Page 113 of Dark Promise (Suvorov Bratva 1)

Emotions battle on her face. Desire, confusion, lust, concession—she’s having one of those fights that makes it hard for her to speak. And while it’s odd to be able to see her moods, it’s refreshing to know that I’ve gotten under her skin just as much as she’s gotten under mine.

“Just like a fox,” I whisper as I stroke her cheek. “You’ve burrowed into my heart so deep that I can’t remember what it’s like to live without you by my side.” I drag my thumb under her eye, swiping away a tear. “And I don’twantto remember what that’s like.”

“What are you saying?”

The words dance in my throat, taunting me. I could say them. I could evenmeanthem when I say them.

But that would change everything.

To say it would make it real. And to make it real would expose every single nerve in my body to the elements.

I’ll be too vulnerable to handle anything.

This isn’t the time or place. She’s not ready for it.I’mnot ready for it.

But I want to say it so badly.

She leans into my touch, cupping the back of my hand with her palm. When her lips join mine, I forget my fears and the very phrase I wanted to say. Words are useless. Actions are the only thing that matter. Actions backed by honor and intention are even stronger.

And I can show her better than I can tell her.

The chair creaks as she shifts toward me. She crawls into my lap, each kiss growing hungrier than the last. It’s a ravenous assault on my mouth that leaves me stunned and just as hungry, my body vibrating with desire for her. Something has changed between us. Something has clicked into place like a perfectly aligned latch.

I cup her bottom, trace her thighs, tease her skin with feather-light touches that make her moan into every kiss. Her tongue teases my lip and I slurp it into my mouth, dragging a mewl from somewhere deep within her. The sound of her arousal is enough to drive me mad—and I know I’ll need to do something about it soon.

She nips my lower lip and then surfaces for air, gasping while tangling her fingers into my hair. The way she draws circles on my scalp ignites a primal urge, a knot cranking tighter in my gut the longer she sits on my hardening cock.

I try to stand, to set her on her feet, but she locks her legs around my waist and I stumble a bit, landing on top of her on the chair she was sitting in just moments ago. With a husky chuckle, I peel her limbs away and stand, extending my hand to her.

She looks more beautiful than ever. Cheeks tinted pink with lust, pupils blown out, hair creating dark brown and caramel rivers around her shoulders. She glances at my hand and then up at me, curiosity laced with drunken desire.

“Rodnaya Lichiska,” I say. “Join me below deck.”

“What’s down there?”

She takes my hand without waiting for my answer. And I can’t help but swell with pride at the sight of her trusting me to lead her deeper into the yacht. She follows me toward the door as a surge of emotions flood my body.

After tonight, I won’t have regrets. I won’t have to live with the haunted tales of what could have been. I know my life will be different with Liya. I know she’s now a tender portion of my heart that could easily wound me.

But that doesn’t matter anymore.

“Come and see, Liya,” I tease. “If you dare…”

Chapter Thirty-Three

Liya

Nothing holds me back from crawling into bed next to Pavel.

Because I dare. Because I’m his queen. Because I know that nothing can harm me here.

Not even him.

Fingers lighter than the summer breeze trail over my neck, dance along my shoulder, and then trace the neckline of my dress. His lips join the ballet of his fingers dipping beneath the fabric. He teases my cleavage while stroking my nipple.

I arch into him. “Pavel…”

His hum concludes his kiss as he floats toward my throat, sliding his hand to the zipper at my back. The sound of the zipper stutters through the silence, causing me to buck, feeling the depth of his words in his insistent touch.

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