Page 41

CHAPTER 40

ANASTASIA

Catching eyes with Mikhail in the mirror as he enters the room I smile.

His gaze drags up from my heels and he smirks, licking his lips.

“Absolutely fucking gorgeous, Ana,” he mutters as he steps behind me.

“Do you think my dress is too short?” I tug at the hem, feeling self conscious. I fell in love with this red sparkly outfit at the store. It hugs my figure perfectly, covered in delicate sequins. I even got lipstick and heels to match. But, now that I have it all on, it kinda feels cheap. Like it might draw too much attention to me. I want to make my husband wild for me. I know how much he loves my ass. But, it’s only for him to see.

“If I had it my way, we wouldn’t be going, and I’d fuck you in that dress. It’s beautiful.”

He runs his hands over my ass cheeks and squeezes, pressing me against him. I blush feeling how hard he is.

“See what you do to me?” His voice is deep and filled with hunger.

I’m biting my lip, eager for him to just take me to bed.

“Yeah. I just don’t want that happening to other guys.”

The amount of creeps that think it’s okay to stare or try to touch me when I’d go out with my friends, it’s enough to make me want to wear a dress that goes down to my ankles.

“That kind of thing worries you?” He quizzes.

I look up at him. The slight purse of his lips spoke volumes.

“Yeah. I’m a woman. I think every single one of us has had to deal with unwanted attention from a guy. It’s just part of life.”

“Trust me, no one in that room who values their life will even think about looking at your ass, let alone touching it.”

He nuzzles my cheek, the soft touch sending shivers down my spine and causing my eyes to flutter closed.

“I don’t want you getting in trouble because of my butt, Miki.”

“That ass is mine. I’ll protect it at all costs, pretty girl. You wear the dress. You look gorgeous in it and it makes you smile. I’ll stand right beside you, ready to kill any motherfucker that makes you feel uncomfortable. Deal?”

I laugh, but his face is stern.

“You haven’t got to kill anyone, Miki.”

With a dramatic roll of his eyes and a frustrated grunt, he let his annoyance show.

“Fine. Severely disfigure is the best I can negotiate on this one.”

I run my palms up his chest, wishing I could rip his shirt open and lick his tattooed abs.

“I’ll get changed.”

Last thing I need is a bloodbath.

As I go to pull away, his arms tighten around me.

“If it makes you more comfortable, change. But listen to me, I think you look incredible. Your ass is completely covered. You fell in love with that dress and it makes you smile. Fuck the rest of the world. I’ll deal with them. Just do whatever makes you happy.”

Running the back of my hands along the raised, puckered scars on his cheeks, I feel the roughness of his skin as he leans into my touch. I hardly notice them anymore. His strikingly handsome face, with his chiseled jaw and charming smile, is so captivating it renders his flaws insignificant. They are part of him and I love all of him.

“That is the cutest thing anyone has ever said to me. I’m lucky I have you, big man. You are one of the good ones.”

He chuckles, grabbing my hand and placing a kiss on the front.

“Cute for you and only you, sweetheart.”

My fingers tighten on the cool, crisp lapels of his black suit jacket as I shove him backward. He must have been surprised as he stumbles back, his back hitting the wall. Pulling on his tie, I yank his lips down to mine and snake my arms around his neck, crashing my mouth onto his.

“Mine, Mikhail. Always mine.”

That niggling doubt that Zoya keeps clawing at inside me turns me into a monster sometimes. I love this man and I will do anything to keep him by my side. I know I am his woman. His wife. But, sometimes it is just nice to be claimed.

“Oh, iskorka, you will forever be mine and I am yours until I die, baby.”