Page 37 of The Bratva's Arranged Virgin Bride
Chapter 20 - Nat
I woke up in a bad mood, just about as bad as when I fell into a fitful sleep after getting zero out of Kolya. He was hiding something, and in the cold light of day, I realized I probably could have been more successful if I’d gone along with his very obvious plan of seduction.
But I wanted to get back to our lusty embrace just as much or more than he did, and I knew exactly how easily he could distract me. I wouldn’t have gotten the information I wanted, and I would be waking up in his bed instead of mine.
Just the fact that I couldn’t come up with a reason why that was such a bad thing made my mood even worse. Until I looked out my window.
Even though I stormed off like a shrew and locked myself in the guest room, Kolya was true to his word. A cute silver car sat in the driveway, decked out in a giant blue bow. Squealing, I threw on some clothes and hurried downstairs, more excited than when I got my first car for my sweet sixteen.
Now, I could get down to business.
Kolya waited at the bottom of the stairs, probably hearing my shout of delight. Not pretending at all, I threw myself into his arms. “Thank you, thank you,” I said into his warm neck, smelling like he’d just stepped out of the shower.
Laughing, he slid me down his hard body, his dark eyes alight with happiness over my display. “I’m the one who’s grateful,” he said. “For the invitation to your family’s home.”
All of a sudden, his happiness made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I froze in his arms, shoving away as Iglared at him. “If you mean to harm them in some way through our arrangement, I swear I will find a way to kill you.”
He laughed. “Isn’t that what you had planned all along?”
I froze. He was teasing, but it was too close to the truth for comfort. “I never wanted you dead,” I said. Mostly not a lie. Oh, I liked imagining standing over his bloody body with a stick in my hand, but it was the destruction of his heart and soul that I really wanted.
I wanted him to survive so he could suffer for the rest of his miserable life. Feeling like I might actually look too bloodthirsty, I quickly reiterated that I didn’t want him dead.
Kolya held up his hands. “And I have no interest in harming your family. I want us aligned.”
I believed him, but there was something more to it, I was sure. I was also sure he was telling the truth that the dinner with my cousins would go without bloodshed.
“So, can I get a ride in your new car?” he asked.
I was itching to take it for a spin, as well as dying to get out of the house, so I readily agreed. We took off on the Pacific Coast Highway, my foot on the gas and the radio blaring.
After a few minutes of just random driving, he turned the music down. “If I knew what a speed demon you were, I would have gotten you something more sporty.”
It was true my little sedan wasn’t exactly breaking any records, or even the speed limit, but I told him it was perfect. And it was. Nondescript, easy to blend in with all the other cars on the road when I needed it to.
We drove up north and ended up in Santa Barbara. Shockingly, he said he’d never been there yet, so I headed toward some of the touristy destinations to show off. We drovepast the old mission, but neither one of us was in the mood to wander the grounds or visit the museum.
“Shopping?” I asked.
“Definitely,” he said. “I’ve been waiting to spoil you.”
“You better not. I have a feeling that book costs enough to cover ten birthdays and Christmases.”
He only laughed, and I headed to the State Street Underpass, not a glamorous name, but so many shops that it could keep us busy for days. When we got out of the car, he looked me over in my white jeans and beige top. I wasn’t really the flashy type, preferring to keep my clothes simple, and for the first time, wondered if I should invest in some more eye-catching clothes. Not that I was having much trouble catching his eye at the moment.
“What?” I said, smoothing my t-shirt.
“Just feasting my eyes,” he said wolfishly. He stepped around to stand right in front of me, smoothing his palms up my arms. Holding out my wrist, he said. “A bracelet for this one.” Pulling my hand to his mouth, he kissed my knuckles. “Rings for every finger.”
I tugged out of his grasp before I found myself making out with him in the crowded parking area. “I don’t need any of that.”
“You do need a wedding ring,” he said.
“Certainly not. It wasn’t part of the deal.”
He tugged me closer. “It’s part of my deal.”
Rolling my eyes, I led him toward the shops. Of course, one of the first ones would have to be a jewelry store, the display windows glistening with diamonds and colored gems.
