Page 56 of For a Price

Katerina remains where she is, shock having frozen her to the spot. Her brows are high and her eyes are wide, and she blinks and blinks like she can’t believe what she’s been told. I turn the rest of the way around to face her, my demeanor a challenge in itself.

Never mind that I’m naked.

I’m still powerful and dominant. I’m a formidable force issuing a challenge to her.

…what are you going to do about it?

There are many options. She could cry and scream, upset that I would hurt people from her past. She could retch in disgust and dash off to get away from me. She could launch into more annoying questions like the nosy, curious kitten she can sometimes be.

None of these things happen.

Katerina comes out of her stupor and starts toward me. Her footsteps are fast as she closes the gap between us and throws herself into my arms.

I catch her, for once surprised by the turn of events. Even more surprised when my kitty cat presses her soft mouth to mine.

CHAPTER 18

Katerina

I’m notsure what makes me do it. But it’s a spur-of-the-moment decision that pushes me into Roman’s arms. I seek out his mouth in a warm kiss of gratitude.

It’s meant to be a quick peck. Athank youfor what he’s done.

Maybe the first time ever someone has righted a wrong in my life.

I’ve spent twenty-five years becoming accustomed to the fact that nobody cares. Except for Rosita, no one in my life has ever given a damn about what’s happened to me. I learned from the time I was a kid and my parents passed away, I couldn’t wait for justice.

Even sympathy.

None of it was ever coming.

I just had to learn to pick up the broken pieces and move on.

But knowing that Roman heard what I’d told him about my foster life and he’d acted on it—within a few hours—does something to me.

It awakens some part of me that has always wished someone would step in. Someone would fight on my behalf.

My lips touch his and discover warmth and softness that I never imagined. His beard tickles my face but his mouth presses into mine, surprisingly gentle and supple. Roman locks an arm under my thighs and lifts me up so that we’re level.

We’re kissing, our pace slow and explorative.

My mind goes blank after wondering if I should pull away. If I’ve gotten in over my head and I need to get out before it’s too late.

But Roman is a good kisser.

He holds me against his chest and draws my bottom lip between his. He sucks lightly yet methodically, as if he knows what it’ll do to me.

A hot spark courses the length of my spine and makes me shudder in his arms. I part my lips wider and let Roman kiss me even deeper.

I let myself melt into the heat engulfing me.

No one’s ever kissed me with so much passion as soon as our lips touched. No other man has ever held me so securely yet made it clear he’s barely restraining himself. He desires me so much, the second I kissed him, he was a goner.

That was all it took.

The air in my lungs begins running short and my head reels from dizziness. Other parts of me awaken. A pulse between my thighs and fire lit in my belly that leave me flushed and breathless.

Roman cups my face with one large hand and draws me even closer. His kiss becomes more demanding, like he can’t get enough of what he’s tasting.

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