Page 142 of Deceptive Vows

When she comes, arching her back and screaming my name, clenching my cock with her slick walls, my balls tighten, and I lose control.

The rawness of our shared climax sends me over the edge, and I hold on to her, kissing her still, taking her with me.

It takes a while for us to calm down from that height of pleasure, and even when I do, I don’t want to let her go.

Nevertheless, it’s me who moves first, because I’m the one who should speak first.

I cup her face and gaze down at her.

“I love you, Natalia,” I tell her.

A beautiful but weak smile graces her face. “I love you, too, Mikhail.”

“I know.”

I release her chains and scoop her up to carry her up the stairs.

As I walk, more truth hits me.

I’ve never told any woman apart from my mother and sister I loved them.

This one is the first, and as I look at her, I know she’ll be the last.

She doesn’t belong in our world.

José’s words hit me again.

He’s right. That means if I do love her, I can’t keep her in my world.

40

Natalia

Ilie cocooned in Mikhail’s arms.

Neither of us has slept.

Since the dungeon, we’ve been wrapped in each other, making love, and he’s hardly stopped touching me.

Now he’s lying next to me. Holding me close to his heart.

I have so much to say to him, but I’m afraid to break the silence and shatter the moment. I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I know he’s thinking about it.

I told him I loved him, and now that I know how he feels about me—me, Natalia—I want to savor the feeling, if only for a few more hours. But it’s clear neither of us can sleep because there’s still plenty to worry about.

Me being me changes everything for both of us.

I was so scared in that dungeon. I truly thought Mikhail was going to kill José. I spent the time flitting between worrying about José and thinking about what my lie did.

I never expected the shift in Mikhail’s mood when he came back.

I don’t know what happened when he met José. I know he talked to him, though, and something was said to change the tide of what could have been because Mikhail was different when he returned.

He’s been even more different as the hours have gone by. His touch feels remorseful, and he keeps kissing the bruises the chains left on my wrists.

Warm fingers trace along my back, and Mikhail presses his lips to my forehead.

I meet his gaze and his lips for a brief kiss.