Page 51 of The Pakhan's Sold Bride

Nestor turns towards me. “You ready? We can go.”

I nod, my body pulsing with desire because my thoughts run away from me. Why does it turn me on even more, knowing who he is?

The way he conducts himself makes sense now.

The power isn’t just about his wealth. It’s genuine power. Power and respect he has earned by being the man he is.

Nestor narrows his eyes at me as we walk towards the car. “Is something on your mind?”

Oh my word, if he knew what was on my mind. I shake my head. “No.” I can’t exactly tell him I want him to bend me over the hood of his car and do intimate things to me.

“You sure? I’ll answer any questions you have,” he says, opening my door for me.

“I’m sure, for now,” I say, my words sounding abrupt because I’m annoyed with myself. How can I be thinking that? How can I be lusting after him when I should be furious with him for hiding things from me?

All the way home, I’m tense, heat pooling between my legs, frustration growing by the minute. I lecture myself every time I look across at him to admire how gorgeous he is.

It’s just—I’ve never been around a man who is so capable, so darkly dangerous, and yet so gentle towards me at the same time.

As soon as the car stops outside his mansion, I climb out, not waiting for him, and storm towards the front door.

“Hey, Lara, wait up, talk to me,” he calls after me, jogging to catch up.

I burst through the door, into the house, spinning to confront him, no longer able to hold back the rage of emotions surging through me.

“You lied to me,” I shout.

“I didn’t lie, I just didn’t tell you everything. I wasn’t sure if you were ready,” he says cautiously.

“No wonder you were fine kidnapping me and forcing me to marry you.”

“Lara, that wouldn’t have happened with just anyone,” he says, confusing me for a moment.

“What do you mean?” I snap.

“You took my breath away the moment I saw you.”

My body goes weak. He really thought that about me? No. He’s trying to distract me.

“It has nothing to do with that,” I say, trying to focus on what I was angry about. “It’s because you’re a criminal and—and—and—"

He steps closer to me, his scent washing over me. Everything I wanted to say fuzzes in my head, and I can’t get my brain to put together a clear sentence.

“And?” he asks, reaching his hand up, he wraps it around my jaw, forcing my eyes to his. “And you’re furious?” he asks, his voice a deep growl, vibrating through me.

“Yes,” I whisper with barely any force at all. My legs want to collapse, my body wants to melt into him.

“And—you think I’m dangerous?” he asks, his tone rich with his own desire, his eyes flooding with it as they trace over my lips and he leans even closer to me.

“You are dangerous,” I breathe.

“But I think you might like it, Lara,” he says, his fingers tightening over my jaw as he pulls my face upward. His lips are hovering above mine, the heat of his breath teasing my skin.

“I…”Am I that obvious?

He closes the gap between us, and his lips press over mine, his mouth moving against me. His hand slips around myback, and he pulls me roughly against him, our bodies locked together.

Half of my mind is screaming to stop—less than half.

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