Page 41 of Bound to the Bratva
Maxim’s response is a welcome one. His arms wrap around me, practically gluing my body to his. He takes control of our kiss, exuding passion mixed with dominance.
If anything, today has only proven the two of us can endure hell and still be here for one another. In a way, it’s made me want him more as well.
When we finally break apart, both of us are catching our breath. It’s not like we worked up a sweat or anything, but the connection we’re forming makes everything so hot. At least for me it does.
Maxim rests his forehead against mine. “I know I keep saying it, but I need you to understand the weight of my words. You’re my wife, Aria,” he says fiercely. “And I will burn the world down before I let anything happen to you, or our children.”
A chill runs through my entire body. I reel back and look over his expression. “Children?" I repeat, my heart suddenly pounding. “Maxim, we haven’t discussed anything. I didn’t even know you wanted children.”
He studies me, his thumb gently stroking my cheek in a reassuring manner. “There isn’t any way in hell we wouldn’t. Sure, we got married quickly, and the circumstances of our marriage are a bit different…but we don’t have an option to be childless. Especially me,”
It makes sense. He isn’t just any man. He’s the one who will eventually lead the Bratva, and he’ll need children to ensure his family stays at the top of the food chain. If there were a situation where we failed to have children, I’m sure the other families in the Bratva would pressure another to lead when Maxim was too old to do so.
I swallow hard as I process all of this. The idea is overwhelming, undoubtedly terrifying, and yet there’s a small part of me that thinks he could be a very good father.
I’m not foolish enough to admit it, but I’m happy to see how things progress, and if the two of us will continue to connect well.
Even though the bond we have now is strong, it doesn’t mean it all can’t come crumbling down in a moment’s notice.”
If I’m being honest with myself, I don’t know if I’ve ever wanted to be a mother. I think it’s because of my job, how I see all of these children fighting for their lives every single day. It’s scared me in a sense. What if I had a child who was facing the unimaginable? Would I be able to handle it as gracefully as some of these other parents?
Licking my lips, I strike a deal with him. “We’ll at least have one, to carry on the name.”
Maxim smirks, “One will do if it’s a boy, but you know if it’s a girl we’ll have to have more.”
God, the Bratva isn’t up with current times. Just because a woman doesn’t have a dick, it doesn’t make her invaluable. I wonder if Maxim can change things once he’s leading the Bratva, or if it’s something the others will never accept.
If things were to change, no woman would ever be in a position like I am ever again. It would save so many of us from marrying men who honestly aren’t good matches. Some are forced to marry men who would put the Devil to shame, while others are kinder and more sincere. I’m lucky Maxim isn’t as horrible as I thought he could be.
“Maybe by the time you’re leading, the rules will shift.”
Maxim shakes his head, “No, they won’t. The elders in the other Bratva families aren’t keen on change, and giving women more power is a change none of them will agree on.”
I scoff, “A little bit ironic that a group of men are the ones who will make a decision about women having more rights.”
Things grow silent between us for a moment until he changes the subject. “We don’t have to rush having a child, maybe in a couple of years. You have a bustling career, and I think we need time to settle into this.”
He has no idea how relieved I am to hear him say that. “I was thinking the same thing.”
Maxim captures my lips in a sensual kiss once more until he suddenly breaks it. His lips only millimeters away from mine. “Plus, the longer we wait, the more time we have to practice.”
I playfully roll my eyes and return my lips to his. Practicing sounds like it’s just the thing I need right now, especially after this hellish day.
I melt into the moment, surrendering to his kiss, his touch, anything to take my mind off what our duties are, and the chaos that plagued us this evening. I’m not letting anything else exist outside of this moment, only allowing him to be my main point of focus.
Desire threatens to consume me, even if the weight of our duties are heavy on my shoulders. I don’t need to think about any of it right now, so I’m not going to. I refuse to do so.
His arms tighten around me as his lips take over every fiber of my being. The chill I had a few minutes ago is gone, replaced by the heat looming in my center for him.
Maxim breaks our kiss momentarily, confirming his vows. “I will always protect what’s mine.”
I wouldn’t normally like being referred to as property, but the way it passes through Maxim’s lips only turns me on even more.
With his protection, no one on Earth will touch me. They surely may try, but they will not succeed. If he’s going to protect me this much now, I can only imagine what things could be like if he falls in love with me.
He slides his hand slowly up my neck, his rough fingers causing the warmth to skyrocket through me. Maxim cups the nape of my neck and forces me to look at him. “I can’t wait any longer. I need you. I need you now.”
I doubt he realizes I need him just as badly. “Take me. I’m yours,” I gnaw on my bottom lip and he runs his hands along the geometric patterns on my corset.
