Page 62 of Forced Marriage Vows

She avoids eye contact, her shoulders tense as she takes a sip of water.

“What do you mean? I’m fine. Completely, absolutely fine.”

“You’re also a terrible liar,” I say, my arms crossing over my chest. “Did something happen?”

Her eyes flicker but she tries to brush it off, crossing her arms. “It’s nothing. I guess I’m just tired. That’s all.”

I get to my feet, stepping closer, watching her carefully as I crowd into her space. She’s hiding something, and she’s not very good at it.

“I’m your husband, Anastasia. I really hope you’re not forgetting that,” I say quietly, my voice low. “I know when something’s bothering you.”

She opens her mouth to argue but then closes it, frustration flashing across her face. For a moment, she looks like she’s going to tell me what’s really going on, but then she shakes her head.

“It’s nothing important,” she insists, her voice tight. “Just… some personal stuff. I can handle it.”

My eyes narrow, studying her. She’s putting up her wall, obviously trying to keep me out. I despise being kept in the dark. About anything, and especially when it comes to her.

“Personal stuff?” I repeat, stepping in closer, close enough that I can see the tension in her jaw. “Since when do you keep personal stuff from me?”

We’ve been doing better in the past week. Talking to each other. I’ve shared some parts of my life no one else has gotten to see, and I thought we were finally letting down all our walls. I’ve been trying so hard, and now, watching her do this sends a searing pain through my chest.

Anastasia bites her lip, clearly debating what to say next. I can see the conflict in her eyes, but she’s stubborn. It’s pretty clear whatever it is, she’s not ready to let me in on it yet. But shewill. Because she knows just as well as I do that I won’t let this go.

I lean in, brushing a hand along her arm, my voice soft but firm. “You know I’ll find out eventually,solnyshko.”

She shivers, her eyes flickering up to mine, and I see something crack in that guarded expression. Then she shakes her head and it clears.

“It’s really nothing, Mikhail,” she says almost too quickly. “Leah’s having some family problems.”

That’s a lie. But I don’t call her out on it. I won’t push her, not yet. I don’t want to find out what happens if I push too hard. So I take a step back, away from her, returning to my seat.

“Didn’t you say you had a meeting with Mr. Volkov?” she asks, reaching for the bread.

I watch as she begins spreading butter over the slices. She grabs some lunch meat and cheese as well to make a sandwich. I pretend not to notice the relief in her expression, obviously because I stopped my line of questioning.

“I still do. I’ll leave in a couple of minutes,” I reply. “How are things going with Lucia?”

“So well. She’s a genius, I swear. And she has so much ambition. I have no idea how that woman plans to achieve half of what she has in mind for the magazine, but she’s so sure of herself. It’s admirable.”

“It sounds like you like Lucia more than me,” I murmur, faking a hurt tone.

Anastasia laughs, walking toward me. She wraps her arms around me from behind the chair, pressing a kiss against my cheek.

“Don’t worry. At the moment, there’s no one I like more than you.”

“Oh, really?” I ask heatedly. “Why don’t you take me to bed and prove it?”

“I would but you have a meeting to get to, honey. I’ll do anything you want when you get back,” she promises.

“Careful when you use the word ‘anything,’ baby,” I state, getting to my feet.

I place a hand on her waist, pulling her closer. One hand drives into her hair, cupping the back of her head while her arms circle around my neck. I can’t get enough of her, the softness of her lips, the sweetness of her taste, the little moans and gasps she makes as I explore her mouth with the hunger of a man starved.

“We should go on a date sometime,” I say against her lips. “You like bowling?”

“I’m awful at it,” she replies breathlessly.

I smile, rubbing a thumb across her cheek. “It’ll be fun.”

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