Page 121 of Bratva's Intern

“I’m spending the night.”

Not asking but telling me. I should be upset, but I found his bossiness sexy. This time.

I made the popcorn clumsily while he watched me from our kitchen table. He carried the cans of soda to the living room and set them on the coffee table beside our large bowl of popcorn. The salty, extra buttery flavor that fed my addiction.

“Which side do you want?” I lifted a brow as I settled onto the couch. It was an unnecessary query, given we were the only two watching, but traditions run deeply when it comes to movie nights, and everyone had their preferred side or corner seat. Jess always took the long couch so she could stretch out, and I usually curled up in the armchair.

Maxim shrugged and casually slid down next to me, slinging an arm over my shoulder. He trailed his fingers lightly down my arm, sending a ripple of electricity through me. I shivered under his touch, trying to ignore how close his lips were hovering near my ear.

“I’ll watch it anywhere,” he murmured lowly against my skin as the opening scene ofThe Proposalbegan to play in the background. A gray city skyline against the female lead arguing with her assistant about books. I’d seen it enough times to recite every line by heart. “I’m more interested in the company than the movie.”

We curled up on the sofa—me in my hoodie, him in something too nice for my living room. I occasionally glanced up to see how much he was enjoying the movie, but I couldn’t tell. Almost every time, I caught him staring at me as though my face was a box-office success.

About halfway through, the popcorn was mostly gone, and I had to admit he was an excellent couch companion.Quiet. Still. Every so often, he let out a small breath that might’ve been amusement.

Between the two of us, we gobbled down the popcorn before the movie finished.

“Should I get more?” I shifted to get up, asking out of courtesy but really asking for me.

Maxim tightened his arms around me. He took my wrist and drew my hands toward his mouth.

“Maaax.” His name came out as a hoarse whisper as he peppered soft kisses along the length of my fingers. Slowly he drew one finger into his mouth, his eyes locked onto mine, and gave it a gentle suck. A bolt of heat shot through me, and my breath hitched.

“Perfect amount of salt.”

The way he looked at me, like I was something to be savored, made my chest ache.

“Perfect amount of you.”

I leaned forward, unable to help myself. “Wait, Maxim.”

“Hmm?”

“There’s something that’s been bothering me.”

He pulled back slightly, his brow creased. “What is it?”

I bit down on my bottom lip. “That guest bedroom full of…umm clothes for your boys?—”

“What about it?”

Was he really making me say it? Shouldn’t it be obvious that I didn’t want him sleeping with anyone else?

“I want you to get rid of the clothes. Unless you’re thinking of keeping others on the side, umm.”

Maxim pressed a finger under my chin, lifting my head. “It’s already done.”

I blinked up at him. “Really?”

“Yes. I had everything removed. I don’t want anything coming between us.”

Warmth exploded in my chest and spread throughout my body. I surged forward, wrapping my arms around him and fastening my lips to his.

What was happening in my favorite romantic movie paled in comparison to that moment. The movie’s dialogue faded into the background, replaced by the rhythm of his breathing and my whispering heartbeat. Maxim’s scent filled my nostrils, his touch lighting up my skin like a thousand firecrackers.

His hand moved from mine to my back, pressing lightly above my waistband. The contact sent another flurry of sparks along my spine. I gasped against his lips.

God.

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