Page 93 of Forced By the Obsessed Bratva

His lips quirked, and I wasn’t sure if he made an attempt to smile, but whatever it was looked more like a grimace than anything else.

“Unlike most people, we weren’t taught to wear our hearts on our sleeves.”

“Or to have hearts, at all.”

It was a reckless blurt, and I regretted saying it the second it was out of my mouth. I was still so angry at Rurik, but didn’t want to redirect that rage to Matvey.

“I’m so—”

“Hush. Don’t apologize, Zoella.” His grip on my arm tightened slightly as he pulled me closer to his chest. “Come.”

He led me away from the window, with his hand firm on the small of my back.

My knees buckled, and he caught me without a word, easing me down onto the bed. The mattress dipped beneath our weight. Well, mostly mine.

And he sat closer than he needed to. I didn’t flinch or pull back; instead, I welcomed it.

“I know that these past months haven’t been the best. And I know saying it like that is merely putting it lightly. But, for what it’s worth, I’m here with you, okay?”

I leaned into him, and his warmth bled into me, cancelling the noise rattling inside my chest.

“You don’t have to ever apologize for feeling rage, especially if it’s justified.” He spoke calmly and slowly slipped his fingers into my hair. “Let it all out whenever you want. I don’t mind.”

I shuddered, relishing in the feel of his hands on me.

“I’m not the best person to have heart-to-hearts with, but that doesn’t mean I don’t understand your grief.” He pulled me closer yet again, and I felt the heat of his breath on my forehead when he gently said, “I do.”

My fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, and I gripped tight. Matvey didn’t pull away. If anything, he shifted closer, hisarm brushing mine as the heat between us brewed with a thicker intensity.

And I felt my fingers tremble, but this time not from fear, but anticipation.

I couldn’t stop shaking.

“You’re okay,” he murmured, his voice low, meant only for me. “I’m here.”

I looked up and into his eyes, and accidentally got lost in them. “I needed to be sure that you feel this too.”

At this moment, I wasn’t sure what exactly “this” meant. It could be the pain of Rurik’s betrayal and my sister’s demise or…something else.

Because my heart was thrashing like crazy, and the ringing in my ears sounded more like sirens now.

I hadn’t meant to say it, but the words slipped out anyway, so I might as well finish what I started.

“I’ve needed you through all of this. I’m angry, hurt, confused, and scared, Matvey. But I don’t think…I don’t—I can’t face it without you.”

For a second, I thought he hadn’t heard me. He just stared.

Then something shifted in his eyes, like a dam giving way.

Before I could blink, his hand reached up, fingers weaving into my hair, while the other cupped my cheek so gently, like I might shatter.

I barely had time to breathe or say another word before his mouth covered mine.

Despite myself, my eyelids fluttered shut automatically, and I released a satisfied groan into his mouth.

He tasted so good, I wanted more. I parted my lips and he eagerly delved deeper into my mouth, sucking on my tongue and making love to my lips, while I held on to his shirt for dear life.

I tried to move, to match his energy and rhythm, but Matvey devoured me, hot and hungry, like he’d been holding his desire in for too long and couldn’t hold back anymore.