Page 39 of The Bratva's Arranged Bride
My brows went up involuntarily at that, somewhat caught off guard by the mention of it. I didn’t think he’d want me anywhere near the place.
Before I could say anything, he chuckled. “Although…I’m not so sure it would be your kind of scene…”
At that, I rolled my eyes and set my brush down to cross my arms. He wasn’t necessarily wrong, but I didn’t want him to think he had me figured out, either.
“I’m not a prude. I could handle it.”
It was his turn to cock a brow at me, leaning forward in his seat. “You sure it wouldn’t be too much for you?”
Feeling a bit more defensive than necessary, I scoffed. “I’m sure.”
Amused by the exchange, Val chuckled and stood from his seat. “We’ll see about that, then.”
Without even needing to try, the air between us felt charged, like we were treading dangerous territory.
Pressing into it further, I murmured, “You think I’m that dull?”
“Dull? Hardly…”
Then, Val started drifting closer, keeping his eyes on me with a keen sort of interest. “I think you’re anything but…”
A brush of panic ran through me the moment he leaned in with a gentle fan of his enticing breath against my cheek, feeling a confusing storm of attraction and refusal as I instinctively pulled back.
There was a flash of irritation in his eyes at that, almost like he was tired of the constant back and forth. Before I could do anything, he placed a hand on my waist to steady me, and then his lips brushed against mine.
Like a normal husband would kiss his wife before leaving, it was surprisingly tender. Soft.
I froze immediately, surprised by the brief yet gentle touch. Something about it shook me down to my core.
A brief silence lingered between us as he looked down at me once our lips parted, but he didn’t pull back all the way.
No…it was like we had both been locked into place, unable to fully refuse the moment.
As much as I knew I should tear away from him and force distance between us, I couldn’t. In a lapse of judgment, I didn’t want to.
But he wasn’t done. Neither was I.
Val’s mouth returned to mine as he pulled me closer by my waist, deepening the kiss with deliberate force.
It lingered, letting me feel a rush of sensations from the contact alone.
Despite myself, I relaxed into it, soaking in how addictive it was…how perfectly desperate it felt.
Regardless of my best interests, I kissed him back, savoring the very thing I had been restricting myself from.
The heat behind the contact stirred that dormant want within me, and as much as I wanted to be strong, I already knew it was a losing game.
Like something had been triggered in him at last, Val groaned quietly into the kiss and placed both hands on my hips while he chased after my lips, demanding so much at once.
I shivered, well aware that I couldn’t stop…not after feeling the true depth of his need.
Not after realizing my own.
Not holding back anymore, we were a flurry of limbs and hands pulling at clothes while our mouths melded to the point of nearly aching. He pulled the sweater over my head and tossed it aside carelessly while I worked his buttons undone and pushed the material away from his skin.
We spent far too long holding back—me especially—and it seemed that pressure mounted to its breaking point. I couldn’t resist any longer. Not when I needed him just as badly.
Val’s hands explored my body while he took blind steps back, pulling me along with him until he found the chair again. Dropping into it, he wasted no time tugging me onto his lap and snaking an arm around my waist to keep me in place.
