5 Chapter 5

David was on top of her so quickly, she had no time to prepare herself. One hand twisted in her hair while the other slid around her waist and jerked her against him. It was like being held against warm steel. His body was cut into slabs of granite muscle. She was no stranger to muscle and sinew. Ballet was one of the most brutal, competitive dances in the world. But his body, it was unlike anything she'd ever felt before. If she weren't so terrified she'd want to see what it looked like underneath his expensive suit.

His dark eyes glowed into her like hot coals. There was nothing icy about him now, despite the abuse she'd hurled at him. Her breaths came out in short bursts, fanning across his neck. He was rigid against her, as though barely able to hold himself in check.

"Now there, krasavitsa, is the passion I knew simmered just beneath the surface," he growled down at her, his eyes devouring every part of her he could see: her face, her neck, the curve of her breasts beneath her sweater. "This is the woman I see when I watch you dance."

She glared up at him, daring to meet his eyes once more. "Yet you will take my dancing away! You will take away what I love!"

"Nyet, rebenok moya, my child. Just your audience and your punishing regime," he said, gentling his hold on her, until his grip on her hair was soothing instead of punishing. "I despise the way other men watch you as you move. In your innocence, you can have no idea how provocative it is. It tests my control. As for the rest, I cannot have my wife starving herself anymore, forcing herself to throw up half of her food and dancing until she falls down or bleeds. She needs care. She must be treated like the angel she is."

Her mouth opened in astonishment as she digested his words. He seemed to understand far more about the nastier aspects of ballet than most people. She had to admit, a small part of her thrilled at his words. The idea of someone wanting to take care of her and treat her like she mattered. No one had ever done that for her before. Her parents loved her, but she was a paycheck for them. She sent all of her money back home to her family. Sergei loved her in his own way, but she was his star dancer, his prima ballerina. It was in his best interest to keep her well cared for. David was the first person to want her for herself.

Then reality set in and she scoffed. No, David wanted her for her pretty face and dancer's body. She brought her hands up between them and shoved. "Let me go!"

His demeanor went from warm and caring to ice cold in a heartbeat. His hands became hard once more. "That will never happen, Natasha."

Tears of helpless anger filled her eyes. "I don't want this!" she yelled up at him.

He studied her, his eyes coveting her in a way she knew, but did not quite understand. She could see it in the eyes of others as they watched the dancers. She knew why David wanted her, why powerful men haggled over the dancers, paid large sums of money to own their bodies. But this was not something she had experienced. It frightened her. She began to wish she were a little less innocent. Then maybe she could better deal with a man like David. Though she suspected dealing with a man on David's level, no matter her experience, would be impossible.

His grip on her tightened. "Perhaps I should make sure you do want this."

Her sapphire eyes flared and she shook her head as his descended. Her gaze fixed on the sinister scar next to his lip as he covered hers in a gentle kiss. She was so surprised by the light, evocative pressure, expecting him to crush her resistance with brutality, that she gasped. Perhaps that was the opening he was looking for, because the moment her lips parted, he deepened the kiss, giving her no time to protest the invasion, shifting her in his arms so her head rested against the back of his arm until she had nowhere to go, nowhere to turn to escape him.

He took from her lips, possessing them for the very first time. His lips caressed hers, pressing, pushing and loving in a way she'd never imagined possible when she'd lain awake in her dorm imagining what kissing was like. She didn't know it could be anything like this. It was so warm and exciting. Tingles coursed through her body, from her lips outward. They also sparked in her nipples and in other places. He touched his lips to the corner of her mouth drawing a moan from her, then he darted his tongue against her. She gasped and once more he took advantage, pushing his tongue through the barrier of her lips.

She moaned again and arched her neck, flexing her fingers in the fabric of his jacket. She didn't know what to do with her own tongue, but it didn't seem to matter to him, he just took and took, sweeping her mouth with his tongue until she felt weak and shaky. He darted inside and then backed off until she felt herself leaning eagerly forward, kissing him back. When she realized what she was doing a hot blush stole over her flesh and she immediately released her grip on his jacket. She stilled against him and opened her eyes.

As if sensing her withdrawal David backed off, giving her room to recover from his passionate advance. He kissed the edge of her mouth once more and straightened, pulling her up against him and holding her in a loose embrace. The breath rushed in and out of her lungs as her numbed brain tried to function.

She stood in the curve of his arms, blinking uncertainly. Trying not to look as foolish and young as she suddenly felt. Her first kiss. She ached all over her body. Like fire, but not painful. She glanced up at him through her lashes, wondering if he would be amused by her simple reaction. Shocked at what she read on his face, she nearly stepped away from him. He must have sensed her intention because his arms tightened around her, stopping her. He was not amused. His black eyes were burning with a similar fire to the one that smouldered low in her belly. Except worse. Much worse. He looked like was going to combust at any moment and burn them both alive. It was terrifying to be looked at in such a way by such a man.

"I need to get you back to your dorm, Natasha," he said huskily, his voice sounding a little unsteady for the first time since she met him.

"But we haven't eaten," she said softly.

He grunted and took her elbow. "Come. We will eat along the way. We cannot stay here or you will not be a virgin on your wedding day and though I am not a traditional man, I know you were raised to believe in such things." Tasha gasped at his blunt declaration and rushed to keep up with his long strides.

Later that night as she stared sleeplessly through the window of her dorm room, it occurred to her that David was correct about two things. She had been raised traditionally and David had made sure she wanted him. Physically, anyway. In the darkness of her shared room she pressed her fingers lightly against her lips, still feeling the tingles of him there. She knew she should be angry at the potential loss of her career. She should be frightened at his declaration that she would become his wife. Yet, the only thing Tasha could think about was the kiss they shared and what more they could share if they were married.