Chapter 13: Blood and Silk
"That," Julian said as the doors of the private elevator closed, isolating them from the world, "was the most ruthlessly beautiful thing I have ever seen you do."
Elena leaned against the mirrored wall of the elevator, her heart hammering against her ribs, though she refused to let it show on her face. "He walked right into it. He let his ego do the driving."
"And now he has a quarter of a billion dollar deficit to explain to a Russian mob boss," Julian noted, stepping closer to her. The elevator hummed as it shot up toward the penthouse suite of the Rostova Tower. "They will kill him for this."
"Let them," Elena replied coldly. "The Sterlings are a plague. I am merely the cure."
Julian stopped inches away from her. The air in the confined space crackled with an undeniable, suffocating electricity. For months, they had danced around the edge of something deeper, something far more dangerous than corporate alliances. They were two apex predators, completely alone at the top of the food chain, and the mutual respect had long ago morphed into a burning, consuming desire.
"You're incredible," Julian murmured, his slate-dark eyes dropping to her lips. He raised a hand, his knuckles lightly grazing the skin of her cheek. The touch sent a jolt of fire straight down her spine. "But you're also reckless, Elena. The Volkovs won't just kill Victor. They will come for you for orchestrating this."
Elena looked up at him, entirely fearless. "Are you scared, Julian?"
"Terrified," he breathed, though his eyes held nothing but dark, primal hunger. "But not of them."
Julian closed the distance, his hands gripping her waist as he crashed his lips onto hers. It wasn't a gentle kiss; it was a collision of power and passion. Elena gasped into his mouth, immediately wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him closer until there was zero space between them.
The kiss was desperate, tasting of expensive bourbon and raw adrenaline. Julian backed her against the cool glass of the elevator wall, his hands tangling in her dark hair. Elena matched his intensity, pulling at the lapels of his suit, completely surrendering to the fire they had both been denying for too long.
Ding.
May you like
The elevator doors slid open to the penthouse. Julian didn't stop kissing her. He swept her off her feet, carrying her into the lavish, dimly lit suite. The city of New York glittered below them through the floor-to-ceiling windows, completely unaware that its two absolute rulers had just blurred the final line between business and pleasure.
Whatever war was coming tomorrow, tonight belonged entirely to them.
