Page 57 of The Bratva's Auctioned Bride
His words hang between us, replacing the silence, and my mouth drops open in shock. Of all the reasons he could have given me, this is a complete surprise.
“You … want me?” I stammer.
“Yes, Angelika. I want you,” he huffs. But then a grin creeps onto his face, curling his lips up at the corners, and pressing his smile into his stubble-shaded cheeks.
My heart flips, skipping a beat at the sight of that smile. Absolutely gorgeous. Too sexy for words. I think I get it now.
I take a step back from him, my cheeks flushing, my body heating. The fact that he wants me seems to make my attraction toward him ten times worse.
“Oh, you get it now?” he teases.
“I might,” I smile, shaking my head.
“And that dress, do you think it helps my situation at all?” he asks in a husky voice, stepping toward me and slipping his arm around my waist. I glance nervously at the corner, knowing anyone could walk around it at any time and catch us here.
But it doesn’t stop me from leaning into him.
I bite my lower lip as I stare up at him.
“I’ve been thinking about you, late at night, lying in bed,” I whisper.
“Oh, fuck, Princess, don’t say stuff like that,” he murmurs, hovering his lips over mine as I feel his cock growing harder against me.
“I think about you and…”
“Don’t tell me. I can’t hear that now,” he growls, pushing me up against the wall. “Do you want to get caught?” he asks, his breath hot on my mouth. “I can even picture it, your body moving beneath the blankets in the dark, your skin, hot, smooth, and perfect,” he groans as he rocks his hips forward and a bolt of electricity shoots through me, spiking my blood, racing my heart.
Logic dissipates as I run my hands up his sides, standing on my tiptoes to close the gap between our mouths.
From somewhere nearby, I hear laughter and footsteps. Diomid growls and steps away from me. My heart races a little faster with the risk of getting caught becoming a very real issue.
I clench my jaw and squeeze my eyes shut. I’m being stupid.
Taking risks like this for some pleasure. Some physical fun that will actually end up hurting me, because for me, it isn’t just physical. It hardly ever was. That first night, the connection I felt… It’s only grown stronger, and the pull I feel toward Diomid is going to end up breaking my heart when he gets bored with our spontaneous hookups and moves on to the next girl.
“I can’t do this,” I whisper, unable to look at him.
“I know, not here,” he sighs.
“No, I mean, not ever, Diomid. It’s… “ I want to tell him I’m feeling things I shouldn’t. But that would make me more of a fool. It would be embarrassing for both of us. And awkward. I shake my head again. “…Complicated.” I smile.
“I get that. But remember what you said. Let’s not make a big deal out of it.” He smiles back at me.
His words bite at my heart, hurting me.
Let’s not make a big deal out of it. I did say that. But even at the time, I didn’t mean it.
“I should get back before people start wondering where I’ve gone.”
Diomid nods, “Sure, go ahead. I’ll follow in a few minutes.”
Walking away from him is difficult because, for some reason, I know it’s truly over now. I understand what I’m feeling.And I understand that he can’t reciprocate feelings he doesn’t have. Anything beyond that is… pointless.
I can’t be with him anymore now that I know the truth.I’ve fallen for him.
Glancing over my shoulder, I see Diomid, still watching me, his smile too beautiful, his hands shoved into his pocket. I turn away and head back into the party, doing my best not to think about him. He’s so close, yet it’s like he’s a world away from me. Far out of my reach. Something I can never truly have.
Chapter 17 - Diomid
