Page 44 of Bossed Around By the Bratva

“What?” I asked. My mouth hung open. It wasn’t that I didn’t hear her, but my mind was having a hard time grasping it.

“I love you, and I will marry you, Akim Dubow,” she said, grinning. Zhenya jumped up out of the chair and lunged into my arms.

I stumbled backward but found my footing. I wasn’t about to go tumbling with her in my arms. I held her tight. I never wanted to let her go ever again, as a tremendous happiness came over me. I wanted to absorb all she was, her warmth, love, even her sweet odor.

She pulled back slightly. Placing her hands on my cheeks, she started speaking. “I’m so sorry for…”

I stopped her from saying any more as I took her lips with mine. It was one of our longest kisses. I wish we could stay that way forever. Her luscious lips glued to mine.

As we came up for air, I spoke before she could continue. “You must now stop apologizing. You have done nothing wrong. You are perfect in every way, just the way you are.”

Taking her face into my hands, I kissed her forehead. Zhenya jumped and wrapped her legs around me. Bending mine, I sat down with her on my lap. “I’m the luckiest woman on earth,” she whispered.

“Who could have ever predicted such a thing as this?” I replied.

“Well, not me. I came there wanting to bring you down,” she admitted, laughing. “I would never have thought feeling so strong could be possible.”

“I couldn’t be happier that you came, even with the wrong intentions. Look at us now. My body wanted you as soon as you caught my attention on that first day. I’m truly delighted that things turned out this way. It seems my body knew you were the one from the start. My perfect piece of the puzzle,” I said, getting up.

Holding out my hand, I helped her up from the floor. Pulling her into my arms, I kissed her softly.

Zhenya flopped down into the chair as I pulled back. “What about the Aslanovs?”

“What about them?” I asked.

“With everything that happened, how are we going to deal with this?” Zhenya asked. She looked worried.

Bending down, I took her hands in mine, laying tender kisses on her fingers. “Don’t worry your pretty face about it. We will have a plan to get all this sorted,” I said.

Zhenya smiled weakly at me before turning her head away. Placing my hand under her chin, I lifted her head tenderly.I wanted her to look into my eyes as I spoke. “I promise you everything will work out just fine. I will do so if I have to handle it all myself.”

Kissing her soft lips, I smiled. “I have something in mind that I hope will also appease Iosif,” I said with certainty.

“What if it doesn’t work?” she asked, raising her brows. A light furrow appeared on her forehead. They were the perfect little wrinkles and made her look adorable.

“Then we’ll sit and work through it. I’m sure together we can come up with a brilliant plan, just like in the office,” I reassured her. “As long as I have you, I can handle anything thrown my way.” I kissed her forehead hard, trying to smooth over the wrinkles and showing her how much she meant to me.

Pulling back, I looked at her. Our eyes locked as I spoke. “You have no idea what I’m prepared to do to keep you. I’ll give up everything.” I could hear my heart pounding. Glancing down, I made sure my chest wasn’t exploding as my heart swelled with love for her.

She rose as I stood up. Placing her hands on my chest, she leaned in as she whispered into my ear. “I feel exactly the same way. But what if?” Her fingers clutched at my shirt as we stood face to face.

I searched her face as I spoke. “Angel, baby, I will make it happen. I love you, and there’s nothing and no one who will stand in our way. Please don’t doubt us. What we share, no one will ever have or understand. It is ours.”

“Well, then,” she said, turning out of my arms. She walked away and then turned back to stand before me. “I love you too.”

As our lips met, the world outside disappeared. All I needed was my future wife in my arms. I will spend the rest of my life proofing to her just how important she is. How special and unique.

Taking hold of her hips, I pulled her into me. Our lips moved in sync as our hunger for each other grew. “You're more than perfect,” I said under my breath.

“I’m nothing compared to you,” she replied shyly. “And I have to tell you a secret.”

“Yes?” I asked, leaning closer.

“I don’t know how, but I have become the luckiest woman on earth,” she breathed out heavily over my shoulder.

Feeling the sea monster coming to life, I smiled at her. “No, dear, you’re wrong,” I huffed. “There are no words to describe my luck.”

She took hold of my face and kissed me passionately.

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