Page 36 of Forced Marriage Vows

Mikhail arches an eyebrow in question. “Who?”

“My bodyguard. The one you knocked unconscious,” I clarify.

“And I should care about him why?”

“No one’s asking you to care about him. I just want to make sure he’s okay. Coda’s my friend.”

“I thought he was your bodyguard,” he retorts, and I don’t like the way his eyes narrow suspiciously.

There’s no way he knows. No one knows. I’ve always been a terrible liar, though, especially when caught off guard. I can already feel my cheeks turning red. I’m forced to look away before he can see the truth in my eyes.

“Anastasia,” Mikhail begins in a low voice. “Look at me.”

I grit my teeth.

“Tell me he hasn’t touched you,” he commands roughly.

If Coda was here right now, I would be very, very scared for his life.

“You’re being ridiculous,” I try but it’s no use.

“And I want you look me in the eye and tell me nothing is going on between the two of you,” he retorts.

I can’t believe something I’ve kept hidden from my father and everyone else was unearthed within five seconds by this man. Not that it matters because it’s really none of his business. My jaw tightens.

“It was a long time ago,” I confess in a rush.

Mikhail swears colorfully in Russian, his blue eyes darkening.

“You have no right to be reacting this way,” I snap. “You’ve dated people before, haven’t you?”

“Sure,” he growls. “But I wouldn’t stand before you asking about some woman I’ve fucked in the past. Besides, if he thinks you’re his, I’m sure he’s planning my murder right now. That’s important to know.”

“Well, let’s hope you’re right. And so what if you talk about the woman you’ve fucked? You can do that. Do you really think I’d care?” I ask, wanting to spite him.

“Bullshit,” Mikhail snarls. “You think I don’t notice how you look at me? You want me, Anastasia. I can see it in your eyes.”

“You’re being delusional again, Morozova. It’s getting a little sad.”

“Oh yeah?” he asks, taking a step closer and forcing me to move backwards until the back of my knees rest against the railing behind me.

His hands wrap around my waist, pulling me into his body. My mouth parts and I take in the burning intensity in his eyes, searing into me. We’re both breathing hard, chests heaving, lungs expanding.

“Yes,” I say, swallowing hard at the sight of his eyes darkening. “I don’t want you, Mikhail.”

He makes a low growl in the back of his throat when I say his name. My eyes drop to his lips and I suddenly feel lightheaded, desire tightening in the pit of my stomach.

“Big mistake,solnyshko.”

I’m not sure how it happens. I don’t know who steps in first and closes the distance. But I inhale for half a breath, less than a second, and then his lips are on mine.

He swallows my gasp and the brush of his lips is so soft at first that I’m not sure it’s even happening. My heart races in my chest. I should stop this. I should pull away. When I don’t,the kiss transforms completely. The gentleness is replaced by something more desperate and demanding.

One of his hands travels to my back, pulling me even closer, while his other hand goes to the side of my neck. His fingers grip the skin, splaying across my nape and into my hair. My heads spins. I part my lips to let out a soft breath and he captures the short bust of air before his tongue slides into my mouth.

Oh god, oh god, oh god.

My heart hammers against my ribs. I run my fingers up his chest, returning his fervor. Nothing else matters right now except us in this moment. His hair is so soft, and I can’t help but rake my nails across his scalp, arching my body against his to get closer.

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