Page 105 of Stolen Seconds

“What does Viktor know?” I asked, the pounding of my heart painful against my ears.

“Everything,” she whispered. “He knows I was supposed to be back in Russia already.” The scar against her eye flashed more prominent under the moon. “Do you understand now? Their silence isn’t acceptance. I need to get in contact with them before this escalates.”

I searched her eyes, feeling myself drown in them and every rational thought slipped from my mind.

This wasn’t obsession. This was a visceral feeling so raw that death seemed better in comparison than removingher from my life.

She must’ve seen something in my gaze because she stepped back, her head shaking in dismay. “It doesn’t matterwhatI say. Youwon’tlisten.”

“Get on the bike, Irina or I’ll do it for you.”

She held my stare, eyes narrowing as her body shook from rage. “I hate you, Luca Canaveri.”

I leaned forward, a merciless smile curving my lips. “And I hate you.” For making my heart attach itself to yours.

With nowhere to go, she grabbed her helmet and swung her leg over the seat, arms crossed over her chest in displeasure.

I’d find a solution and fast but it sure as fuck didn’t include her leaving me.

She went rigid as I sat in front of her, and I waited for her to wrap her arms around me, but the warm press of her body never came.

I ran my hands up and down her thighs for a moment before reaching for her arms, uncrossing them with force and wrapping them around my chest.

Her fingers curled into fists, and I held them close until she spread them. Sighing in relief that I still had her; I started the engine.

It didn’t take long until we reached my property.

The bike wasn’t at a full stop when Irina got off, throwing the helmet to the ground before barging through the house.

The pent-up rage buzzed beneath my skin, and I had reached my limit.

I was over this hot and cold, this fucking push and pull between us.

Turning off my bike, I followed her inside the house. The lights were off which meant Eva had gone to sleep already.

Taking the steps two at a time, I reached my bedroom before closing the door behind me.

With adrenaline pumping through my veins, I shrugged off my jacket and tossed it on the bed.

The faint glow of the bathroom light seeped through the closed door.

The hinges creaked as it banged hard against the wall when I pushed it open.

Irina didn’t react at the abruptness; her body hallway turned when I closed the space between us in quick strides. I grabbed her by the throat before slamming her against the shower door.

Her breath fanned across my face as she held my stare, fire simmering in her eyes. “Get out.”

“Not until I fix that attitude of yours.” Gripping the neckline of her shirt, I pulled it until the fabric ripped apart.

She was stubborn. Stubborn enough to not cover herself even when her chest rose and fell with quickened breaths.

With a delicate touch, I ran my fingers across her skin, feeling the raised flesh of her scars.

“You’re crazy,” she said, her voice low and wavering.

“You’ve made me this way.” I fell to my knees, hooking my fingers on the waistband of her jeans. I held her gaze as I slid them down and removed it. “Remind me how much you hate me, sweetheart.” I knew she deserved a far better man than me, but I was the only one she’d ever be with.

I leaned down, pressing a kiss to a scar on her thigh, hearing her inhale sharply. I continued my way up her body, kissing each mark until I was standing before her again. I pressed a lingering kiss to the scar above her eye. “Tell me.”

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