Page 73 of Seduction (Wicked Vows)

The next day passes quickly with our early morning run and leisurely coffee downtown. Markov seems to be on his phone more than usual, which is a bit unnerving, but when I press, he admits he’s going over security for tonight. Fair enough.

Soon, it’s time to get ready. I was planning on wearing the same dress I wore for dinner out with my dad, but Sophia told me she has a dress with her that I can borrow. She’s smaller than I am, so the little red dress is so tight on me I can’t fit a bra on underneath. It hugs every curve and makes my breasts somehow look bigger, and at first, I’m not sure it’s decent. . . then Markov’s reaction when he sees me is absolutely worth it.

“Where the fuck did you get that?” he says with a growl as he prowls my way.

“Oh, this little thing?” I ask, tossing my hair. It sticks to my lip gloss, and I nearly stumble on my heel. This is why I’ll never be a model.

“Vera,” he says warningly. “Where the fuck did you get that thing?”

“From Sophia!” I protest.“It’s her dress, not mine.”

“But you’re wearing it,” he says. When he reaches for me, he wraps his hand over my throat and gently pushes me against the wall. His body presses up against mine, caging me in.

“You may wear that dress, baby girl,” he whispers in my ear, his fingers tightening. My pulse spikes at the feel of his heavy hand on my naked skin, right at my pulse. “Under one condition.”

“Mmm? What’s that?” I ask in a throaty whisper, a bit afraid of what that condition might be.

With firm movements, he yanks the dress up to my belly and tears my thong right off me. It’s a thin, lacy little thing that fairly crumples in his grip. “There,” he whispers, lifting my panties to his nose. He inhales.

“Markov!” I say in a strangled gasp.

His eyes closed as he inhales the scent of my arousal.

“These are mine now.”

My cheeks burn as he pockets my panties. It feels all kinds of wrong to be going to this benefit with no bra or panties, in a dress that hugs my curves, but the possessive look in his eyes makes it worth it.

“Turn around and place your hands on that wall.”

Obediently, I do what he says. I won’t disobey him, not now. I can’t. At this point, every fiber of my being purrs at his command.

I brace myself at the clink of a belt buckle behind me. “Let’s remind who you belong to out there dressed like this.”

I close my eyes and hear him tuck the buckle in his palm right before he swings the looped leather across my ass. I hiss in a breath as the searing pain blossoms into arousal. A second lash, followed by another, has me up on my toes as he whispers, “You’ll wear these stripes when you go there. You’ll feel the marks of my belt.”

Bending down, he bites my ass cheek. I squeal, but the firm clap of his hand across my ass makes me squeeze my lips together.

“And if at any point we get separated, remember who you belong to, wife.”

“Mmm,” I agree. “And if at any point we get separated, you take those panties out and remember who you belong to.”

I grin at the deep sound of his pleased chuckle when his phone beeps.

“Our ride is here.”

We’re quiet on the ride over. I’m sitting right up close to him, still hot as hell after his display.

I hope we can handle this like we handled dinner. Arrive, do our duty, take off. No harm done.

“Ugh,” I say, shaking my head when the car comes to a stop. “We’re jumping straight into the fire.”

My father stands at the entrance while other couples enter, dressed impeccably and surrounded by his guards.

Markov’s heavy hand rests at the small of my back. “You’ll do fine, baby.” He kisses my cheek. I squeeze his hand and take a deep breath.

I am not letting this man go.

No matter what.

---