Taken by the Bratva by Paige Warren (drm ebook reader TXT) 📕

and I realized he’d been with me all along. He’d been the one touching me. My body relaxed, and my fear receded.

“I’m sorry, kiska. I didn’t know how else to break through. You were too scared of what you were feeling.”

“How did you know?” I asked. “How did you know I wanted you? What if I hadn’t?”

He cupped my cheek and brushed his thumb across my lips. “I just knew. There were flashes in your eyes when you didn’t quite control your emotions. I saw your need, your hunger. It matched my own. I need you, kiska. I’ve wanted you since before that day at your uncle’s house.”

I yanked at the restraints, but he didn’t free me. “What do you mean? I didn’t see you before then.”

“You might not have noticed me, but I saw you. Your uncle took you to a restaurant, then left you with some men. As payment for his debts. You were so beautiful, so haunted. I knew I had to have you. I’d never wanted anyone more.”

I didn’t know what to think. Why hadn’t he just taken what my uncle offered? He could have had his pleasure and been on his way. But he hadn’t. Instead, he’d taken me, brought me to his home, and he planned to marry me. I didn’t know why.

“What does liybimaya mean?” I asked.

His lips twitched as if he fought not to smile. “My love.”

I stared, not quite comprehending his words. “You love me?”

He knelt on the bed, bracing his arms on either side of me. “Yes, Imogen. I love you. I think I fell for you that very day.”

Tears blurred my vision as he lowered his head and kissed me. My body heated as he caressed and kissed every inch of me. I pleaded for release, begged him to let me come. Finally, he filled me with his cock, using slow, deep strokes to drive me to utter madness. When I didn’t think I could take it another moment, he changed his angle and hit just the right spot inside me and I came, screaming out his name as my body tensed and pleasure washed over me in waves.

“That’s it, kiska. Come for me.”

He drove into me harder and faster until I felt the heat of his release. He panted for breath as he brushed a kiss against my lips. He pressed his hips tighter against me, his cock still semi-hard.

“I’ll stay here a bit longer,” he said. “Need to make sure every drop stays inside you.”

And just like that, the spell was broken. It was like having ice water dumped over my head. What would he do if he found out I might not be able to give him children?

Chapter Six

Ivan

The priest married us at our home, under the arbor out back. Imogen was breathtaking in her wedding dress, but something bothered her. I’d felt her withdrawal last night, and shadows lingered in her eyes this morning. Something had changed. I just couldn’t figure out what.

She smiled politely as people gave us their blessing. I had only invited a few close friends and Pavel, who’d brought his wife along. The others had dates. Women they’d thought would set Imogen at ease. It hadn’t worked. If anything, she seemed even more tense each time one of them approached.

Dimitri pulled me aside and handed me a sheath of papers. I flipped through them, skimming the lines.

“Just tell me,” I said. “You wouldn’t give this to me right now if you hadn’t found something.”

Dimitri rocked back on his heels and nodded toward the hall. I followed him, not sure if I should leave Imogen unprotected or not. I trusted the men, and Pavel’s wife, but the other women were another matter.

“Your wife ended up pregnant after her uncle started loaning her out to pay off his debts. They forced her to have an abortion. It wasn’t at a clinic, but in her uncle’s home.” Dimitri folded his arms over his chest. “You should have a doctor check her over, make sure they didn’t cause lasting damage. It’s possible she’s barren.”

I heard a gasp and spun to find Imogen in the doorway, the blood drained from her face and her hand over her mouth. Her wide eyes filled with tears and she looked like someone had ripped her heart out.

“Kiska, is that what’s been bothering you? All my talk of children and you were worried you wouldn’t be able to have any?” I asked.

A soft sob escaped her as she nodded and took a step back. I lunged after her, latching onto her wrist and pulling her closer. The pain and fear in her eyes felt like someone had punched me in the gut with brass knuckles. I never wanted to see her so scared ever again.

“Liybimaya, it doesn’t matter.”

“It does,” she whispered. “You want children. You’ve been trying so hard to get me pregnant, and I…”

I cupped her cheek and kissed her softly. “I love you, kiska. If we have children, I will count my blessings. If we don’t, then I’ll still have you. Look at me.”

Her gaze lifted to mine and she sucked in a breath as more tears slipped down her cheeks. I pressed my forehead to hers. This woman. So fragile yet so strong. She undid me.

“You’re mine, kiska. And you’re all I need. I love you. Not your womb. You.”

“Ivan, I feel like a failure. I can’t give you what you want, and you saved me from the hell I’d been living in for years.”

Dimitri snorted. “Not to break up this love fest, but you’re being an idiot, Imogen. Ivan loves you and doesn’t give a shit if you can get pregnant. You have each other, and it’s all either of you needs. Now kiss the man and go live happily-ever-after.”

She laughed through her tears and pressed her lips to mine. Did I want children with her? Of course. Not having them wasn’t the end of the world, though. If we were blessed with