Page 35 of Untamed Beast
“What about you?”
“What if I fell in love? I do want to fall in love, you know. At least once in my life. I’ve read about it in books.”
I let out a snort.
Of course she’s read about it in books. I wonder if she’s read about sex in books, too.
Because while this princess seems far too high maintenance, I’m warming up to the fact that this situation could be taken advantage of.
As Yuri says, it would be a shame to be sharing a space with a girl who is making my dick hard whenever we’re in an argument and not try the merchandise, at least once.
It’s not immoral, to want my wife. I don’t think Natalialikes me in any sense, but I’m adjusting to the idea that she might want me.
There’s only one answer to her question, and I think Natalia knows it.
“If you fell in love, princess, that would be too bad. Because I can’t let anyone else touch what’s mine. I might not love you, but I’ll be damned if anyone else does.”
“Oh.” Her eyes well with tears. “So I will be alone, for the rest of my life? With no love, from anyone other than Dasha?”
Fuck.
It does sound bad, when she puts it like that. As though I’m being unfair. God, I am a heartless bastard. Trying to strip away her entire life so all she has is this meaningless marriage with me.
I just know that I wouldn’t be able to control myself, if she did fall in love with someone else. I’m pummeling Yuri every week just out of the strain of having to live with her without touching her. If someone else could…hell, I’d be murderous.
The sight of her green eyes filling with tears makes me feel a pang of something. Regret mixed with arousal. An irresistible urge to be closer to her, to comfort her, even though I’m the source of her pain.
Nowthat’sfucked up.
The Ivanov Center would have a field day with the mess that’s going on in my head right now.
I place a hand on Natalia’s shoulder and to my surprise, she doesn’t flinch away. She leans into the touch. I find myself wrapping her in my arms. She’s so… delicate. Warm and slight and soft in my arms. I’m scared to hug her too tightly in case I break her.
“Here’s a trade, princess. Stop it with this talk of love and I’ll let you see your family, once a week? How’s that?”
“Really?” Her voice is muffled against my shoulder, but she doesn’t let me go.
I know she’ll never love or trust me like that. She’ll never crave me in a time of need the way she needs the comfort of her real family. No one’s ever trusted me like that, and I’ve given them no reason to.
I brush a curl away from her forehead where it’s escaped her ponytail.
“Of course,zolotse.”
The pet name slips out on instinct.
My treasure. My golden one. My princess.
I don’t know where the fuck that came from, but it fits Natalia.
Natalia looks at me in confusion, before her face shutters. She does like to hide behind walls, this one.
“You don’t have to…” she whispers.
Now I’m confused.
“What don’t I have to do?”
I reach for her, but she pulls away.
