Page 134 of Thorns of Lust
“That’s a great idea,” I agreed. “Just you and me, eating in the kitchen. I love it. Shall we?”
She let out a frustrated breath. “Not with you,” she hissed, taking a seat. “You’ll spoil my appetite here or in the kitchen, so I might as well make my brother happy.”
“Marry me if you want to make him happy.”
Her head whirled around, her eyes flashing like pale blue sapphires.
“I willnevermarry you, Illias Konstantin,” she warned, her voice low.We shall see about that,I thought silently.
“Why not?” It didn’t matter what her answer was, she’d marry me. Willingly or not. She’d come around eventually. She knew we were good together and once I could trust her, I’d explain that video. I’d wager she’d understand why I did what I did - considering her own brother saved her from her own mother.
“Because I’m busy for the foreseeable future,” she retorted dryly.
“Then get unbusy because we are getting married.”
She shrugged her slim shoulders. “Sorry, can’t do it.” She leaned closer as she reached for the glass of water, then brought it to her lips. “I don’t marry killers of innocents.” Narrowing her eyes on me, she added, “Besides you should look up the definition of ‘hookup,’ Konstantin. It’s just sex.”
Taking her glass from her slim, graceful fingers, I leaned over and whispered in her ear.
“You’re mine, Tatiana. Your tits, your ass, your pussy, your soul, your heart. It was never just sex.”
FORTY-FOUR
TATIANA
Illias’ hot breath against my skin and his vehement claim sent a shiver down my spine.
I schooled my features, aware that Vasili was watching us. I should have known messing around with Illias would come back to bite me in the butt at the end. Only fools played with men in our world.
It seemed I was one of those fools.
I focused on the waiters that quickly approached with food. As it was served, the scent of it drifted through the air. Seafood and chicken. My favorite. Except something smelled off with this food. Maybe it was bad. Rotten. I wrinkled my nose. Saliva gathered in my mouth and I swallowed. My body temperature heated, making my nausea worse. It was a hot flash, coming like a storm surge.
“What’s the matter?” Illias must have picked up on my discomfort.
I stood up abruptly and headed towards the bathroom. The world spun and my nausea worsened. I clutched my stomach from the force of it. I had no idea how or when Illias found himself by my side, grabbing me by the arm.
“Tatiana, what’s the matter?”
“I’m going to puke,” I gritted, rushing towards the nearest bathroom but my legs weren’t fast enough.
Illias scooped me up in his arms and hurried to the bathroom, then helped me lower myself, just in time. Violent heaves rocked my body as I wretched and emptied everything I had eaten today into the toilet.
Strong hands stroked my back in soothing circles as disgusting sounds left my mouth.
“What’s the matter?” Vasili’s voice came from behind me just as another round of violent heaves wracked my body.
“She needs a doctor,” Illias said with utter calm, crouching by my side and never ceased stroking my back. Like it was normal for the Pakhan to sit on the tiled floor next to a woman throwing up her guts.
Kneeling over the toilet, I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.
“Don’t need a doctor,” I muttered firmly, suspicion booming in my chest. “I just ate something bad, that’s all.”
“You haven’t even started eating,” Illias remarked. The way he watched me had a flicker of panic bloom in my chest. Like he had already known that I was pregnant and decided what he’d do to me.
I ignored the nudging feeling and got to my unsteady feet, then headed to the sink, while two sets of eyes watched me. I rinsed out my mouth and then slowly turned around.
Ignoring Konstantin’s dark eyes on me, I locked gazes with Vasili. “Brother, do you mind if I skip dinner? Just in case I caught something.”
