Page 10 of Bluff

My hand rests on his defined abs, and my head settles against his uninjured shoulder. He falls back to sleep. I lie there until my eyes grow too heavy, and I drift off too.

Mikhail

It’s been three days since I was shot, and today, I’m going to get up and going. I tug on a pair of sweatpants and walk downstairs barefoot.

Ainsley is in the kitchen, standing at the stove in one of my shirts. She’s been avoiding me during the day, but at night, I pull her body into mine.

“Did you make the soup I’ve been eating?” I thought Babushka sent it over, but now I’m not so sure.

She doesn’t startle at my voice.

“Yes.” She turns, and I notice her eyes are shuttered. She’s closing me out again. “Why?” she asks.

I pause, my hand hovering over the coffee mug I was reaching for.

“Why what?” I need some clarification.

“Master,” she says, and my hand shakes ever so slightly.

“How did you know?” I don’t bother denying it. She’s too smart for that.

“You called me bunny, and my blindfold slipped that night. I saw one of your tattoos.”

“Well, shit.” I shake my head and finish making my coffee.

“You didn’t want me to know?” Her voice raises slightly.

I turn and lean back against the counter, crossing my long legs at the ankle. I look down into my cup for a moment, then lift my gaze and pin her with my stare, wanting her to see the truth.

“I did, but not until you trusted me as Mikhail. You trusted the Master, but now you don’t, correct?”

“I’m not sure what I believe or trust right now.” She’s honest with me.

Ainsley leans a hip against the island as she stares me down. She doesn’t break eye contact.

“Good. It’s a start. I couldn’t be with you completely as your Master without you knowing my identity.”

“Why did you take that bullet?” She points at my body, ignoring my comment. “You didn’t have to do it. Is it because of the money you already paid to the families?”

I set my mug down and move toward her. I want to lift her up, but I know it would cause me pain. Instead, I wrap my hands around her waist, and she hoists herself up onto the counter.

I wedge my body between her knees, and she doesn’t stop me. She still trusts me. I take her chin gently between my thumb and finger, guiding her gaze to mine.

“There’s no amount of money I wouldn’t pay to protect you, zayka. The moment I touched you, I knew you’d be the endgame for me.” I pull back when she leans in, unable to let myself get any closer. “But I can’t have you. I’ll pay to protect you. I’ll sacrifice for you, but I won’t have you.”

I lean in, nuzzling her neck, inhaling the sweet scent of her berries, rose, and woods bodywash. I want to blanket my body with her scent, but I cannot take her.

When I pull back, I see her biting her lip. I tug on her chin, urging her to release it. “No one bruises you but me,” I say before the urge overwhelms me, and I take her lips in a deep kiss. I hold her body close, and I tilt her head exactly where I want it.

She’s breathless when I pull away, her eyes closed and lips swollen from our kiss. I turn and head for my office, knowing I need to work harder to keep my distance.

My cock is hard as a rock, and my balls are tight, wanting the release only she can give me. My hand does nothing since her.

As I shut the door, I hear her curse, followed by the soft thud of her feet hitting the floor. It’s better that she hates me. If she cared, it could expose her to danger I’m not able to protect her from. I have to find a new focus, not that the Pakhan has taken my guidance for the last several years.

Chapter Five

AINSLEY

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