Emily’s POV

An involuntary moan left my lips as his teeth nipped my sweet spot. The shiver running down my spine, caused me to move closer to him. Damn him and his gorgeous smile. I felt his hard length against my stomach and decided to move away before I moaned and embarrassed myself.

The blush was now prominent on my cheeks. “How are you doing?” He asked and I struggled to get the words out of my lips. I could still feel his hard body against mine. “I’ve been good and you?” He smirked.

“It’s been a long day already. What are you doing?” I grinned and looked around. “I’m actually lost.” a giggle left my lips and he smiled down at me. “Where do you want to go?” I looked at the piece of paper in my hands. “Well, I’m sightseeing a bit. Things I’ve got planned for today is going to the Moscow Zoo and visiting the Forgotten Ice Caves. Then tonight I’m going to go Ice Skating on the Red Square.”

Alexei glance at his watch and then at his phone. “Well, my work is done for the day. How ‘bout I show you around, so you don’t get lost. You know Moscow is very dangerous.” I laughed and shook my head. I could imagine that if it was any other man, I would feel uncomfortable but there was something about Alexei that made me feel safe.

“Well with gorgeous men like you walking around, I’ll believe you.” Suddenly a blush rose on my cheeks again. I can’t believe I said that out loud and in front of him. He winked and took my hand in his.

“In the first place, you going the wrong way for the Zoo. It’s that way.” He pointed in the direction, I just came from. My mind wandered to the fact that he was still holding my hand as we walked down the sidewalk.

“So, Mr. Alexei. Tell me about yourself. I can’t go walking around Moscow with a stranger. As you said, it’s a dangerous city.” Alexei chuckled and shook his head. “Okay, my name is Alexei Volkov. I’m 30 years old and have one younger sibling.” He shrugged and then nodded at me.

“Well, my name is Emily Kloss, I’m 28 years old. I also have a younger sibling. Where did you learn to speak English?” I asked out of curiosity. Because for someone born in Russia, he almost speaks better English then I do.

“Well, I born and raised in Moscow but went to college in the USA as a foreign exchange student. I spoke basic English here so it was hard to adjust to English in the USA but I did well in school so guess I’m a quick learner.” I nodded and we walked in silence for a few minutes.

“Why can’t you sleep with me?” He asked out of the blue and I chocked on the oxygen in my lungs. “Wow, well other then you being a stranger? It’s more like the fact that this is my last solo trip and when I go home, certain responsibilities await me. I have to get married.”

He nodded and then said, “You’re engaged?” I nodded on instinct and wondered why he didn’t let my hand go the moment he heard that I wasn’t single, “I don’t wear my ring because it’s an arrange marriage, and I don’t really love the guy but he is my best friend.” Alexei nodded and then pointed out that we’ve arrived at the zoo.

“This is one of Europe’s oldest zoos. It is home to 1100 animal species. I’ll show you everything. My favorite exhibit is the Amur Tiger and the Snow Leopard.” We aimlessly wandered around for the rest of the afternoon.

He showed me Primates, elephants, giraffes, tigers, and lions. The Bear exhibit was closed seeing as they hibernate in the winter. He then showed me the Amur tiger and the snow leopard. Upon seeing them I understood why they were his favorite. These 2 beautiful animals captured my heart.

By the time it was 4 pm and the zoo was almost closing we left. At the gate, I bought a snow leopard key chain and he bought me a tiger teddy. At first, I refused but he didn’t take no for an answer. Taking a teddy from him would make this feel like a date and even though he hasn’t let my hand go since bumping into each other, I wouldn’t dare to think this is a date.

“Sorry, we couldn’t see the Forgotten Ice Caves today. But maybe you’ll let me take you some other time?” I glanced at him and then down at my feet. Did he know, that today felt like a date? I mean, he paid for my ticket and then bought me a teddy. He also held my hand most of the time.

“Alexei, look today was great. But I think we need to stay away from each other. Every time, I see you, all I want to do is kiss you and I can’t do that. Even though I don’t love Rayon, I’m engaged and sleeping with you is something I morally can’t do even if you make my hormones go crazy.”

He looked me in the eyes and I thought he was going to say okay but he pulled me into a tight embrace and then kissed me. It started slow but soon it got heated. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer.

Our lips stayed connected for what felt like forever. “I think you need to enjoy your last trip. I can make it unforgettable. Before you go home and have to be with someone you don’t love, be with me.”

My finger ran along my swollen lip. Damnit, I can’t say no. He was right. If I had to marry someone I didn’t love, then the least I could do was enjoy my last free time. I’m going home in a few months and then I had to be a faithful wife. I was going to be wild for my last few single months.

I took a step closer, placing our bodies against each other. “Okay, we can do this. By this I mean, we can sleep together, spend time together and all that stuff, but we can’t fall in love and when I have to leave, you can’t follow me and can’t ask me to stay.”

He nodded and placed an open mouth kiss on my lips. “No feelings, no dates, we can do things together but no emotions.” I nodded and we both agreed to the terms. “We can do this Ice-skating tonight and to not make it a date I’ll bring a few friends along.” I grinned and nodded. “But first, kiss me again.” I grinned and wrapped my arms around his neck.

**Copyright © 2020 by Grace Write**