Page 23 of Scarred Bratva King

“You don’t want your photo taken. I’m guessing you fear Marco might see the images. I could tell you I want him to know you are under my protection. But I want more for you to relax this evening. So I decided to make your life easier.”

Something about the way he says it sends a shiver down my spine. “Thank you,” I say.

As the night goes on, I start to feel more comfortable—or at least, less like I’m about to vomit. But then Maxim’s possessiveness grows. He becomes visibly tense every time I laugh at someone’s joke or smile at another man.

When I turn to tease him about it, he suddenly pulls me closer, his mouth brushing against my ear. “Keep smiling,” he murmurs, his voice rough. “But remember who you belong to. Stop flirting with these men.”

Before I can respond, he presses a kiss to my neck, just below my ear. It’s quick, but the heat of it lingers, leaving me momentarily stunned.

When I glance around, I notice more than a few people watching us, their expressions ranging from amused to envious.

Maxim’s hand slides back to my waist, and his thumb brushes against the bare skin of my back. It’s such a small gesture, but it sends a ripple of heat racing through me.

“Come with me,” he says. “It’s time we fuck.”

12

VERONICA

The noise of the ballroom fades as the heavy door clicks shut behind us. The dimly lit room is a welcome relief after the noise of the party.

The muffled hum of laughter and clinking glasses is barely audible through the thick walls. Maxim’s hand is still on my lower back, guiding me forward.

“What are we doing in here?” I ask, my voice sharp as I twist to look at him. “Hiding from your fan club?”

His eyes darken, and the faintest hint of a smirk curves his lips. “Making sure everyone believes this engagement is real,” he says, his tone serious. He steps closer, his presence consuming the already small space. “A man like me would fuck his bride to be on a night like this.”

“That a Bratva tradition? Fucking at the engagement party?”

“Yes.”

I raise an eyebrow, folding my arms. “Oh, is this the part where we practice our Oscar-worthy performance? You want me to start screaming your name now or wait for the dramatic finale? ‘Oh, Maxim, it’s the smallest one I’ve ever seen. Shove your teeny weenie in my slut box.’ No, I’ve got a better one.‘Don’t worry, it happens to every man at some point. It’s no big deal, sweetie pie.’”

He leans in, his breath warm against my ear. “Don’t tempt me to shut you up by putting something in your mouth.”

The air shifts, thickening with something heavy and unspoken. I can feel the heat radiating from his body, and my heart pounds, each beat louder than the last.

I try to play it off, rolling my eyes as I step back, but the wall behind me puts an abrupt end to my retreat.

“Let’s get something straight,” I say, keeping my voice steady despite the way he’s looking at me, like a lion sizing up a lame sheep. “You’re not exactly a star actor. I doubt you could fake it well enough to convince anyone.”

His hand comes to rest on my waist, his fingers brushing the fabric of my dress in a way that makes my breath hitch. “Oh, I can be very convincing,” he murmurs, his eyes locking onto mine. “But you? I’m not so sure. I don’t think you could fake passion if your life depended on it.”

“Is that so?” I counter, my tone sharper now. “I could fake it better than you any day.”

His laugh is rough, sending a shiver down my spine. “That sounds like a challenge.”

“It is,” I shoot back before I can think better of it. I let out a loud moan, as if he’s slipping inside me.

He steps closer, his hand sliding around to the small of my back, pulling me against him. The heat of his body is overwhelming, and I can feel the strength in every inch of him. “That the best you can do?”

I narrow my eyes at him, refusing to let him see how much he’s affecting me. “Fine,” I say, lifting my chin. “But don’t cry when I steal the show.”

His lips curve into a wicked smile, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe. “Go ahead,” he says softly, his voice dripping with challenge. “Show me what you’ve got.”

The words are barely out of his mouth before I grab his tie, yanking him down toward me. My lips hover inches from his, and I can feel his breath against my skin, warm and intoxicating.

“You asked for it,” I murmur, before closing the gap. My mouth is an inch away from his lips as I let out a deep sigh. “Oh, that’s so good,” I say loudly. “Fuck me, Maxim. Give it to me hard. Come inside me.” I plant a soft kiss on his lips. “How was that?” I ask.

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