Page 31 of Savage Beauty

He nods. “Your wish is my command. But, seriously,zolotse, nothing happened tonight.” He runs his finger along my forearm, sending shivers down my spine. “I took Claudia to her father, and that was it. All I wanted was to get back to you.”

I believe him. I’m looking into the eyes of a man who’s falling, or I’m a delusional fool, but my scorn has faded away. “Okay. But you gotta prove it in the kitchen.”

Sasha gets to his feet. “I’ll pick out something for you to wear. May as well make an occasion of it.”

“You can be quite controlling at times,” I say. “Did you know that?”

He throws me a look over his shoulder. “Quite? And onlyat times? I need to up my game.”

* * *

When I emerge, Sasha is wearing smart suit pants and a crisp white shirt, his hair pulled back from his face. He sits in the armchair near the window, his ankle crossed over his knee, looking like the hottest thing I ever saw.

“Your dress is on the bed,” he says.

I pick it up and gasp. It’s this season’s Valentino, a satin midi dress in midnight blue with a bustier and a gathered skirt. I turn it over in my hands, enjoying the feel of it. Also on the bed is a shoe box marked ‘Louboutin.’

“I ordered these for you,” Sasha says. “They should fit; I looked through your clothes and checked the labels for the correct size. I was gonna save them for Christmas, but why make you wait? You can have whatever you want, anytime.”

“Marc bought me clothes too,” I say. Sasha’s expression darkens, and I finish my thought. “But he always bought them a size too small. He didn’t want me to be comfortable in case I got complacent about my diet.”

Sasha scowls. “I’ll never regret killing him. From now on, any man who offends you will be dealt with by me personally.” He taps his wrist. “Come on now,moya zhena. Tick-tock.”

I consider taking the outfit into the bathroom to change, but I decide to ignore Sasha’s presence and carry on as I would if he wasn’t there. I turn my back and retrieve some underwear from the dresser drawer, then shuck off my robe.

Sasha’s sharp intake of breath is gratifying to hear. I slip quickly into my panties, slide my thigh-highs over my legs, and wriggle into the dress, arranging my breasts in the bustier. I don’t glance at him once.

As I reach for the zipper, I hear his voice, thick with lust.

“Come here. Bring the shoes.”

Sasha is still in the chair, and I stand before him, unsure what will happen next. He stares at me intently, his hands twitching as he rests them on his knees.

“Turn around.”

I do as I’m bid, and he grabs my waist, pulling me onto his lap. I yelp in shock and drop the shoes. His palm is warm as he slips it over my back, his other hand smoothing the satin on my thigh. He finds the zipper and slides it slowly up, settling his hand on the back of my neck.

“Now stand,” he murmurs. “Pick up your shoes and give them to me.”

I don’t want to move. I feel his hardness against me, and I can’t resist a wiggle of my hips. He responds with a deep, throaty growl and pushes me onto my feet.

“Do what I tell you. Shoes.”

I retrieve my heels from the floor and turn to face Sasha. His gray eyes pierce me intensely, and I realize he’s barely keeping it together. Passion is mixed with anger, and I see frustration there, too, but it’s not directed at me. It’s as though he doesn’t dare break through—he’s afraid he’ll hurt me if he gives in to his desire.

He sits back and flexes his jaw, but he doesn’t smile. All at once, I see the man whose reputation is enough to make grown men cower. He’s built from raw energy and brute strength, with hands capable of terrible things. I shouldn’t long to feel those same hands caressing me again, but the frisson of fear makes me want him all the more.

Sasha spreads his legs and pats his right thigh with his palm. I don’t understand for a moment, and he reaches for me, taking the shoes and putting them in his lap. He sits back and taps his thigh again. I lift my right foot in the air, and he meets it, resting it on his palm. He guides my foot onto his leg, cradling my calf gently as he slides the heeled sandal into place.

“This is where I belong,” he says. He brushes my skin with his knuckles, and I feel a jolt of electric sensation pulse through me. “I’m a powerful man, and I’ll never let you forget it. But you’ve stolen my heart, and it fucking scares me.” He lifts my foot to his lips and kisses it. “Only a fool would fail to worship you as you deserve,zolotse. And I’m nobody’s fool except yours.”

I’m in awe. It’s more than just an intimate act; it’s a display of devotion. Although there’s no doubt that Sasha is in charge, he’s at my service. I feel like royalty, worshiped by a man whose reputation commands fear. Sasha Kislev, who could have anyone he wanted, is delicately fastening the ankle strap on a pair of Louboutins he purchased for me. Does he genuinely believe I’m worth it?

He releases my foot, and I offer him the other. His hands feel exquisite against my skin, and I’m on the brink of straddling him and giving in to the longing that courses through me. But before I can move, he’s on his feet, heading for the door.

“I want you,” he says, “but you told me you’re hungry, so first, you must eat. Considering what I have planned for you, you’ll need to keep your strength up.”

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