Page 20 of A Bride for the Bratva Boss
She rises onto her toes, pressing into me, and every muscle in my body tightens in a way that’s dangerous.
I break away first, breathing hard.
Her eyes are wide, lips swollen, chest rising fast.
“Tell me to stop,” I rasp, my forehead resting against hers. “Tell me to stop and I walk away.”
She shakes her head.
I swallow. “Then tell me you want this because once I start, I won’t stop until I’ve had all of you.”
Her fingers curl in my shirt, tugging me closer. “I want this,” she whispers. “But I’m afraid.”
“You’re afraid I’ll hurt you.” I’ve never committed violence against a woman, but she’s right to worry. I’m a brute. She’s seen what the monster in me can do already.
Surprising me, she shakes her head. “No.” She ducks her head. “I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. I don’t know how to please aman.” She looks up, her eyes solemn, “You said my duty is to please you.”
I cup her face and she leans into my palm. “You could never disappoint me. You please me just by being you.” The truth of those words overwhelms me and a sharp pain twitches in my chest. I rub my pec.
It’s the closest thing to surrender I’ve ever heard.
“Are you sure?” she breathes.
“Very sure.” I kiss her lips, softly this time.
She returns the kiss but then steps back, fiddling with the bottom of her shirt. Another over-sized t-shirt. I can’t wait to drape her in silk and satin. “Maybe we should eat,” she says. “I know I started this…and I don’t want you to feel like I lead you on…but?—”
“It feels overwhelming,” I finish for her.
She nods, biting her lip.
“For me too.” I pull her toward me, loosely holding her hips as I guide her body between my legs. “You’re allowed to change your mind. You’re allowed to say stop at any point.”
She stares over my shoulder, not meeting my gaze as another blush covers her face. “That’s the problem.”
I touch my index finger to her cheek, gently guiding her head until she looks at me. “What’s the problem?”
She ducks down mumbles something.
“I can’t hear you.” I frown, have I already scared her away from physical intimacy.
She raises her head, defiant eyes locks onto mine. “The problem is I don’t want to stop.”
My chest fills with lightness. “You’re allowed to want me.”
“I’ve known you for less than twenty-four hours.”
“And yet you married me.” I can’t help the wide grin blooming on my face.
She frowns. “That was because you made me.”
I nod, faking seriousness. “Yeah. I held a gun to your head, making you sign those papers.”
She flicks me an annoyed look. “You know what I mean.”
I pull her closer, looping my arms around her body in a soft embrace. “It’s more like you made me.” I clutch the neck of my t-shirt, like I’m wearing perls. “You wielded that blade like you knew what you were doing. Watching you down that creep, I knew I had to do what you told me or I’d be next. I had no choice but to marry you.”
She slaps my chest. “Again with the knife jokes, funny man.”
