothing else that he could have done.

He kissed me as if he needed all the air in my lungs to survive. All the breath I didn't realize I was holding became his. In a whirl, he picked me up, and on instinct, I wrapped my legs around his waist. His mouth feverishly moved with mine as he carefully walked me to the door leading to his bedroom. I curled my arms around his neck, pulling him as close as I could.

My desire to be with him, to be filled with him, was all-encompassing. I felt need for Volkov in every cell of my body, and I wouldn't let him go now.

I landed on the bed, Volkov's body fully covering me. His mouth trailed from my lips, peppering kisses along my jaw. My nails ran through his hair, on his scalp, as his mouth teased the sensitive spots on my throat.

When his teeth pulled my earlobe, I moaned and writhed against him. "Elena," he breathed my name against my neck.

"Tell me if it's too much for you, and I stop."

"Don't stop, Volkov. Please don't stop," I grabbed his face and pulled him to my level. "I need you," I whispered.

"Fuck, I need you too," his mouth slanted over mine again.

Volkov's full lips pushed my mouth open, and the kiss deepened when his tongue caressed mine. He settled between my thighs, and I spread my legs for him, feeling his erection against my thigh.