Page 67 of Cruel Russian Monster
“But what if he isn't?” My eyes misted again.
Yegor and Zahkar shared a look.
I couldn't lose Jaroslav. Not now.
“I'm going to stay with him,” I said softly. “You can see yourselves out.”
I turned and began to walk away.
“Vera,” Zahkar called out to me.
I stopped but didn't turn around.
“We're not leaving until we know he's okay.”
I walked out of the lounge and down the hall to the guest room. I was finding it hard to forgive my brothers for what they did, how they betrayed my trust. They promised not to say anything to Artyom, then pulled a stunt like this.
I entered the bedroom. Jaroslav was still asleep. I walked over to him and slid under the covers. I lay my head on his shoulder and my hand on his chest.
I closed my eyes.
“Please, be okay,” I whispered. “I don't want to lose you.”
The next time my eyes opened, I felt long, tender strokes along my arm. My body softened with relief under the warmth of his hand; he was okay. I tilted my head to look up at him. His eyes were still closed, his breathing even under the palm of my hand on his chest.
For the first time, I let myself wonder what it would be like to have a real marriage with Jaroslav, one where I couldtell him how I felt without second-guessing whether he felt the same.
Could we really make this work between us? Or should we just keep things…casual?
His eyes opened slowly, locking my breath in place. His lips curved into a sexy smile, the kind that made me wet between my thighs. He leaned in and kissed my forehead, lingering for a moment before he pulled away.
“Hey,” he whispered huskily.
“Hey, yourself,” I said, just as softly. “How do you feel?”
“I’ll be okay.”
I nodded, brushing my thumb lightly along his chest, needing the contact, needing the reassurance that he was still here. “I’m sorry about what my brothers did…they had no right to—”
He silenced me with a gentle finger pressed to my lips.
“Vera,” he murmured. “I did what I had to do. And if it keeps you safe, I’ll do it again. No questions asked.”
But I didn't want him to put himself in danger for me. And I had a feeling that if I told him how I felt, it wouldn't make a difference. Jaroslav was a protector; it was in his blood.
A thought bled through my mind. Today, he woke up okay; tomorrow, he may not be so lucky.
My chest tightened.
“But…you could’ve died.” My voice broke just slightly, fear laced in my words. Then, quieter, “I don’t want you to die.”
He tilted my chin toward him and kissed me, slowly yet possessively. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him into me. He adjusted his body over mine, and I opened mylegs, giving him space until his erection was pressed against the growing ache between my thighs. I moaned.
He pulled back just enough to meet my eyes. “I don’t want to die, either. Not when I can have you under me sounding like you do.”
The hunger in his voice sent a shiver down my spine. He kissed me again, deeper this time, and his hand slipped beneath my top. I bit back a moan, my fingers tightening in his hair as my body arched to meet his touch.
“You should be resting,” I whispered against his lips, breathless.
