Page 37 of Marko

She giggled.

“You too, babe!” she said before kissing him on the cheek. As he nodded his approval, his lips twitching as he fought to keep a straight face.

“So, we are all book boyfriend material,” Ash said as all three of the men looked smugly at Marko, “the question is, are you?” he asked, chuckling.

“I’m pretty sure Marko can wipe the floor with the lot of you, if he wants.”

The room filled with oohs and ahhs ay my statement and I couldn’t help giggling at the smug look on Marko’s face and the looks of mock offence on the others.

If anyone had told me just a few days ago, I would be sitting here joking around with members of the Russian mafia about them being better than book boyfriends, of all things, or how quickly I would find myself at ease with them, I would never have believed them.

“Sounds like a challenge, Marko,” Sonia said tauntingly.

“I like a challenge,” he replied, winking with a grin filled with wicked promise.

Oh, my! My heart fluttered and butterflies did a happy dance in my stomach.

“But are you up to it?” Miki asked, smirking.

Grinning, I leaned over and whispered as seductively as I could manage into Marko’s ear, “Well, are you?”

“Oh yes, Little Miss Pouty Lips. Challenge accepted!” he stated loudly.

My cheeks flushed with heat and a rush of wetness dampened my knickers as the room filled with whoops and cheers and I wondered just what I’d got myself into.

CHAPTER 20

MARKO

SUNDAY NIGHT – BOOK BOYFRIEND CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

“Challenge accepted,” I said as whoops and cheers filled the room.

“Well, I’d better get started,” I said, grinning wickedly as I hurried Melissa out of the room. The good natured taunts of my family rang in our ears all the way down the hall.

My family liked to rib me about being a nerd, but of course what they forgot about nerds is that we were well read and knowledgeable. I might be the youngest of my brothers and probably a little less experienced, but I knew my way around a woman’s body and not from theory alone.

Although I had to admit, I had a sneaky peek or two at some books my sister and the other women read. Just for research purposes, of course. I loved my research, after all, and it paid to be thorough. So, I was more than aware of book boyfriends and their behaviour.

“Slow down, Romeo,” Melissa giggled as I practically ran her upstairs.

“Oh no, honey. You issued me with a challenge, and I accepted. Besides, I never back down from a challenge. By the time I’m finished with you, you’ll not only believe I’m the best book boyfriend you could dream up in the flesh, but you will be more than happy for everyone to know you’re my woman,” I purred.

Proving I could be better than any fictional male was going to be a piece of cake. I would have Melissa eating out of my hand and begging to be mine by morning so that nobody, not even her, would doubt that she was mine. Things were moving fast, but I was happy with that and I was going to do whatever it took to convince her we were right together.

Anyway, it wasn’t as if we had met under normal circumstances and could date in the usual manner. Instead, we were forced into close proximity to ensure her safety, so I might as well take advantage of that. Full advantage!

The minute I opened the door to my rooms, I pulled her round and crowded her, one hand leaning on the doorframe above her head, the other gently stroking her cheek, as I leaned forward and kissed her just long enough for her to clock the position. Book boyfriend position one, I mentally ticked off from the list in my head.

Next, I closed the door, pushing her up against it, my hand lightly holding her throat as I kissed her thoroughly. Book boyfriend position two – check.

Melissa moaned into my mouth, and I couldn’t contain the smug grin as I pulled back.

My Little Miss Pouty Lips had got the memo. She knew exactly what I was doing and giggled as I lifted her up and carried her into the bathroom, placing her onto the vanity top. Positioning her legs on either side of my hips, I grabbed her bum with one hand and the back of her head with another, grinding my erection into her core as I gave her another long, slow, lingering kiss. Book boyfriend position three!

Yeah, I was pretty sure I was nailing this book boyfriend thing.

Finally, I pulled away, panting hard, and stared into her eyes, happy to see the half-glazed look of lust which I knew mirrored my own.

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