Page 35 of Inked in Devotion

I concentrated on her eyes. Her eyes, which always had a way of calming the chaos inside me.

“I was here first.”

“I’m not an idiot,” Chloe retorted. “You’re keeping tabs on my movements.”

“Is that so bad?”

“Stalking is not allowed in our agreement.”

“I’m protecting you.”

“Against me?” Wu snorted a mocking laugh. “Have you checked the mirror lately, Petrov?”

“Is that supposed to be an insult? And how about you? You’re presenting yourself as a marriage prospect.”

“That’s none of your business,” he said.

“It’s very much my business. You’re so busy with work you want a ready-made family. Mine.”

“Stop it, both of you,” Chloe whisper-yelled. She was trying to keep me from ripping Wu’s head off, and I didn’t like him crowding her to get to me, so I backed off.

“I want a word with you without him.” I glared at Wu over her shoulder.

She turned to him. “I’m sorry, but can I talk to Kolya in private?”

His face softened as he smiled at her. Made me want to forget where we were and break his perfect nose. “Sure, sweetheart. I’ll be right here.”

I spotted Maksim leaning indolently against the entrance to the hallway. He appeared to be enjoying the drama.

I clasped Chloe’s hand and dragged her around a deserted intersecting hallway.

“Right here is fine.” She twisted her wrist out of my grasp and crossed her arms. Her mistake was leaning against the wall. I restrained my arms at my sides when my instinct was to cage her in.

“Don’t think I don’t know you’ve been sabotaging my marriage prospects. Margo told me so.”

Her face was a map of exasperation, but I detected a trace of amusement, too.

“You don’t seem disappointed.”

She huffed. “That’s because I’m not excited about it.”

“Buyer’s remorse?”

“Yes, but I can’t get out of the covenant until I’ve given it a shot for six months.”

“How about Daniel Wu, then?”

Her eyes flashed. “Someone the bratva couldn’t intimidate.” She threw up her hands. “Why sabotage me? Why won’t you even let me try to move on?”

That was when I detonated. My arms shot out and caged her in. “You think you can move on from me?”

“Back off,” she whispered. Her chest rose and fell, and her tits brushed against my chest. I’d been semi-aroused with all the aggression I’d been feeling all day, and I’d already beaten one out in the shower with Chloe having a starring role in it.

“I’m serious, Kolya. Don’t you dare kiss me when I’m here with a date.”

My face had moved to within a hair’s breadth. I inhaled. Her vanilla-citrus scent transported me back to that weekend. I nosed her jawline, inhaled further, and said by her ear, “You think you can move on from me?”

“I can.” Her breath hitched. “I’m going to knee you in the groin if you touch me.”