Page 71 of Bound to the Bratva
“I see,” I breathe, my heart pounding in my chest. “Well, I have something I need to confess,” Lifting her hand, I press a reverent kiss to her knuckles. “I’m in love with you, Aria.”
Aria’s eyes widen, her lips parting in a silent gasp. For a long moment, she seems frozen, staring at me in stunned disbelief. Then, slowly, a radiant smile blossoms across her face.
“I…I can’t believe you just said that to me.” she breathes, her free hand coming up to cover her mouth.
Licking my lips, I bore my eyes into her own. “Well, I did, and I don’t regret it. You tell me when you’re ready, and not a moment before.”
Aria swallows hard and nods. “So, um, how was your day? I know you said you were talking to your father earlier. How’d that go?”
I grunt and shut my eyes for a moment. “Like shite. I’m supposed to be taking over the Bratva now that I have a wife, and yet he’s doing everything in his power to put a wrench in our plans. He’s the one who said he wanted to step down, and he’s doing the complete opposite.”
Aria licks her lips, “We both know you’re going to lead the Bratva someday. There’s no way around it.”
I appreciate her words, but it’s doing little to settle my nerves. “I’m not trying to sound like a spoiled brat. I only want what was promised to me—to us.”
Aria takes a bite of her food and nods. “Naturally, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Honestly, I think you’re going to be a better leader than your father. You might be ruthless, but you have a heart of gold. You’ll be the best leader the Bratva’s ever had.”
Pushing back my chair, I rise and move to her side of the table, never once breaking eye contact. Cupping her face in my hands, I savor the warmth of her skin, the delicate flutter of her lashes. “Say it again,” I murmur, my thumb tracing the outline of her lips.
“You’re going to be the best leader the Bratva has ever had, Maxim.” she whispers, her breath caressing my face.
Unable to resist any longer, I lower my mouth to hers, kissing her with a fierce, desperate passion. Aria responds instantly, her arms winding around my neck as she pours every ounce of her soul into the embrace.
When we finally part, both of us breathless, I press my forehead to hers, my heart swelling with a profound sense of wonder and pure, unadulterated joy. “I love you, Aria,” I murmur. “More than you can ever know.”
We’ve come so far since the wedding, and I believe our future together is going to be amazing.
The thought settles warmly in my chest as I gaze at Aria, her eyes shining with a depth of emotion I never dared to hope for. Our journey has been fraught with challenges, our union forged in the crucible of violence and mistrust. Yet, against all odds, we’ve found our way to this moment—a place of peace.
I’m confident in her as my wife, and know she feels the same about me as her husband.
Andrei steps into the dining room for a moment, and the second I spot him, I remember what he told me when I got home. Sasha’s stopped by a couple of times in the last week, and today Dmitri stopped in. I’m glad her brothers are showing up for her, especially when I need to be away handling business.
Aria ended up taking a two week leave from work after what happened with Natalya. She didn’t want to take it, but I suggested she did.
A soft smile tugs at the corners of her lips, and the tension in her shoulders seems to ease. “Who am I kidding? I’m in love with you too, Maxim.”
The words send a warmth coursing through my veins, and I can't resist the urge to pull her into my arms. As I inhale the sweet scent of her hair, I savor the feeling of her body pressed against mine.
Aria clears her throat, “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me—for uprooting your entire life so I could continue treating my patients’.”
Aria’s words hang in the air, her confession igniting a fire within me. I squeeze her hand, my heart swelling with emotion.
“Aria,” I murmur, my voice thick with sincerity. “I would’ve made any sacrifice if it meant giving our marriage a real shot. And I have to say, marrying you was the best decision I ever made.” I bring her hand to my lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles. “I’m grateful every day that I get to spend my life with you.”
Tears shimmer in her eyes, and she gives me a watery smile. “I don’t know how you can say all of that when you’ve given up so much,” she whispers, her free hand coming up to caress my cheek. “Your home, your life in New York, everything.”
I lean into her touch, my own hand covering hers. “I gave up a few things, sure, but look where it’s getting us. None of those things matter to me,” I assure her. “There are two things that matter to me—you, and the Bratva.”
Aria’s eyes widen, and she regards me with a mix of wonder and adoration. Slowly, she leans in, her lips brushing against mine in a featherlight kiss.
The tender moment ignites a spark within me, and I pull her further into my arms, my mouth crashing against hers in a passionate kiss. Aria responds eagerly, her fingers threading through my hair as she presses her body flush against mine.
The world fades away, leaving only the two of us, lost in a haze of desire and need. Our kisses grow more frantic, hands roaming and caressing as we stumble toward the bedroom, shedding each article of clothing along the way.
We land on the bed, a tangle of arms and legs and hungry kisses. I cradle her face in my hands, looking into her eyes with an intensity that feels like it could consume us both.
Aria’s breathing is ragged, matching my own. “Maxim…” she murmurs, wrapping her arms around my neck.
