Page 58 of The Russian Pakhan's Forced Bride
She’s being so soft…so agreeable.
Blocking out everyone but her, I whisper against her lips. “Then keep convincing them.”
A little too satisfied with herself, Victoria lightly presses her lips to mine, in no rush, while she kisses me tenderly.
My eyes close instinctively, soaking in the rush of addicting sensations that course through me. With incredible self-restraint to not take it any further, I gently meld our mouths together, able to taste her without being too obscene. I shiver as her fingers brush against the nape of my neck, metaphorically bringing me to my knees.
If it weren’t for everyone around, it would be an easy choice to have my way with her here and now.
We’ve had sex before, but there’s something different about that kiss. Something almost sincere and playful despite the truth behind it.
Hell...even I can’t discern what’s genuine or not anymore, and a small part of me doesn’t care.
Having her against me like this, able to feel that warmth exchanged between us is enough…But I know it won’t satisfy me for long.
***
By the time we get back to the house, I don’t know how I’m still hanging on. How I haven’t completely folded already.
Victoria managed to blindside me with her loving act, and my nerves felt completely shot from holding back.
I want her on the best of days, but now, I’m even more strung out.
With an air of satisfaction, she enters the house while carrying her heels, looking vaguely tired but much less pissed off than she had been at the start of the night.
Still feeling the heat pooling in my gut, I reach for her heels, letting my fingers brush against hers while I silently take the shoes from her.
She pauses, glancing back at me with a flicker of surprise in her eyes, but she gives them up anyway.
Even if the act doesn’t need to continue, she remains shockingly subdued.
We both seem to hesitate, caught up in gazing at one another, before I gesture with my head toward the living room. My hand returns to the small of her back while I carry her heels, unable to resist touching her to some capacity. “Come…”
Victoria looks like she’s contemplating it before she relents and follows me without complaining or throwing any kind of fit. It’s a refreshing change, honestly.
Together, we drift to the dimly lit living room, and I set her heels and my tux jacket aside before guiding her to sit. Leaving a small space between us, I let my eyes roam over her.
“Sit back.”
She gives me a questioning look, then carefully shuffles back until she’s leaning against the armrest. As her legs come up, I reach for one of her feet and gently run my thumbs along the surely tired soles.
Victoria subtly flinches but relaxes into the touch. “What’s this about?”
Focusing on rubbing against her soft skin, I hum to myself. “Consider this your reward…for being agreeable and doing as I asked of you.”
She softens a touch more, seemingly easing into the couch and allowing herself to take in the attention. “It wasn’t so bad.”
A small smile settles on my lips while I continue, offering her as much of my attention as possible. Despite myself, I enjoythe quiet, intimate moment. “Regardless, you did well. Thank you.”
Something moves through her eyes then, and I catch the sound of her swallowing harshly. She’s quiet, then lets go of a gentle breath. “You’re welcome.”
While a simple response, it’s sincere…truly, completely genuine.
We sit in that surprisingly comfortable silence for a time as I massage out the tension in her feet, able to catch her occasional sigh.
With each passing second, I can feel something heightening between us, a crackling in the air, regardless of not saying anything.
Looking up, I catch her already assessing me, unable to hide the rare vulnerability in her expression. Inexplicably, I can feel the same happening to me.
