Page 87 of The Pakhan’s Hidden Heir

“Bash,” she says, looking concerned. She reaches up and touches my face, and I feel moisture when she swipes her thumb over my cheek. “Are you okay?”

“I am so much more than okay, Raina Volina-Dravenko.” My heart swells and my palms are sweaty, but now is the time to finally open up. “And I love you.”

She sucks in a gasp and her brow furrows, but I press a finger to her lips to halt any response she may have until she hears me out.

“I know what you’re thinking but please listen.”

Raina sighs and her face relaxes, then she lets her shoulders droop as I continue.

“I am a fool. You know that about me already, and I don’t have to tell you.” A grin spreads across her face, but she respectfully refrains from speaking, so I continue. “I knew I loved you for months before you left me. I tried so hard to fight it, fearing that loving you made me weaker somehow.” I shake my head. “When I lost Agnya, it destroyed me. But I realized when you were gone that you don’t have to openly confess to something in order to suffer from the loss of it later on.”

Her face screws up but she keeps listening as I say, “Knowing you were out there alive, moving on without me, was the worst pain in the world. Worse than if you had been killed by my mortal enemy.” I grip her head harder and shake her gently. “I need you. Can’t you see that? I’m a worthless drunk without you, Raina. And my son…my precious son.”

“Bastian—”

“I need you to stay with me. I’m not the man you think I am. I’m not the cold monster who pushes you away. I did that because I thought it protected myself but⁠—”

“Bastian—”

“I was wrong. It didn’t protect me at all. It was stupid. I love you and I want you and promise to treat you as you deserve every day⁠—”

“Bastian!” she says a third time, firmly.

I stop talking though my heart feels like I might have a cardiac event any second.

“I love you too,” she whispers, then she slides her hands up to my shoulders and grips me, rising up to her tip toes to press a kiss to my lips. It’s soft and sweet, and her lips are still cold. But it’s everything. She doesn’t need to say another word.

I deepen the kiss as my hands work the buttons of her coat open while hers push mine off my shoulders. The heavy fabric drops to the floor and my sweater comes next, her cold fingers dragging it up and over my head.

I yank her sweater off too, revealing the smooth skin beneath.

She’s perfect, every curve, every flaw, even the shivers and goosebumps that rise on her skin as I drop to my knees on the thick hides and peel her jeans and panties down her legs.

Her hands brace on my shoulders as I hold her boots for her so she can step out of them onto the bearskin run under us.

“God you’re intoxicating,” I groan, breathing in the scent of her arousal.

“Bash,” she breathes, her hands threading into my hair.

I look up at her and I can’t help feeling lost. Raina is my salvation. I walked to the edge of the abyss and almost dived in. Without her I was hopeless—helpless. But with her, I’m invincible.

“Let me taste you.” My voice comes out gravelly as I press my mouth to her thigh, then higher, spreading her legs gently with my hands. She shudders when my tongue finds her, licking along her folds.

“Oh god,” she gasps, hips twitching forward. “Right there.”

I grip her ass and pull her closer, burying my face deeper.

My tongue circles her clit then flattens against it, drawing out soft moans from her throat.

She tastes warm and sweet, and I can’t get enough. I suck gently, then harder, alternating until her fingers tighten in my hair.

“Yes, like that,” she whispers. “Don’t stop.”

I wouldn’t dream of stopping when she feels so good. I slide one hand between her legs and push a finger inside her while my mouth works her clit. She rocks against me, breathing faster. “Bastian… Fuck, I’m close.”

I add a second finger, curling them just right, my tongue never slowing. Her thighs start to tremble and she lifts one leg, draping it over my shoulder. I look up to see her head tilted back, lips parted, chest rising and falling rapidly. The sight makes me groan against her, the vibration pulling another sharp cry from her lips.

“Bash… I’m gonna—” Her words cut off in a moan as her body tightens. I keep going, sucking and licking through it until she comes hard, her walls pulsing around my fingers. She whimpers my name, hips jerking, and I hold her steady, licking her through every wave until she starts to soften.