Page 41 of Ruthless Vows

“You can try as hard you want to fight this. I’ll enjoy watching it. But you’ll eventually break,krasavitsa. And when you do, I’ll be here to pick up all the pieces.”

“I don’t break,” she whispers icily.

“No. Then perhaps you could try bending for me,” I murmur, leaning down to inhale more of her sweet floral scent.

Her hair smells like apples. It’s borderline addictive. Everything about her is. My fingers reach under the baggy shirt she’s wearing, feeling for the skin underneath.

“We can start slow,” I say softly. “I understand you’re not a fan of my methods. You have every right to be angry with me, but I did what I had to do to get you here with me, Lucia. And now that I have you, I’m never letting you go.”

“You’re insane,” she breathes, still keeping those amber eyes fixed on mine.

The way she’s looking at me sends sparks across my skin.

“Maybe you’re the one driving me crazy,” I counter.

I’m currently rock solid beneath my pants. My skin burns hot under my clothes.

“I wasn’t lying when I said I wanted to try to make this work, Lucia. Like I said, we can start slow.”

Her lips part and I find myself drawn to them, suddenly wishing I’d had a taste of them that night. It was stupid of me to not want to kiss her. The idea of kissing has never really appealed to me, but with Lucia, I find myself wanting to test the bounds of this attraction. To know just how deeply she’s burrowed herself beneath my skin.

“Stop looking at me like that,” she cautions in a low tone.

“Like what?”

“Like you’re trying to decide if you want to devour me.”

I smile. “Devour seems accurate. But really,milaya, I’m trying to decide if I’m going to kiss you.”

Her eyes narrow. “You don’t kiss.”

“You’re right, I don’t. But if I wanted to, would you let me?”

“Try and find out,” she whispers.

That’s an invitation if I’d ever heard one. One thing I’ve come to understand is that we’re both acutely aware of this fierypassion that exists between us. She might not like me very much right now, but I know she likes the feel of my hands on her skin. And I know she still dreams of that night.

I know she wants me just as much as I want her.

Every move the woman makes is intentional. If I was more clear-headed, I’d wonder why she’s been so pliable. It all seems planned somehow. The shorts, her attitude. But I can’t think about that, not when her lips are right in front of me. Inviting as fuck.

I lean down, my hands curling around her waist, tugging her against me. Her eyes fall shut in anticipation and my heart begins to race in my chest. Sparks break out across my skin as our lips touch, liquid heat spreading through my veins.

I was an idiot for not wanting to kiss her earlier. I nip at her bottom lip and she gasps, giving me an opening to slip my tongue into her mouth. Lucia moans, her arms gripping mine as the kiss turns more punishing. She responds well to my desperation, kissing me back just as hard. And I start to consider bending her over and fucking her right here.

Fuck taking things slow.

My thoughts are interrupted when there’s the sound of a door opening.

“Ivan,” a voice interrupts. “Are you home, brother?”

Lucia pulls backward and the feeling of euphoria that had been building inside of me shatters. It takes me a second to remember my surroundings. And to place who the voice belongs to.

Once I do, my jaw tightens. Of all goddamn nights for him to come home.

“Who is that?” Lucia questions, a note of panic in her voice.

“My brother,” I reply, keeping my gaze on the doorway into the kitchen.

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