Page 24 of Darkest Sin

“Why not? You’re beautiful. You’re young. You could have any man you wanted.”

“My father didn’t want me dating. He wanted me to wait until I was married.”

“Of course. Lev was strict about that. I remember that now. He would tell me how he was worried for his daughters in this world.”

“How well did you know my dad? You said you worked with him.”

“I knew him very well.”

“Then why did you never come over to our house?” I ask. “I remember meeting some of my father’s coworkers, though notmany. He liked to keep distance between his job and his home life.”

“That’s exactly it then. He didn’t want to put any of you in danger.”

There’s an implication there that Mikhail will put me in danger if he hasn’t already.

“There,” he says, stepping back. “All done. You should be able to get out of the dress now.”

“Thank you.”

“But before you go and change, turn around for me. I want to see you.”

Slowly, I face him, holding my dress up so it doesn’t fall down.

“You are beautiful,” he murmurs, his fingers skimming along my cheek. I feel the urge to lean into his touch and remind myself that I can. He’s my husband after all. I’m allowed to like his touch.

And yet, it feels like I shouldn’t. Like I have to hold myself apart from the darkness that surrounds him.

“I never asked,” he says, dropping his hand back to his side. “Do you find me handsome?”

“I do,” I admit. “Very much so.”

His smile lights up his eyes and only makes me blush even more. “Then we have that in common at least. I know we’re still strangers to each other. But we have time to get to know one another. And trust me, baby, I want to get to know you. All of you.”

Something tells me he means more than just my mind. He wants to get to know my body too.

I’m curious to see what he looks like under his clothes but I know I’m nowhere near ready for that.

“Let go of your dress for me,” he gently commands.

I could say no. I could walk into the closet and change without him looking.

But there’s so much power in him that makes me want to obey so I let go of my dress and feel as it falls down my body. My white bra and underwear are on display for him to see.

And judging from the way his eyes darken, he likes what he sees.

Neither of us speak or move as we look at each other. I resist the urge to cover my body. For some reason, I want Mikhail to look. I have never felt more womanly than in this moment.

“Put on the white silk nightgown,” he tells me in his warm voice. It’s not forceful but it speaks to his power.

As if I’m being pulled by strings, I do as he says. I find the silk nightgown in the closet and take my bra off and replace it with the nightgown. It ends on my upper thighs.

I’m entering into a brand new life and it’s scary and yet, it also feels right.

Chapter Five

Natalya

Lying in bed next to Mikhail is an intimidating experience.