Page 79 of Ruthless Reign

Despite everything, a small pang of something bubbles in my chest. “I just wish it wasn’t a one-time thing,” I say into the dark.

Roman exhales loudly but stays quiet.

Is he disappointed? Maybe there’s just nothing else to say.

He runs a hand down the side of my body. “It doesn’t have to be a one-time thing.”

I roll over to face him. “How can you say that? We both have too much at stake to risk”—I struggle for the right word—“everything.”

He stares at the ceiling, his expression not giving anything away. “Life has a way of throwing curve balls. Especially in the world I live in, where nothing is as it seems.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

He considers me for a second. Whatever is going on in that intense brain of his is a mystery to me.

Just when I think he’s not going to answer, he releases a sigh. “Let's not waste the time we have together talking about this.” He rolls over on top of me, his delicious weight pressing me down.

I allow myself to melt into the mattress.

“If we only have tonight,” he says against my neck, “I want to make the most of it.”

My eyes grow wide. “I didn’t know it was possible to get hard so quickly after.”

He snickers. “I won’t fuck you again tonight, however tempting that is. I have other plans for you.”

“Oh?”

My confusion melts away when he throws the covers off, crawls down my body, and settles between my spread thighs. Then his talented tongue gets to work.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

LIZA

I wake to sunshine filtering into the room and the smell of Roman all around me. A smile forms on my lips as I turn to reach for him, but he's not there—just an empty spot, cool to the touch.

Oh. I had hoped we’d have one final morning together.

I push aside the sinking feeling as memories from yesterday come flooding back: Roman kissing me, on top of me, inside of me, and all the dirty things he said and did.

The bite between my legs confirms last night wasn’t a fever dream; it was as real as it gets, and I don’t regret any of it. How could I, when he made me feel alive as if only just discovering desire.

My first time with Roman is etched in my soul—a memory I’ll cherish forever. But now, it’s time to face the music.

Last night, I sent a quick text to my parents, letting them know there was an incident and I was spending the night somewhere safe. I turned off my phone before they could reply.

Anatoly must know by now, and I’m sure he's upset that I didn’t call him myself. As much as I'd like to put off that conversation forever, I can’t. But my story needs to be airtight, and for that, I need to speak with Roman to make sure we are on the same page.

The thought of powering up my phone and sifting through all messages already has me stressed. Coffee first, then I can tackle the rest.

I stretch my arms overhead and hop out of bed, fully naked. Putting on last night’s dress is unappealing, so I rummage around in Roman’s closet for something to wear. In the first drawer I open, I find a simple white T-shirt. I slip it over my head, breathing in his clean, masculine scent.

We’re less than a week away from the wedding.

Before leaving for the opera last night, I checked my account balance. I’ve done well, but I’m still a hundred thousand dollars short, which means I can’t afford any more distractions.

I haven’t allowed myself to dwell on what will happen if I can’t come up with enough money to pay back our debts before the wedding. I could use the money I’ve made so far to take Sofiya and leave Moscow. Run away to New York or Paris, or somewhere no one knows us. But that means living in hiding for the rest of my life since I have no doubt Anatoly would pursue us to the ends of the earth. Not because he loves me, but because he wouldn’t be able to handle the blow to his giant ego.

And my sister… Would she hate me for ripping her from the life she loves? Would she believe me that Anatoly is a monster, even though I’ve hidden that side of him from her?

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