Page 88 of Ruthless Sin

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“Mila. Posmotri na menya.”

She opens her eyes.

I hold her gaze.

“You are beautiful.” I hold her gaze. “What they did to you doesn’t touch that. What they told you isn’t true. You’re here because you chose to be.”

A beat.

“I’m not going to waste it.”

Her breath hitches.

“I want to see you.”

A beat.

“Only if you want me to. Hands stay where they are. Bra back on. Walk out. Any of those.”

I wait.

“Yours.”

She looks at me for a long time.

Then, slowly, she lowers her hands.

She sets them in her lap.

She’s trembling.

I don’t look down. I keep my eyes on her face.

“Can I touch you?”

She nods.

“Say it.”

“Da.”

I bring my right hand up. Slow. I cup the side of her face.

“You’re beautiful,” I say again. “And I’m going to keep saying it until you believe me.”

Her eyes are wet.

I don’t kiss her yet. I just hold her face and look at her.

Then I lower my mouth to her throat. Below the chain. The pulse there.

I take my time.

Collarbone. Sternum. The chain at my mouth.

I lower my mouth to her right breast, tongue on her nipple — she makes a small sound, surprised.

I suck gently.

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