Page 92 of Bought By the Ruthless Pakhan

Even now, he was in the mood to flirt.

I exhaled and focused on restitching the wound.

I'd volunteered at a community clinic before. Basic sutures, I could handle. When the needle pierced his skin, his body tensed, but I didn't stop. "Does it hurt? I'll be gentler..."

"I'm fine. Keep going."

His voice was low but steadying.

I pulled myself together and finished stitching, then wrapped it with gauze.

When I looked up, Ivan's lips had gone bloodless.

I frowned and searched the kit. "Do you have painkillers in here?"

Ivan tilted his head, gaze sliding down my face, dropping to my chest.

"Don't need pills. There's a better way."

I looked at his bandaged arm. Equal parts irritated and amused.

"You really don't give a fuck about your own life."

Ivan sighed. "Baby, I'm just being honest."

I ignored him and started putting the kit back on the shelf.

He laughed softly and pulled me onto his lap. "It hurts. Help me with the pain."

I glared at him. His smile deepened. He lowered his head and kissed my neck.

I was a woman with no backbone. I'd been furious about being forced here, but the second he showed weakness, I fell right back in.

I knelt between his legs, hand trailing down his torso. When I touched him there, my face burned.

Ivan hissed and pressed his hand over mine, guiding me slowly.

The room went quiet except for his ragged breathing.

He kissed the top of my head. Stubble scratched my forehead. Faster and faster, his fingertips brushing the most sensitive spot, his low groan rumbling in my ear, hot release spilling into my palm.

So hot.

I quickly grabbed tissues and wiped my hand clean, heart still pounding.

Ivan tipped his head back, panting, then pulled me into his arms again. His chin rested in the hollow of my shoulder. His breath warmed my ear.

I leaned against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, and suddenly thought of that night in Las Vegas.

He hadn't hurt me. He'd chosen the bathroom instead.

Right.

A man that gentle had restrained every urge for a stranger.

Someone like that—how could he ignore what I wanted and lock me up here?

I lifted my head to look at him. His eyes were closed, long lashes casting shadows, hiding whatever he felt.