Page 33 of Ruined Vows
He grins. “You’d miss me.”
“I wouldn’t.”
He leaves anyway.
And just like that, the silence in the training room swells like high tide. No footsteps. No movement. Just me, the slow tick of a clock two rooms over, and her kiss still burning on my mouth.
I don’t sit. I pace. Because standing still means overthinking. And when I overthink, it’s not about war, traitors, or my next deal. It’s abouther.
She wore the gym like a weapon—it clung to her like an invitation whenever she moved.
I didn’t even touch her face in the ring. I just pinned her against the ropes, and let her hit me, let her think she was winning—and then I leaned in like I was going to whisper something cruel. But I was quiet. When I pulled away, she was perplexed. I threw her off her game.
And when I kissed her?
I tastedher.
At first, her lips were soft and defiant, and when theyparted, it was as if she was about to protest. But she never got the chance. She didn’t pull away. No, she submitted. Her sweetness, her surrender. And it was the sweetest victory I’ve ever experienced. And it’s only the beginning.
She only pulled away when her breathing hitched and her fingers curled against my shirt like she wanted to claw her way inside.
And now? Now I can’t think about anything else.
I swear I still smell her on my face—ripe apples and something warmer, richer like summer and sin mixed in an elixir. I’d happily drink it, but I’d rather bury my head between her legs and drink her essence.
I’m excited at the thought of her, and how it will feel to have her warm body against mine again.
I can’t think of anything I should do because Bianca consumes me. She has my undivided attention.
Not Radovan.
Not the death of my brother, Miloš.
Not the way my entire house of men is barely standing.
Justher.
Her eyes.
Her mouth.
Her body.
And the way she’d look with nothing but Lycra worn like a second skin on her hips and my name on her tongue.
I close my eyes, lean on the table’s edge, and inhale deeply. I’m so hard I can’t walk. I can barely stand.
Bianca Borrelli will be the end of me.
And if that’s how it’s going to be, I’ll go willingly.
10
VUKAN
NOT ALL BROTHERS BLEED FOR YOU
Iwake up wondering what Bianca is doing today. I’m sure she’s waiting for a text. I’m letting her sweat it out. It will keep her thinking of me. One way to win is to get in her head.
