Page 27 of Deceptive Vows (Bound by Vows #3)

Chapter Twenty-Two

NAZAR

The door to the terrace opened, and Thea stepped out, immediately hugging herself. “Couldn’t sleep?”

Just hours ago, she wore a floor-length dark blue gown that showed off her shoulders and hugged her curves.

The color complimented her skin, and it took effort not to pull her to me and kiss those dark-red-stained pouty lips.

Just one of the many reasons sleep had eluded me since we’d arrived at the penthouse.

Now, dressed in black silk pajamas with her hair pulled up in a messy bun with a matching silk hair tie, her beauty was all the more alluring. Apparently, absence did make the heart grow fonder.

“No. I tried, but I was too restless.” I stood and met her at the door. “Is everything okay?”

She nodded. “Yes, well, as fine as it can be.” Her eyes narrowed. “You look tired.”

I scrubbed my face with my hands. “The last couple of weeks have been stressful. Keeping a close eye on the contractors, making sure everything is getting done properly, takes a lot of oversight.”

“Is everything on schedule?”

“ Da , it is. I keep pressing Marco for the location of the women, but he keeps telling me that I’ll get the information when I need it. I’m beginning to suspect he’s going to hand that task to the Gray Wolves since they’re more aligned with his brand of business.”

A tremor ran through her. “It’s frosty out here.”

I tipped my head toward the outdoor heater by the lounge. “Let’s move over there where it’s a bit warmer.”

She passed me, her frame illuminated by the lights. Instead of sitting on one side of the lounge, she stepped onto the seat and perched on the back of it. “Come here.”

When I hesitated, her lips lifted in a smile. “I promise I’m unarmed.”

I narrowed my eyes.

Her laughter was light. “Okay, fine. I’m not, but you’re safe with me, you have my word.”

I ambled over to the lounge and sat in front of her, twisting at my waist. “Okay…”

“Sit back.”

I closed my eyes as her fingertips pressed against my temples and began to massage. A rush of air escaped me as I sank into the cushion, allowing myself to relax. “That feels nice.”

“Pa would sometimes get migraines when he was tired, and Ma would do this for him. It helped relieve the stress and let him relax.”

“I can see why.” The words came out mumbled. None of the women in my past had ever done anything like this for me. Mostly because I didn’t allow it; giving myself this sort of luxury wasn’t typical.

Her thumbs dug into my shoulders, kneading the tension away. It was incredible.

I groaned. “You’re good at this. ”

“I think you’re tired, and it would feel good if anyone?—”

I took her hand and brought her palm to my lips. “ Nyet . I couldn’t relax like this with anyone else.”

She brushed her fingers along my neck. “Tell me about your tattoo.”

“It’s a two-headed eagle. One head watches the past, the other the future." I tilted my chin slightly, letting her see the edge of it above my collar. "Old symbol. Power. Vigilance. And a warning that nothing escapes my notice.”

“Is it the only one?”

Shaking my head, I replied, “ Nyet . I have several more, but those are for me.”

I stood and pulled off my Henly T-shirt.

Thea’s eyes roamed my chest before she rose to her feet. Goosebumps lined her arms as a light frosty breeze blew over the terrace. When I reached for her, she ducked and circled behind me. Silence lingered, stretching to an almost uncomfortable degree before she finally asked, “What does it say?”

“Family, honor, loyalty, and trust.”

I nearly jumped as her fingers ghosted across my back in a slow, sweeping motion. “I like that.”

“Do you have any?” I quickly added, “Tattoos?”

“No. I thought about getting one, but I could never settle on a design.”

As the last word left her lips, she turned to face me, her gaze sweeping over my arms. “I didn’t realize how many you had until tonight.” Her eyes met mine.

“Do you disapprove?”

Shaking her head, she smiled. “On the contrary, I heartily approve. I’ve always thought a man with tattoos is sexy.”

“But none for yourself.”

“Yet. Maybe one day I will.”

I stepped closer, invading her personal space. “I’d hate to see this perfect skin marred by anything.”

She caught her bottom lip between her teeth. “What if I was marking myself for someone?”

A low growl rumbled in my throat. I could picture her branded with my name. Mine .

Hooking a finger beneath the hem of her shirt, I tugged her flush against me. “I have an excellent suggestion on who that could be.”

Her lips parted, her gaze flickering to my mouth, and for a heartbeat, I thought she might close the distance between us.

But instead, a slow, mischievous smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

With deliberate ease, she stepped back just enough to create space between us, her fingers trailing down my chest in a lingering, featherlight caress as she retreated.

“Do you now?” she asked, her voice low and teasing. “And what makes you think I’d want your name on my body, Nazar Volkov?”

The way she said my name, full of challenge and heat, sent a current of electricity straight through me.

“Because…” I watched her take another step back. “You can’t seem to stay away from me.”

She laughed, the sound rich and warm in the night air. “Is that what you think? That I can’t resist you?”

“I think.” I moved toward her, matching her retreat step for step. “That you’re as drawn to me as I am to you. Fighting it seems... pointless, doesn’t it?”

She backed up until her legs hit the lounge chair. For a moment, her eyes flashed with something that looked like surrender. Then she ducked, feinting left and slipping past me with the grace of a dancer.

“Maybe I like the chase.” She was halfway to the door, her hand reaching for the handle when I moved.

I caught her wrist in one swift motion, tugging her back toward me. She spun into my chest, her free hand bracing against my bare skin, warm and electric. She looked up, surprise and desire mingling in her eyes.

“Maybe it’s time to get caught, tyomnyy angel .”

I didn’t give her time to respond. My mouth claimed hers with a hunger I’d held back for weeks. Her lips parted with a gasp, and I deepened the kiss, my free hand sliding around her waist to pull her flush against me.

For a heartbeat, she was still—shocked, perhaps, or deciding whether to pull away. Then she melted against me, her hand sliding up my chest to curl around the back of my neck, fingers threading through my hair.

The kiss caught fire, raging into something wild and unrestrained, both of us pouring weeks of tension and unspoken desire into this singular moment.

She tasted of mint and something sweeter, something uniquely Thea.

I released her wrist to frame her face with my hands, tilting her head to deepen the kiss .

When we finally broke apart, we were both breathing hard. Her lips were slightly swollen, her eyes dark with longing. I kept her close, my thumb tracing the curve of her cheek.

“Still want to run?” I asked, my voice rougher than I’d intended.

“I’m exactly where I want to be.” This time, she was the one who pulled me down to her, her kiss just as demanding as mine had been.

Her hands explored the tattoos on my shoulders and back, tracing patterns that left a fire in their wake. I backed her against the door, caging her between my arms as I trailed kisses down her neck.

“Nazar,” she whispered, her voice catching as I found a sensitive spot beneath her ear.

I lifted my head to look at her, taking in the flush on her cheeks and the way her silk pajama top had slipped to reveal her collarbone. She had never looked more beautiful than she did in that moment, slightly disheveled, completely craved.

“What happened to ‘just business’?” I couldn’t resist teasing her, even as my hand slid beneath the hem of her silk top to caress the warm skin of her belly.

She laughed softly, her fingers drawing circles on my chest. “I may have... reconsidered my position.”

“Is that so?” I murmured against her lips.

“Don’t get too smug about it.” She nipped at my bottom lip, drawing a growl from deep in my chest. “I’m still trying to decide if this is a terrible idea.”

“And what’s your conclusion so far?” I asked, pressing closer.

Her breath hitched. “That I’ve had worse.”

I laughed against her mouth, unable to contain my happiness at finally having her in my arms. “Such high praise.”

“Shut up, and kiss me again,” she demanded, pulling me back to her.

And I did—thoroughly, with every ounce of need I’d been harboring since the moment I first saw her across that crowded club. Because Thea Kalantzis was finally in my arms, and I had no intention of ever letting her go.