Page 88 of Arranged Control

I groan as I finish between her legs. The orgasm spills through me like pure bliss, and when I’m finally done, I turn her and kiss her, pulling her along until we’re on the couch together. She curls up in my lap, still naked, arms wrapped around my neck.

“It didn’t work, you know,” she whispers, grinning to herself, eyes closed.

“You didn’t come?” My eyebrows raise in surprise. “That was incredible acting.”

“No, not that. I definitely came.” She looks up, and God, I don’t know where this girl came from or how I got so lucky. “You tried to distract me.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, you don’t? Convenient how we’re talking about something you don’t like, but suddenly we’re having sex.”

“I wouldn’t call that convenient. Maybe a happy accident.”

“Right, just serendipity.”

“There was nothing left to say, and I wanted you.”

“You might’ve been done, but I wasn’t.” She kisses my chest. “I’m not letting it drop.”

I sigh and tilt my head back. I can’t let her meet with Molchanie. That’s way too dangerous. Talking to her family is bad enough. I don’t trust them, not even a little bit.

But maybe there’s something else she can do.

“I’m going to speak with my father about what’s happening. I probably should have done it sooner, but here we are. Maybe you can come with me.”

She considers that. “Are you sure? You don’t think they’ll blame me?”

“I won’t let them, but I doubt they will.”

“If you think it’ll help, I’ll be there. But I still think I should meet with Molchanie.”

“Do this for now.”

I kiss her and hold her tighter. I feel my grip on the situation beginning to slip, but I’m not going to let go. No matter how hard things get. Alina’s mine, and I won’t lose her.

Chapter 28

Alina

Igrew up in a house like this.

On the outside, it’s built to impress. My father used to always say that image is power. We live in a gilded palace to show anyone who comes through that we have strength and resources far beyond anything they could imagine. Even if that isn’t true.

The Whelans understand that perfectly. Their home is nearly as opulent as the one I grew up in, or at least from first impressions, it comes off that way.

But the second we get inside, everything changes.

“I was beginning to think you’d never take me up on my invitation.” Seamus’s mother Siobhan sweeps him up into a hug and kisses his cheek. “Since when did you get so tall?”

“Since I was fourteen, Mom.” He smiles, but it doesn’t seem to relax him.

Siobhan turns to me. She glides over, graceful as an egret, and kisses both my cheeks. “I hope you weren’t aware that I’ve been practically begging for you two to come to dinner.”

“I had no idea. We would’ve been here sooner.”

“I knew it.” Her eyes twinkle with amusement. “My son’s always been the rude one.”

We’re ushered inside, past the open sitting rooms, past the beautiful and priceless art hanging on the walls, and into a more comfortable and smaller section of the house. The table’s set for a big meal, and there are already a few people sitting around it. Finn stands and greets us both, looking bashful as he gives me a quick hug.