"We should stop," she said, but her tone wasn't convincing even to her own ears.

"Please don't," Alexei murmured against her lips, his hand cupping the back of her neck as he pulled back slightly. "I don't want to stop."

"Alexei," she breathed.

She didn't pull away again. She didn't ask if this was a good idea or a mistake. He kissed her and she didn't hesitate in kissing him back. Instead something inside her melted, like it finally clicked in place.

She groaned when he was the one to ...