Page 141 of Beautiful Secrets

“No,” I manage, slightly breathless.

He slips a finger behind my underwear.

“Do you like it when I make you wet like this?”

“I love it.”

“How about when I make you moan, like this?”

A pair of fingers dips into me and, on cue, I let out a moan.

“I love it.”

“And what about when I make you come. Do you like that?”

But I have lost myself in his touch, and it renders me unable to reply. Electric thrills course through me, my core tightening as he slowly, teasingly, brings me to climax.

I expect him to shift me forward, to unzip his pants, to thrust into me. I am wet enough. And I can feel his hard cock pressing into my ass.

But he makes me come, kisses the side of my neck, and then shifts my underwear back into place.

I’m disorientated, giddy, heavy.

So much so that, when he holds out something in front of me, it takes me a few moments to recognize it.

Butterflies explode in my stomach, and I gasp like a silly little girl.

“Cole!”

“You haven’t even seen it yet.”

He reaches around me with his other hand and pops open the ring box. An icy blue stone glitters from inside the box, surrounded by a circle of tiny sapphires.

“Mika Vasiliev, will you—”

I reach out, snap the box closed, and grab his hand in both of mine. Then I push it down into my lap so I don’t have to look at it.

“No.”

Cole lets out an angry growl, and this time I know it’s not playful. I squeeze my eyes shut and wish the earth would swallow me whole so I wouldn’t have to be here.

“I don’t—”

“I love you Cole.”

Cole relaxes ever so slightly beneath me. I twist, looking into his eyes, and then reach out to cup his jaw.

“But I cannot marry you. It would not be fair. You deserve—” I have to swallow down the lump that forms in my throat before I can continue. “You deserve to be happy.”

He opens his mouth, but I clap my hand over his lips. Anger draws a deep line between his eyes, but he doesn’t try and speak again.

“You deserve a family of your own. A wife, and as many children as you want. Not some other man’s child. Not…not a child conceived with such violence and anger.”

My eyes are brimming, but I blink back the tears as best I can.

“I never wanted children. I will not have another after my baby is born. I know it in my heart.”

Cole stays silent, so I take my hand away. “I just need a fresh start for Tavisha and me.” I drop my gaze, because I cannot stand to look into his frank eyes anymore. “And I am sorry that I am only telling you this now. That…that was very selfish of me. I will understand if you do not want me to stay with you anymore. If you need to move on, and find your wife. But—”