Page 83 of A Dangerous Proposal

She lifted her lips for the camera, and when Jax let out a sleepy sigh and burrowed deeper into Alex’s jacket, the expression shifted into something real.

She was happy.

Is that weird?

Glancing up, she found Alex already watching her, his gaze steady, unreadable. There was a flicker of something in his eyes which sent a ripple of awareness through her. Lowering his head, he brushed a kiss against her forehead. The photographer’s shutter clicked, but Madison barely registered the sound over the sudden, erratic rhythm of her pulse.

A few more shots and Jax squirmed, rubbing a tiny fist over his eyes.

“I think that’s his limit,” Madison murmured, reaching for him.

Before she had a chance, Cami stepped forward. “I’ve got him.” She scooped Jax up with practiced ease, planting a quick kiss on his cheek. “Come on, Jaxy.Mommy and Daddyhave to finish getting their pictures taken.” She cast a smirk at them and carried Jax to where James stood by a small bar that had been erected on the stone patio.

The moment he was gone, the photographer clapped his hands together. “Let’s keep it simple,” he said. “Mr. Kovalyov, place your hand on your bride’s waist.”

Madison barely had time to brace herself before Alex slid his hand across the open back of her dress and under the lace panel on one side. She felt the shift in energy between them, and goosebumps rose as his fingertips leisurely stroked the skin over the side of her ribs.

She inhaled deeply, but it didn’t help. His cologne reached her nose, and the muscles low in her stomach tightened as a slow throb began between her thighs. His hand drifted higher until she felt one finger glide along the underside of her breast, and she jumped.

“Sorry. Ticklish,” she lied when the photographer frowned, and a rumble of laughter shook Alex’s chest, but he returned his hand to the curve of her waist.

The photographer’s cheeks were pink, and Madison had a feeling the man knew exactly how Alex had been tormenting her.

“Mrs. Kovalyov, tilt your face toward your husband, like you’re about to kiss.”

Her pulse stuttered.

Alex’s eyes dropped to her mouth, and his fingers flexed hard.

“Closer,” the photographer instructed. “Mrs. Kovalyov, can you put your hand on his chest and lean in?”

Madison placed her hand over his heart and moved closer until she was pressed against him. She could feel Alex’sheartbeat pounding just as hard as hers, and her tongue darted out to lick her lips. The air practically hummed with the crackling energy between them as he leaned in, his warm breath fanning her ear.

“I’m going to fuck you in this dress later.” The dark, silky tone sent shivers through her, and her breath caught just as she heard the camera clicking again.

Feeling insanely overheated, Madison jerked backwards. “I think we’ve got enough. I need to get back to Jax.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Alex stood at the bar, vodka in hand, as his gaze betrayed him again. He felt off-kilter, and he hated it. He had a perfect plan, and it felt like it was all slipping out of control.

Madison.

He couldn’t keep his eyes off her. The moment he had seen her emerge from the house in her wedding dress, his heart stopped, and his lungs decided to stop filling with air. His reaction was so unexpected and so strong he’d had to turn his back to hide his body’s response to her.

She was so fucking beautiful. It was almost painful to look at her as she had floated up the aisle in that dress. Madison was standing at the edge of the garden, framed by flowers and soft candlelight, looking like something out of a dream.

The deep V of her neckline highlighted the swells of her cleavage, but the gauzy sleeves and skirt had made her look exactly like the angel he always called her. But it was the back of the dress–or lack of—that had ruined him. The two dimples just above her tailbone had him fighting an erection for the past hour as he imagined kissing his way up each vertebrae.

Then there was Jax.

The toddler wore a miniature black suit that matched his own, his small bowtie slightly askew. He was currently playing with the hem of Madison’s dress, babbling in delight as he tugged on the fabric.

Alex’s grip tightened around his glass as the weight on his chest grew heavier. The way she looked at her son—like he was her entire world—did something to Alex he didn’t understand.

“You’re staring,” Liev muttered from beside him.

Alex tore his eyes away from his bride and turned to his cousin. Liev had worn a stupid grin on his face the whole afternoon, and Alex was thinking about beating it off him.

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