Page 10 of Stolen Vows

Ilost myself in her eyes. I noticed that there were flecks of honey within her sage green irises, so much so that they glittered a flawless gold in certain lighting. Her dark brown hair shone in the lowlight, flowing down her back in long, gorgeous waves, and all I could think about was wrapping those beautiful tresses in my fist as I slammed into her from behind.

I swallowed hard, trying to take back the reins on my tenuous control.

On paper, Natasha Page had presented the perfect opportunity. Her ex-fiancé was no more, but what I hadn’t told her was that he hadn’t met his end at the hand of the Lenkovs. I’d given the order and my men had seen to his demise with a carefully placed bullet through the back of his skull. They’d taken a picture as proof, but that had been for mine and Nikolai Lenkov’s eyes only.

I’d come to Chicago a year ago, and I’d been looking into every possible avenue to gain favor with the other ruling bratvas in the city. I hadn’t seen any possible in with the Petrovs, the Volkovs, or the Mikhailovs, but when I found Robert Cooper’s name in a focused search, I’d known I’d struck gold.

Since I was new to the city, I had yet to establish myself as a power all of my own and I knew that I needed allies to do that. Thus far, I’d slowly worked my way into several smaller circles, using many of the favors owed to me. I’d established relationships within government offices, the banks, and Chicago police, ensuring that I had people to turn if I were to need something done.

Robert Cooper was an opportunity.

He’d reached the end of the term on his debts, and he’d already cashed out his trust, life savings, and everything tied to him, including that of his future wife. When he didn’t pay up, he’d gone into hiding, and that had angered Nikolai, the reigning boss of the Lenkovs. I’d done him a favor. Not only had I taken care of his problem, but I’d also seen to it that the money he was owed was paid. However, that wasn’t the only reason I’d chosen him.

I’d seen Natasha’s picture.

From the very first time I’d laid eyes on her, I’d wanted her. I knew that if I didn’t intercede, the Lenkovs might decide to go after her for the money Robert owed them. I wasn’t sure that Nikolai wouldn’t make an example of her because I didn’t know him well enough, but I’d felt a need to protect her from that just in case he was that kind of man. With a precious thing like her, I couldn’t be too careful.

Back in Moscow, I’d seen the way my father treated my mother. He protected her with everything he had and treated her like his most cherished treasure. I knew that there were many men that weren’t like that, though.

Robert Cooper was one of them.

So, I’d dug even deeper into Robert’s life. The more I looked, the more I’d found. He’d racked up debts with several banks and had even dirtier secrets that he’d kept from Natasha, ones that would likely make her cry. I had no intention of telling her any of this.

I just wanted to make sure she was happy.

When my file was complete on Robert, I looked into her. The more I looked, the more I wanted to make her mine. My position would be strengthened with a wife, and as I thought about it further, I didn’t want it to be anyone other than her.

I glanced up at her, noting that her cheeks were pinkened. Her nipples were noticeably erect beneath the silk fabric of her gown. I’d known the dress would be beautiful on her, but it had been even better than I’d imagined.

Daria whisked away our empty plates when we were finished. Almost immediately, she swept in with a two small plates ofmedovik. I watched as Natasha took her first hesitant bite. She smiled a moment later, clearly enjoying the sweet taste of the thinly layered honey cake. From past experience, I knew that the creamy rich frosting was just enough to make all the flavors pop, without being so sweet that you didn’t taste anything else. I wouldn’t ever tell her, but the chef’smedovikrecipe was even better than my mother’s.

“This is divine,” she whispered, her eyes wide with awe.

“I’m glad you like it,” I said with a smile. Her gaze lingered on me for a long moment. She sipped her wine and finished quietly, clearly enjoying her meal. I dug into my own small plate, enjoying every bite that tasted of a home I’d left long ago. When she was finished with her dessert, I cleared my throat.

“Where will we go now?” she asked, speaking up first.

“I’m going to take you to my home. The staff has ensured your wedding dress has been properly stored. It’ll be waiting for us in the car. Are you ready?” I answered.

She nodded once. There seemed to be something on the tip of her tongue, and I waited, but she clamped her lips shut. Her cheeks reddened beautifully, and I had the feeling that she was thinking about something naughty.

I had no plans on rushing her into my bed though.

I was going to savor each and every delicious moment of this until I earned her absolute surrender. I didn’t care how long it took, because she was mine.

I had the rest of our lives to prove that to her.

CHAPTER5

Natasha

The drive to Lake Forest went blissfully quickly. The alcohol was buzzing a little bit beneath my skin, and I glanced up at Sergei, noting that his eyes were on me too. There was no denying that there was a sexual tension between us. The longer I was in his presence, the stronger it became.

The limo rolled to a stop in front of a massive, white columned mansion. A two-tier fountain surrounded with beautiful blooming greenery stole the show at first, but then I started focusing on the rest of the property. Massive domed windows revealed that the house was three stories tall. The front door was a dark stained cherry wood that towered at least ten feet. There were balconies on the second level windows, and the muted cream color exterior screamed luxury and elegance. The landscape was perfectly tended, with bright white, purple, and blue flowers blooming in every manicured flower bed. I looked over my shoulder, noticing that the property was gated. Along the way, I’d watched a few security guards patrolling the property. I didn’t see anything on the surface, but I knew there were hidden cameras watching all over the compound as well.

“This is beautiful,” I whispered.

“I have five acres here. When I found the place, I was really pleased with the amount of wooded area and the privacy that comes with that,” he answered.

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