He leans against the counter and takes a sip, his eyes dark. There’s a storm behind them. It’s weird seeing him like this. Like there’s emotion in him. Like he’s human.
Still, I know to tread lightly. “Were you close?”
Ransome’s jaw tightens, but he nods and takes another sip. “Yeah. Inseparable. He was… people thought we were twins. Onein the same. And then he died and I had to grow up.” His face goes hard.
“I know how that is,” I admit, and Ransome looks at me for the first time. “After we lost Mom, my dad started drinking. It’s safe to say he hasn’t put down the bottle since.”
“How old were you?”
“Eleven. My siblings were six, four, and two.” Ransome sucks his teeth in response. “I had to be the grown-up, especially to Bella. She was still in diapers.”
He nods, face hard. “And where are they now?”
“Eliza is working. She wanted to go to art school, but she’s a hair stylist, barely making enough. Gianni and Bella are still in high school, living with him.”
It’s not easy—talking about this. I don’t usually go into this much detail about my family with anyone. I’m too protective.
He nods. “Are they making it okay?”
I snort at that. “They aren’t thriving, if that’s what you mean. He’s a mean drunk. But he’s passed out half the time. They need somewhere to live, so it works for now. I’d let them live with me, but the commute to their school is too far. I send money.”
I look over at Ransome. There’s a hint of something in his expression. When he doesn’t say anything else, I sigh, the exhaustion of, well, everything catching up to me. Then I pull the pins from my hair, letting it fall down around my shoulders.
I can see Ransome watching me. I can also see something in his face change again. He sets his glass down and just stares.
I stare back, not breathing. The look in his eyes is a look I’ve never seen before. He walks around the counter, standing in front of me. I’m still holding my breath as he snakes his arm around my waist, pulling me against him.
And then next thing I know, his lips are pressed to mine.
I don’t know which part of the contract this is. But honestly, I don’t give a fuck. He hasn’t kissed me like this before. It’s not for show, but it’s also not pushy. That’s new for him, since everything Ransome Rozanov does is pushy and dominating.
I arch my back and lean into him, wanting more. Wanting it to go deeper. Ransome’s hand tightens on me, fists the fabric of my shirt. I let out a moan as his jaw works my lips apart. His tongue finds mine and teases it.
“Ransome…” I murmur.
“You want more,dorogoya?”
“Mhmm.”
“You need more?” he asks into my mouth.
I nod. My eyes are closed as his palm cups my cheek, his thumb tracing my jawline.
Then, with both hands suddenly clasping my thighs, he picks me up.
A moment later, I am on the counter.
Oh my God.
He’s going to fuck me on his kitchen counter.
Anticipation explodes as he drops to his knees in front of me and I lay back waiting. He grabs my knees and pushes them apart. My skirt hikes up with the motion.
Then his tongue finds me. At first, he only wets my panties. That alone is enough to send me into orbit. Because this is Ransome Rozanov, licking me through my underwear.
Then he yanks it aside and kisses my pussy.
“Fuck,” I cry out. I wasn’t expecting it. I also didn’t know that a simple kiss on the clit could feel so fucking good.
