Page 21 of Arranged to Marry the Bratva

“Hear, hear,” says Artyom, raising a glass in a toast. “Anoushka, welcome to the family. I’m quite certain it’s going to be the ride of a lifetime!”

“Yeah, considering you’re marrying our brother,” Natalia giggles.

“And we accept no refunds,” Fedor raises his hands with a chuckle. At this, I am surprised. While Dima barely acknowledges her, and Sofia still has a pained expression in her heart, it is clear that Anoushka has won Fedor over or is on the brink of it.

Anoushka smiles warmly at Artyom and Natalia, raising her glass in return. “Thank you for the warm welcome,” she says graciously, her eyes flickering to meet mine briefly with a hint of relief before returning to the group. “But since you do say no refunds, do you think he has any value in the resale market? I do believe my husband is hot enough to attract a few women.”

I almost choke on the sip of wine and need to cough to clear my throat. Did she just call me hot in front of my whole family? What the hell is she playing at?

Anoushka’s comment sends a ripple of laughter around the table, breaking the tension that had been building up. Even Sofia can’t help but crack a small smile at the unexpected humor. I look over at Anoushka, and to my surprise, she winks at me from across the table.

I raise an eyebrow at Anoushka, impressed by her ability to diffuse the situation with humor. “I’m glad to know I have some value,” I quip, playing along. “And that you think I’m hot.”

While the rest move on to other topics of conversation, I watch Anoushka blush. Did I manage to make her feel… shy? Suddenly, all the pent-up anger I have toward my sisters mingled with the fact that Anoushka borderline flirted with me right in front of them, makes me restless.

For her.

While she gracefully holds her own under my siblings’ scrutiny, I can’t help but be transfixed upon her during the remainder of the night. The way she fidgets with the hem of her dress as she steals glances in my direction, how she laughs when Artyom cracks a joke, how she looks toward me for reassurance when there’s a threat of conversation turning sour.

And the whole time, all I keep thinking is that this woman, this incredible, beautiful, vivacious woman, is my wife. And how I wish I could whisk her upstairs, strip off those clothes, and show her just what her husband’s capable of offering.

***

After dinner, Anoushka and I show my siblings to the door. Dima and Sofia just nod their goodbyes while Fedor, Artyom, and Natalia end up giving her warm hugs. Once I shut the door, Anoushka lingers near me.

Something changed between us tonight, and I think she feels it, too. Tonight, we were a team.

I decide to break the silence that hangs between us. "You did well tonight," I start, my voice softer than before. "Dealing with my siblings is no easy task."

Anoushka looks up at me, surprise flickering in those expressive eyes. "Thank you, Nikolai," she replies, her words genuine. "Your family is… a lot to handle."

A small smile tugs at the corner of my lips as I take a step closer to her. "They mean well, in their own way. Just a bit overprotective."

Her gaze meets mine, and I see a glimmer of understanding in those depths. "I can see that," she muses softly. "They just want what's best for you."

Maybe it’s the wine or the ever-present need to protect her that’s consumed me tonight, but I want nothing more than to close the gap between us. I take another step forward and reach out, one finger trailing on her arm. She looks up at me with bated breath, her chest heaving so fast that there’s no denying she wants me just as much as I do. “Anoushka, I—”

But then, she shakes her head ever so slightly and takes a step back. “I better go help the staff clean up,” she mumbles before scurrying off, leaving me longing to see her in my bed.

***

Later, needing some solitude to calm the anger I have toward my siblings over their ambush and the goddamn thoughts of just all the things I want to do to Anoushka, I find myself in my room, trying to calm my thoughts.

A soft knock on the door jolts me from my thoughts, and I wonder who could be interrupting my much-needed solitude. Taking a deep breath, I open the door to find Anoushka standing there. And not just standing there, but standing there in the shortest baby doll nightgown, covered under a lacy see-through robe. She must have put it on, thinking it’ll give her some cover, but I can see the traces of her nipples through the silk peeking through, and the blood rushes to my cock.

What is she doing here dressed like that?

A surge of desire pools through me, and I wonder if she’s here wanting what I want.

Her. Me?

"Anoushka… " I manage to say at last, my voice gravelly. My eyes trail down her figure to her thighs, and she tugs at her hem, pulling her gown tighter around her.

Oh. So not what I was thinking. I force myself to look back up at her face.

"May I speak with you for a moment?" she asks hesitantly, glancing down the hallway to ensure no one is listening.

"Of course," I reply, stepping aside to let her in. But she doesn't move, preferring to keep our conversation at the doorway.

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