Page 79 of Vendetta Vows

"I'm thinking that I've never felt this way before." My voice comes out rougher than intended. "With you, it's not just about sex, Aurora. When you're near me, I want..."

I pause, searching for words that won't frighten her away.

"You want what?" Her voice is so soft, encouraging.

"I want to know you. Really know you. Your thoughts, your fears. What makes you laugh. What makes you cry." I bring her hand to my lips, pressing a kiss against her palm. "I want to protect you from whatever and whoever is chasing you."

I continue, my voice dropping even lower. "Last night, I caught a glimpse beneath all these walls you've built. I saw a flash of who you really are."

Aurora's eyes dart away, her lips curving into that defensive smile I'm beginning to recognize. "A woman who's never been properly pleased?"

Her attempt at deflection is endearing and obvious, using humor to avoid vulnerability.

I cup her cheek, gently turning her face back to mine.

"No,zarechka. That's not what I saw." My thumb traces the line of her cheekbone. "I saw a woman forced to run for so long that she's forgotten what it means to let her guard down for even a moment."

The playfulness vanishes from her expression, replaced by something raw and unguarded.

"A woman who laughed about my fear of spiders. Who spoke with such longing about being on stage. Who looked at me not with fear but with desire." I lean closer, my forehead nearly touching hers. "The woman who trusted me enough to come apart in my arms. I would very much like to see that woman again."

Aurora's eyes glisten with unshed tears. I can feel her trembling beneath my touch.

"Careful," she whispers. "You're making it sound like you might actually like me."

"Isn't this what we agreed on?" I ask. "To make this marriage look convincing?"

"And who are you trying to convince right now?"

"No-one," I say. "Maybe when I'm with you, I don't need to look convincing. Maybe when I'm with you, I don't feel like I need to pretend."

Her gaze searches mine, looking for the lie. But there is no lie, not about this. Whatever else may stand between us. My past and her secrets. This one truth remains.

Iwillkeep her safe.

I close the distance between us, pressing my lips to hers in a gentle kiss. Not demanding or possessive like last night, but tender. A promise.

As my lips press against Aurora's, I find myself sinking into her. Her mouth is soft, yielding.

Her lips part to invite me further, and I accept her silent offer without hesitation. My fingers tangle in her silky hair as I draw her closer. Her hand reaches for the nape of my neck, pulling me towards her with surprising strength. Like she wants to erase any space between us.

As our kiss deepens, I know that this is something deeper. A connection I've denied myself for nineteen long years.

And I want it. God, I didn't know how bad I wanted it until now.

There's something miraculous happening here. She's trusting me with her body, with her pleasure. After running for so long, after being hunted, she chooses to let her guard down with me.

And I'm trusting her with pieces of myself I've kept locked away from the world. Somehow, we've slipped past each other's defenses without even trying.

When her tongue slides against mine, I hear myself groan. The sound surprises me. I'm not a man who loses control. But with Aurora, control feels less important than connection.

This isn't just desire.

It's surrender.

For both of us.

My hand slides along her thigh, feeling the smooth skin under her dress. I meant it as comfort, as connection, but Aurora has other ideas.

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