Page 97 of The Pakhan

“You do know I was worried about you,” he whispered, his voice so husky I was drawn into the man more so than before.

“Yes, I had a feeling you would be.”

“Yet you didn’t call me.”

“I was attempting to do that when the asshole kicked my phone from my hand. I promise. Scout’s honor.”

Vadim lowered his head. “We’ll deal with your infraction later. Right now, I’m going to bask in the fact you’re safe. And I plan on keeping you that way even if it means keeping a guard in every room you’re in.”

“I won’t leave. I wanted to help.” My heart was racing as he continued to lower his head. The animal magnetism between us was incredible, so much so I couldn’t think clearly any longer. Either that or the Tylenol the doctor had given me was making me loopy. No, it was definitely the man. The beautiful, amazing man who had been my guardian angel. “How did you find me?”

“Mmm… My secret.”

I popped him in the chest. “No fair.”

“A tracking system, my sweet. And no, it wasn’t about not being able to trust you as much as it was having a way of finding you if necessary.”

“Are they going to kill me?”

“Not while I’m alive, but you are a significant thorn in their side.”

“Who are they?”

He took a deep breath. “Yet to be determined. I’m getting closer.”

The sensation roaring through me as he captured my mouth, holding our lips in place was more electrified than before. I was already swooning, enjoying the way he was holding me. Just like he’d done when removing me from the horrible death scene. So caring. So loving.

He was entirely different than I’d ever thought he could be, so tender for a man who killed people for a living.

I allowed myself to be swept into the moment of passion, needing his touch more than ever. He seemed to sense exactly what I needed, pulling me tightly against him, acting as if he would never allow me to get free of his hold. Very gently he shifted his hand to the back of my neck, squeezing more out of the need to provide comfort than to prove his utter dominance over me.

I didn’t need any proof in that department.

The kiss was sweet at first, the man allowing me to explore his mouth. But I could tell our passion was building like always. I still couldn’t fathom how we’d gotten this close so quickly.

As he shifted his hips back and forth, allowing me to understand what he was feeling and thinking, I was even more lightheaded.

He finally thrust his tongue inside, sweeping it around. I rolled one hand over his shoulder, almost immediately tugging at his shirt. The man could arouse me from my death bed. I swear he could. I was so hot, so in need that I didn’t care who might be watching or condemning. I wanted him as much he obviously did me.

While our passion began to explode, I had a sense he was trying to continue being gentle, likely fearful he would hurt me. Even with the aches and pains I was experiencing, I wanted him.

All of him.

Every inch.

Every kiss.

Every touch.

Every heated command.

And God help me, I never wanted our connection or our relationship to end.

He was already growling into the kiss, his muscles tensing and the moment I freed his shirt, sliding my hand underneath, I was certain he was going to lose all control. He slid his hand under my bottom, lifting me off my feet.

I wrapped my legs around him and as he spun me around a couple of times, even after all I’d been through, the horrible visions that would forever remain in my mind, I couldn’t help but feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

Was life a little bit crazier? No, a lotta bit, but at least I could try to shove all the ugliness behind me.

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