Page 30 of Innocently Captured By the Bratva

I chide myself. It’s all pretend. Get it over with. Don’t stumble in the process. But gods, I can’t wait to kiss her.

I close the final distance between us, capturing her lips with mine in a perfunctory kiss. I’m gentle at first, quicklypulling away to see how she feels, but when she reaches for me again, I close the distance.

Her lips are soft and pliant under mine, and I can't help but deepen the kiss, my tongue sweeping into her mouth to taste her. She’s gentle yet so soft. But god, how she sears through my soul. I moan, losing myself in the moment, and pull her body closer by pressing against her lower back.

She responds with equal fervor, her fingers tangling in my hair, pulling me closer. It's electric, the way our bodies fit together, the way she arches into me like she can't get close enough. It makes me forget that this is all for show, makes me lose all fucking control.

I lose myself in the feel of her, the way her curves press against my hard planes, the little sounds she makes in the back of her throat. I want to devour her, to claim every inch of her until there's no doubt that she belongs to me. I want to rip those clothes off her back, hear what other sounds she makes as I drive into her and fuck her senseless.

My entire body is alive, and my mind conjures fantasies I slowly lose control of. But as I drown in the taste of her, in the fire she's ignited under my skin, the song changes, and a small part of my brain reminds me where we are. We're in the middle of a crowded ballroom, surrounded by people who are no doubt watching our every move.

I try to pull back, to regain some semblance of control, but Quinn chases my mouth, her teeth catching my bottom lip in a way that makes me groan. It takes every ounce of willpower I possess to gentle the kiss, to ease us back from the brink.

I become acutely aware of the eyes on us, whispers rippling through the room. Quinn looks slightly dazed, her breath short and rapid, her cheeks flushed a delicate pink. I can'thelp but feel a surge of male pride course through me. I did that. I made her look like that.

But it's more than just physical desire. Something has shifted between us, the kiss serving as a catalyst, a point of no return. We've crossed a line, and there's no going back. The thought is both exhilarating and terrifying.

Quinn seems to sense it, too. She glances around, her eyes widening as she takes in the curious stares and knowing smirks. “Mark,” she whispers, her hand tightening on my arm. Everyone's looking at us.”

“Good,” I whisper. “We need them to believe.”

God, I want to throw caution to the wind, to give in to the need pulsing through my veins. But I can't. Not here, not like this. If I ever did take her, it'll be on my terms, in a place where I can have her all to myself.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself, before leading her off the dance floor.

Chapter 13 - Quinn

I smile and nod as the investor rambles on about market trends, but my mind is a million miles away, still reeling from Mark's electrifying kiss on the dance floor. The ghost of his touch lingers on my skin, sending shivers down my spine despite my best efforts to focus on expanding my business contacts at this lavish party.

“So, what do you think about the potential for growth in the luxury services sector, Ms. Desmond?” The venture capital investor's question snaps me back to reality.

I clear my throat, scrambling to remember the key points I had prepared. “Absolutely, the demand for high-end, personalized experiences is on the rise. My agency is uniquely positioned to capitalize on that trend by...”

As I begin my well-rehearsed pitch, my gaze can't help but wander across the room, searching for Mark's imposing figure. He's engaged in conversation with a group of men, leading the conversation. They’re all hanging on to every word he says.

The memory of our kiss flashes through my mind unbidden—the way he pulled me flush against his muscular body, the intoxicating scent of his cologne, the searing heat of his lips on mine. It was like nothing I'd ever experienced before, a kiss that consumed me entirely and left me aching for more.

“... don't you agree, Ms. Desmond?” The investor's voice intrudes on my thoughts once again.

“Yes, certainly,” I reply automatically, silently cursing myself for allowing Mark to distract me. I've worked too hard building my business to let one arrogant, infuriatingly attractive man throw me off my game.

But even as I steer the conversation back to safer topics, I can feel the magnetic pull of Mark's presence, the way my body instinctively reacts to his proximity. It's maddening, this hold he seems to have over me after just one earth-shattering kiss.

I take a deep breath, channeling my inner CEO. I'm Quinn Desmond, dammit. I run a successful high-end dating agency. I control my own destiny and need to take advantage of this party to attract more clients.

But then, my eyes find Mark again, and this time my attention shifts to the stunning brunette who has taken him aside for a private conversation. She's all long legs and perfect curves, just the type of woman a notorious playboy likeMark Zolotovwould be drawn to.

An irrational surge of jealousy twists in my gut as the woman laughs at something he says, and he joins in. She whacks him playfully on his chest, and he wipes away tears of laughter. Clearly, they know each otherwell.

I try to dismiss the feeling, reminding myself that I have no claim over Mark.

And yet, I can't seem to tear my gaze away from them. My mind conjures up scenarios of what might happen after the party. Will he take her back to his place? Has he done this in the past?

“Ms. Desmond, your thoughts on these new dating apps?” The investor's question jolts me back to the present.

I put on a smile, hoping it doesn't look as forced as it feels. “I believe it's a very impersonal approach. A true match requires digging deep into a person, and the whole swiping thing gives people so many options that they often swipe past the right person along the way.”

“You’re right, Miss. Desmond! Absolutely right.”

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