Page 89 of The Pakhan’s Accidental Bride

"Greedy," I murmur, but I'm smiling.

"Your fault," she pants.

I flip us over suddenly, pinning her beneath me. She gasps in surprise, but her legs immediately wrap around my waist.

"My turn," I say.

I pull almost all the way out, then slam back into her. She cries out, her nails digging into my back. I set a punishing pace, driving into her over and over. The bed creaks beneath us, the headboard hitting the wall with each thrust.

"Yes," she moans. "God, yes."

I can feel my orgasm building, the pressure at the base of my spine. I reach between us again, rubbing her clit, determined to make her come one more time before I do.

"Come with me," I growl. "Now."

She does. Her second orgasm triggers mine, and I bury myself deep inside her as I come. The pleasure is intense, almost painful, and I have to brace myself on my forearms to keep from crushing her.

When it's over, I roll to the side, pulling her with me. We lie there, tangled together, both of us breathing hard.

We stay like that for a while, neither of us speaking. Eventually, I feel her breathing even out as she falls asleep. I carefully extract myself from her embrace and pull the covers over her.

I gather my clothes and dress quietly, then head back to my own room. My body is satisfied, but my mind is still racing.

I shower quickly and climb into bed. For once, exhaustion wins over anxiety, and I fall asleep almost immediately.

The beep of my phone wakes me. I'm disoriented for a moment, unsure how long I've been asleep. I grab the phone from my nightstand, squinting at the bright screen.

It's a text from Luca.

My irritation at being woken fades as I read the message. Then I'm sitting up, fully alert.

I call him immediately.

"We spotted Arnie," Luca says. "Kiera's ex. He's been asking around about her. Trying to find out where she is."

"Where?"

"Started at her old apartment building. Then he hit up some bars she used to frequent. He's spreading rumors, Pakhan. Saying she's unstable. That she ran off with some criminal. He's trying to damage her reputation."

35

KIERA

I'm in the middle of sketching modifications to one of my dress designs when Emil walks into my room without knocking. Again. I've given up on the concept of privacy in this house.

"We need to talk," he says, his expression dark.

I set down my pencil and turn in my chair to face him. He's wearing dark jeans and a black button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing the tattoos on his forearms. Even when he's delivering bad news, the man looks like he stepped out of some dangerous fantasy.

"What happened?"

"Your ex, Arnie." The name comes out like a curse. "He's been going around to clubs, showing your picture, and telling people you stole from him. That you're a con woman."

It feels like a rock drops into my stomach. "What?"

"He's trying to destroy your reputation and make it so no one will help you or believe you if you reach out." Emil moves closer, his jaw tight with anger. "He's been hitting every club and bar in the area where you used to go."

Rage floods through me, hot and immediate. I stand up so fast my chair scrapes against the floor. "That lying piece of shit. I'm going to his house right now and⁠—"