Christmas Wishes Part 1. Elizabeth Rolls

then turned and flounced away. Andrey groaned and followed her determinedly.

      He caught her at a short flight of stairs, grabbing her by the waist and kissing her from behind. He spun them around and sat, pulling her down so that she was straddling his knees. He laved her neck with kisses while pushing up her underskirts and grabbed her bottom, pulling her flush against his heat. With one hand holding her fast, he pushed up her undershirt and cupped a breast. He teased the erect peak with his tongue, smirking when she undulated above him, lost in the sensation.

      He took the opportunity to quickly pull her shirt over her head and toss it down the stairs. He met her playful glare with a grin—now they were both half naked. He wore only his trousers, and she her underskirt. He stood, helping her to her feet.

      ‘Almost there.’ He smiled.

      She inclined her head, the double meaning not lost on her. They continued on their way, their fingers loosely entwined. Every now and again they would cast each other lascivious glances. Ekaterina grew bold, her jaunty gait causing her pert breasts to bounce ever so slightly with every step. Andrey’s nostrils flared with desire, and he unobtrusively flexed his arm and chest muscles while walking...which made Ekaterina stare openly, her jaw slightly slack.

      Their game of seduction continued...until they turned a corner to face a final door.

      ‘I think this is the door to the corridor leading to the kitchens,’ Andrey said, placing his hand against the thick panel.

      He turned to Ekaterina, his eyes serious.

      ‘Shall we finish this?’ he asked.

      ‘We can’t go outside like this,’ Ekaterina said, gesturing to their lack of clothes.

      ‘That wasn’t what I was talking about.’

      * * *

      Andrey pulled her close, his hands slowly travelling down the length of her body until they reached the waistband of her underskirt. His eyes locked on hers, he slowly pushed the skirt down, leaving her last piece of clothing to pool at her feet. Then he stepped away. She blushed beautifully as he slowly looked her up and down, the lusty admiration in his eyes as plain as day. She wanted to raise her arms to cover herself, but resisted the urge. Let him look, she thought resolutely.

      But Andrey didn’t just want to look. He closed the distance between them and began showering her with heady kisses. His lips travelled from her face to her neck, then to her bare shoulders. He slowly sank to his knees, worshipping every available inch of her body with his tongue and lips. He painted a story of desire on her body; he was the artist and she was his canvas.

      Ekaterina sighed in pleasure, lost for words. Her heart swelled with emotion. Outside, their love was forbidden, and if anyone even saw them exchange a knowing look their lives would be in danger. But here, and only here, they were safe, hidden away in their own private passageway. And so Ekaterina gave herself over to their shared passion, indulging in these few moments they had together. After all, who knew when they would be so free again?

      When finally Andrey paused to look up, she was flushed with pleasure, her skin tingling and moist. She eased down to kneel with him and covered his face with soft kisses.

      ‘Is it my turn now?’ she asked playfully, pulling away.

      Delight lit Andrey’s face, and he slowly stood. He reached for the buckles on his trousers, but Ekaterina batted his hands away and pulled them open herself. With a quick tug his trousers hit the floor and he sprang free—tall, thick and pulsing with desire. Curiosity overwrote modesty and Ekaterina slowly reached out to touch the bulging tip with a fingertip. She slowly covered his shaft with her palm. Then she experimentally pumped her hand, stroking the velvet skin. Andrey nearly doubled over.

      Ekaterina watched as he swelled even more, the taut flesh growing even harder under her touch. But before she could do more, Andrey caught her wrist and pulled her up.

      ‘Not yet,’ he grunted. ‘I’ve not finished with you yet.’

      His mouth was hot on hers, and he pulled her naked body flush against his. He delighted in her passionate sighs and her sweet scent before gently lowering her to her back on the ground. His fingers drew a tantalising path from her chin, stopping to tweak her caramel peaks before circling her navel. Hooking one of her legs over his shoulder, he tenderly planted soft kisses to the underside of her knee, up her inner thigh. Her breathing hitched, her scent becoming heady with need.

      Murmuring mindless reassurances, Andrey dipped one long finger lower, coating it in her sweet nectar before sliding it inside her core. Ekaterina twisted in pleasure, her back arching off the floor. Andrey slowly withdrew and then pushed back in, his thumb rubbing small, coaxing circles around the pearl of her body as he did so. When she began to buck in wild, passionate abandon he pulled his fingers away.

      Her complaining cry quickly turned into a low moan of pleasure as he positioned himself above her, his tip at her entrance. Bracing himself against the floor, he pushed himself in slowly, marvelling at how she constricted around him. She grabbed blindly for his shoulders, her nails digging into his muscled back as he began to thrust. His breathing grew ragged as he upped his pace, and Ekaterina began to writhe in pleasure beneath him.

      They were close, so close...and then there were voices from outside the panel.

      They stopped suddenly, eyes whipping round to the panel. Though muffled, they could both hear the sound of maids talking, their voices growing louder as they drew near. Ekaterina was about to slide away from Andrey when she felt him cover her mouth with his large hand.

      ‘We’re not done, my lady,’ he murmured. ‘But you must be quieter.’

      She was about to protest, but he resumed his fervent rocking and her eyes rolled back instead. Their bodies came together with the sharp slap of skin on skin, and Ekaterina could barely focus on keeping the bubbling scream of pleasure down. Her body hummed with ecstasy, and she bit down on the heel of his palm to keep from crying out.

      And still the voices grew louder.

      Andrey stared down at her with his bright green eyes, his thrusts never wavering. His jaw grew tight and his rhythm grew frantic. He leaned closer, his other hand anchoring her hip to the floor and his eyes promising something more. Their breathing came in short gasps, sweat glistening on their skin.

      Finally the voices faded out of earshot.

      Andrey pulled his hand away, grabbed her hips with both hands and plunged in so deep that they both screamed in bliss, their voices echoing down the secret corridors. The world exploded in light and pleasure as they rode out the high together, toes curled and backs arched. Finally spent, they collapsed limply in a tangle of moist limbs, Ekaterina’s thighs quivering around his hips.

      It seemed an eternity before they could manage the strength to stand, and they had to hold each other tight to ward off the sudden chill.

      Ekaterina began to giggle, ensconced in Andrey’s muscular arms. He turned a sceptical eye on her and she laughed outright.

      ‘We can’t go out like this!’ she said again.

      ‘Well,’ Andrey said reasonably, ‘I suppose we’ll just have to make our way back to my suite.’

      ‘Collecting our clothes like breadcrumbs on a trail?’

      ‘Yes,’ he said, nodding sagely. ‘I suppose so.’

      They picked themselves up and slowly made their way back through the tunnels, donning the clothes they had abandoned along the way. They teased and kissed as young lovers would, relishing the amorous attention. It was sweet. It was lovely.

      But it couldn’t last.

      Ekaterina only allowed herself to realise that fact much later, when she was safely back in her royal suite, alone with her thoughts. No, she told herself, they would never be safe to be together as long as they were under her aunt’s thumb. Andrey was in danger. Her whole family was in danger.

      But there was one thing she could do.