Page 56 of Beautiful Deception

I gasp. “I’m a virgin.”

“I know. Have you ever been kissed, Inessa?”

I know I shouldn’t tell him. But I do. “No. I’ve never been…”

“Fuck. You’re not allowed to be this perfect. So sweet and innocent. I can’t want you. I’m supposed to marry a Bratva woman with good connections. That’s what I am supposed to do.” It’s like he’s trying to convince himself of that.

“I’m not that.” It’s a half-truth. It feels better than a full lie.

“I know.”

“But you have money. Connections. Do you need more?”

“If I want to win this war against Erik Koslov, then yes. I need more.” Yet, he doesn’t move away from me.

I don’t move away from him either.

This connection between us is a powerful thing. Neither of us saw it coming.

“Don’t use me,” I whisper.

“I don’t want to. You deserve more than to be my mistress.”

“So we shouldn’t do this.” I’m practically begging him. If we do this, it will hurt more when he marries Natasha. I don’t feel bad for her if Viktor cheats on her. She’s done nothing but terrible things to me.

But I don’t want to drag Viktor into the muck by cheating. Even though Natasha is a terrible person, starting a marriage off with cheating is never a good thing.

“We shouldn’t,” he agrees.

There’s a beat between us for just a moment…

Before his lips find mine.

The kiss is tender and passionate and perfect. It’s everything I could have hoped for in a first kiss. Viktor’s hands on my waist tighten as he pulls me flush against his body. I can feel every hard ridge of him.

My own hands grasp his jacket. I need something to steady me. I’m kissing the man who tried to kill my father. Who my father tried to kill first.

My first kiss is with a dangerous man who has the power to end my life.

Why can’t I stop this?

I have over seven thousand dollars saved now, from not having to pay for food or rent. It’s enough to afford rent somewhere for a few months. Enough to afford food for a few months.

But then what? No other job will pay me this well. Not with my limited work experience.

And if I left, it would mean leaving Viktor behind and now that we’ve kissed, I can’t imagine that. It hurts my soul.

Viktor kisses me harder before he lets me go. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Ok,” I say breathlessly.

His hand completely engulfs mine as we leave the botanical gardens. Viktor doesn’t stop touching me as we drive back home. His hand is still on mine as he takes me into his office. I know he doesn’t go to my room or his: Mrs. Green will have too many questions. If we’re in his office, she’ll think we’re just talking.

I hope so anyway. I don’t need her to judge me for being a fool right now. I’m too caught up in this moment to care about any future outcomes.

Viktor presses me against his desk and kisses me with so much passion, I could pass out. I feel powerless to stop this.

“I’ve been wanting to do this since I first touched you here,” he growls, pushing my skirt up and placing his palm over my panties. I gasp. “I want to be the first man to touch you here. The only man to ever touch you.”

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