Page 25 of Bratva Bride

He froze, his face twisted in confusion. "Of course I have, it is my proposal after all."

This time, it was my turn to chuckle. I moved forward, circling him like he did me. He stayed still, watching me as my eyes roamed over every inch of his body.

Fuck, I wanna climb that like a jungle gym.

"I don't think you have. You see, I won't be the type of wife you want."

"Oh?" he arched one of those perfect eyebrows. "And how do you know what type of wife I want?"

I continued to circle him, secretly loving the fact he stayed completely still, allowing me to peruse him as much as I wanted.

"You want what every Made Man wants. A woman who worships the ground you walk on. A woman who will do what you say, when you say it. A woman who won't argue with you, who will be content waiting at home day in and day out for you," I stopped dead in front of him, letting him process my words. I leaned in slightly and whispered, "That's not me."

His eyes roamed over my face, pausing slightly at my mouth before going back up and meeting my gaze. "I know," he whispered back. "And I'm not like every Made Man. I know exactly who you are, exactly what you're capable of, and it only makes me want you more."

He took a step forward, his body almost pressed up against mine. I had to work hard to control my breathing. I could feel my heart beating erratically in my chest and I prayed he couldn't hear it, couldn't feel it.

He raised his hand slowly and wrapped his fingers around my throat, squeezing slightly, making heat curl down my spine. Want and need blazed inside me, right through me down to my core.

"I don't want a docile woman, a weak woman. I want a Queen. A woman to help me conquer and rule. A woman who will stand by my side, not cower behind me.”

My eyes moved down to his mouth and I involuntarily licked my lips. For a split second, I forgot what we were talking about and imagined what it would be like to kiss him. To taste him. I bet he'd taste fucking amazing.

"And how do you know I'm that woman?" I whispered, my voice a bit huskier than I would have liked.

Staying close, he studied me for a few moments before reaching into his suit jacket and pulling out a knife. He held it up in the air and as I watched the blade shine from the light in the room, I saw the letters IV engraved into it.

My knife!

I reached forward to take it but he pulled his hand back out of my reach. With one final squeeze to my throat, he released his hold and stepped back. I missed his touch instantly.

"I've never seen a woman, a beautiful woman at that, throw a knife with such precision."

I was listening to him but my eyes were on my blade. It was one of my favourites and I can't believe I forgot it! My father gave it to me the day he made me a made woman.

"I knew from that moment that you were the one I've been looking for," he smirked.

I frowned. "So, you're telling me all it took was for me to throw a knife at your brother for you to decide to spend the rest of your life with me?" I hoped he could hear the scepticism in my voice. "Any woman in the Bratva could do that."

He tsked and placed my knife back inside his suit jacket.

Uh, excuse me. I want that back.

Now that he wasn't so close to me, I felt like I could finally breathe again.

"No,kotenok, that’s not all it took. There are many things about you that helped sway my decision."

"Oh yeah? Like what?"

"I never pegged you as the type of woman who fished for compliments."

I scowled, narrowing my eyes. "I'm not! I just don't think you've thought this through."

He sighed. "Think what you will woman, but I’ve thought it through plenty."

I studied his face, looking for any sign of deceit, but I couldn't see any.

"I won't be an easy wife, you know. I'll probably drive you mad," I said, shrugging my shoulders. "I hate being told what to do and I despise being underestimated. I know La Cosa Nostra are not used to women being in the life and I can guarantee you, your men won't like me around."

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