Page 16 of Unbreakable Vow

I gather my pride and march from the room.

“What are you doing in here?”A growly voice wakes me only moments after I’ve finally fallen asleep.

Sergei’s fierce scowl is pointed down at me when I open my eyes. He’s turned on the small lamp on the side table beside the bed, casting his sinister glare in a shadow.

“Sleeping,” I say, grabbing for the blanket at the same time he does. We yank at it in a warped game of tug of war, which I lose easily since he’s a mammoth of muscle and it’s been over a year since I’ve seen the inside of a gym.

“Why are you doing it in here?” He drags the blanket down to my feet, following it with his gaze over me. I grapple for the hem of my nightshirt and tug it down, but I grabbed the short one when I changed for bed. It only goes down to mid-thigh. And that’s where his eyes settle. On my thighs.

“Because.” I sit up, reaching for the blankets but he grabs hold of my wrist.

“I told you; you’re staying in my room.”

“I know, but I decided that wouldn’t be right. Mrs. Yugov said I could use this room.” I wrench my wrist free of his grasp and fold my legs beneath me.

“Why wouldn’t it be right to do what I told you to do?” He stands up to his full height, folding his arms over his chest. It’s now that I realize he’s not wearing a shirt. He’s standing in a pair of low-hugging pajama pants.

My mind blanks.

No wonder I nearly broke my nose walking into him earlier. He’s nothing but muscle. And tattoos. They cover his chest, and his arms all the way down to his wrists.

“Cora. I asked you a question,” he says when I remain lost in the beauty that is him.

“What?” I blink then move my gaze up to his face. He’s still scowling.

“Why would doing what you were told be wrong?” he asks again, feigning patience. To be honest, he looks like it’s hurting him not to just grab me and put me where he wants me. But why would he want me in his room?

“Because. We’ve known each other for a full twelve hours. It wouldn’t be right.”

“Did you agree to marry me?” he presses.

“Well, yes, but that’s different. It’s a business arrangement like we said and it’s not right for me to sleep in the same room with my… boss.” I toss his word back at him. The sleep fog clears from my mind and I’m ready to battle wills again.

His left eye twitches slightly.

“I don’t want you in here.” His tone suggests that’s the end of the topic. He turns and gestures toward the door. “Let’s go.”

I laugh. He can’t think it’s that simple.

“No.”

“What?” He cocks his head, like he’s uncertain he heard me, but the dark cloud that drifts into his gaze tells me his hearing was sound.

“I said no. I’m fine right here.” I glance at the clock on the side table. “It’s two in the morning. I’m going back to sleep.” I grab hold of the blankets, fling myself back on the absurdly soft pillows, and pull the covers up to my chin.

I close my eyes.

“All right,” he grumbles and I’m sure I’ve won.

But then the blankets go flying again, and his arms dive beneath me and I’m lifted off the bed.

“Sergei!” I yell as I’m tossed over his shoulder. My stomach rolls for a second, but then we’re moving, and I’m too concerned with where he’s taking me to worry about my discomfort.

“I said you sleep in my room, so that’s where you sleep.” He enunciates his statement with a hard slap to my ass, which is only covered by my panties since my nightgown has scrunched up at my waist.

He carries me out into the hall. No amount of wiggling is getting me loose from his grip. I’m carried easily like a sack of potting soil to his room.

The door shakes the wall when it slams shut behind us.

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