Page 35 of The Councilor

“Make no mistake, my sweet girl. Do you not think some of the men Vadim had chosen would be less forgiving than I will be?”

I had no answer for that.

“Now, neither Vadim nor I would have allowed a brutal choice. Still, I think you’ll find yourself happiest with me. As long as you behave.”

His scent was gloriously intoxicating. I allowed myself a few seconds of basking in his beauty before pushing him away completely. “Just stay away from me. How about that?”

I managed to sidestep him but not for long. He yanked me back once again, only this time cupping my jaw with his other hand.

“Not so fast,” he growled. “One last thing. I will offer you leeway tonight since this is all new to you, but keep in mind. Even prior to our wedding day, you will learn to obey me in all aspects, including in the bedroom.”

As he dropped his head quickly, I didn’t have time to think. The way he captured my mouth was incredible, so much so I couldn’t breathe at first.

The attraction was real.

And it was damning.

I made another promise to myself that I wouldn’t fall for the man in any way. No matter what he did or how he punished me.

Fuck him.

Even if the kiss was…

Amazing.

CHAPTER 11

Aleksander

Passion.

I’d experienced it before. I’d enjoyed doing nothing more than tasting a beautiful woman, but the kiss with Raphaella was different. Was it because of our impending marriage? I doubted it. I’d made a decision to enter into an arrangement, a business contract. This was entirely different.

The desire for her was real, raw.

And forbidden.

It wasn’t just about what had occurred the morning she’d become a new employee either. I could swear I was able to feel the tingling sensation in my hands from doling out the punishment what seemed like a lifetime before.

Looking at her was difficult enough, the woman’s beguiling smile meant for seduction. I was angry with myself for fallingprey to the entire situation, mostly because I’d been certain I could keep my distance.

At least for a little while.

Failing wasn’t like me, but the previous ache was back, beating against me. Kissing her at this point was risky, mostly because of what her reaction would be.

Just the taste of her alone was enough to tip the scales, the hunger telling me in no uncertain terms I wouldn’t be able to hold off feasting on her until the wedding. She was mine and I planned on taking full advantage of the electricity shared between us.

Raphaella was undulating in my hold, her wiggles forcing my cock into throbbing full attention. At first, she was hesitant, pushing her palms against me, but very slowly she began to open up like a flower, sliding her arms over my shoulders.

It was as if we were made to be together, the way our bodies molded unlike anything I ever believed possible. I knew the girl was going to be a handful. I was aware she’d push my buttons every chance she had.

A part of me was eager to see what she was capable of. However, she would need to learn that if the limited rules I’d provided weren’t followed, her life could be placed in danger. Maybe I wasn’t explaining strongly enough that soon she would be labeled a weakness, something that brought out every roach of an enemy to try to collect crumbs.

Or worse.

I’d learned through what had occurred with Vadim after accepting Caroline into his life that our enemies were waiting in the shadows for any chance.

But right now, I couldn’t care less. She was mine. The possessive thought wasn’t out of the realm of the man I’d become. I was controlling, requiring a certain level of submission, but she would need to be handled differently or our alliance would continue being strained.

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