Evgeni (Siberian Ambush Book 1) by Lolita Lopez Page B

the pathways of enemies to condemn them to terrific strife and sorrow. And finally the sight of her neighbor, Mr. Salazar, retrieving his morning paper in his robe—and only his robe—and giving the entire apartment complex a view of his wrinkled chicken legs and saggy balls.
    Behind her, Evi tensed and growled loudly, pumping brutally as he came. She squeezed her thighs muscles and bit her lip, inhaling trembling breaths as she tried to ignore the heat bubbling in her belly.
    “ Blin ,” he swore. Sweaty and huffing, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her up against him, rolling onto his back.
    She could only guess his motives for clutching her against him. There was always the miniscule chance that he enjoyed a post-nookie cuddle—and again, that was a dismally small chance. No, she was rather certain he merely wanted to ensure she couldn’t run off while he was trying to recover from what sounded like one hell of an orgasm.
    Squirming, Celia tried to allay the now painful ache between her thighs and the feel of brittle wax tugging at her skin. To say she was uncomfortable was a serious understatement. And when is he going to remove this damned blindfold? she wondered in frustration.
    Evi stirred from his orgasm-induced stupor. She was hauled off the floor by her arms and then his hands were on her shoulders, steering her backward. Since she couldn’t see, she trusted in his silent direction and stopped when she felt the duvet against the backs of her thighs. With a few tugs, the blindfold was untied and tossed aside.
    Celia blinked as her eyesight adjusted. Evi was already walking toward a nearby door, his sweaty back turned to her. She supposed she could have made a run for it then but ultimately remained rooted to the spot. She’d come this far. It was too late to renege on the deal now.
    “Lie back on the bed, Celia,” Evi said, entering the bedroom with a small stack of washcloths and hand towels.
    Wordlessly, she did as instructed. Evi paused to pick up the bucket of icy water and plunked it onto the nightstand next to his bed. He tossed a few of the washcloths into the water, soaking them, and threw the hand towels onto the duvet next to Celia. Wringing out a washcloth, he sat beside her. Very carefully, he peeled away the wax clinging to her thighs, using the cold cloth to wipe away the tiny specks and soothe the red splotches left behind.
    Remaining perfectly still, Celia observed his tender ministrations with the same confusion as earlier. What is he playing at?
    ***
    When Evi began removing the wax from her breasts, he watched Celia’s stomach quiver as she held her breath and looked away. He worked slowly so as not to tear the skin but even still, he knew the irritation was intense.
    Evi noticed her tiny grimaces and felt the tiniest tinge of guilt. Yes, he’d planned to inflict a little discomfort and this was just a part of playing with wax, but there was something about Celia that brought his conscience into the mix. He supposed it had something to do with having known her as a child.
    But she was no child now. Sitting beside her, staring down at her naked body, he was confronted with the reality that she had blossomed into a delectably nubile creature. The curve of her lush breasts and those hips called to the beast inside him. Too long he had denied himself a mate. Too long he had foregone the urge to breed. Everything about this beautiful woman made him ache and yearn for things he had never thought to want.
    This surprisingly strong-willed and resourceful young woman had performed exceptionally well for what he was certain was her first foray into bondage and pain play. He found himself more than willing to overlook her minor indiscretions, those tiny groans and movements. Surely she deserved a little comfort now.
    Leaning down on one elbow, Evi draped his other arm around her waist and lowered his mouth to the blotch on her left breast left by the wax. Ever so gently, he traced