Page 40 of The Pakhan's Forced Bride
“Ever since my brother got married, I kind of do have a sister. I love that girl. Ulyana is basically my best friend and my sister all in one. I’m lucky he married someone so amazing.”
“Did you ever want to get married?” I have no idea why I asked that.
“One day.” She giggles. “I expected it to bevoluntary.”
I clench my jaw, hiding the grin that steals across my face. “Sorry about that,” I chuckle.
She shoots me a look that shows nothing but amusement. No animosity at all. My heart warms as her eyes dance over me.
This girl is really something.
Now that I’ve spent so much time with her, I can’t think of one thing about her that I don’t like. In fact, she’s been pulling me out of myself in some ways, forcing me to view the world differently.
Whether that’s good or bad is yet to be decided.
After dinner, I stand up and hold my hand out to Belle.
The sun is moving low on the horizon, and I wanted to save this part of the adventure until the late afternoon—but we still need light. "Come on, I have something cool to show you.”
She stands up and places her hand in mine, letting me lead her to the other side of the boat, down a flight of stairs, and into the pool area.
“A pool on a boat?” she says, mocking me. “That doesn’t make too much sense—" Her words get cut off when she looks into the water. Her jaw drops open. “Are thosesharks?”she squeals in horror.
“Great white sharks. They’re juveniles.” I nod, pulling her closer to the pool.
“What are they doing in the pool?”she squeals.
“They’re not in the pool,” I laugh, enjoying her reaction. “The pool has a glass bottom. The sharks are in the ocean; you can see them through the bottom of the pool.”
“That’s so creepy,” she whispers, stepping a little closer to the edge.
For a moment, she says nothing, and I watch her, her eyes wide and full of wonder as she peers into the water.
“This is mesmerizing,” Belle giggles, holding onto the railing around the pool and leaning over the edge. She gets a fright when the boat rocks, unbalancing her. She quickly steps back, bumping into me.
“Sorry,” she murmurs.
“It’s okay.” I wrap my arms around her and walk her back to the railing. “Here, hold on to me.”
“All my life, I’ve been kept so safe. My brother is not letting me do these types of things, and my mother—well, shewas more worried about finding me a husband than letting me enjoy my life. I’ve never done anything like this before,” she says quietly, her eyes locked onto the pool. “It feels so good to let go.”
Something inside me shifts when I hear her say this. She deserves to live her life to the fullest. To feel fear and excitement, and the adrenaline that both bring. I want to give her more than this.
“Get undressed,” I demand, tugging my shirt off.
“Excuse me,” she huffs.
“Just do it,” I laugh.
I’m already kicking my shoes off and tugging my pants down, leaving only my underwear in place.
“Um,” Belle whimpers, her eyes glued to me.
“Trust me,” I say.
She turns her back to me and slips the dress off her shoulders. I force myself not to watch her, to give her privacy, even though it’s nearly fucking impossible.
When she turns around in nothing but her underwear, with her hands covering herself as much as she can, I’m already standing on the top step of the pool.
