Page 9 of Cruel Russian Pakhan (Safin Bratva #1)

He began by wrapping the rope around my torso, and I tensed my muscles just like he instructed.

But with each loop, his knuckles brushed against my sides, blurring the line between instruction and sensation.

I held my breath, not just to make the escape easier, but because I had dreamed of his touch since he held me in his arms the night of the shootout.

Those dreams woke me up in the middle of the night breathless, tangled in damp sheets.

Now, those dreams were real. I didn’t know if he meant to soothe me or if it was purely accidental, but either way, every pass of his hands sent sparks skittering through me.

When he finished, he crouched in front of me and gently caressed my thigh, whispering reassurances. Distracted by the heated trail he left on my skin, it took what felt like a thousand tries, but eventually, I broke free.

Next, he tied my wrists behind the chair and secured my legs. After I managed to wriggle out of that, he bound each of my arms to the chair’s armrests. That last one? It was by far the hardest to escape from.

Each time he stood where I could see him, or gently placed his hand on my shoulder to remind me he was there, something fluttered in my chest. The way he touched me, it felt intimate, like a caress. Or that's what I wanted it to be. Either way, it made my insides quiver.

By the time we were done with the ropes, I was breathing heavily. I didn't know if it was from the effort of escaping, or from the heat slowly awakening inside me.

When he reached into his pocket and pulled out the cuffs, I flinched instinctively. Fear surged through me, cutting through the haze of arousal that had slowly dampened my panties and fogged my mind.

His expression softened, but his voice stayed steady. “I’d like to tell you we can skip this part today, but we can’t. You need to be ready. Are you?”

I swallowed hard and cleared my throat. “Yes,” I croaked.

Lev stepped in closer. His touch was featherlight as he rubbed my wrist, before he secured the cuff. But he didn’t pull his hands away. He kept them there as he spoke. “You’re okay,” he said quietly, his eyes locked on mine. “You’re not in the basement. You’re home. You’re safe with me.”

And with him crouching there in front of me, so calm and reassuring, I did feel safe. Slowly, his hands slipped from my wrists. They felt colder without them, and it had nothing to do with the metal shackled around my wrists.

I rested my hands in my lap, my focus on the man who was keeping me grounded, as I tried to listen to what he was saying.

“Cuffs are trickier than ropes,” he said, crouching slightly to meet my eyes. “But most people use cheap ones. The fear is what does most of the work; people see cuffs and assume they’re helpless. But cheap cuffs can be tricked.”

“Tricked?” I echoed.

A faint smile tugged at his lips. “Bobby pins, hair clips, even a piece of wire, if you can bend it right. You slide it in, feel for the locking mechanism, press down, and you’re free.”

I nodded slowly. “That’s assuming my hands are in front and I can reach something. What if I’m cuffed behind my back?”

Lev’s smile widened, and my heart jumped. If I thought he was gorgeous before, Lev smiling with his whole face took my breath away.

He continued. “Then you feel for the pressure points, where the cuffs hinge and lock. If you’re near a wall or chair, tap them gently against it. It creates just enough shock to pop them open. Try it.”

I followed his instructions. To my surprise, I had the cuffs off in less than five minutes.

“Nice job,” he winked.

Then he moved behind me to cuff my wrists again.

He gently stroked my arm, and I felt my nipples harden at his touch, yearning for his hands.

I had to suppress the shiver that rolled down my spine at the thought.

I needed to control myself, because if Lev saw how I was reacting to his touch when all he was doing was being kind, he might think that I'm desperate.

Luckily, he didn't move from behind me as I began to work on escaping. It took longer that time because I couldn't see what I was doing, but eventually, the cuffs fell to the ground, and I was free.

I rose to my feet while rubbing my wrists. “What if they use the expensive kind?” I asked quietly. “What if I can’t get out?”

My gaze dropped to the cuffs on the ground before looking at Lev once again.

Without hesitation, Lev stepped forward and pulled me into his arms. “Then every minute you’re cuffed, focus on me, and the fact that I’m on my way. I’ll get you out,” he murmured. “I’ll always come for you.”

My heart slammed against my ribs at the promise in his voice. I was so caught up in his words, I didn’t feel it at first, but now that they’d faded, I did. With his body pressed to mine, there it was: his undeniable hardness against me.

That was the moment it hit me; Lev wanted me. He wasn't just touching me for reassurance.

Lev. Wanted. Me.

I bit my lip, a soft sound rising in my throat before I could stop it.

Because I wanted him, too.