Page 64 of Seduction (Wicked Vows)

Finally, I agree with a sigh. I can’t make life harder for my mother because I protest on principle. I have hoops to jump through, and this is one of them. “Yes. I can go. I’ll do it, Mom.”

“Thank you, sweetheart. I know this isn’t easy for you.”

We talk for a little while longer, and I have to admit, I keep the conversation going a little because I’m a little. . . nervous. . . about what happens next.

I finally hang up the phone and turn to face him.

“What did she ask you to do? You weren’t happy about something. What’s going on?”

I sigh and shake my head. “There’s some benefit thing my father wants me to go to, and he wants me to go with you. I don’t want to go. I mean. . . your aunt is the one who’s with him in Moscow, right? Ugh.” I can’t even think about the fact that Markov has a connection to one of the many women my father cheats on my mother with.

“Ahh. And when’s that?” He’s once more wearing his poker face, but he doesn’t exactly look thrilled at the idea of what we have to do.

“I know, you hate socializing. You’d rather stay here, where things are, at least for now, predictable and safe.”

“Mmm. Yes. And why didn’t your father tell you he wishes you to attend this. . . what did you call it? Benefit?”

“Ugh, because this is what he does.” I stifle the need to whine. “If he suspects I’m not going to want to do something that he wants me to do, he gets my mom to ask me instead because I can’t say no to her.”

“I see. When is it?”

“This weekend. And Markov, if he thinks he can parade his mistress around in front of me. . . I don’t care if she’s your aunt or not. That’s just not right.”

“Indeed,” he says with a sober nod. “In any event, we will deal with the details of the upcoming benefit. But in the meantime, we’ll deal with the issue at hand.”

I turn away and bite my lip. “About that.”

“Mmm,” he says soberly, reaching for me so his hands grip my hips. “I told you we’d talk about things, didn’t I?”

“Yes, but. . .”

“No buts. Come here, Vera. We’ll have this conversation now. With you over my lap.”

“Markov!” I protest as he tugs me over his knee. He doesn’t do anything, only rests his large hand on my ass.

“Now,” he continues. “Let’s talk.”

The blood rushes to my face even as my body heats. I’m instantly aroused. It feels as if all the blood in my entire body has rushed between my thighs.

“You disobeyed Daddy, didn’t you, Vera?”

Why does it feel so wrong yet so. . . why do I love hearing him say that?

“Um. I maybe did.”

I gasp when he brings his palm across my ass. A flare of arousal stokes my pulse. I stifle a whimper.

“There’s no maybe about it, is there?”

“Welll. . . I had good reason,” I begin, and he brings his palm across my ass a second time.

“Let’s hear that reason,” he says. “Though I can guarantee that you will always answer for disobeying me.”

“I—I—” It feels as if my brain’s short-circuiting.

Do I want this?

Yes, I do.

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