Page 73 of Forced Marriage to the Cruel Bratva Pakhan

“Instinct to protect your asset?”

“Instinct to protect you.” The distinction is important. “Not the political alliance or the strategic advantage. Just you, Serena. The woman I love.” He stops, seeming to struggle with the words.

Tears prick my eyes despite attempts to control them. “I love you too. Which is probably Stockholm syndrome or trauma bonding or some other psychological complication that therapists would have a field day analyzing.”

“Probably.” He tightens his arm around me. “Does it matter what we call it if it’s real?”

“Is it real?” I turn to look at him properly. “How do we know this isn’t just forced proximity and dangerous circumstances creating artificial attachment?”

“We don’t.” His hand moves to cup my face, thumb brushing across my cheekbone. “Not with absolute certainty, but I’ve never felt this way about anyone else, Serena. Never prioritized someone’s safety over organizational interests. Never looked at another person and thought I’d trade everything I’ve built just to keep them alive.”

“That’s intense.”

“That’s love in our world.” He leans closer, his forehead resting against mine. “Not flowers and poetry. Not safe or comfortable or predictable. Just raw, consuming need to keep each other alive despite everything trying to destroy us.”

The description should scare me. Should make me pull back from the intensity.

Instead, it makes me close the remaining distance and kiss him.

The contact starts gentle, both of us aware this could shift into something more urgent. His hand tightens on my face while his other arm wraps around my waist, pulling me closer.

“Serena,” he murmurs against my lips. “If we start this—”

“Then we finish it.” I shift to straddle his lap, my knees bracketing his hips. “I’m tired of overthinking everything. Tired of analyzing whether what we have is real or just circumstances. I want you, Pavel. Please?”

Something dark and hungry flashes in his eyes. “You’re playing with fire.”

“Good.” I lean down to kiss his throat, feeling his pulse jump under my lips. “I like the heat.”

His control snaps visibly. One hand tangles in my hair while the other grips my hip hard enough to bruise, holding me against him while he captures my mouth in a kiss that’s pure possession.

I respond with equal intensity, my hands sliding under his shirt to find heated skin and defined muscle. He groans into my mouth when my nails drag down his back.

“You’re going to drive me insane,” he manages between kisses.

“That’s the plan.” I rock against him, feeling his hardness through the layers of clothing between us. “Your stoic control is sexy, but I want to see you lose it completely.”

“Careful what you wish for.” He stands suddenly, taking me with him. My legs wrap around his waist automatically while he walks us toward the bedroom with purposeful strides.

“Where’s the fun in being careful?” I bite down on his earlobe, feeling him shudder. “I’ve been careful my entire life, Pavel. Playing it safe, following rules, being the perfect senator’s daughter. Look where that got me.”

He kicks open the bedroom door and crosses to the bed in three strides. Instead of laying me down, he sets me on my feet and takes a step back.

“Strip,” he orders, his voice rough with barely controlled need. “Slowly. I want to watch.”

The command makes heat pool low in my stomach. I reach for the hem of my sweater, pulling it over my head with deliberate slowness. His gaze follows every movement, dark and intense.

Next comes my bra—simple black lace that I unclasp and let fall to the floor. The cool air makes my nipples peak immediately, and I watch Pavel’s jaw clench as his eyes track the movement.

“Keep going.” He’s not touching me, but the hunger in his expression feels physical.

I work my leggings down my hips, bending slightly to push them past my thighs. When I straighten, I’m standing in just my underwear—matching black lace that leaves very little to imagination.

“All of it,” Pavel says quietly.

I hook my thumbs in the waistband and slide the fabric down slowly, stepping out of it to stand completely naked before him.

“Beautiful.” He moves closer, one hand reaching out to trace the generous curve of my waist. “Every time I see you like this, it gets harder to maintain any kind of restraint.”