Page 59 of The Bratva's Christmas Bump
“You said yourself that you wouldn’t have believed me if I told you the truth.”
“But you still should have told me!”
“Why?” I smile softly. “What difference would it really have made?”
“Were you ever going to tell me?”
“No. I wanted to keep you in the dark as much as possible so you didn’t live in fear.”
“Fear?” She rolls her eyes. “I’m in this world now, which means all the dangerous things here can hurt me regardless of whetherI know about them or not. Were you really going to keep me in the dark?”
“Yes. Bringing you to the club was so you could see I do good in my work. Keeping you in the dark was so I could maintain some semblance of the life you lost when we married. And it’s unnecessary pain.”
“Why do you get to make that decision, huh?” Hollie surges forward suddenly, and within the cramped confines of the car, she ends up almost in my lap. One knee braces on the seat next to me while the other rests over my lap. She prods her finger into my chest, glaring at me. “You should have told me the truth!”
“What are you really angry at?” I ask softly, relaxing back while she hovers over me. I keep one arm tense just in case something happens that will hurt her since she abandoned her seatbelt. “I told you why I didn’t tell you and it’s not good enough. But it’s the truth, so what are you really pissed at?”
“You let me think you were this horrible, cold man!”
“And?” My eyes narrow faintly. “Why is that a problem?”
Hollie’s lips part and her words catch in her throat as she stares at me. In the depths of her gorgeous eyes, her struggles reflect back at me. There’s something she can’t bring herself to say, and my interest rises.
“Is it because you liked me?” I tease, taking a stab in the dark. “Was that night in the bar so memorable to you that you can’t comprehend crushing on a cold-blooded killer?”
My teasing words clash with her silence and her cheeks flare a vibrant red, which causes my stomach to flip. I was only joking, choosing something that was surely so ridiculous, it would get areaction out of her. But she doesn’t argue or throw herself away in disgust.
Instead, she blushes and hesitant noises fall from her lips as she struggles to reach a defense.
My eyes widen and a lazy smirk creeps up. “I’m right, aren’t I?”
“Shut up!” she snaps and tries to push away from me, but I don’t let her.
I wrap one arm around her waist and pull her close, forcing her to overbalance and land fully in my lap. As her hands land on my shoulder in protest, I cradle the side of her face, slide my fingers into her thick, red hair, and drag her down for a kiss.
Hollie’s body remains rigid the moment our lips meet but just as I contemplate letting her go, just when I think I’ve completely misread the situation, she suddenly relaxes into me.
My heart skips a beat.
“You’re wrong,” Hollie mutters against my lips. “You’re so wrong.”
“Then why are you still kissing me?” My grip relaxes and I open my eyes to meet the fire in hers.
She pushes herself away, looking almost disappointed that she can, and then her mouth is over mine once more.
Her lips cling to a fraction of the chill lingering from when we were out in the snow, and there’s a sweetness from whatever gloss she chose to wear today. She’s warm in my lap and her two hands resting against my shoulders suddenly turn to claws as she digs her nails in.
Something deep and warm curls inside me. Both my arms circle her and I pull her close against my chest, uncaring about the reason she’s choosing to kiss me. If it’s anger, frustration, or a distraction, I don’t care. I just want her.
I wanted her back in the bar.
I wanted her the moment I saw her on the couch after Stu knocked her out.
I thought I would never have her.
Even if one more taste is all I’m granted, then that’s what I’ll take and savor.
The car lurches, sending Hollie deeper into my lap, and a soft, surprised moan lifts from her as she places her hand against the side of my neck while my tongue sweeps across her lower lip.
