The Groznyj Grad Living Novel

"I meant - " Kassian started, but he broke off, trying to look stern while fighting a smile.

That didn't work so well, he was certain.

Kassian looked at the ring that Isaev had stuck on his finger.

A plain band of gold and obviously meant to be worn by a much larger man than he. Or at least, a man with much larger hands.

Carefully, he took the cloth and pulled off the ring, folding the square several times, then tucking it away in a breast pocket.

"This could be evidence," he finally said, but when he looked back, Isaev was still standing in the water.

"You make me want to get in there with you."

As close as they had become, it amazed him sometimes that Isaev still had the power to disarm him with a gesture, a word, an offhand comment...

...or an entirely brazen act that made Kassian's chest flutter.

"Zverskiy youbar'," he muttered, then stepped into the water with a small splash. Kassian leaned up into Isaev and caught his mouth with a kiss.

He kept it brief, but thorough, and only pulled back slightly.

"We're not doing anything else in here."

Half-breathless, his lips brushed Isaev's.

Kassian pushed his tongue at the scabbed cut on Isaev's lip, and imagined he could taste blood.

"Maybe later, though."