Page 16 of Accidental Bratva Daddy

"You'll forgive me if I have trouble trusting the word of a man who kidnapped me and killed my father," I retort, but there's less venom in my voice than I'd like.

Luka winces, genuine regret flashing across his face. "I know I have a lot to make up for," he says. "But I meant what I said in my vows. I will protect you, Natalia. You and your family."

I want to scoff, to remind him that he's the reason my family needs protection in the first place. But the sincerity in his eyes gives me pause. Despite everything, I find myself wanting to believe him.

"I don't know how to do this, Luka," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "How am I supposed to pretend to be in love with you when I can barely sort out how I feel?"

Luka takes another step closer, and this time I don't back away. He reaches out, his fingers grazing my cheek so lightly I almost think I imagined it. "Who says we have to pretend?"

The words hang in the air between us, loaded with possibility. I should step back, put some distance between us. But my body seems to have other ideas. Instead, I find myself leaning into his touch, my eyes fluttering closed for just a moment.

When I open them again, Luka is even closer, his face mere inches from mine. I can see the flecks of gold in his blue eyes, the faint stubble along his jaw. Without conscious thought, my gaze drops to his lips.

"Natalia," he murmurs, and the way he says my name sends a shiver down my spine. "Tell me to stop, and I will."

My mind races, weighing the pros and cons of giving in to this attraction. On one hand, it's dangerous, complicated, potentially disastrous. On the other... the memory of our night together in the hotel flashes through my mind, sending a jolt of heat through my body.

"I..." I start, then falter. Do I want him to stop? Or do I want to lose myself in him, consequences be damned?

Luka's thumb traces my lower lip, the touch feather-light but electrifying. "Just say the word," he says, his voice low and husky. "I'll back off, sleep on the couch. We can keep things strictly professional."

The thought of him pulling away, of losing this connection, tenuous as it may be, makes my chest ache in a way I'm not prepared for. Before I can overthink it, I reach up, balling my fist into the fabric of his shirt.

"And if I don't want you to stop?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Luka's eyes darken, a voracious gleam entering them. "Then tell me what you do want, Natalia."

I take a deep breath, gathering my courage. This is probably a mistake, one that will only complicate things further. But in this moment, with Luka looking at me like I'm the only woman in the world, I can't bring myself to care.

"I want you to convince me," I say, lifting my chin in challenge. "If you want me to sell this marriage, then prove to me it's worth selling."

For a moment, Luka doesn't move. He searches my face, looking for any sign of hesitation or doubt. Finding none, he smiles—a slow, dangerous smile that makes my knees weak.

"As you wish, Mrs. Volkov," he says, and then his lips are on mine.

The kiss starts slow, almost tentative. But it quickly builds into something more, months of pent-up tension and denied attraction exploding between us. I melt into him, my arms winding around his neck as he pulls me flush against his body.

As Luka deepens the kiss, his tongue teasing the seam of my lips, a small voice in the back of my mind warns me that this is dangerous territory. That once we cross this line, there's no going back.

But with Luka's hands roaming my body, his lips igniting fires everywhere they touch, I find I don't want to go back. For better or worse, this is my reality now. And I intend to make the most of it.

Luka's hands slide down to my hips, gripping tightly as he lifts me onto the window seat. I gasp at the sudden movement, breaking our kiss. For a moment, we stare at each other, both breathing heavily. The city lights twinkle behind me, casting a soft glow over Luka's face. The desire in his eyes is unmistakable, but there's something else there too, a vulnerability I've never seen before.

"Are you sure about this?" he asks, his voice rough with want but tinged with concern.

The question surprises me. It's so at odds with the ruthless man I thought I knew. I take a moment to really look at him, to see beyond the dangerous exterior to the man underneath. What I see makes my heart race for reasons that have nothing to do with physical attraction.

"I'm sure," I whisper, pulling him back to me.

This time when our lips meet, it's different. There's still passion, still that undeniable heat between us, but there's a tenderness too. Luka kisses me like I'm something precious, something to be savored. His hands roam my body with reverence, leaving trails of fire in their wake.

I fumble with the buttons of his shirt, suddenly desperate to feel his skin against mine. Luka chuckles softly, the sound vibrating against my lips. He pulls back just enough to help me, shrugging off the garment to reveal a torso that's all hard muscle and intricate tattoos.

My fingers trace the inked patterns, marveling at the stories they tell. Luka's breath hitches as I explore, his muscles tensing under my touch. When I reach a particularly sensitive spot, he groans, the sound sending a jolt of heat straight to my core.

"Your turn," Luka murmurs, his hands finding the zipper of my dress.

I nod, lifting my hips to allow him to slide the fabric down my body. The cool air hits my skin, raising goosebumps in its wake. But any chill is quickly chased away by the heat of Luka's gaze as he drinks in the sight of me.

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