Page 31 of Bratva Queen

“Oh…” His large chest deflated, and he turned away toward the lounge area. The whole room was still dark, so he flicked on the standing lamp as he passed it. “I didn’t think he would do it so soon.”

Chapter12

Isabel

Ifollowed him, stepping into the room behind him. “You knew he would?”

He dropped onto the couch, running his hands through his hair. The yellow light of the dim lamp bulb cast shadows across his body.God!I knew he was sexy but to see him like this—half-naked, muscles jumping with frustration, his skin so warm and touchable, still with sleep creases—it was driving me insane with desire.

“Yeah,” he replied tiredly, wiping his face. He frowned and cocked his head to the side curiously. “Where did he propose? When?”

I sat down on the coffee table in front of him, wanting to be close. My knees were between his and my hands resting on my thighs. He leaned back against the couch, clearly trying to keep some distance between us. “This afternoon, while we were visiting Oleg’s gravesite.”

His eyes fluttered closed, and he shook his head. “Fuck me… The inconsiderate prick. I know, I know I shouldn’t speak of my boss like this but—”

“It’s okay. I understand.” I shook my head, knowing that he meant well and didn’t always agree with Stepan’s ways of doing things.

“Isabel, you deserved more than that… Jesus.”

I shrugged. “It was sweet, if you put it into context… but, theproposalisn’t why I’m here.”

He was silent for a moment, flicking his eyes between mine. “No?”

“No. It’s my answer. I didn’t give him one.”

As he tried to make sense of things, he kept a close eye on me, staying reclined on the couch to avoid getting too close because if he leaned forward a little, our faces would be just inches apart.

“Isabel… Don’t make me draw it out of you. Why are you here? What do you want?” His voice was harsh, but it only made him sexier to me. It showed he cared.

I stood up abruptly, scrunching my long hair between my fingers as I walked away and considered my answer. Eventually, when I could find no alternative way to say it, I gave him the blunt answer.

I spun around to face him again. “You, Aleksei! I want you!”

He closed his eyes and dropped his head, then stood up and walked to where I stood. “Isabel, we’ve been through this. It’s too dangerous!”

Angry tears prickled my eyes.Fuck his rejection! Fuck his logic!I couldn’t take it anymore!

“Aleksei, I need to feel you!” I tried to explain. “If only this once! It could be my last chance.”

He looked at me earnestly, breathing heavily as he contemplated it for a second. Then, he shook his head once and stepped right into me. “Fuck it.”

I threw my arms around his neck, and he immediately wrapped his around my waist, picking me up to his height as our mouths connected. Our kiss was forceful at first, then slid into a hot and heavy caress of our lips against each other. I moaned lightly into his mouth.

He turned us around and dropped back down onto the couch so I was straddling his lap. I pressed my body against his as we continued our kiss. His lips were soft and gently against mine, and I felt an overwhelming sense of comfort and security. I felt at peace in his presence, like nothing else mattered in this moment. His touch sent sparks of electricity through my body, and I knew instinctively that I belonged to him.

“Oh, God, Isabel… This is so reckless,” he moaned, his fingers squeezing my legs. I paused and looked at him with my hands cupping his cheeks, and he gave me a heated stare. “In the best fucking way possible.”

His words made me lose my mind, and I ground down against him, swiping my tongue right into his mouth and showing him just how badly I wanted this. His hands traveled to my ass and shoved me down hard against him, making me cry out.

“Oh! Fuck, Alek!”

I began to feel utterly frustrated with the clothing keeping me from feeling his skin against mine, so I quickly stood up and undid the button of my jeans.

Alek watched me with burning eyes, I recognized that fire I always thought was hate or anger but realized was actually raw and true passion. I slipped the jeans down my thighs, kicking my shoes off along with them. Alek reached forward to slide his hands down the length of my bare legs and tug the jeans off where they caught around my ankles. I leaned against his shoulders and laughed lightly at the domesticity of it.

I then pulled my sweater over my head and was left in my negligee and panties—very obviously my sleepwear. Alek licked his lips and smiled.

“You got out of bed for me?”

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