Page 68 of The Pakhan's Dangerous Secret
"But what?" She stands and starts pacing, her bare feet silent against the hardwood floor. My oversized T-shirt she's wearing falls to mid-thigh, and I find myself distracted by the curve of her ass beneath the thin fabric. "We've followed every lead. We've been to the shack, the cabin, and found the safehouse list. What are we supposed to do with pillars in a field?"
I force my attention back to the problem at hand. "Maybe it's a location. Somewhere significant to your family."
"I've never seen anything like this." She stops pacing and turns to face me, her dark eyes searching mine. "My father never mentioned old ruins or pillars. Neither did my mother."
I set the drawing down and stand, moving to her. My hands find her waist, pulling her against me. "We'll figure it out. We always do."
She leans into me, her forehead resting against my chest. "I'm tired of puzzles, Andrey. I'm tired of chasing ghosts."
"I know." I press a kiss to the top of her head, breathing in the clean scent of her shampoo. "But we're close. I can feel it."
She pulls back slightly, looking up at me. "What if we're not? What if my father was just paranoid and these clues don't actually lead anywhere?"
"Then we'll deal with that when we know for sure." My hand slides up her back, fingers tangling in her long, blonde hair. "But right now, we focus on tomorrow. On the trap we're setting."
Her expression shifts, excitement replacing the frustration. "You're still worried about it."
"Yes." I don't bother lying. "Something doesn't feel right."
"Your instincts?"
"My instincts." I release her and move back to the bed, sitting down heavily. "I can't shake the feeling that we're missing something important."
Mariya follows, settling beside me. Her hand finds mine, fingers threading through mine. "We've planned everything carefully. The wharf location, timing, and the tracking devices. What could go wrong?"
"Everything." I turn to look at her, taking in the determined set of her jaw, the fire in her eyes. "You're walking into danger willingly. That's what could go wrong."
"I'll be fine." Her free hand cups my face, thumb brushing along my cheekbone. "You'll be watching. Your men will be ready. And I'm not helpless."
No, she's definitely not helpless. But she's also mine, and the thought of her in enemy hands, even temporarily as part of a plan, makes my chest tight with something that feels uncomfortably close to fear.
"I don't like this," I admit quietly.
"I know." She leans in, pressing her lips to mine in a soft kiss. "But it's the best way to find them. To end this."
She's right. I know she's right. But that doesn't make it easier.
I deepen the kiss, my hand sliding into her hair as I pull her closer. She responds immediately, her body melting against mine as her tongue meets mine. The taste of her, the feel of her soft curves pressed against me, temporarily pushes away the anxiety gnawing at my gut.
My other hand finds the hem of her shirt, sliding beneath the fabric to grip her bare hip. Her skin is warm and smooth under my palm, and when I squeeze, she gasps into my mouth.
"Andrey," she breathes against my lips.
I pull back just enough to look at her, taking in her flushed cheeks and dilated pupils. "I need you."
"Then take me."
I don't need to be told twice. I strip the shirt over her head, revealing her naked body beneath. Her breasts are full and perfect, nipples already hard. My mouth finds one peak while my hand cups the other, and Mariya arches into me with a moan.
Her hands work at my clothes, pulling my shirt off and fumbling with my belt. I help her, stripping quickly until there's nothing between us. Then I'm pushing her back onto the bed, settling between her spread thighs.
She's already wet when my fingers slide through her folds, and the knowledge that she wants me this badly makes my cock throb. I work her with my hand, circling her clit while two fingers push inside her tight heat.
She gasps, her hips rocking against my hand. "I need you inside me."
I position myself at her entrance and push in with one hard thrust. She cries out, her nails digging into my shoulders as I fill her completely. The feeling of her wrapped around me, hot and perfect, makes everything else fade away.
I set a brutal pace, driving into her with deep, powerful strokes. Her legs wrap around my waist, pulling me deeper, and I can feel her inner muscles starting to flutter around me.
