Page 78 of Brutal Reign

“Better move,” I say, my grin sharp with anticipation. “Before your little hunter catches us.”

CHAPTER

TWENTY-NINE

HOPE

We end up in a closet.

Pavel is pressed against my back, his chest rising and falling steadily. I’m acutely aware of the heat of his body, his solid strength, the way he seems to surround me completely, even in this tiny space.

This is not good. Because every time I’m in close proximity to this man, I do something stupid.

Like let him fuck me with his gun.

I’ve spent the last few days alternating between being horrified with myself and pretty damn turned on every time I replay the moment.

“Can you back up an inch?” I ask. It feels like it’s a hundred degrees in here. Which it might be. So many coats are jammed inside that we’re forced together in very, very close quarters.

“Sorry. No room.”

He doesn’t sound sorry at all. His large hand brushes my shoulder as he sweeps my hair to one side, knuckles grazing my skin. The simple contact sends a bead of sweat slipping down my spine.

This situation would be so much easier if he didn’t smell so damn good. I want to turn and bury my face in his chest. Or sink to my knees. Or press his hand between my legs and make him relieve the ache.

I clear my throat. “Thanks for playing with Kin,” I whisper.

“I’ve never played hide-and-seek before. I’m enjoying it more than I thought I would.”

To make his point, Pavel’s lips ghost over my ear, then lower to brush the sensitive skin of my neck. I have to clamp my teeth together to keep in the sound threatening to escape.

“What are you doing?” I hiss.

“Shh,” he murmurs. “We wouldn’t want to give away our hiding spot too soon.”

In the distance, I hear Kin’s voice calling out, “Where are you? I’m gonna find you!” Doors open and close, and Yarik’s deeper voice offers suggestions about where to look, but it sounds like they’re moving in the opposite direction.

“Pretty sure the rules of the game don’t allow touching.”

“Are you sure about that? Because I like this version better.”

Pavel’s hand slides along my ribs, then curves around to cup my breast. His thumb grazes my nipple, and his teeth catch on my neck, sucking until heat blooms under my skin.

A small, helpless sound slips out. I know I should stop him. Letting this go on will destroy whatever self-control I have left, but his hands on me feel too good.

“Tsk, tsk. You’re being too loud. I wouldn’t want Kin to find us just yet.” His palm covers my mouth, muffling my gasp, while his other hand skims down my stomach and over the curve of my hip.

Pressed so close together, I’m achingly aware of how much bigger he is than me. His body practically envelops mine, making me feel small and trapped against him.

“Did you know that when I was watching you in London, I broke into your flat one night?”

“You what?” I mumble against his hand. I try to turn around, but he holds me in place.

“It was part of the job,” he says, voice low and intimate. “I had to search your place. Make sure you weren’t building a criminal empire. Instead, I found a pile of dirty books and a woman living a lonely existence.”

Humiliation burns through me at his casual invasion of my privacy. But when his hand slides lower, fingers finding the hem of my dress, all thoughts fly out of my head.

“But of course, that’s the night you came home early. When your asshole boss finally did what he was told.” He chuckles darkly at the memory. “I had to hide in a closet like this one. It was that or kill you on the spot, and I didn’t quite like that idea.”