Page 17 of Devil's Bride

My jaw drops as I catch a glimpse of expensive wristwatches and cufflinks on a display in a glass-covered drawer. I can tell from just looking at them they’re made of real gold and silver. Given how many they are, I could afford at least three mansions and the latest Porsche if I sold them. Not that I would, I have enough money to last me a lifetime, but still, the thought amuses me. Alexei has to be fucking rich if he can afford all of this. Not even my father has this many accessories.

I grab one of his dress shirts and throw it on, then return to the bedroom and stand in front of the glass wall. I have a perfect view of the city from up here and can see the stars glistening in the pitch-black sky. I wonder what my life will be like now.

Another knock sounds on the door and the housekeeper enters the room after I tell her to come in. She’s holding a tray with hot chocolate and a slice of red velvet cake. She sets it beside the bed. “I hope you like it.”

“Thank you.” I pick up the mug and wrap my hands around the it. “I’m sorry. I didn’t ask your name before.”

“That’s fine. I’m Ms. Vladimir. You can call me Nina if you wish,” she says softly. She has a thick Russian accent.

“Nina. I’m Irina.”

“I know. You’re even more beautiful than I imagined,” she says. I try not to blush at the compliment. “I’ll show you around the house tomorrow, you can give instructions and I’ll see to it that all your needs are met.”

“Thank you.”

She nods once, then leaves the room. I stare at the door, feeling relieved knowing there’s someone around here I can talk to whenever I want. I’d hate to live here with just Alexei. I’d lose my mind with boredom.

I finish eating my cake and climb under the blanket. I don’t get a chance to face the wall when the door creaks open and Alexei walks inside. He peers at me for a moment and I wonder if he can see me in the dimly lit room. He probably can.

He looks away and starts to pull off his clothes, letting his shirt fall to the floor, and then his pants. An inked weeping angel takes up most of his wide back. I’m Catholic, and I’m not supposed to find it attractive, but I do.

Alexei is all strength. His abs are ribbed with muscles and his shoulders are broad. His body is tanned and sexy, too sexy for his own good. It’s hard to look away, hard not to gape at his gorgeous body.

I’m trying to get a good look at his dick when he turns the other way and saunters to the bathroom. I clutch the blanket at the sound of the running water, begging my body not to make me do something stupid.

I’m having a hard time breathing as I wonder what he’ll do when he climbs in next to me. If he touches me, I’ll definitely lose control and allow him to do whatever he wants with my body. I’m struggling to distract myself as it is.

God help me.

The water stops running and there’s a moment of heart throbbing silence before he re-enters the room with a white towel wrapped around his waist. I expect him to put on briefs at least, but he rubs his hair with a second towel I hadn’t noticed in his hand. Before my lust-fogged brain even notices, he slides into the bed next to me. Butt Naked.

I shut my eyes, gripping the blanket extra tight and try to think of something, anything to distract me. But my thoughts keep going back to that tattoo on his back and how I want to feel the muscles on him.

“Are you going to keep pretending you’re sleeping?” he asks quietly. “Because I know you’re not.”

Fuck.

“I wasn’t pretending. I’m trying to sleep.” I hope he doesn’t notice how much of a struggle it is for me to say those words. I open my eyes and twist my head to him. He’s watching me like a predator watching its food. His dark-brown eyes are so intense, filled with hunger. “Y-you’re not expecting hot, wedding night sex from me. Are you?”

He grunts, sliding his fingers through his hair. “Don’t tempt me, malyshka. Unless you want me to rip my shirt off you and… Fuck,” he groans. “I can’t fucking do this.” He sits up, rubbing his face angrily.

I sit up too. “We can…use separate rooms if that’ll make you feel better,” I croak. The suggestion is more for me than it is for him. I’m barely keeping myself under control, not when I have a burning desire to kiss him.

“That won’t happen.”

“Then what do you want?” I ask, my frustration turning to anger. “If you want to kiss me then fucking do it already.”

Alexei whips his head to me, that dark desire burning in his eyes. “Is that what you want? I won’t touch you unless you want it, Irina.”

It’s the first time he’s calling me by my name, which means he’s fucking serious. My chest heaves, and I know I should tell him no. But I whisper, “Yes, I want you.”

And the next thing I know, his lips are on mine. He kisses me more deeply and ravenously than he did after we said our vows, and I kiss him back.

My arms curl around his neck as a flame of raw, sensual desire comes to life in me. I’m moaning, desperate for more than a kiss.

The room spins around us as Alexei's hands grip my waist, pulling me closer to him. I feel the heat of his body against mine, and I can't help but let out a soft moan. He breaks the kiss, his breath ragged, and stares into my eyes.

“Are you sure, Irina?” he asks, his voice low and hoarse.

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