Page 39 of The Bratva's Hostage Bride

“Don’t make me cry,” she says, fanning her face. “This makeup isn’t as set as you would think.”

We hug again and then pose for family photos. My mom must have talked some sense into Devon, but she doesn’t really do much more than greet me and say we’ll talk about my situation later.

Great, they probably think I’m pregnant or something.

As soon as they’re done with us, I go to the reception and find Luka charming the people at our table. They are all laughing out loud.

I am so confused. How does he do that?

I sit down, and everyone heartily welcomes me. Then my parents sit at our table. Luka stands up when we come over and then sits down again with me, taking my hand in his.

If he hadn’t forced me to marry him, I could have fallen in love with him.

Sleeping with him was an out-of-body experience.

I glance at my parents, who are watching Luka chat with my Uncle Jim. My mother gives him a disapproving look, and he turns to smile at her.

“Mrs. Jenson. I don’t want to make today about us, but I want to assure you I’m taking the best care possible of Hannah.” He takes my hand and squeezes it. “I just want to make her the happiest person on Earth.”

Mom purses her lips and says, “I just wish there’d been a wedding.”

“Maybe we can still arrange one,” Luka says. Give us some time to settle down first, and we’ll take it from there.”

My mother can’t resist his charm, and she nods. “What is it you do?”

Luka starts talking like a businessman, and I have to say he makes me proud to have him as my husband.

The party starts in earnest, and we all enjoy our meals before we go to the dance floor after the bride and groom.

We all stay and party until after midnight, which is when we catch an Uber back to the hotel. We didn’t drink much, wanting to keep our wits around my family, and Luka takes my arm and escorts me back to our suite.

“I’ll sleep on the sofa,” he says as he undresses. “Then you’re not pressured to stay in the same bed as me.”

I nod. “Thank you.” I take my things and go to the bathroom. I change, wash up, and come out in my pajama shorts and top. I pack my things back into my bag and look at Luka, trying to get comfy on the sofa.

“You’re too tall. Maybe I should take the sofa.” I come over to him.

“No, it’s okay,” he says. “Your comfort is what matters most to me.”

I stand there for a moment before I finally sigh. “We can both sleep in the bed. It’s big enough.”

He looks at me. “Are you trying to seduce me, Mrs. Milov?”

“Don’t call me that,” I say with a blush.

Luka gets up and crosses the room to where I’m standing. “You know, today was a lot of fun. I haven’t been to a good wedding since Kervyn got married. Danil’s doesn’t count. He was holding my friend hostage.”

“Seems to be a family trait.” I look up at him, and I see the hurt. I feel terrible. I put my hand on his chest. “Sorry, bad joke.”

He takes me in his arms and looks down at me. “You know, we could do more than share a bed.”

I blush crimson. “Luka!”

“Hannah.” He smiles.

I look up at him. Suddenly, the room feels very small. There’s that heat again that seems to build up from the core of my body. I would be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about doing it again, but I didn’t think now was an appropriate time or setting.

Luka brushes the back of his left hand against my breast, and my nipple rises under the cotton like a little traitor.

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