Page 28 of The Pakhan's Forced Bride

“Do you expect me to duel her?” she giggles. “A sword fight for your attention?” Belle shakes her head.

Loud laughter rolls from my chest, and Belle starts laughing, too.

My body is alive with an intense current of desire.

That’s when I realize my hand is on her waist, my cock is already growing hard against her, and she hasn’t pushed me away. My other arm is pushing into the dresser, blocking her escape.

Belle takes a soft breath in, her lips parting as she looks up at me.

I lean closer, almost tasting her, ready to feel her perfect mouth against mine.

Belle squeals and ducks away from me, beneath my arm, leaving me leaning against the dresser on my own. I clench my jaw and squeeze my eyes shut, fighting the urge to chase after her and grab her. I’ve wanted to kiss her for so long now.

When I turn to face her, she’s standing near the window again, swaying a little, shy or nervous.

“Belle—"

“Can you teach me to box?” she asks, interrupting me and redirecting the topic.

“Are you serious?” I ask. “Have you ever done any kind of fighting or self-defense?”

“No. Nothing. I’d love to learn. When I saw you in the gym the other day, you looked, um, like you knew what you were doing.”

I nod, smiling. “I can teach you to box. But you have to do something for me in return. A fair trade. Something I want.”

She puts her hands on her hips and pulls the corner of her mouth up as she raises her brows.

I laugh. “Nothing likethat.”

“What then?”

“Come with me to a dance tomorrow night. As my date.”

“Oh. That actually sounds like fun. I can wear my new dress,” she says, suddenly back to her usually bubbly self.

“So, we have a deal?” I ask.

She nods, holding out her hand to shake mine. “We have a deal,” she agrees. I take her hand in mine, and she shakes firmly as our eyes lock.

This woman is driving me crazy.

Why won’t she let me get close to her?

It’s probably for the best that it never gets to that point. Boundaries will keep us both safe in the end.

But dammit—it’s not what I want. I want her. I want her softness pinned beneath me and those wide, doll-like eyes staring up at me as she moans in pleasure.

“Belle,” I say, my voice low.

“Mm?” She hasn’t let go of my hand yet, so I pull her closer to me.

“Lydia is from my past. A brief fling that meant nothing. I haven’t seen her in almost two years. I don’t know what she was doing here, but I didn’t invite her, and I’ve already told the guards not to let her back into my home.”

Her eyes soften.

She presses her lips together to hide her smile. But the relief and warmth in her expression are clear.

I let go of her hand, and she bites her lower lip.