Page 31 of The Pakhan’s Accidental Bride

"I'm making it real," Emil says, jerking me back to the present conversation, referring to how I said it wasn't a real proposal.

The certainty in his voice sends a shiver down my spine. This man is used to getting what he wants, and apparently, he wants me. The thought should terrify me. It does terrify me. But it also makes heat pool low in my belly and my skin feel too tight.

I look at him, really look at him. The top button of his shirt is undone, giving me a glimpse of his throat and the strong column of his neck. He's broad-shouldered and solid, the kind of build that comes from real work, not just gym time. And the way he's looking at me, like he wants to devour me whole…

A wild idea forms in my mind. It's reckless and stupid and probably the worst decision I could make, but I venture forth anyway.

"I don't even know if you're good in bed," I hear myself say.

Emil goes very still. The two guards by the door might as well be statues for all the attention they're paying us, but I can feel the shift in the air, the sudden charge of electricity between me and the dangerous man in my kitchen.

"That's important to you?" Emil asks, his voice rough.

"Of course it is," I say, taking a step toward him. My heart is pounding so hard, I'm sure he can hear it. "If I'm going to marry someone, even in a fake engagement that you're trying to make real, I need to know we're compatible. In all ways."

Another step. I'm close enough now to smell his cologne, something expensive and masculine that makes my head spin.

"So I think I need to give you a test run," I say, looking up at him through my lashes.

14

EMIL

Idon't know whether to be insulted or turned on that she's demanding a test run of me. Like I'm some fucking car she needs to take around the block before she commits to the purchase.

The audacity of this woman.

I decide I'm both insulted and aroused, and I shrug. "Sure, why not?"

Her eyes widen slightly, color rising on her cheeks. She turns without a word and leads the way down the hall to her bedroom. I follow, watching the sway of her hips and how her ass moves beneath those tight jeans. My cock is already hard, pressing against my zipper. She wants to test me? Fine. I'll show her exactly what she's getting herself into.

Her bedroom is small and feminine. The bed is covered in a pale blue comforter with pillows stacked against the headboard. She turns to face me, and I can see the determination in her eyes. She's trying to be brave and maintain control of this situation.

I'm not going to let her.

She reaches for the hem of her shirt, clearly intending to strip and get this over with quickly. Like it's a business transaction.

I catch her wrist before she can pull the fabric up. "No."

Her breath hitches. "No?"

"You want to test me?" I step closer, backing her toward the bed. My body crowds hers, and I can feel the heat radiating off her skin. "Then we do this my way."

"That's not…" she says, but her voice quavers. I can see her pulse jumping in her throat, can smell the faint scent of her arousal already starting to build.

"That's exactly how this works." I release her wrist and cup her face, tilting it up so she has to look at me. Her skin is soft and warm beneath my palm. "You think you're in control here, Kiera? You're not. You haven't been since the moment you said we were engaged."

I can feel her pulse racing beneath my palm. She's scared and excited and trying so damn hard not to show either. It's fucking adorable.

"I just wanted to see if we're compatible," she whispers.

"We're compatible." I brush my thumb across her lower lip, feeling the softness of it. "But I'll prove it to you."

I kiss her then, slow and deep, taking my time. Her taste is sweet and intoxicating. Her hands come up to my chest, and for a moment I think she's going to push me away, but instead her fingers curl into my shirt, gripping the fabric like she needs something to hold onto.

I deepen the kiss, my tongue sliding against hers, claiming her mouth the way I'm going to claim the rest of her. She makes a small sound in the back of her throat, and my cock throbs in response. Fuck, I want her. I want to bury myself inside her and make her scream my name.

But not yet. This is going to be slow. I'm going to take my time with her and show her exactly what it means to be mine.