Page 59 of Reclaimed By My Ex’s Bratva Brother

I gripped the back of Briony's neck and crushed my mouth to hers, cutting off that sharp tongue mid-taunt.

I pinned her against the elevator wall, palm sliding down the soft curve of her waist. She froze, then fisted my shirt and dragged me closer. She bit my lip, channeling all that fury written across her face. Her breath came hot, muffled gasps squeezed out between our locked mouths.

But it wasn't enough. I wanted to hike up her skirt, watch those stubborn eyes that always glared at me lose focus in desire. I could already picture the nights we'd shared—how she trembled in my arms, how she called me a bastard even as she refused to let go.

The elevator was perfectly narrow. No witnesses, no escape. She'd be trapped against my chest until she couldn't spit out another barbed word.

These fantasies burned fierce in my head, but in reality, I kept a step between us.

Briony didn't speak again either. Her chin stayed tilted up, stubborn. Every emotion she felt was written plain on her face, yet she pretended nothing could touch her. I stared at her lips again. If I'd kissed her just now, they'd be swollen and red.

Fuck, this was unreasonable.

Images from those past nights flooded back. Tangled blonde hair, burning skin, her hands gripping my shoulders. And that voice in the dark when she said my name—completely surrendered.

My body tightened fast. I looked away, yanked my tie loose, trying to let some air into the suffocating space.

I wasn't some horny kid thinking with his dick. I hadn't forgotten why I'd left in the first place. I focused on the floor display. The elevator would reach the ground soon. The doors would open, fresh air would rush in, and everything would settle. Then I'd take the clothes from Gleb and bring them up to Brinny.

But ten seconds, twenty seconds. The numbers didn't change. Two minutes ticked by on my watch, and the display stayed frozen.

No subtle vibration of mechanical motion, no chime announcing arrival. Just the hum from the ventilation.

"The elevator's stuck." I scanned the space, reaching the obvious conclusion.

Briony's eyebrow twitched. "You sure?"

"I don't think that's something I'd misjudge."

"Guess you don't inspect things before you buy them." Her gaze settled on the sealed doors.

"Not the best time to mock your boss."

I stepped to the control panel and hit the emergency call button.

"Maintenance center, please state the situation." A man's voice crackled through seconds later.

"Elevator's stopped on twenty. Car's not moving."

"Sir, please do not force the doors open. Monitors show the car is stationary, safety mechanisms haven't triggered. Maintenance is on the way." His voice pitched up urgently. "Personnel will arrive within ten minutes. Please remain calm."

I released the button. Silence filled the elevator again.

"Bad timing." Briony leaned against the opposite wall, offering me a cold smile. "Someone left a poor, helpless woman alone in his office. Now he can't get back to her."

She was openly gloating, this thorny girl.

"Such a worry." She blinked those wet eyes, continuing her act.

Her words compressed with the stale air in my lungs, then exploded in my chest. I ripped off my tie and dropped it on the floor.

Briony's eyes tracked the dark fabric down, then snapped back up. She finally realized I was closing in, with nowhere to retreat.

I braced one hand beside her, snatched the folder from her arms with the other. Papers scattered on the floor.

"What are you doing?" She sucked in a breath.

"Who said I'm going back?" I leaned close to her lips.