Her body tightens beneath my palm before she slaps it away, and I can’t decide what I enjoy more: her resistance or how easily I can break it.
“We need to set some ground rules.”
I chuckle. “And what would those be?”
“I’m not quitting my job.”
“Fine. We could use a lawyer in the family.” I lean closer, lowering my tone. “But what will you do with me? Pretend I don’t exist? Lock me in a closet like your shameful little secret?”
“Yes, exactly.” Her glare narrows. “I’m glad you’re understanding how this is going to go now. In my world, aside from Emilia, you’re nothing but a man I once tried to send to prison.”
I grin, brushing my lips along the edge of her temple. “That’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever said to me, moya ptichka.”
“You bring it out in me.”
“What else? Go on. Tell me what you want. I’m in a giving mood.”
“Separate bedrooms. Non-negotiable.”
A loud, humorless laugh tears from my throat. “That’s cute. But no.”
Her brows slam together. “That’s not up for debate?—”
I cut her off, grabbing her waist and dragging her flush against me. She sucks in a gasp, chest pressing to mine.
“You don’t seem to get it yet.” My gaze snaps to those furious, perfect eyes. “Every night, you’ll be in my bed. Right where you belong.”
Her hands push at my chest, but I don’t move. I won’t.
“I’ll do whatever I want to this body, whenever I want. Because I own you, Fiona.” My mouth brushes her ear. “Every inch is mine to defile. And I intend to.”
Her lashes dip as my lips hover a hair’s breadth from hers. I can feel her tremor, the tiny fissures spiderwebbing through her walls. One more push and she’ll crack, whispering my name the way I want it.
“It’ll never mean anything,” she breathes.
My lips graze the corner of hers. “That’s exactly how I like it.”
Then I crush my mouth to hers, my tongue forcing its way inside. She fights me at first, palms braced against my chest, but resistance with us never lasts.
Her fingers tug at my shirt, and she hauls me closer. She moans for me, low and wrecked, and it hits me like a shot of adrenaline. My hand slides into her hair, fisting tight as I deepen the kiss, her body melting into me, hips shifting on instinct she won’t admit.
Blyat. She’s perfect. Too perfect. And I hate her for what she drags out of me, while at the same time craving more of it. It’s a cruel addiction, and I want to punish her for it.
I pull back just enough to see her face: flushed, lips swollen, eyes dark with the same need burning through me.
“This is going to be fun,” I whisper against her jaw, still tasting her on my tongue. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together, Mrs. Marinova.”
She swallows hard. “Do you promise not to hurt my parents or their business? Because if you do anything to them…” Her gaze hardens. “I will kill you in your sleep.”
A low sound vibrates in my chest while my teeth drag across my bottom lip. “Do you purposely say things like that just to excite me?”
She groans, smacking my chest. “I need to hear you say it, Marinov.”
I catch her wrist, bringing it to my mouth. My eyes stay locked on hers as I press a slow kiss against her pulse point.
“I keep my word. Your parents will be safe, as long as you behave.” I lean closer, my grip tightening just enough to make her body twitch. “But if you don’t…” My tone dips. “I’ll burn it all to the ground and give you a front-row seat. We understand each other?”
There’s something feral in the way her face twists, rage burning so bright it turns almost beautiful.
