Page 12 of Ripped Veil (Ripped Bratva)

“Not enough.”

And then, before I can stop myself, I reach out and cup his cheek with the palm of my hand. He jerks away momentarily from the sudden gesture, but I force it and he allows me to touch him.

I can’t read much about him. But in this moment, I know that neither one of us knows what’s happening right now. There is a connection here, but it’s too muddied in the chaos of what’s just passed for either one of us to unpack.

Maybe that’s why, when he leans in, I lean towards him, too.

Because that is the only way we can think of to diffuse some of the tension growing between us.

His lips fall on mine like a cloud. Soft. Supple. Tender. I’ve never been kissed like this before. So, when his hand wraps around my neck, I crane it up for him, giving him better access to my mouth.

I sigh and the sigh unlocks my lips. His tongue enters with quiet confidence. When his hands snake under my dress, I part my legs for him until he steps up between them. I’m trembling again—but this time, it has nothing to do with fear.

His lips leave mine and fall to my neck. I hear myself moan. The sound is so foreign that it forces my eyes open. I’ve never moaned like that in my life.

And I don’t even know this man’s name.

When he pushes aside my panties, I tense up a little. He pulls his lips from the side of my neck and looks me right in the eye.

“Say the word and I’ll stop.”

I stare at him. “Please, God… don’t.”

He keeps his eyes on me when he pushes himself inside me for the first time. It’s not as gentle as his kiss, but it doesn’t need to be. I want him to take the memories away—by any means necessary.

I feel his length sink into me, aware for the first time of an aching pain between my thighs. The pain lasts for several thrusts, but his eyes distract me.

And when the pain clears, only pleasure is left behind.

My hands move to his shoulders. I’m suddenly shy. Shy to touch him, shy to hold him, shy to give myself over to him in a way that I desperately want to.

I don’t know what’s come over me. Having sex with a stranger in the bathroom of a horrible club goes against everything I’ve been taught.

But then again, I’m not the same girl anymore. I’d made sure of that when I set that fire and started running.

It feels like I’ve peeled off the layers of who I used to be. And in her place is another girl.

Someone reckless and wild.

Someone desperate and alone.

And maybe…

Just a little bit brave.

4

Phoenix

She clings to me as though I’m her last lifeline. Her breathing comes in staggered gasps that makes her entire body tremble. Everything about her screams of frailty and vulnerability.

Maybe that’s why simply looking at her is a complete mindfuck.

Because despite all that innocence, she’s sitting here in a ripped wedding dress—with bloody fingernails that prove she can fight back.

Her eyes find mine as I thrust into her, reveling in the tight clench of her pussy. The thought that I might be taking her virginity flickers across my mind. But I cast it off. There’s no way a virgin would part her legs for a stranger so willingly.

In any case, I’m past the point of caring.

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