Page 88 of The Pakhan's Forced Bride
My eyes grow wide in shock as I turn towards Ardalion. “Is this true?”
“I’d give anything,” he says, his voice deep and sincere as it moves through me. “I was being patient, Belle.Tryingto be.”
My heart aches, beating hard against my ribs. Is this really happening?
Benedikt sighs, and I glance at him. “But you hate each other,” I say, scrunching my face as I stare at my brother.
“No, that ended a while ago. I forgave him when he stopped being such an asshole and I realized how crazy he was about you,” he grins.
“When was that?” Ardalion asks, knitting his brows.
“When you took a bullet for me. A man who’s willing to take a bullet for me for a chance to spend time with my sister—he’s not playing around. He’s serious. And when you came to talk to me now, it proved everything that I already suspected.”
Ardalion smiles and shakes his head. “You didn’t say anything.”
“Neither did you,” Benedikt says, smirking. “But we understand each other now, right?” Benedikt shoots daggers towards Ardalion with his eyes.
“We understand each other,” Ardalion nods as they stare intently at each other. I don’t know what’s going on, but I get the sense that there are a lot more words being shared in that glance than were spoken out loud.
Benedikt slaps his hands against his thighs. “I’m taking my wife to dinner, we’ve got to get going before we miss our reservation. I trust you two can take care of yourselves while we’re out,” he says, standing up.
“We’ll be fine,” Ardalion answers, looking at me.
And with that, Ben leaves the sunroom, and I’m standing alone with Ardalion, confused, hopeful, and scared that I’ve misunderstood something. It all happened so fast. Do I dare hope?
My eyes dart over his face, his beautiful, strong face, those dark eyes framed by dark lashes and a crop of messy dark hair, the shadow of stubble over his jaw giving him a gorgeous, rugged, sexy look.
“What’s going on?” I ask, nervously.
“What’s going on is that I can finally tell you how I feel.” He grins, sitting down and pulling me onto the sofa next to him.
At first, I’m tense, but as he speaks, I relax, realizing that everything I want is coming true.
“Belle, I came to Vegas to help your brother in any way I could because I love you. I had to figure out a way to get close to you with your brother's approval.”
“Love?” I ask, practically tripping over the word.
He nods. “I love you and I never want to lose you. That day you left my home, it tore a piece of my heart out. I lost a piece of myself. I can’t be without you. You belong with me, little bunny. You’ve changed me. I’m a hundred times the man I was before I met you. I love you, and I will literally give up everything to have you. No matter what it takes—I want to prove to you that you are all I need—"
“Ardalion, you don’t have to give up anything. My brother doesn’t want your kingdom or your wealth. He has his own. He just wants me to be happy. And right now, I’m the happiest girl on the entire planet,” I giggle, launching myself into his arms. He pulls me into his lap, and I straddle him. “I love you, Ardalion. I’ve spent every day and every night at your sidebecauseI love you, and all I wanted was to hear that you felt something for me, too.”
“You do?” he says, barely a whisper.
I nod, and Ardalion takes my jaw in his hand. He pulls me towards him, and his lips crash into mine. The world disappears as the sun slowly sets through the wide windows, streaking bright rays of orange and gold into the room.
Ardalion groans against my lips.
“I’ve been waiting to taste you for the longest time. You are the only drug I needed to heal.”
“I’ve been dreaming of being in your arms,” I whisper. “Held against your chest. I need you, Ardalion.”
I push my hips forward, rocking against his hard cock as I wrap my arms around his neck and pull his lips tighter against mine.
He groans again, with deeper need.
He brushes his hands up my thighs, pushing my skirt higher over my legs, and the thin lace of my panties doesn’t protect me from feeling anything as he lifts his hips and thrusts his cock against me.
“Please, take me,” I whisper, urgency rushing through me.
