Page 15 of Imperfect Desires

“And why does that matter?

“You are also a child. Viktor’s baby sister.”

“I’m not a child!”

“You think not?” His eyes burn into mine.

“I’m nineteen,” I say, my voice shaking. “I’m not a baby.”

Lev’s mouth hardens. “Viktor isn’t just my best friend, Alina. He’s my brother.”

“So?” I whisper.

Lev’s gaze darkens. “So that makes you my sister and off-limits.”

I stumble back a step, my throat burning. “I’m not your sister.”

“You are.” Lev’s voice is cold. Detached. “And even if you weren’t—”

My pulse stutters painfully. “What?”

Lev’s gaze hardens. “Alina," he breathes, regret that he kissed me back laces his voice. "You need to understand that you're Viktor’s sister. We can’t cross this line. I can't betray him—not even for you. And even if you weren't, I am also not a pedophile.

“I’m not a child,” I snap, feeling frustrated and fighting back my tears. “I can do whatev….”

“I’m twelve years older than you.” He cuts me off.

“So?” I demand. My heart is slamming painfully in my chest.

Lev’s mouth twists. “You think that’s not a problem?”

“No,” I say.

Lev’s gaze sharpens. His mouth curves faintly—but there’s no humor in it. “You know what I see when I look at you?” His voice is quiet.

My breath stutters painfully. “What?”

Lev’s eyes darken. His jaw clenches. “I see a child trying to taste forbidden waters.”

I stumble back a step.

“You’re not only like a sister to me,” Lev says coldly. “You’re also like a daughter to me.”

His words hit like a slap.

My breath shudders painfully. My heart cracks open beneath my chest.

“You don’t mean that,” I whisper.

“I do,” Lev replies, his gaze stern and cold. “You’re Viktor’s responsibility, which makes you my responsibility, too.”

My throat burns. “You’re not that much older than me.”

Lev tilts an eyebrow.

“Twelve years is not enough to make you feel old enough to birth me.”

Lev’s mouth tilts faintly. “Feels like it.”

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