Page 38 of The Bratva's Plus-Size Bride

Jaw slack, there was no stopping those moans by then as static moved through my vision, and I could only focus on the unfettered pleasure he had to offer. Again and again, the rough bucking of his hips pushed me closer to the edge, finally giving me what I wanted all along.

My fingers dug into his back while I clung to him through every brutal, yet gratifying movement. In response, Ben groaned against my lips and focused on his thrusts while he kept his tight hold on me.

The angle gave him an advantage as I mewled beneath him, so overwhelmed by the rush of pleasure, yet needing more of it. Those addictive sensations moved through me like a slow drip, building my tolerance until I couldn’t help but crave more, until I was left to babble my pleas and encouragement.

The longer he hit that plush, sensitive spot inside me, the more tense my body became, and darkness framed my vision as I felt myself slipping.

“That’s it,” Ben mumbled against my lips along with a breathless groan. “Let go for me, sweetheart. Give in to it…”

With his encouragement, there was no holding back.

Eyes squeezed shut as I buried my head in the pillows, I relied on his grip on my hips to keep me grounded as I came undone, clenching around him the moment that pure ecstasy crashed over me. The coil snapped, and the rush of euphoria tingled through my whole system.

Grunting into my neck, Ben’s thrusts faltered before another groan tore through his throat, and he stilled against me. The force of his orgasm made him tremble as he released, propped up by his next to my head.

As we both tried to slow our racing hearts, Ben hovered his lips above mine for a moment, eyes heavily lidded as he gazed down at me.

Breathlessly, he reconnected our lips in a slow, drawn-out kiss that continued to make my mind spin as he gently raked his fingers through my hair.

Through the aftershocks of my high, the sensation made my skin tingle as I gladly soaked it up, smiling hazily into the kiss.

At that moment, it almost seemed like our rocky beginning never happened—as if we had only ever experienced this kind of ethereal affection with one another. Even though it wasn’t true, it was nice to sit with the idea.

Regardless, I couldn’t ignore how different everything felt between us, and I let that reminder make my heart feel lighter than it had before.

Chapter 20 - Benedikt

The more I committed myself to being a better man and husband for Gemma, the easier everything else seemed to feel. The more I was beginning to see just how important she was to me.

I wasn’t one to attach myself to anyone. Despite wishing I could have someone to lean on for the longest time, I didn’t allow myself those connections. Whether I'd known it or not, I was holding out hope for someone so magnetizing and all-encompassing that I wouldn’t have to doubt for a minute if they were right for me.

Yet, with Gemma, I could feel myself getting attached. Establishing a codependence that was both thrilling and terrifying. While I always had ideals and thoughts about the future, I never knew if I would ever find that person, so I didn’t get my hopes up. That thought process had changed entirely, and for the first time, I was looking forward to what was ahead.

Having Gemma by my side felt like opening up a world of possibilities. As if every experience was new, and I had the chance to see everything through a different lens.

With her, I could think clearly. Things made more sense, and I wasn’t wasting time looking in all the wrong places. I didn’t feel like I needed to look anymore, and that was a bigger relief than I once would’ve thought.

With everyone being on high alert due to the Ivanov situation, our warehouses and businesses were under tighter, more stringent observation. We had more men on watch, groups out on the streets to trail them and their associates, and we were being more careful about our alliances—keeping a close eye on anyone who might try to pull a fast one on us in tandem with the twins.

Overall, work had become more stressful than usual, but having Gemma to look forward to at the end of the day made it all less aggravating. She had become my escape, and I was becoming more and more grateful for it.

Despite our increased defenses and determination to keep the twins under control, they had been suspiciously quiet as of late. Though they'd threatened Gemma, we didn’t hear much beyond that.

Not knowing what they might do next or the direction they planned to take things put us all on edge.

Strolling through the warehouse as I did a general inspection of our inventory, making sure everything was accounted for, my ringtone interrupted my thoughts.

Worried and somewhat thrilled that it might be Gemma, I fished my cell out of my back pocket and checked the ID. Seeing it wasn’t my wife brought me the slightest pang of disappointment and relief, but at the realization that it was Lukyan, I knew that usually didn’t mean something good.

Accepting the call, I was immediately connected with him and murmured, “What’s going on, Luk?”

“The trade happening this afternoon on the east end has been intercepted,” he said firmly, his tone grave and concerned. He was quick about it, cutting right to the chase.

My brows furrowed, and I immediately halted on the spot.

The reminder of the trade felt like a cold chill against my neck. Ari was held up with other matters for the day, so he left me to take care of it. He told me to go personally to make sure everything looked alright, but I decided at the last minute to stay back, figuring the guys I entrusted with the task could take care of it.

Knowing that immediately put me in a bad situation, I blew out a frustrated breath.

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