Page 86 of Bratva's Intern

“It reduces them,” he said, his voice so tight it was almost a whisper. “Sends an electrical impulse to keep my brain from misfiring, preventing seizures. There’s a circular magnet I wear on a chain which can activate it manually.”

His voice held a strain, an underlying defiance hiding a note of vulnerability. I dared to look up at his face. The smoldering intensity in his gaze made me catch my breath. His jaw was set firm, but his eyes… His eyes were glassy, filled with emotions he seldom revealed.

Continuing my exploration of the unusual implant, I gently slid my thumb across its smooth surface. I rested my other hand on the strong expanse of his chest, the rapid pulsations of his heart beating against my palm.

Maxim shuddered.

I glanced up, startled. His eyes were locked onto mine, dark, stormy, unreadable. But there was something in them that hadn’t been therebefore.

Fear?

No.

Trust.

Raw and unguarded.

And my chest ached in a way I wasn’t ready for.

I let my hand fall away, suddenly feeling like I’d trespassed on something too intimate, too personal. But before I could step back, Maxim caught my wrist, holding me there.

His fingers flexed against my skin. “Don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“With pity. I don’t need it.”

So much for taking a step forward. I pulled my hand free from his grip. “That’s not pity, Maxim.” I looked up at him, defiant and more certain than I had ever felt. “I don’t pity you.”

He furrowed his brow, confusion muddling his features. “Then what…?”

I surged forward, wrapping my arms around him, my fingers splayed wide over the muscles of his back. The hug was as much for me as it was for him. I knew being with a man like Maxim wouldn’t be easy. And I was scared to try, but did I have any other choice? I was already in.

“No,” I whispered, words barely audible as my heart pounded against his chest. “It’s admiration and respect for overcoming your challenges and not letting them limit you.”

Maxim stiffened beneath my touch, his hands hovering over the curve of my back. He seemed to be wavering between wanting to believe me and shoving me away.

“Wren—”

“Yes, Max?”

His throat worked several times, but he shook his head. “We should take a shower.”

Disappointed that he’d chosen not to share what was on his mind, I gave him a small smile. “Do I smell?”

“We both do.”

“Nice save.” I pushed away from him and ran to the shower. Over my shoulder, I caught him watching my ass. “Aren’t you coming in?” I bent over and twerked my ass at him. He reacted instantly, almost tripping in his haste to get in with me.

He turned on the shower, and I grabbed his cock, stroking him.

“You can fuck me for real this time.”

He backed me up against the wall while the shower rained down heavily on us. “Are you saying what we did last night wasn’t real?”

“You know what I mean.”

He cupped my neck, fingering the marks he’d left behind and looking too damn pleased with himself. “I’m not going to fuck you today, Wren.”

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