Page 72 of The Russian's Bought Bride

I drag a hand slowly over my jaw before speaking again, quieter this time, before I realize just how close to her I am. “I’m too invested in you.”

The honesty surprises even me, and I feel as Dani goes still next to me. “Nikolai—”

“I know,” I interrupt roughly, forcing myself to breathe, but it doesn’t do anything to calm my pulse. “I know I don’t have any right to be.”

Not after the lies, every way I’ve tried to control her, and how this entire situation began. But none of that changes what’shappening inside my chest every time I look at her. Every bit of it is unbelievably selfish, but I never claimed to be a saint, either.

“I don’t want to let you go,” I admit, forcing myself to ignore how the confession hangs heavily in the dim backseat.

Danielle’s breathing catches slightly like she’s having an internal debate with herself, then she shifts toward me first, and that’s all it takes for me to receive the message loud and clear.

I’m kissing her before my brain fully catches up, one hand sliding into her hair while she grabs the front of my shirt and returns it with enough hunger to erase every remaining coherent thought from my head.

The tension between us ignites instantly, and it somehow feels even better than the first time.

Her mouth opens against mine with a soft sound that destroys every ounce of willpower I have left, and I pull her into my lap without thinking, letting my hands settle hard against her waist like she was meant to be there.

She gasps softly against my mouth as the vehicle moves through the busy Vegas streets outside.

“Dangerous girl,” I murmur roughly against her lips, feeling too caught up in her to care about the consequences.

“You started it.”

I almost laugh at that, but then she’s kissing me again, and conversation becomes impossible.

Chapter 22 - Dani

I feel like I’m burning up in Nikolai’s lap while his hands move along my body like he can’t get enough.

Every hard plane of his body presses against me as his lips claim mine over and over again, heat seeping through his clothes and making me melt further.

His cologne mixed with his natural scent clings to my senses, making my head spin with the need for more of him and more of this addictive feeling.

A soft groan slips from his mouth and catches in the kiss while his palms roam up my back and along my curves. “Christ, Dani…”

I shiver at how wrecked he sounds already, just from kissing and having me against him. Immediately, it strokes my pride, and I deepen it, hips moving on their own volition.

Another strained sound resonates in his chest, and Nikolai wastes no time dragging his tongue against mine before he shoves the jacket off my shoulders and tugs at the belt loops on my jeans to cut what minimal distance exists between us.

His hands are nearly trembling with the force he uses to hold himself back from going further. His fingers linger at my waistband, but he doesn’t continue.

At that, I break the kiss long enough to hold his gaze, exchanging breath still. “Why are you hesitating?”

Swallowing hard, his chest heaves. “I need to know this is what you want.”

“Have I pushed you off me?”

His brows furrow slightly. “Obviously not.”

“Then yes, this is what I want,” I murmur, kissing him again.

Nikolai’s hands on me almost relax, but he exhales through his nose before speaking between kisses. “I want your express permission.”

“And you have it,” I return, nipping his bottom lip in a moment of bravery.

His breath catches, and when I pull back more to look at him fully, I have half the mind to think it offends him, but the way his eyes darken suggests otherwise. Instead, he stays where he is, hands loosely on my hips. “Say it.”

Staring at one another, a silent challenge moves between us, and rather than give in to what he wants, I take it a step further.