Page 51 of The Bratva's Forced Bride

“I do know how. I know it’s surprising, but I’ve been feeding myself all these years,” I joke.

“Wow, it smells great. What is it?”

“Oxtail stew with garlic and onion rice.” I smile proudly. “I hope you’re hungry ‘cause there is plenty, and it’s about ten minutes from being ready.”

He comes and stirs the stew. “So thick. Is that red wine I smell? I do love cooking with wine. All these vegetables. You’re spoiling me.”

“I am, and I hope you enjoy it.”

Once the food is done, Danil helps me carry it to the dining room table that he has kindly set up for us. He’s lit those coconut candles again; it’s kind of endearing.

I dish up for both of us and sit down. I tuck in and instantly groan. “Yes, this is what I have needed in my life.”

“You sure made enough of it.” He chuckles as he eats. “But yes, this is great.”

“I want leftovers for days,” I mumble. I am not the most graceful oxtail eater. In fact, I don’t think there is such a thing when one has to nibble the bones, but Danil seems to be distracted whenever I suck on one, and I almost giggle and choke on my food.

When we’re done, he gets up and takes the dishes to the kitchen before leaning over the table and giving me a deep kiss. “You know we can have dessert upstairs…” he murmurs.

I sigh softly and look up at him. “I just want to cuddle. Is that okay?”

“Yes, that’s fine.” He kisses my forehead. “Why don’t you come recline on the sofa, and I’ll rub your feet for you?”

“Really?” I ask.

“Yeah, come on,” he holds his hand out to me, and I take it. Feeling safe for a moment, forgetting who I am with and under what circumstances. He leads me to the living room and says, “I’ll be right back with some cream.”

He runs upstairs, and I settle down on the sofa. He comes back and sits on the sofa next to me so I can put my feet on his lap. “This is star treatment,” I say.

“Only the best for my wife,” he responds sweetly.

He squirts some cream into his hands and starts to rub my feet. I groan again. Good food and a foot rub. Life does not get better than this.

“I’m going to fall asleep with you doing this,” I murmur. Warm and sleepy from the food, I feel Danil stop and shift. Suddenly, I’m in his arms, and I squeal. “Danil, you’ll drop me.”

“I would never,” he professes, his muscles flexing as he carries me upstairs. I won’t lie; it’s extremely attractive.

“I said I just want to cuddle,” I say.

“And we’re going to cuddle somewhere comfy where you can fall asleep.” He takes me to the bedroom and sets me on the bed. He changes into his pajamas while I slip on my nightie, and then we’re in bed together, and I’m resting my head on his chest, just listening to his heartbeat.

It’s so strong. He strokes my back softly and doesn’t try to force anything on me. I always pictured him as this sexually deviant person, but I’m coming to learn that I am wrong about that. He is actually quite soft.

“Why aren’t you this soft all the time?” I ask.

“I wish I could be.”

“Why don’t you?” I ask again.

“Because if people see how gentle I am with you, how fragile you are to me. How much I care. They will take every opportunity to use you against me.” He breathes softly. “And I won’t let that happen. I can’t. It puts you at risk, and our family.” He looks down at me and kisses my head. “I won’t do either of those things.”

Chapter 19 - Danil

I don’t know what’s happening to me. I can’t explain this intense feeling. This all-consuming fantasy I have about Asher. Is this what true love feels like? Because if it is, I’m falling head over heels for her, and I want nothing more than to be with her and make all her dreams come true.

It’s been a few days since we had the stew and cuddled, and she’s been a little more receptive since then. I just find her irresistible. There’s something different about her, and I can’t quite put my finger on it to say what it is.

Love can be such a weakness. If I’m not careful, what I said to her will happen. Someone will use her to get to me, and if she were ever threatened, I don’t know what I would do.

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