Page 14 of Accidental Bratva Daddy

"Natalia," I say, injecting as much warmth into my voice as I can muster, "from the moment I saw you, I knew my life would never be the same. You've brought light into my world, joy into my heart. I promise to cherish and protect you, to stand by your side through whatever life may bring."

Something flickers in Natalia's eyes—surprise, maybe, at the sincerity in my tone. Because despite the falseness of this ceremony, despite the circumstances that brought us here, I find that I mean every word. The realization is unsettling, to say the least.

Natalia clears her throat, a faint blush coloring her cheeks as she begins her own vows. "Luka," she says, her voice steady despite the tension I can see in the set of her jaw, "you've shown me a world I never knew existed. Your strength, your passion—they inspire me every day. I promise to be your partner in all things, to face whatever challenges come our way together."

As I slide the ring onto her finger—a flawless diamond that cost more than most people make in a year—I lean in close. "You're going to have to sell this act to your family," I whisper, my lips barely moving.

Natalia's eyes flash with annoyance. "They wouldn’t even buy the ring, much less my willingness to marry you," she mutters back, her smile never faltering.

"Do it anyway," I reply, an edge of warning in my tone. We both know what's at stake here. If her family doesn't believe our whirlwind romance, if anyone starts asking too many questions, the whole house of cards could come tumbling down.

I'm posing as an investor she met at her fashion show. According to our carefully crafted story, we fell madly in love and decided to elope. It's a tale as old as time, the passionate designer and the wealthy businessman, swept away by a whirlwind romance. The wedding is meant to make our story airtight, and I'm not taking any chances.

The officiant pronounces us husband and wife, and I pull Natalia in for a kiss. It's meant to be chaste, a performance for our audience. But the moment our lips meet, something electric passes between us. Natalia stiffens for a moment before melting into me, her lips softening under mine. I pull her closer, one hand at the small of her back, the other tangling in her carefully styled hair.

For a heartbeat, I forget about the charade, about the danger lurking just beyond these flower-bedecked walls. There's only Natalia, the feel of her in my arms, the taste of her on my lips. It's intoxicating, this connection between us. Even knowing it's built on lies and desperation, I can't deny the pull she has on me.

All too soon, it's over. We break apart, both a little breathless, and turn to face our "guests." They erupt in applause, showering us with rose petals as we make our way back down the aisle. The scent of crushed petals rises around us, mingling with Natalia's perfume, something floral and delicate that stands in stark contrast to the fire in her eyes.

As we exit the venue, I catch Natalia watching me out of the corner of her eye. There's confusion there, and something else, a heat that matches the fire still burning in my veins from that kiss. It's a dangerous combination, this mix of attraction and animosity between us. But then again, I've never been one to shy away from danger.

"Well done," I say as we climb into the waiting limousine. "You almost had me convinced."

Natalia's eyes narrow, but there's a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "I could say the same to you," she retorts. "Those vows were... surprisingly believable."

I lean back in my seat, studying her. Even with the irritation still evident in the set of her shoulders, she's stunning. The wedding dress hugs her curves in all the right places, the delicate lace a tantalizing contrast to the smooth expanse of her skin. I find myself wanting to trace the patterns with my fingers, to peel away the layers of fabric and rediscover every inch of her.

"Who says I was acting?" I ask, letting a hint of challenge creep into my voice.

Natalia's eyes widen slightly, caught off guard by my words. For a moment, I think she might actually believe me. But then her walls come back up, her expression closing off.

"Right," she says, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Because this is all so real. The hired guests, the staged ceremony… It's a real fairytale romance."

I can't help but chuckle at her biting tone. "Come now, wife," I say, emphasizing the word. "Where's your sense of adventure? We've just embarked on a grand performance. The wedding was merely Act One."

Natalia rolls her eyes, but I catch the hint of a smile she tries to hide. "And what's Act Two?" she asks, unable to completely mask her curiosity.

I lean in closer, close enough to catch the faint scent of her perfume. "That's where things get interesting," I murmur. "We have a reputation to uphold now, after all. Can't have anyone questioning the validity of our union."

A shiver runs through Natalia, whether from my proximity or my words, I'm not sure. "What exactly are you suggesting?" she asks, her voice low and slightly husky.

I reach out, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. My fingers linger on her cheek, tracing the soft curve of her jaw. "I'm suggesting, my dear, that we give the performance of a lifetime. Starting with a very public, very romantic honeymoon."

Natalia's breath catches, her pupils dilating slightly. I can practically see the wheels turning in her head as she processes the implications of my words. When she speaks, her voice is barely above a whisper. "And how far are you expecting this performance to go?"

The heat in her gaze, the slight tremor in her voice—they send a jolt of desire straight through me. I lean in even closer, my lipsbrushing the shell of her ear as I speak. "As far as you're willing to take it, Natalia. After all, we are newlyweds."

She pulls back slightly, her eyes searching mine. I can see the conflict there, the lingering anger and resentment warring with the undeniable attraction between us. "This doesn't change anything," she says finally, her voice firm despite the slight quiver in her lower lip. "I still hate you for what you've done."

I nod, not bothering to deny it. "I know," I say simply. "But hate and desire aren't mutually exclusive, are they?"

Natalia's sharp intake of breath is all the answer I need. I settle back in my seat, a smirk tugging up the corners of my mouth. "Get some rest, wife," I say, my tone light but with an undercurrent of heat. "You're going to need it for our honeymoon."

As the limousine winds its way through the streets of Moscow, I can't help but feel a thrill of anticipation. Natalia Orlova may have agreed to this marriage out of desperation, but I intend to make her mine in every way possible. The passion between us is undeniable, a living, breathing thing that threatens to consume us both. And I'm more than ready to fan those flames.

I steal another glance at Natalia, admiring the way the fading sunlight plays across her features. She's still tense, still wary, but there's a softness to her expression that wasn't there before. It's a start.

By the time our "honeymoon" is over, I have a feeling she'll be just as invested in this union as I am. The game has only just begun, and I intend to win. Not just her body. I've had that already. No, I want it all. Her trust, her loyalty, her heart. And Luka Volkov always gets what he wants.

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