Page 126 of Ruthless Reign

A slow satisfied smile grows on my face. Will I ever get enough of this man?

“Unexpectedly, I did. It was … amazing.”

His lips still glistening, Roman settles beside me and leans on his elbows, watching me intently. “Good morning, milaya,” he whispers and drops a sensual kiss on my lips.

I can taste myself, and it sets my blood on fire. “Good morning to you too,” I pant.

He leans in and sweeps the hair away from my face while I cup his cock beneath the sheets.

“Should we make it a really good morning?” I ask with a hopeful grin.

He groans but shifts away from my touch. “As much as I’d love that, Kira and Maxim will be here soon. Wild horses couldn’t keep Kira away from you, and I’m not about to try.”

“Probably better if you don’t,” I admit with a smile.

Since our return from Greece two days ago, we've been staying in Roman's penthouse. I've been laid up under strict orders from the doctor to rest, nursing a fractured toe. Thankfully, aside from that and some mild dehydration, Sofiya and I escaped without serious injuries, though we're both exhausted—mentally and physically.

But it's the mental scars that cut the deepest, especially for Sofiya. Her world has been turned upside down—she's gone from a high school senior to finding out her former brother-in-law is a maniac and learning her parents were ready to trade her to a lunatic for their gain. And on top of everything, she’s married to Nikolai.

Roman’s lawyer is looking into whether the marriage is legally binding or not. I was furious with Nikolai at first, but when Roman explained it to me, I understood Nikolai’s reasons for what he did, even if I’m not thrilled about it.

I run my fingers over Roman’s faint stubble and my heart skips a beat, as it always does under his intense gaze.

His expression shifts to a sad smile. "I never apologized to you," he says softly.

“Apologized?” My eyebrows hit my hairline. “For what?”

His finger traces my cheek. “I promised you and Sofiya would be safe in my home, but in the end, you weren't. It's my fault you suffered, that you were assaulted and nearly forced by that monster.”

I shake my head fiercely. “How can you blame yourself? The only one at fault here is Anatoly. Well, Sergey deserves some of the blame as well,” I add, trying to break the tension.

Roman's gaze remains dark. “I’ll never forgive myself.”

I rest my forehead against his. “It's going to be a long life if you can't forgive yourself, Roman. Your job will always be dangerous, and I can accept that if it means I get to be yours. Forever. But can you accept it?”

He looks away, pain etched in the lines of his face. “Maybe it's time I made some hard decisions. Decisions like leaving the syndicate.”

My eyebrows knit as I softly cradle his face in my hand. “Is that what you really want?”

His hesitation is palpable. “I’ll be happy with you, no matter what.”

I trace a finger down his arm, feeling the muscle tense under my touch. “You're not ready to retire; I'm sure of it. But there's a way for you to have it all. You can have me and the syndicate. It'll just take some adjustments on our end. But don't give up—consider this a lesson. I want this life beside you, whatever it entails.”

He lowers his head as if weighing my words. After a moment, he looks up with a bright smile. “In that case ... I have something to ask you.”

My nerves buzz with excitement as he opens the nightstand drawer and pulls out what is unmistakably a jewelry box. I hoped this day would come, but I hadn't expected it to be this soon.

“Open it,” he rasps. “I know Maxim and Kira are on the way over, but fuck it, I can’t wait.”

My hands tremble as I sit up higher in bed to take the little black velvet box from him. My breath catches, and emotion stings my eyelids as I open the box to see a stunning pink sapphire ring. The stone is cut in a brilliant oval, set in a delicate rose gold band encrusted with tiny, sparkling diamonds. It’s perfect.

“I thought it would look beautiful on you." Roman’s eyes search mine. “So… is that a yes? Will you marry me?”

“Yes. A thousand times yes. Nothing would make me happier." I kiss him fervently, like I’ll never get enough. Tears fill my eyes as he slips the ring onto my finger.

“Did I do good?” he murmurs.

“You did more than good.” I swipe a tear from under my cheek. “I couldn't have chosen better myself.”

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