Page 26 of The Pakhan's Arranged Bride

I lean back, looking at her with warmth in my heart, reaching up to tuck a soft blonde curl behind her ear.

“What did you think of my favorite food ever?” I ask, grinning.

She laughs and says, “It might be my new favorite, too.”

Ulyana steps away from me to help Belle put away the random items left out after the cooking.

My mother pours some more wine and gets dessert ready—creme caramel cups with melted dark caramel sauce.

Instead of going back to the dinner table, we stand in the kitchen, chatting, laughing and eating out of the bowls we hold in our hands.

It’s a homely feeling, one I haven’t had in a while. Ulyana is by my side, leaning into me, talking to Belle about a book they’ve both read.

In this moment, everything seems perfect.

Ulyana is perfect.

And not for the first time, I am surprised by how incredibly lucky I was to be the one to marry this girl.

***

That night, lying in bed with her sleeping as far from me as possible, I roll to face her. Shifting closer to her, I wrap my arm around her waist and drag her across the mattress towards me.

She lets out a soft squeal of surprise.

“Shh. It’s okay, I’m not doing anything,” I reassure her, snuggling her back against my chest. She curves perfectly into me, fitting as though she belongs there. At first her body is tense, but I keep my arm wrapped around her waist, just holding her, nothing more, even though I’m wild with desire for her and fighting my body’s reaction. I want this intimacy. I want to feel close to her.

And this is a massive first step—her allowing me to get away with this.

Ulyana falls asleep before I do.

I lie awake for a long time, my cock rock-hard and pressing into her. Holding her was what I wanted—but now I want more.

I want everything from her.

I close my eyes and fight against myself.

When I eventually do fall asleep, I dream of doing things to her that make her gasp and breathe my name from those perfect lips.

Chapter 8 - Ulyana

I was on my way to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee when I heard Jadon say Miron’s name.

Benedikt is at work.

Hearing Miron’s name set my heart beating wildly.

Do they know something?

So, now I’m pressed up against the wall outside Benedikt’s home office. Jadon is inside, talking to Benedikt on the phone, and it’s clear that something is going on regarding my stepbrother.

“He was seen at the warehouse? Yes, sir. I’ll leave now. I can be there in about—mm—fifteen minutes. Yes. Alright, sir.”

He hangs up, and for a second, I panic with nowhere to hide as he walks briskly towards the door. So, instead of hiding, I walk right into him as though I was passing by.

He huffs as we bump into each other, and I let out a surprised yelp.

“I’m so sorry, Miss Ulyana,” he blurts out, gently touching my shoulder while his eyes study me with concern. “Did I hurt you?”