Page 56 of The Bratva's Hunted Bride
The world stands still. The racing thoughts in my head become peaceful and silent.
Everything that happened disintegrates as his kiss intensifies, his hands grabbing at me, holding onto me so tightly I can feel the desperation in his touch.
He’s here because he missed me.
“Timofey,” I whisper against his lips. “You can’t be here.”
“You never wanted to leave me,” he says, realization flooding him, the truth seeping through the lies. Because no matter what I say with words, my body and my heart cannot hide the way I truly feel about him.
“It doesn’t matter,” I sigh quietly. “I had no choice.”
He frowns, deep lines furrowed across his brow. “You have a choice, Talia. Come with me now. We never have to be apart again,” he says sternly.
I bite my lip and glance nervously at the bedroom door again. If I leave, my brothers will never forgive me. They will rain hellfire down on Timofey and his family.
Sensing my hesitation, Timofey steps away from me.
“Think about it, darling. Think about what you really want. About our life together…about our baby,” he gently touches my stomach, and my entire body lights with yearning.
But still, I can’t just leave. There are so many risks. So many factors to consider.
“I…” I mutter, but I don’t know what to say. His eyes are burning into me like fire. I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. But I’m not the only one who is affected by my choices. His family. My family. They will all suffer the consequences of my selfishness.
His shifts his mouth and sucks in a breath of air, pulling his eyes off me and giving me a moment of relief from his intense stare.
“In two days, I will be at the Swan Inn. I’ll be there all day, but I assume late night is the safest time for you to sneak out. It’s not far from here. It should be easy for you to get to. If you want to be with me…we can make this work. But you have to want it. So, in two days, meet me there. I’ll have a plan. I promise you I’ll do whatever it takes, Talia.” He reaches out and takes my hand. His palm is massive against mine. His fingers are long and form a protective cage that wraps my fingers the same way his presence wraps my heart.I don’t want him to leave. I want to pull him toward my bed and curl up against him. I want to feel him. Every part of him. I want to smile and stare into his eyes.
“The Swan Inn,” I whisper, nodding. “Ok.”
“If you’re not there by midnight …then I will never bother you again.” His words are filled with painful fear, and I realize how badly he wants me.
Still, we’ve never said it.Love.I’ve never voiced how I feel about him.
My heart clenches tightly. I already know I can’t bear the thought of never seeing him again. I already know, with him standing in front of me now, that I desperately want to be with him.
“Two days,” he says again, making sure I understand what’s at stake, then he steps away. Coldness fills the air between us in the absence of his touch.
I watch Timofey silently climb through my bedroom window and disappear into the darkness outside. My heart is racing, my body still burning from him.
I’m not even sure I can wait two days. I squeeze my eyes shut, and a wide smile spreads across my face. I can’t believe it. He didn’t give up on me. He came to find me again. Not a message. Not a phone call. He came here. He risked everything to see me in person.
I want to climb out of that window and run after him. I want to scream his name and tell him I love him.
But at the same time, I need to be wise. I need to think logically, not just with my heart.This affects more than just me.
I climb into bed with my heart warmed, but I’m also terrified.
But for the first time in weeks, I fall asleep easily.
***
My subconscious already knew the moment he offered to meet me. The primal parts of my mind instantly reached for that lifeline and clung onto it, waiting for my logical, reasoning brain to catch up with the decision, even though it was already made.
There was never a moment when I wasn’t going to meet him.
I tried to convince myself I’d think about everyone, not just me, not just what I want…But I already knew.This is my life. And this is our baby.
And I’m in love with Timofey Abashin.
