Page 65 of Arranged Bratva Virgin

“I’m almost done here, baby girl, then we can head out. I am sure you are over this place for today.”

I smile at him. How am I going to deal with this?

Do I try to find a way to tell him what I am feeling?

Would that just cause tension between us?

I imagine that if I let him know I was falling for him he might pull away from me. I bite my lower lip, starting worry about what I have gotten myself into.

When we leave the office, Reina does not come to say goodbye to Stef which is a huge relief for me; however, she does make a very big point of glaring at me from across the warehouse. I shake my head. I won’t get pulled into her games, whatever she is playing at. This is my husband, and she is just going to have to accept that.

Chapter 21 - Stefano

“What do you have planned for your birthday?” Darya asks as she slides onto my lap.

I run my hand from her hip to her thigh. “I wanted to ask you to join me on a little outing. But also, I didn’t tell you it was my birthday. How did you find out?” I ask with a chuckle, remembering that I almost missed hers.

“Brains and beauty,” she laughs. “I saw your birthday on our marriage certificate.”

“That is smart of you. And you are definitely beautiful.” Her body feels so good against mine. I pull her closer and turn her face to me.

She looks up at me with those beautiful bright blue eyes of hers and I remember a time when all I could do was long to be near her.

I press my lips into hers and kiss her slowly.

I still can’t get over how perfect she is.

“So,” she says, leaning back. “Where are we going for this little outing?”

“You know how I like to keep it a surprise when I take you out. We can get up early tomorrow morning, go for breakfast, and then you will just have to wait and see,” I grin.

She smiles back at me, and I can’t take my eyes off her luscious lips.

“I will just have to wait and see, then.”

***

On the morning of my birthday, we are sitting at a gorgeous cafe overlooking a botanical garden. Both of us push aside our finished breakfast plates and Darya picks up her coffee, holding it in her long, elegant fingers.

I want to show her that her marriage to me can be a really good one. I know she comes from an incredibly wealthy family, where she probably had everything her heart desired in the blink of an eye.

I have not been as lucky, and I have worked damn hard for what I have. My family was wealthy but nowhere close to hers.

When my parents passed away, I was left with a number of properties, and on top of that I have worked hard to buy many more.

I want to take her on a tour of my most beautiful properties to show her that I am capable of giving her the life she deserves and is used to. I want to show her the wealth in them and let her know that financially she will be taken care of in every way.

I can afford to keep a Dubrov as my wife, and I plan to make it clear to her.

“Are you ready?” I ask when she finishes her coffee.

“I am excited to find out where we are going,” she smiles with a sparkle in her eyes.

I stand up and hold my hand out towards her. “Then I won’t keep you waiting.”

***

We arrive at my first property, and she climbs out of the car with wide eyes.

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