Page 29 of Owned Bratva Bride

I stepped back as she walked away, her steps slow and deliberate. Watching her disappear into her room, my blood pounded in my ears.

How does she manage to push my buttons?

I had been tested in the most dangerous ways—but never like this. From guns pointed at my head to interrogating vicious spies, none of my past challenges unnerved me like this girl, Marielle.

Chapter 7 – Marielle

As I shut the door behind me, I sagged against it.

Why is my heart beating so fast?

It was all to crack his composure, right?

And, yes, I won.

I made him lose control, even if for five seconds.

But the answer I didn’t want to hear sang in my ears.

It hadn’t just cracked Eduard’s control. I had pushed mine, too.

The image of his heated gaze, his uncontrolled touch, didn’t go unnoticed. A very tiny part of me wished he hadn’t let me go. The smile was more of me reminding myself that I was just taking an opportunity than gloating about his defeat.

Sighing, I stripped as I went to the bathroom. Cooling off was the best way to get rid of the very unwelcome heat that threatened to make me lose focus.

My long shower was so comforting that I fell asleep as soon as I hit the bed.

The cool breeze blew my hair, making it fly behind me like a flag as I strolled along the footpath. It was silent except for the low sound of leaves rustling in the wind. I walked on, moving from under the shadow of one tree to the other.

Stopping to inhale the sweet scent of flowers in the air, I broke into a satisfied smile.

“There you are! I was beginning to think you got lost,” he enthused, grinning.

“I know every part of your house like the back of my hand,” I disclosed, half-rolling my eyes at him.

He sat on a plaid blanket, his hands supporting his weight behind him.

My heart swelled with happiness and love as I crossed the distance to where he was.

“Baby,” he crooned, holding his hand out to pull me into him.

His hands came around me as I took in the sight of the colorful tulips, roses, and sunflowers that bordered the clearing.

“This place takes my breath away every single time,” I remarked, leaning into him.

“You take my breath away every single minute,” he revealed, his nose grazing the nape of my neck, making a shiver run through me.

A shaky chuckle left my lips.

“When I got your text, I thought you were trying to play hide-and-seek. I didn’t know it was a full-blown picnic.”

“I’ve been out and about for the past couple of days. I just wanted to slow down and spend time with the love of my life,” he disclosed.

“I want nothing more than time with you,” I replied, hugging his arms around me closer.

He dropped a kiss to the crown of my head.

“So, what do we start with? Grapes? Apples?” he inquired, pulling the small basket of fruits closer to us with his left hand.