he answered, she realized that Alexei must have told his brother about her.
He offered his hand. His right hand. Alexei had offered his left to Jonas to shake. “Stefano Morozov, at your service.”
The door behind Sam opened and closed again. This service entrance was far more popular than it should have been. Sam glanced over her shoulder to find Alexei inches away from her back. His hands came to rest on her hips.
He wasn’t looking at her. He stared over her shoulder at his brother.
Stefano’s smile didn’t fade. “She knew I wasn’t you. She wouldn’t kiss me.”
Trepidation made the few sips of wine Samantha had managed to drink churn in her stomach. She didn’t want to cause a fight, especially not between brothers. Glancing back at Alexei, she tried to turn to face him, but he held her in place with the pressure of his hands on her hips.
His smile matched Stefano’s in brilliance and intensity. “I promised her a kiss she wouldn’t forget.”
There is was again, that subtext Samantha couldn’t read.
“Alexei, I...”
Alexei silenced her with a finger to her lips. One hand held her, keeping her from turning. “There’s no need to get upset. We’re very pleased you could tell us apart.”
Samantha’s frown never had a chance to manifest. The finger on her mouth moved, and he gripped her cheek and chin. His lips descended.
She expected him to brush against her lightly, but this wasn’t a cautious foray. His strong lips molded to hers. His tongue pressed against her lips as the hand on her cheek massaged the muscle of her jaw, insisting that she open to him.
Electric sensations flowed through her body. Sam wanted to turn, to press herself against him, and to feel his arms enveloping her body. The hands on her hips and at her waist prevented movement. Alexei’s tongue swept into her mouth, tangling with Sam’s and wrangling it into submission.
A soft moan sounded deep in her throat. He took that, too.
With one hand, she gripped a thick thatch of that deliciously black hair. She threaded the fingers of the other through the ones possessively holding her hip. Melting into him, she relaxed what was left of her guard.
As if sensing her complete surrender, the hands on her body moved, turning her at last. She leaned forward, wanting to feel him against her, but the hands pulled her back until a solid chest supported her that way.
Samantha stiffened. She had forgotten they weren’t alone.
“Relax, Sammy.” Soft words breathed against her neck. Lips brushed against the sensitive skin there, fulfilling another promise. “Lex is going to give you that kiss now.”
“But I...Why are you still here?” The bliss of Alexei’s kiss faded as her lack of comprehension grew. There had been too many hands on her body for them to have belonged only to Alexei.
Stefano’s chest rumbled against her back, the low-toned laugh barely registering in the audible spectrum. “Lex and I share everything—our faces, our careers, our women. You won’t regret it, Sammy. Lean against me. Let me hold you while Lex gives you that kiss.”
Her brows drew together. “Hold me?”
This time, Stefano’s mouth closed over hers. His kiss was different from Alexei’s, softer and reverent, though no less demanding. Samantha responded to him on a primal level, opening to him without thought or internal struggle. It was the first time in her life she’d ever done anything as wanton as kissing two men in succession.
The hem of her dress lifted. Alexei’s hands slid up her legs and his fingers found the edges of her hose and underwear. The silk of both items skated to her ankles. He attacked the straps on her shoes next.
Stefano held her attention and controlled where she could see, but not what she felt. Wetness flooded between her legs as she realized the type of kiss Alexei meant to give. Sam imagined the heat of his mouth on her pussy and another moan escaped.
The gentle breeze she admired only moments ago,