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Lev straightens and clucks his tongue. “Not talking to me? Already trying to breach that contract of ours?”

Damn it. That stupid contract. “I don’t feel like talking to you.”

“Why’s that, malyshka?” He cocks his head and studies my face, his features striking against the moonlight.

I hate that he’s so handsome, but I hate it even more that I think so.

“You’re not going to give me what I need, so why bother asking?” I’m pushing my luck, talking to him like that. I just can’t help it. And really, what more is he going to do to me?

“Try me, wife.” He taps his heart twice and looks at me as if he really wants to know what I want.

I look him square in the eyes and lift my chin. “I want a divorce. I want you to tear up that contract and let me go home to my parents. And then I want you to stay the hell away from me.”

“Jesus. Zhenshchina, ty prosto ogon'.”

“You know good and well I don’t know what any of that means. I don’t speak Russian.”

“I’ll teach you, malyshka.”

“I don’t want to learn Russian. I told you what I want. Either give me an answer or don’t speak to me.”

He smirks, but I know better than to think he’s being humorous. My entire body goes tense when he walks around the table and right up to me. His shoulders alone swallow my personal space, and when he towers over me, I feel as small as an ant about to be stomped on.

He lowers and hovers there, just by my lips.

Please don’t kiss me again.

I want to scream the words but hold my tongue. I can’t let him know his stupid kisses affect me, or that apart from him I’ve only ever been kissed once.

“That mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble, little mouse.” He leans closer and brushes his nose along mine, then he presses his lips against the shell of my ear. “In fact, it still might. The night is young.”

My breath hitches. I try to move away, but he slips an arm around my waist and pulls me flush against his hard body.

“Thank whoever you pray to I’m in a good mood.” He kisses my ear and lingers by my cheek. Then he drops his voice lower. “If I were in a different mood, I’d indulge in the old traditions and strip you down right here. Then I’d bend you over that table and fuck you right in front of everyone.”

Holy shit. The man is insufferable. Absolutely insufferable. And I can’t breathe.

I’m mortified and utterly disgusted, but damn it, the wetness gathering between my thighs makes a goddamn liar out of me.

“Talk to me like that again, and I’ll punish you with my cock.” His hot breath tickles my skin as he presses closer into me. “I’ll fuck every hole in your body, and I won’t stop until you can’t walk.”

Lev pauses, but it’s too late for me. Every wicked thing he threatened comes to life in my mind, and thanks to my very wild imagination, I see it all. The visions are made so much worse because I know he’s serious. He meant every single word.

“Do I make myself clear, myshonok?” The stubble on his cheek grazes my smooth skin.

I pull in a breath to clear my throat. “Yes.”

“Good.” He grins.

What an absolute prick. No one has ever spoken to me like that before. No one would ever dare because they were too scared of my father.

Lev Karsavin, however, answers to no man but himself. I doubt he even answers to God.

“Now to answer your questions.” He inches away so he can stare me in the eye again. “The answer is no. No, I won’t give you a divorce. No, I won’t tear up the contract. No, you can’t go home to your parents, my dear wife, because your home is now with me. And no… I won’t stay the hell away from you.”

People are watching. To them it must look like he’s doting on his new bride, except they should know better. They know we only met two days ago. And even if they didn’t know that, they know him. There’s no way that the ruthless Lev Karsavin I’ve heard so many gruesome details about would be here showing any sort of affection to his wife in public.

“Now let’s try again. Ready to go home?”