Page 83 of Love Me Always

"What will happen to your dick?" Nicolo asked; his face contorted with amusement.

“Ana would fucking castrate me if she knew you guys took me to a strip club.” I pinched the bridge of my nose as I shuddered at the thought.

"No, Ana would not," her heavenly voice replied, drawing all the men's attention to the entryway, where she stood wearing ripped jeans, a simple tank, and her beloved sneakers. Her hair was freshly waved as it cascaded down her back, and she crossed her arms with an amused look on her face.

“Excuse me?” I jumped up, causing the chair to topple over onto the marble tiles with a clatter. The guys seemed as amused as she did.

"I wouldn't castrate you for having a lap dance, but if you put your dick in someone other than me, that's a different story altogether." She winked as she approached the front door.

“Anastacia Fedorov, get back here,” I called as I took off after her, and the laughter from the guys boomed throughout the kitchen.

They’ll pay for that.

“What can I do for you?” She spun to face me, grinning from ear to ear.

"So, you don't mind if the guys take me to a strip club?" I questioned. I expected her to finallysnap, but something told me she wouldn't.

"Not at all, darling, have a wonderful time."Was she kidding me?

"And you don't mind if I have an endless number of dances?" I asked, as I trailed my finger across her exposed collarbone.

"No, I don’t. Will you be coming home to me?” she asked, her wide eyes looking for a response in mine.

“Yes.”Where else would I want to go.

"Then no, I don't mind," she said. Her smile remaineddespite her voice softening somewhat.

“Ana...”

“Honestly, I mean it.” She kissed my cheek swiftly but that wasn’t enough; she needed to know I had no interest in anyone else.

I gripped her face in my hands and claimed her lips with mine. They partedto allow my tongue access as she moaned into my mouth. The noises she made stirred something in me, and I was almost melting for this woman.

Some might say it was a swift turnaround, but something about Ana triggered that change in me, and I vowed to spend the rest of my life making up for the way I treated her at first. We were both to blame, but honestly, I provoked her repeatedly because I believed it would be an easy way to push her away, to destroy her, but I never expected her to give as good as she got, to be as powerful as she was. Others would have fallen over themselves for me, but not her; even today, if this hurt her, she wouldn't show it; instead, she covered it to ensure I felt no ounce ofguilt.

"I have to go. My mother is waiting, and it seems that yours is as well."

“My mother?” I arched my brow as she wiped her gloss off my lips.

"They're helping me choose my wedding dress." She seemed thrilled for a woman who had refused to wear one.

"Oh, you're getting married?He must be onelucky motherfucker. Do I know him?" I teased as I pulled her flush to my bodyby the waistband of her jeans.

"It's possible." She giggled as she wriggled free of my grip. "Stop playing around. I have to go."

"I'll drive you; I have a meeting with my father anyway."

“Are you sure?” I didn’t answer her as I was already on my way to pull the car around the front.

To be honest, I'd rather drive her personally, and leaving earlier meant I wouldn't have to listen to thisbachelor party nonsense until later this evening.

The dayof Lorenzo's bachelor party had arrived. He had spent the previous week and a half trying to avoid going, but the more he dug his heels, the more the guys pushed him.

"I don't need to go, Ana." He smiled as I handed him his usual pristine white shirt. No matter how hard I tried to persuade him to choose something different, he refused. "Are you going to be okay here on your own?"

"I'll be fine, Lorenzo. It’s heavily guarded here; no one is allowed in without permission." I rolled my eyes as I flopped down on his bed I'd been stayingin since our date night.

"That eye roll will get you in trouble." He chuckled as he buttoned his shirt before spraying himself with his signature cologne. The warm, woody scent filled the room, and I knew it would remain with me all night until he returned home.

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