Sofia and Maxim had only been married for a day, and she already did a good job of driving him crazy. He finally pulled out. “Wait here.”
“Not going anywhere,” she whispered. Sofia looked well-spent, languid.
Leaving her side momentarily, Maxim headed to the bathroom and grabbed a towel. Once he’d returned to her, he cleaned both of them up before sliding next to her in bed.
Sofia clung close to him, and he opened his arms. She snuggled, looking relieved.
Maxim had never cuddled anyone before. The nameless and faceless women who shared his bed in the past never lingered long, but this was his wife. It was not a completely terrible sensation.
Sofia began drawing small circles on his chest with two fingers. She traced the old bullet wound buried under the black ink.
“My father and Aunt Elena told me having a child was part of the agreement,” she began.
“It is,” Maxim said. Gripping her fingers, he placed them to his lips and kissed them. Sofia shivered. “Our child will be the heir to the Semenov Bratva and the Bianchi Familia.”
Maxim thought the reminder would please her, but it didn’t. Sofia hesitated, then looked deep into his eyes. “What if he or she wants a normal life instead?” she asked.
“Impossible,” Maxim answered. “I would teach our child the importance of loyalty and duty as soon as he or she can walk.”
Sofia flinched at his words.Drop it, Maxim silently willed.
Maxim knew eventually this would erupt to an argument, but of course, Sofia had more to say. “What if we had a rebellious daughter, and she turned out exactly like me?” she asked.
“You tried making your own way, but your path eventually led you back at the beginning, back to home,” Maxim said, touching her cheek. “Would you want our child to learn the same hard lesson?”
Sofia abruptly pulled away from his touch. Maxim sighed as she scooted to the opposite side of the bed, her back facing him.
They were doing so well, and she had to ruin the moment. No matter. Maxim wasn’t completely heartless. He would allow her a moment of privacy before they resumed their bedroom activities.
“I don’t have a home,” Sofia whispered softly. Maxim barely caught the words.
If she sought comfort, Maxim could offer her none. He had simply told her the truth. Sofia wasn’t a child or a carefree young adult any longer. Eventually, she had to fulfill the agreement they made.
****
Maxim didn’t snore, although Sofia wished he did. After they made love two more times, she felt sore. Well-used and content. Sofia hated how skillfully Maxim played her body like an instrument.
In a single night, he already uncovered all the secrets her body offered. He knew what Sofia liked, what made her squirm and beg. Sofia studied his sleeping figure. He slept on his side, one inked arm carelessly flung over his head. The muscles and old scars starkly stood out under the moonlight. Asleep, her new husband didn’t look so intimidating. Maxim appeared vulnerable, without a care in the world. An assassin could walk up to him and put a blade against his throat.
That assassin, she reminded herself, would need to get past Lev and Maxim’s other guards first.
Who was she kidding? It wasn’t like Sofia wanted her new husband dead.
If she had to be completely honest, she had to agree with Aunt Elena. Sofia could’ve done with worse.
Maxim had witnessed her earlier discomfort, but instead of using her weakness against her, he made Sofia feel sexy and powerful. Safe in his arms.
Sex with her new husband had been a mind-numbing, world-shattering experience. If this went on, he would do well on his promise about owning every bit of her.
Part of her didn’t care he would lay waste to her body. Her heart remained hers to give, hers to keep, and she would keep it locked away from Maxim. Tonight, Maxim had shown her not all of him was bad, but she constantly needed to remind herself that her husband would never be a good man.
Her mind replayed the conversation they had earlier. Sofia gritted her teeth and curled her fists by her sides. She would never voice her opinions out loud, but she couldn’t imagine Maxim being a father. She didn’t see herself being a mother either. Hell, she already had a hard time playing the role of Maxim’s wife.
Realizing she needed a drink, she slipped out of bed. Worried her sudden movements would wake him, she glanced back at him.
Certain her new husband slept like a stone, Sofia put on a robe and padded to the kitchen. The suite was outfitted with a fully furnished kitchen.
The front door opened, and she tensed, but it was just Lev checking in on them. He walked past Sofia, then went right to the bedroom. Sofia looked through the mini fridge and found a bottle of water. Grabbing a seat at the counter, she took deep breaths.