Page 158 of Shattered Altar (Makarova Bratva Duet)

“If I don’t get to have sex… then neither do you.”

He considers that for a moment. “Is fucking a big priority for you, kiska? Because I can fix that. Simply say the word.”

“That’s not what I want,” I say with a shudder—not because I don’t want that, but because of just how badly I do. “I just want this to be… fair.”

“You’re not in much of a position to enforce any demands,” he drawls.

“Argh!” I shriek, wanting to tear my hair out. He makes me feel like I’m short-circuiting. Every emotion at once, anger and frustration and lust and hatred and safety and lo—no, not love. Definitely not love. “You… you are just…”

He waits for me to find the right word, but when I come up blank, he just offers me a sympathetic smile. “There’s only one way I’ll agree to your terms, Olivia.”

I go still, waiting for him to tell me what it’ll cost.

“You have to admit that you want me. Despite everything you know about me,” he says. “I want to hear you tell me the truth.”

I shake my head. “I don’t.”

He looks not mad, but disappointed. “Then I think you need to go back up to your room.”

The way he says it catches my attention. I feel my body shake as I glance to the door that Megan disappeared through. “Why? What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know,” he says with a shrug. “I think I might just go and see where Megan is.”

My chest rises up and down, up and down. I’m flushed with anger, but I will not sacrifice my pride for his benefit. He’ll probably only laugh in my face, anyway.

And when I feel my bottom lip start to quiver, I know he’s right: it’s time for me to go.

I leave the towel sitting on the armchair and turn my back on him. As I walk away, I wait for him to stop me.

But he doesn’t.

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