Page 101 of Forbidden Vows

Ciara takes a deep breath, and we both sit in silence for a while. “Thank you for letting me stay here,” she says. “I just… I can’t go back home. Not yet.”

“I completely understand. You can stay here for as long as you need, Ci. Nobody is rushing you anywhere.”

“Well, I am rushing. Just not back home,” she says. “Listen, I want to call a meeting early next week. Paddy’s out of hiding.”

“A meeting?”

“The Donovans, the MacDonalds, the O’Reillys. The whole organization is in disarray after Sergei’s slimy takeover attempt. And our family doesn’t currently have a leader to take the main seat,” she says. “With your approval, of course. Just wanted to run it by you first.”

I give Ciara a long, warm smile. “Ciara, you’re the leader that this family needs.”

“We both know that’s not true. I failed on so many levels. Come on.”

“Sergei had everyone fooled, our father included,” I insist. “Ci, I have your back. If you ever need my vote or my support, I’ll be there. But I’m building my dream here with Anton. I never wanted to lead the Donovan organization, you know that. That was always you.”

“But Anton was convinced he could get you to—”

“They were all convinced they could sway me back into the fold. Maybe someday I will. I don’t know. But only if you decide to step down willingly. Otherwise, this is your turf, Ciara. Your future. Your organization. If you want me by your side, I’m there. But I have faith in you. I know you can lead them. So, yeah, call the meeting. I’ll sit in and support whatever you decide to do. And tell Paddy he needs to get his ass down here and have lunch with us. He is sorely missed.”

Ciara giggles. “Paddy said he’ll support me, too.”

“You’ll do well with him having your back. He was right to leave when he did, though. You have to know when to pick your battles. Sergei would’ve killed him.”

“Indeed. Then we’d be crying over him as well.”

We both sit up upon hearing the front door open.

I bolt from my chair just as Anton comes into the living room. I’m starstruck by how good he looks in that suit. I’m even more enticed by the satisfied smirk stretching across his face and the fire burning in his hazel eyes. His gaze softens as it meets mine.

“Hello, Mrs. Karpova,” he says.

“Mr. Karpov, so glad to see you again.”

“Ciara. I see you’re still alive and kicking,” he gives her a playful wink.

“Alive, yeah. Kicking, not so much, but with a little bit of physical therapy, I will be soon enough,” Ciara replies. My heart grows with each step that Anton takes toward me.

“I’d love to sit around and chat some more,” he says, never taking his eyes off me. “But my wife and I have some catching up to do.”

“Knock yourselves out, I get the TV all to myself for once,” Ciara quips.

I can’t help but laugh. Anton closes the distance between us and sweeps me off my feet, causing me to squeal and say, “Oh, God, Anton, I’m heavy!”

“Good thing I’m strong,” he replies as he scoops me up in his arms and carries me out of the room. A minute later, we’re on the upper floor, hungrily kissing each other as we stumble into our bedroom. “I’ve missed you so much, baby.”

“I love you,” I tell him. “I was so scared that I wouldn’t be able to see you again.”

“No way. Have you met me?” he replies, mercilessly tugging at the straps of my dress.

It falls to the floor, and I’m left standing naked in front of my husband. I help him out of his suit, our mouths fused as we whisper sweet things to each other. The fire that burns between us reaches a whole new level, passionate lust gathering in my core as he lays me on the bed and spreads my legs.

“I have been thinking about this for a while now,” he growls, letting his tongue slide between my wet folds.

I whimper and grab the satin sheets as Anton ravenously eats my pussy.

He brings a hand up to fondle my tender, full breasts, while the other focuses on my wet, hot opening. Suckling my clit hard, he penetrates me first with two, then three fingers. I cry out in ecstasy, my orgasm unraveling with lightning speed as days’ worth of longing are finally sated and released.

“Oh, God, Anton, yes!” I manage as he comes up, his lips wet with my juices.

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