Page 51 of Deceptive Vows

As he leans closer and closer, I become wrapped in the taunting scent of him, and the glow of primal desire lurking in his eyes tells me I’m safe from the truth.

Safe for the moment, and safe from the truth of who I am.

I’m not safe from everything else and whatever this thing is I feel between us.

That’s what he’s talking about.

That thing that almost feels forbidden.

Sandal wood and musk envelope my mind, luring me to temptation when he runs a finger over the edge of my jaw.

I’m forced to level my stare with his. Then, without warning, he lowers his lips to mine. Not for the faint kiss he gave me in Mexico, but something else that sends shivers through my body.

He pulls back an inch for a few beats, just to stare into my eyes, then his lips come back crashing down on mine again for a cruel, punishing, delicious kiss.

It’s a kiss that mirrors what he does to me.

Hurt me and please me.

Enchant me and terrify me.

Frighten me and captivate me.

All of it, all at once.

My body burns with the pleasure, and my lips part with shock when he slips his hand behind my head to deepen the kiss. He forces his tongue into my mouth, and that’s when I taste him.

The true, raw essence of him. The darkness and death. The power and dominance. The want and need.

Everything is there in this all-consuming kiss. I never knew I craved him until I tasted him.

Mikhail Dmitriyev tastes like delicious sin. Like everything I’m not supposed to have but want.

The pleasure of the kiss fades into the ether when he pulls away, leaving me breathless and greedy for more. Another shocker to my brain.

He stands, and I stare up at him as he licks over his bottom lip. Then, without another word, he walks away without looking back.

He disappears through the door, and I stare at the empty trail he leaves behind.

I stare, once again in shock by my reaction to him, but this time I’m also shocked because I realize I’m drawn to his dominance over me because it brings out my inner desires and everything I’ve always suppressed for one reason or another.

I’m drawn to him because he lulls me into a false sense of freedom.

Something I’ve never had but always wanted.

15

Mikhail

“Everything is in order in Mexico,” José says.

I temple my fingers and acknowledge him with a nod.

We’re sitting in my office at Dmitriyev Ltd. He arrived in New York with Sebastian an hour ago and came straight here to see me.

“That’s good to hear, amigo.”

“The men have also informed their workers of the new leadership change and who they’re to report to from now on.”