Page 35 of Secrets & Lies

The other brother and Nikolai laughed. Aleksandr’s hand, the one not holding the whip, ran slowly up my arm, causing goose bumps to erupt. His breathing hitched once more, and his nostrils flared. His blue eyes were like ice.

“You might try, but I doubt a little thing such as yourself could accomplish such a task. However, I accept your challenge and raise you one. I’ll make you my bitch. Ty budesh’ podchinyat’sya,” he ordered.You will obey.

My thighs clenched at both his words and the sentiment behind them.Dear god, there’s something wrong with me.I should not be having this kind of reaction to him.

Looking up, I replied, “Nikogda.”Never.

I heard him suck in his breath but ignored him as I added, “Ya nikogda ne budu podchinyat’sya.”I will never obey. Spitting the wordobeyout, I was committed at this point. I wanted to kick myself for answering in Russian, but it was too late. Damn me and my anger.

“Yes, I understand you. Don’t contact me again. Final warning.” I reached behind my neck, the action forcing my breasts to push forward. His eyes were immediately drawn to the motion, and he licked his lips. Seeing his reaction put me back in control of my own. Chuckling, I unbuckled the choker, handing it to him.

“I’ll let you keep this. I have another one at home, and you seem fascinated by it. Try it on, if you like. Sarah, it’s time to go,” I said, stepping away from him.

With my heart pounding out of my chest, I grabbed Sarah’s hand and eased her off the couch, ignoring the giant sitting next to her. I shook my head as she waved and whispered goodbye to him. We inched our way over to the door, and I prayed the entire way that Aleksandr wouldn’t try to stop me.

I had used every bit of courage I had, and my confidence was slipping. One of them alone was intimidating, but the three of them in one room was overwhelming. I could feel their eyes on us as we moved. I reached for the door, but before I could open it, I was being pushed against it.

Aleksandr turned me around and groaned, “Fuck.” Then he slammed his mouth against mine, the force snapping my head back. His soft lips brushed against mine, demanding entrance. Moaning, I closed my eyes.

Lost in his kiss, I couldn’t resist the overpowering dominance emanating from him. I didn’t even care that we had an audience. I stood on my tiptoes once more, feeling grateful for ballet for once in my life.

My hands drifted from his forearms up to his shoulders and into his silky hair. His tongue explored mine, and a wave of heat burst inside me as I leaned into him. His eyes registered the shock and desire.

“Alek,” I cried, gasping for breath after a few minutes of him kissing me.

His hand raked through my hair as he pulled me closer. His lips brushed mine. “You will be mine,” he vowed, his breathing ragged.

Heat radiated from him as his full length pressed against my body. His lips fell to my ear before he nuzzled my neck and kissed it, making me want more.Damn him.

“Never. I will be no man’s bitch. Now get your fucking hands off me,” I commanded, shaking, my breathing matching his. I needed to get out of here now. What a mess this whole night had become. Thankfully, he let me go.

I reached for the door once more and opened it an inch, but he slammed it shut. I turned around to push him back, and his mouth claimed mine again. His tongue thrust into my mouth, tasting me. It was a hard kiss, a statement, drawing a groan from him and a sigh from me. Then, finally, he eased up, and the kiss became gentle.

“Let me go. Please,” I whimpered against his lips in an uneven voice.

I tried to detach myself like I’d learned to do so long ago, but with him looking at me—this beautiful, powerful man—it was hard to do. He evoked something inside me I’d never felt and couldn’t comprehend. The stark realization that I wanted him was overwhelming.

He stepped back and looked at the ceiling, breathing out. My eyes slid over his body one last time.God, why does he have to be so hot? His jeans fit perfectly, and my eyes lingered on his arousal. When my gaze traveled back to his face, he was smirking.

“You own a strip club. Surely there’s someone outside those doors who would love to take care of that for you,” I taunted, looking at his cock and flushing. “I’m not interested in being another notch on your proverbial belt,” I added, opening the door tentatively. Then a little more.

I grabbed Sarah’s hand and tried to walk her out of the club, but she was having a hard time because of her ankle and inebriation. The guy from the bar stood outside the door. He and Alek exchanged a look, and the next thing I knew, the man was picking Sarah up, and he said, “Ms. Taylor, please follow me. I’ll take you and your friend wherever you need to go.”

“I’ve got an Uber waiting,” I remarked. He, again, looked at Alek, awaiting his response.

Nikolai scoffed, “I was right. Laser-focused, Reaper. We didn’t even get one question in, and you’ve already run her off.”

Turning my gaze to Nikolai, I found him staring at my breasts. I straightened my back and flipped my hair over my shoulders, covering the exposed skin from his eyes.

Alek snorted. “As if you could do better.”

“Is that a challenge?” Nik asked while the two of them eyed each other like they might break out into a fist fight at any moment.

“I’ll save you all the hassle. I’m not interested in whatever questions you have. I have no intention of answering them, so good luck. But, just so you know, you’d have better luck getting information from a donkey.”

“Oh, now that right there is an absolute challenge. I’ve been known to have a way with asses, baby girl.”

My eyes narrowed, my patience completely dissipated. I shot a sharp glare at Nikolai. “Excuse me?”

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