Page 30 of The Russian Pakhan's Forced Bride

The brush of her body against mine…the tousle of her hair while she dances…

Hell, it’s a wonder I’ve even made it this far.

Without any kind of objection, I let her. I want her to.

Unable to stop myself, I move with her, and one way or another, she ends up turning around until we’re face to face. She’s in my arms, fitting like she was meant to be there.

It’s both startling and strangely appealing.

Of course, something in me had wanted her since the moment I saw her picture, but feeling her previous hatred for me was the thing stopping me from acting on those desires.

Having her like this now…dancing on me and fitting far too well in my grasp…it’s fraying at my self-restraint.

My hands drift, with one settling against her lower back while the other hovers along her shoulder. I keep my touch light as I try to hold back to some degree…trying to be good.

Despite trying not to press too close, I can still feel the warmth in her skin. I can feel the mutual interest dripping between us. I keep telling myself to take it easy and not jump to any conclusions, but the way she effortlessly dances for me feels like too much of an invitation to ignore.

She certainly isn’t helping me stay in line.

Then, Victoria leans in and lets her words ghost against my jaw.

“You act so cold any other time, but that doesn’t seem to be the case now.”

Her words, while coherent, are still somewhat labored and slurred despite being able to hold her rhythm. And that hazy smile of hers is more endearing than I care to admit.

“Maybe you just don’t know me either,” I return, lifting a brow while my pulse spikes.

Victoria grins, and her hand grazes along my chest. “I know that you’re straining, at least…”

That’s an understatement.

Heat pools in my core, and I’m in no position to deny her claim.

But being buzzed helps loosen some of my usual control, and I hum in return.

Her teasing is deliberate, and it’s far too tempting. Even if she’s a little more than tipsy, she still knows what she’s doing.

My hand lowers to her hip, and I tighten my grip slightly. “…and you should be careful with that mouth of yours.”

She looks at me far too innocently. “Why? Will you punish me for it?”

Jesus Christ…

Biting back the urge to give in right then and there, it takes every shred of my resolve not to do something either of us might regret.

“You don’t want to give me any ideas.”

A satisfied yet velvety-sounding laugh escapes her, and at the same time, I glance over her head, remembering we aren’t alone.

The others, while still in the private section, could still have a decent view of us if they bothered to glance in our direction.

Even so, I don’t entirely care anyway.

“What would they think?” Victoria asks, pulling me from my thoughts once more. “Seeing you like this?”

Meeting her gaze again, I huff out a breath. “They can think whatever they want. It doesn’t matter right now.”

“And if they’re watching…you won’t try to stop them?”