Page 25 of Plus-Size Bratva Bride

“You’re kidding?”

“I’m not.”

“You want me to staple you?” I ask in horror.

“It’s not the first time I’ve been stapled, starfish.” He grins, closing his eyes and resting his head on the back of the sofa.

“Rad—this is going tohurt.”

“Yeah, I know. Just do it quickly. Don’t hesitate. It’ll hurt more if you hesitate.”

I sigh and bite hard on my lip. Fuck. Ok. I can do this.

Pressing the sides of the open wound together, I grit my teeth, push the stapler against his skin and squeeze the little trigger mechanism.

It clicks loudly. A staple fires out and locks tightly into his skin.

Radmir growls. He doesn’t flinch, though.

I glance up at him, his jaw is clenched so tight that the muscles over it are flexed and rigid.

“Hurry up,” he murmurs, without opening his eyes.

I press the stapler against his skin again and click.

“One more. Just to be safe,” I warn him.

Click.

He lets out a heavy breath.

Then takes another.

“Are you ok?” I ask nervously.

“Mm,” is all he replies.

I work as quickly as I can, sticking the bandages over his now sealed and no longer bleeding side.

Rad is breathing softly when I’m finished.

“Rad,” I whisper.

“Mm,” he sighs again.

“I need to check your head. I’m worried you might have a concussion.”

I reach out to touch his face, my fingertips tracing over his rugged features and a rough layer of stubble. Those dark grey eyes open and stare straight at me. My heart flips in my chest and my lips part.

“My head is fine, starfish. I just lost a lot of blood. I need to sleep.”

He reaches up and takes my hand, gently wrapping his fingers through mine he pulls my hand to his lips and kisses the back of it. His mouth is warm against my skin. “You did an incredible job,” he murmurs. “Everything you do is so—perfect.” He sighs and closes his eyes. His fingers loosen from my hand as he starts to drift into dreamland.

I gently maneuver his body, pushing him down so that he can lie on the couch and rest properly, turned onto his other side so that he doesn’t damage the staples.

Then I sit on the couch in the curve of his chest and stroke my fingers over his face.

He is beautiful.

---