Page 38 of The Bratva's Knocked-Up Bride

“Just a little adventure,” he replied, his tone teasing. His hand rests on my thigh, sending tiny shocks across my skin and to my middle, making it hard to push away my darker thoughts. “I thought we could enjoy some time out without drawing any unwanted attention. Think of it as... roleplaying.”

I raised an eyebrow, unable to suppress a laugh. “Roleplaying? In disguises?”

“Exactly,” he said with a wink, his confidence making me feel a rush of warmth. “But it’s all for safety, of course.”

“Of course,” I reply, matching his teasing, suggestive tone. I bite my lip, returning my focus to the sights outside the window.

As we entered the casino, the world outside faded away, replaced by a symphony of laughter, clinking chips, and the melodic chime of slot machines. Roman walks with his usual confident, casual grace, every step filled with purpose. His eyes scanned the room, vigilant yet relaxed, making me feel secure in his presence. I can’t help but feel a pang of jealousy as I notice many women look his way.

“Let’s find somewhere quieter,” he suggested, and I nodded, curious about what he had planned.

We moved through the throngs of people, the sounds of the casino enveloping us. Roman led me to a quieter corner, where the noise became a distant hum. The atmosphere shifted, the glimmer of the slot machines fading into a cozy, intimatespace where we could breathe without feeling the eyes of the world on us.

“What do you think?” he asked, leaning close. “Are you ready to try your luck?”

I looked around, excitement bubbling within me. “I’m game. What do you have in mind?”

With a smirk, he stepped closer. “How about a little game of roulette?”

The thrill of the spinning wheel ignited a spark of adrenaline in me. Roman’s infectious energy took me by surprise. Knowing that I could break him out of his quiet, reserved shell so easily was comforting.

He leaned in as I placed my bets, his lips brushing against my ear, igniting a shiver down my spine. “Remember, it’s all about the thrill of the gamble.”

After a few rounds, we decided to retreat to a more secluded lounge area, away from the prying eyes of the crowd. The intimacy of the moment enveloped us as Roman turned to me, his gaze dark and filled with intensity.

“You look incredible tonight,” he said, his voice smooth as silk. “I wanted to make sure you felt special.”

I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks at his words. “Thank you. I didn’t expect to feel this... alive.”

With a teasing glint in his eyes, he took my hand, leading me deeper into the casino’s heart. “You know, disguises can be fun. They give us a chance to be someone else for a little while.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, intrigued.

He leaned closer, his breath warm against my skin. “I mean, tonight, we can forget about everything else. Just enjoy the moment.”

A thrill shot through me at the thought of shedding the weight of our realities, even if just for a little while. We continued to explore the casino, laughter bubbling up between us and tension simmering just beneath the surface.

“Can you show me your office?” I blurted out, the thought escaping before I could stop it. My heart raced at the idea. “I want to see where you work.”

Roman’s eyes lit up with surprise, and then a slow grin spread across his face. “Are you sure? It’s not as glamorous as you might think.”

“I don’t care. I want to see it,” I insisted, feeling bold.

“All right, let’s go,” he said, the excitement in his voice making my heart flutter.

He takes my hand in his, which makes me smile. The adrenaline coursing through my veins intensified as we made our way to his office. Roman opened the door, and we stepped inside. The room was dimly lit, filled with the scent of polished wood and leather. My eyes darted around, taking in the organized chaos of papers, the sleek desk, and the subtle hints of his personality that decorated the space. A long, mahogany desk lay in the center of the room, surrounded by a large wall with multiple selves adorned with photos and other decorations.

“Welcome to my domain,” he said, a playful glint in his eye. “Or, my cousin’s domain, I suppose. Only my temporary one.”

I chuckled as I looked back at him, feeling a thrill of intimacy in the space. “It’s nice,” I said, genuinely impressed. Itwas nothing compared to his personal office back home, but still very nice.

Home. It feels strange calling it that, but the word associates with his penthouse soeasily, so effortlessly.

“Want to see what makes this place tick?” he asked, stepping closer.

Before I could answer, Roman’s hand found my waist, drawing me closer. The air thickens with a sudden tension as our gazes lock. He was so near that I could feel the warmth radiating from him, and my breath caught in my throat.

As we stood there, our bodies almost touching, the anticipation between us crackled like electricity. I could feel the tension building, the need to bridge that last distance igniting every nerve ending in my body.

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