Page 84 of Beautiful Deception

What would that achieve? Is she trying to marry me, a successful Bratva man, for status? But then why not be transparent about it?

I’ve been looking to make connections. If she’s a Bratva daughter, then making an alliance with her family could be a good thing.

That leads me to believe she’s not. Her father lives in a fucking motel for god’s sake. One that she pays for.

And she looked surprised when she found out about what I do for a living. I just don’t believe she’s part of the Bratva. I would have heard about her. Wouldn’t I?

Unable to push Finn’s words from my mind, I go see her.

She’s napping in her room, looking so peaceful and beautiful, I would hate to interrupt that.

I sit down beside her. Her face is filled with innocence. There is no way this woman is playing me for a fool. I just don’t believe it.

I run my fingers down the side of her face, which makes her stir and wake up.

“Viktor?” She blinks up at me.

“Hi.”

“Hi.”

I can’t help myself as I lean down and kiss her. God, I want her so fucking badly. Over the past few weeks, we’ve barely touched as I wanted her to focus on getting better. I didn’t want her to think I wanted her for only one thing when that’s not true. I care for Inessa because she has a kind heart. Yes, she’s a beautiful woman and her petite nature makes me want to protect her. And yes, I want to claim her body and make her mine.

But it’s more than that. I know in my entire being that it’s more than that.

That doesn’t mean I want to stop kissing her right now.

I roll her onto her back and deepen the kiss. Inessa sighs into my mouth. Her hands find my shoulders and she draws me in closer.

I wrap my arms around her, bringing us chest to chest. God, she feels so good in my arms. No woman has ever felt this good before. I’ve had my fair share of one night stands in the past. Even a couple of relationships in my twenties that went sour when I refused to marry them because I was more focused on my work and taking care of my sister.

But Julia is an adult now. It’s time I focus on what I want in life instead of trying to care for everyone else.

Inessa’s legs open to either side of my hips. I press my body between her thighs. Inessa gasps and clutches me tighter.

I could fuck her right now and it would be the best thing I’ve ever experienced.

But…

I pull back from her. “We should stop. I might just take you right now and I don’t want to.”

“Why?”

“For one, you’re still healing. And two, call it old fashioned, but I want to take your virginity on our wedding night. That’s custom within the Bratva. I want to honor that tradition.”

“Ok,” she whispers. “I’m fine with that. I like that you’re trying to respect me.”

“God, you make it hard.” I nip at her lips. “Trust me. If I didn’t give a fuck about tradition, I’d make you mine right now.”

Her swallow is visible. “You make me feel things I’ve never felt before.”

I cup her face. “You are so beautiful. What are you doing to me? No one has ever made me feel this crazy.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry.” I give her another kiss before I pull away. “There is something I wanted to talk with you about though. Just one thing before we get married and I’ll never ask again.”

“What?”

---