Page 44 of The Pakhan

And without saying another word, he left his own bedroom, perhaps in search of solace.

Or some possible concept of redemption.

CHAPTER 12

Vadim

I’d tasted something that didn’t belong to me or at least shouldn’t.

Forbidden.

Fuck.

A fool. That’s what I was.

But damn it, the scent of Caroline’s perfume lingered on my skin, my cock still aching from being inside of her.

And I wanted more.

To ravage her and indulge in every morsel as if I really did possess her.

As I rubbed my face, I headed to the bar, furious with myself but more elated than I’d been in one hell of a long time. She was the reason.

Her young, lithe body and willingness to yield to my every sadistic need.

I’d established a long time before that I wasn’t a good man, but taking advantage of a girl had never been something I’d fallen so low as to do. Yes, Caroline had enjoyed our passion as much as I had, but I was a fool to think I was doing anything other than playing with fire.

Eventually, one or both of us would get burned.

I’d barely gotten dressed before leaving the room. Not as a coward but as a man determined not to fall prey to caring about anyone. That was the single promise I’d made to myself that I intended on keeping.

I made a drink, taking long strides to the window in my office. I took comfort in being inside this room, more so than any other in the house. It’s the one I’d come to after the recent attack upon returning home, even sleeping on the couch instead of heading to my bedroom.

Now she was inside my sacred space.

No other woman had ever been taken there, not a single woman I’d brought to the house and over the years, there had only been a handful. I hadn’t wanted my daughters to think I’d forgotten about their mother. Nothing was further from the truth.

Drink in hand, I stood watching the storm as it started to move further away, sipping absently while I thought about the events of the last few days.

Lightning flashes still crisscrossed the sky, but the rumbles of thunder had decreased significantly. I stood with one hand on the glass, half laughing inwardly at the fact I hadn’t bothered to tuck my shirt in. There was no need to at this time of night.

I’d kept the light off, which honestly suited my mood.

I had no idea how much time had passed but the drink in my hand was low, barely any ice clicking in the glass.

At that moment I felt a presence and stiffened. I’d already decided that my impetuous behavior couldn’t continue but damn it, I wanted the woman more and more with every passing second. I cocked my head, unable to see her from where I was standing but there was no denying she was there.

“You should get some rest, Caroline. Tomorrow night we have an event to attend, and you’ll need all the sleep you can get.”

“I couldn’t sleep,” she said softly. I sensed she was moving closer, denying my command.

She was more than just feisty. She was one unruly woman who needed to be tamed.

The thought alone had my shaft throbbing. No woman had ever affected me to this degree.

As she came closer, I heard a slight rustle. Only when her reflection appeared in the shimmer of the outside pool lights did I realize she’d donned a robe. I hadn’t noticed anything she’d purchased on her shopping adventure, concentrating on whether or not she’d been injured. But now, as my mouth watered, it took all the control I had not to turn around.

I’d be damned if the girl didn’t take the drink from my hand, draining the last of it as she flanked my side. “Whiskey. My favorite.”

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