Page 111 of Forced & Obsessed By the Bratva King
“Someone has to keep your empire efficient, baby,” she teases, a small, triumphant smile playing on her lips. “The automated tracking system you wanted for the cargo containers is officially live. Shipping times will be cut in half by next month.”
“Excellent. We’ll discuss the cargo margins later,” I say, and my voice drops an octave as my gaze deliberately drifts downward. “Right now, I’m far more interested in the new dress code you’ve apparently implemented for my staff.”
Elena blinks, then realizes where I’m looking.
The dress is a beautiful distraction—a short, ribbed knit piece in a deep forest green that clings to every line of her hips and hugs her waist like a second skin.
It stops dangerously high on her thighs, leaving a breathtaking expanse of smooth skin completely exposed to the morning light.
The long sleeves wrap all the way down her arms, but the hemline is pure, unadulterated provocation.
A pretty blush creeps up her neck, but she doesn’t back down. “It’s just a casual dress,boss. It’s practical for working around the house.”
“From baby to boss in under a minute,” I remark.
She nods. “Uh-huh. All versions of you belong to me.”
“Interesting.” I let out a low chuckle, standing up from my chair and closing the distance between us with slow steps. Something about the way she said that makes me want to mark and devour her. “Did you say that dress is practical?”
She nods again.
“Elena, it’s a workplace hazard. If you walk down to the docks wearing that, I’ll have to shoot half my security detail for looking at you.”
“Are you threatening your own men, baby?” she whispers, and her breath hitches as I step into her personal space. My hands find the soft fabric at her waist.
“I’m stating a fact,” I growl, then pull her flush against my chest, the heat of her body instantly igniting the blood in my veins. “You’re entirely too beautiful, and this dress is entirely too short. If you think I’m going to let you finish those shipping reports without tasting you first, you completely underestimate your effect on me.”
The playfulness begins to fizzle out of her gaze, turning into a desire that’s all too familiar.
With a smirk, I bop the tip of her nose with my finger to distract her. “I’ll do that soon. But first…” I slide my hand down to her wrist, my fingers gently tangling with hers as I guide her away from the desk. “There’s something I want to show you.”
Before she can ask where we’re going, I open the French doors and lead her onto the private terrace.
Out here, away from the prying eyes of the staff and the constant vigilance of the men, the world feels momentarily paused.
The vast city skyline glows under the bright morning sun, and beneath it is the expanse of the city I spent almost a lifetime conquering, but right now, none of it matters.
I turn her around so her back is against the stone balustrade, then I trap her gently within the circle of my arms. The wind catches the hem of her short green dress and the crisp air makes her shiver slightly, so I step closer, using my massive frame to shield her from the breeze.
I look down into her eyes, intentionally softening my expression into something I only ever show to her. And in a low voice that carries the absolute weight of my soul, I tell her everything.
“Look at me, ptichka,” I murmur, and my hand comes up to cup her cheek, my thumb brushing over her soft skin. “What we had at first was nothing more than a marriage on paper. I was blinded by lust and desire. I couldn’t stand the thought of someone else having you. I wanted you more than anything. God knows I still do, more than ever before. But now things are different. I don’t just desire to own you. I cherish you more than I can explain with words. You are desired beyond reason. You’re mine, fiercely and completely, for as long as I breathe.”
As Elena listens to me, her eyes shine and a profound warmth washes over her face. I can feel the rapid thud of her pulse beneath my fingertips.
I kneel, catching her gaze on my way down, refusing to let her look away.
I slide my hand into the pocket of my trousers, then pull out the simple velvet-lined box I’ve carried for days. I snap itopen, revealing a flawless, brilliant diamond band that catches the morning sunlight.
“Now it’s just me and you, my ptichka. It’s us against the world, with our love that can conquer nations.” My voice is rough but fiercely steady. “Marry me again. For the right reasons, this time. Because now, you have a choice. I want to spend the rest of my life proving to you that you belong by my side.”
Elena lets out a soft, breathless laugh through the tears that spill over her eyelashes. She nods quickly as she says, “I have a choice. And I choose you. So, yes. A thousand times yes, Leonid.”
I slide the ring onto her finger, and the sheer emotional vulnerability of the moment explodes between us like a spark hitting gunpowder.
It fuels the space between us, shattering any remaining restraint, and pulls us into a desperate embrace that instantly turns heated.
My mouth finds hers, and I groan. I taste the salt of her tears and the sweetness of her surrender.
