[He has become quite good at pretending with her. Not in the way he had done so all those years ago, with so many masks in place he himself hardly knew which version of Nikolai was the true one — in this way they've invented together. This little fantasy that he can't help but wish were a viable path instead of a dead end.

Nikolai runs his hand from the hook of her knee to her thigh, squeezing the curve of her ass, playfully snapping the band of her panties.]

Next time we decide to be indecent in a public setting, you might consider planning ahead, Alinochka. Wear a skirt and forego the underwear.

[Taking another kiss, capturing her bottom lip with his teeth, he sets to reminding her of how well his hands treat her. He tugs aside the narrow stretch of fabric hiding her cunt and tests his fingers at her entrance. Already slick. Expectant. He strokes her, coaxing her further down the twisting path of pleasure.]