Page 18 of Forced Prisoner By the Bratva

Erik did the unexpected. Why? I wasn't so sure.

He edged closer, but instead of claiming my lips, he settled for my forehead, his mouth against my skin. The tender act sent a spark of electricity surging through my body, and I felt a flutter in my chest.

As he pulled back and held my gaze, a fraction of my reservations dissipated into thin air. I stared into his dark eyes, and for a fleeting moment, I felt something weird, something…peaceful.

Did I like the feeling of his lips on my skin? Maybe, maybe not. But one thing was certain: His kiss had awakened something inside me.

I maintained a plastic smile as we stood before our cheering guests, the air thick with a heavy round of applause.

Erik mingled with the crowd, moving with ease across the sea of guests, a faint grin plastered on his face. His calm demeanor and charisma drew people's attention and admiration.

While he was doing all of that, I just stood there at the altar, almost completely detached from the ceremony. I just wanted the day to come to an end so I could get away from all of these people.

The plastic smile on my face was starting to wear off, and God knew I didn't have what it took to renew it. Not in this present state of mind, anyway.

Mom and Dad seemed happy, smiling widely and shaking the guests with firm grips. Of course, they were happy—the family was out of danger, and the business was safe. What more did they have to worry about?

“Shall we?” Erik materialized out of the blue, his hand extending toward me. “It's time to go home.”

By “home,” he meant his place, not my father's. Honestly, it would take some getting used to before this would stick in my skull.

I drew a deep breath and took his hand, ready to leave. I was in desperate need of an escape from this place anyway.

Together, hand in hand, we walked through a chorus of congratulations and well-wishes. We smiled and waved as the crowd watched our every move.

Outside, a sleek black car awaited us, and the closer we drew to it, the more my heart raced like a galloping horse. The back door was open, waiting for our entry.

I stopped for a moment, heaving a sigh, knowing this was it—there was no turning back now. I managed to pull myself together; wearing a mask of confidence and composure, I slid into the car. The cabin welcomed me with its warmth as I sat beside my husband, avoiding his eyes.

His gaze lingered, and I could feel it, but I had to maintain my composure.

I couldn't believe I was a Tarasov now. How poetic!

Chapter 8 – Erik

After all the hustle and bustle of the day, the sun finally set, giving way to the night. God knew I needed a break from all that stress. I needed to lay my head and rest.

I could work all day and not feel a thing, but this wedding ceremony was a whole new experience for me, and it was quite draining. I'd smiled more times today than I'd ever done in my entire life. That was stress on its own—alotof stress.

However, it appeared that I wasn't the only one who felt that way—my wife did, too. Throughout the ceremony, she'd been absent-minded, detached from the event, and had a weary smile that mirrored her frustration.

As much as I enjoyed seeing her stressed about the situation, it was different today. I couldn't find it in me to contribute to her demise, and I wasn't sure why.

However, I couldn't deny that she was the most beautiful bride I'd seen in a while. Her wedding dress hugged her in the right places, its hem flowing at her feet. Although I'd worn a blank expression when I saw her, a flicker of emotion had swelled up within me.

She looked divine in every way possible, and her smile warmed my stone-cold heart. That grin wasn't genuine, yet it affected me as though it was. Her dark eyes weren't as bright as they used to be, yet I felt a flutter in my chest when they locked onto me.

The sun's rays streamed through the trees, bathing her slender form. Her skin simmered in the lights, a rather faint sparkle flickering in the depths of her eyes.

The woman was absolutely gorgeous, and I took a minute to appreciate her beauty, even though she had no idea how much I admired her. For a moment there, I almost reconsidered our two-year deal; a part of me wanted to have this goddess all tomyself forever. But maybe that was just her beauty taking an effect on me. Perhaps it would wear off soon.

Whatever the case, Tessa was mine. She was my wife in every sense of the word.

A small smile played on my lips as I headed upstairs, rubbing my tired eyes. I couldn't wait to see how tonight would play out, considering the tension between us.

I'd been down in the living room for the past hour or two, so she'd have some time to prepare. It was obvious that I was going to face some kind of resistance from her tonight, and honestly, my fingers were crossed, and I had no plan whatsoever. I would just flow with her energy, but I wasn't going to pass on the chance to tease her in any way that I could.

The idea broadened my grin as I glided through the opulent hallway, which was adorned with intricate carvings and designs.

---