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CHAPTER 19

MIKHAIL

Song- Do you really want to hurt me? Nessa Barrett

“Get in the truck, Anastasia,” I growl, towering over her.

She rolls her bottom lip between her teeth, the gesture slow and deliberate, and it infuriates me further. My knuckles whiten as I clench my fist, my gaze darting past her to take in the surroundings. A tense silence hangs in the air. We’re like sitting fucking ducks here. Her decision to follow me was reckless and put her in danger. She went against my direct orders.

And still, she won’t listen. She continues defying me. To tease me. God, everyday living with her is a test. Her mischievous grin, her sass. Every single thing about her both riles me and turns me on. It sparks something in my chest I’ve never felt before.

Keeping her in my sight is all that matters, despite the sharp, physical pain her presence inflicts. Each shared breath is a stab. I crave the impossible.

She flinches as I pound the car roof, but defiantly crosses her arms and raises her chin.

“Do not make me repeat myself again. Get in the motherfucking car before I drag you in there myself.”

Her eyebrow arches, and one side of her mouth curves into a smirk.

“Take the mask off and I might think about it.”

Fuck.

I swing open the passenger door and she takes a step back. I see that glint in her eye.

“Don’t you dare,” I warn.

As she steps away, I get a hold of the top of the door. I restrain myself from pursuing her, inhaling deeply to regain composure.

“What are you going to do about it, big man? I gave you my rules.”

I chew on the inside of my mouth. It is taking every ounce of restraint I possess not to grab her by the throat and throw her on the hood and fuck this behavior right out of her.

That’s all she needs. This brat needs taming.

I take large steps toward her, and she retreats, fear flickering in her eyes before being replaced by an expression of desire. That spark between us is real. It has been from the moment I grabbed her hand. A familiarity I can’t put my finger on lies between us.

“You do not get to make the rules with me, Ana. I made a promise to protect you, yet again, you put yourself in harm’s way. I do not accept this disobedience, and now I have no choice but to punish you.”

That makes her stop. Her plump lips open and her eyes go wide.

“What is it that you want, iskorka? Why do you continue to push me? You want me to fuck the attitude out of you? Is that what it is? You want me to test your limits? You want to be punished and put in your place? Hmm?”

“I-I,” she stammers, dropping another small step away. Her foot poises as if she’s going to turn.

I take a final step, closing the distance between us. I can smell her desire for me. Her rising and falling chest, and the heat she radiates are palpable.

“Use your words. I know you’re full of them.” I press.

“You’re an asshole. I’m not getting in that damn car until you treat me with respect. I’m your wife now. Is this how it’s always going to be?”

I scratch at my jaw over my mask. I have an answer, yet that isn’t necessarily the truth about why I can’t ever let her go. But that isn’t something I want to even admit to myself.

I grab her throat, yanking her upwards until she is on her toes. She gasps softly as I lean in, our noses touching.

“No one speaks to me that way,” I snarl.

Her pulse hammers against my palm and my cock aches for her.

“Is this a game for you? You think I haven’t worked you out and know exactly how to play to win?”

I tilt my head and study her reaction as she swallows. Releasing my hold, she stumbles away. I expect her to be furious.

“You think you can win my game, Mikhail? You don’t know me or what I want,” she snaps back.

I nod, my heart hammering in my chest. So, so wrong, pretty girl.

“I know you want to run. And I also know that you want me to chase you, catch you and throw you against a tree and have my wicked way with you.”

Her eyes dart from left to right, weighing up her options. Her gaze settles on my crotch and I smirk. She gets to me, I can’t help it.

“Run, pretty girl. I will catch you, and I am going to enjoy every second of ruining you when I get my hands on you.”