Page 18 of Paved in Hate

There’s something in her tone, but I can’t tell what it is. Confusion, maybe. Possibly a small hint of disgust.

“Not all of them, no. Roman is married to the mayor’s daughter.”

“But he has a pet, right?”

I meet her inquisitive blue eyes, and right before we reach the top floor, I say, “Right now he has a wife, a very pregnant one,” and leave it at that.

When the doors open, her eyes widen when she takes in the wall of family photographs. All our smiling faces look back at us, and I watch Katya’s brow scrunch in confusion as she tries to figure us out. Good luck with that one, wifey.

Not bothering to wait around, I start bringing her bags through the large penthouse. The others have completely bailed on us, so I look back at Katya who’s still staring at the photos.

“Come on. I’ll show you our room.”

Ourroom. I nearly choke on the damn words. I’ve never even spent an entire night with a woman, and now I’m living with one? My head is seconds away from exploding, and it has nothing to do with the massive hangover I’m still carrying around. Matvey and I had stayed up all night drinking, and I’d like nothing more than to grab another bottle and drink until the darkness swallows me up again.

Instead of doing that, I carry my wife’s luggage to what is apparently nowourbedroom. She follows me, quietly looking around as we pass through the kitchen and living room. It’s an open floor plan, so she’s able to see everything.

I nod towards the hallway on the other side of the room. “That’s where Roman and Emily’s rooms are. Downstairs are Danil and Simona and also Matvey. We’re upstairs with Lev and Jolene.”

She doesn’t say anything, just follows behind me as I lead her upstairs. We pass the room we converted into a gym and the room that I know Lev and Jolene are hiding behind. I think about banging on it as we walk by and calling him a chickenshit, but I don’t. I’d probably hide, too, if I could.

Opening the door to our room, I step in and then set her bags down by the closet. She slowly steps in, looking around at everything but the large, king-sized bed. She eyes the floor-to-ceiling windows that show nothing but a dark sky and the faint glow of the city beneath us. Walking closer, she stops at the ridiculously comfortable rocking chair that sits in the corner. My brothers and I had gone baby shopping, and Matvey and I had meant to just buy three for our pregnant sisters-in-law, but once we’d sat in one, we’d quickly decided that we both needed one too. We’ll be babysitting a lot, so it makes sense. Plus, it’s just really comfortable.

She doesn’t ask me about it, and I don’t offer any information. I’m still going on the assumption that I can’t trust her at all. I hadn’t heard whatever the hell Konstantin and Osip had whispered to her before we left, but I’d seen her face when they released her. I’m willing to bet she’s under strict orders to keep her brothers informed of anything she finds out about us.

“You can use as much of the closet as you need.” Pointing to the door on the other side of the room, I add, “That’s the bathroom. I can show you the rest of the place tomorrow. Do you need anything?”

“No, I’m okay.” Slipping out of my jacket, she holds it out to me. “I’ll just get ready for bed, I guess.”

I take my jacket and watch her grab the smallest suitcase and wheel it towards the bathroom before she shuts and locks the door. With a sigh, I toss my jacket on one of the other chairs and then kick off my shoes. Stepping into the closet, I quickly shed the tux that suddenly feels way too fucking tight and exchange it for a pair of grey joggers and a white T-shirt.

Pacing the room, I run a hand through my hair, wishing for the previous awkwardness of the car ride, because nothing is going to compare to what’s about to happen. As if reading my thoughts, I hear the door click behind me. I turn around just in time to see Katya step out. She’s wearing a pink robe that’s belted at the waist. It’s short enough to give me an eyeful of long, toned legs, but everything else is hidden. Her pink toenail polish stands out against the cream colored carpet and matches the robe she’s still clutching shut.

“I’m sorry, but can you help me with these?” She motions toward the crystal pins that are still woven into her long hair. “I tried to get most of them, but I can’t find them all.”

She turns around when I step closer, and I try to ignore how damn vulnerable she seems with her robe wrapped tightly around her like armor and the loose curls of her hair resting softly against her back. Reaching up, I start to grab the pins in her hair, pulling out the sparkly crystals. I can’t help but notice how damn soft her hair is. When the long locks start to loosen and fall, the scent of her fills my nose, and I nearly groan. She smells like vanilla, so fucking sweet I’m tempted to bend my head and take a bite out of her. I fucking love sweet things.

Running my fingers through her hair to try and find any remaining pins, I feel my cock start to harden, and I curse my body’s lack of control. It’s a normal reaction, I tell myself. It doesn’t mean shit. She’s beautiful and she smells yummy. Big fucking deal.

My fingers slide through the strands of her hair one last time before I say, “I think I got them all.”

She turns around, taking the pins from my hand, and when her eyes drop and she sees the outline of my cock straining against my joggers, she sucks in a quick breath and takes a step back. It’s not the kind of response I usually get from a woman. She doesn’t look like she wants to rip my clothes off and fuck me. She looks terrified, and when her blue eyes meet mine, there’s not a speck of lust in them. She’s too busy being scared to death to be turned on.

“Can you please just go easy on me.” She’s clutching her robe with shaky hands, and the tone of her voice isn’t husky with arousal. It’s wobbly with fear.

It takes me a second to respond. I’ve never had anyone act like this around me, and I can’t say I care for it. Gripping the back of my neck, I let out a sigh and meet her eyes.

“What exactly do you think I’m about to do?”

She blushes a deep red and glances over at the bed. “Aren’t you? I mean…I just thought you wanted to,” she gestures to the bed, “you know.” She bites her bottom lip to stop her rambling.

I shake my head and let out a disgusted sigh. “So you thought I was just going to throw you on the bed and have my way with you?”

She seems surprised by the question, like it hadn’t even occurred to her that I wouldn’t be doing exactly that.

“I’ve never forced myself on a woman, and I’m sure as fuck not going to start on my goddamn wedding night.”

“But I thought,” she starts to say, turning even redder before she finishes with a soft, “My brothers will expect it.”

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