At the moment, my pulse was racing, and I could barely catch my breath. I was so close to losing myself in a way that would’ve been rather catastrophic. If he hadn’t pulled away when he did, things would’ve heated up and most probably spiraled out of control.
I’d had no idea how attracted I was to him until that fateful evening. The second I set eyes on him from the head of the stairs earlier that day, I knew I was in trouble.
The man looked good in a tux, so good, in fact, that I found myself fantasizing about being intimate with him. It took everything in me to stop myself, to remind myself of the nature of our contract.
Judging by the way he’d stared at me throughout the party, it was obvious that he, too, found me just as attractive. I knew in my heart that this feeling was mutual, but the strange pull in the hallway only confirmed it.
A part of me was glad that he was jealous after seeing me vibing with another man. His reaction, however rude and embarrassing, was somewhat satisfying. It was proof that he saw me as something more than just a contract wife.
Deep down in my heart, I could tell that I was looking for trouble going down this lane. I had no business being attracted to a ruthless brute like Adrik Tarasov. The man was a cold-blooded killer and a fuckin’ Mafia boss.
Red flag!
He put the “e” in evil, and his world was filled with nothing but violence, death, and destruction. I should stick to the plan—survive for a year and then gain my freedom.
But how was I going to do that when my heart and body were starting to betray me?
It had been three days since the incident at the gala. Yet, I still hadn’t been able to stop replaying the scene in my mind. I couldn’t help wondering what would’ve happened if he hadn’t stepped away.
I thought about the different possible outcomes every single night since that evening. And in every scenario, the end result was always the same. We fucked.
The more I dwelled on what would’ve happened but didn’t, the more my head was filled with illicit thoughts. Even though I claimed I didn’t like the images playing in my mind, I still welcomed and entertained the idea all the time.
And just like that, something started to grow within me—an emotion I only dismissed as lust. It was too early to be craving the man who had me trapped in his life.
Where the hell was all that fire– that hatred and disdain that fueled my fury? Why in God’s name was I starting to feel comfortable within these walls?
This mansion was nothing but a gilded cage, and my days were filled with contracts and coded messages.
As his PA, lately, I’d learned more about his illegal businesses than I intended to. I’d been present in meetings that whispered of crimes and warfare beneath polished words.
Today, we were both working in his office, silent and focused. He was seated at his desk, fingers rattling across his keyboard, while I was sitting on the couch beside a bookshelf.
On the low table in front of me was a stack of files I was sorting out all by myself. Although I was buried in work, I still managed to steal hidden glances at him when he wasn’t looking.
He seemed so focused and so serious that he didn’t even bother noticing me. Not even once. I couldn’t understand why it pained me that he was paying more attention to his computer than to me. This was a stupid feeling, and I hated it. Yet it couldn’t be helped.
Everything was going well. That was untilshewalked in like she owned the place.
The doors swung open, and at first, I thought it was Adrik’s lieutenant because no one else could walk in here without knocking first. However, when I heard her voice, something sour swelled up inside me.
“Hey, handsome,” she said, striking a seductive pose at the entrance. “Did you miss me?”
My brows arched in disbelief as I watched this tall, beautiful brunette walk into his office. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders in soft waves, and her hips swayed delicately as she moved.
This woman was dressed with effortless confidence, the kind that commanded attention. She was wearing a grey crop top that hugged her frame, but exposed her ridiculously flat belly.
Her mini skirt revealed too much skin, and around her killer waist were a couple of fancy beads. Her high heels clicked on the fine marble floor as she sashayed her way to his desk.
It was like I was looking at a goddess in real time, and for the first time in my life, I felt inferior to another woman. She wastall, gorgeous, and moved like a friggin’ runway model. Maybe shewasone.
When she smiled, her eyes sparkled with mirth, and her full lips parted, revealing a glimpse of her perfect whites. Her perfume filled the air—rich and sweet, the kind that could entrance any man in seconds.
Her silver anklets, expensive bracelets, and the pearl around her neck glistened under the soft light.
Again, it was looking at a goddess in real time.
This woman walked past me as though I didn’t exist. Like that wasn’t enough disrespect, she went around his desk and sat on his lap.
