by Khloe Wren
She held his gaze, trying to see if he was being truthful. Did he really blame himself?
“Firstly, it wasn’t your fault. Rodger was my ex, not yours. He’s the bastard who sold me out, and it was on his head that I broke my camera. Secondly, this isn’t replacing my old Canon. This is so much more than what I had I’m not sure I can even call it an upgrade! Hell, what’s sitting in my lap is most likely worth more than my car!”
With her face in his palms, he closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers for a moment.
“I’d upgrade that for you, too, if I thought you’d let me. You are the most precious thing in the world to me. I’ve made several mistakes these past weeks, and in the end, they cost you greatly. When I first saw you, I thought you were pretty, and then when I spoke to you I realized you were smart and quirky, and fun. From the first day at the market, you were like a ray of sunshine in my world of shadows. The more I learned about your history, the more I admired you for remaining so happy, for keeping your inner light bright despite all the times you’d been knocked down. Then, last weekend, you had that light stolen from you. I’ve watched with my heart bleeding all week as you’ve hidden away and faded from the world. You need to get out and do what you love, and photography is your passion. So, here we are at Mystics Beach where there is lots for you to photograph, and now you have the best equipment available to do it. Accept the gift, krasivaya, and repay me with a smile and letting me witness your light shine bright again.”
Tears were falling freely as she did nothing to try to stop them. Yeah, he’d been a total douchebag for taking that video of her, but he’d more than made up for it. Especially since he hadn’t given up on her. She’d been a miserable bitch all week, pushing away everyone and everything, yet he’d still visited her every day.
“Have you deleted the video?”
He nodded. “Yes, it’s gone. I’m so sorry I even took it in the first place. It was such a dickhead move. Am I forgiven?”
With gentle strokes, he thumbed away her tears.
“Yeah, you’re forgiven. But if you do anything like that ever again, I’ll cut your balls off. Understand me?”
He chuckled. “I understand. I won’t be so stupid again unless I want to be castrated. I know you had other questions you wanted to ask me after the attack. Ask me, so I can answer and we can move forward past it all.”
She turned her face and kissed his palm before pulling out of his grip.
“Rodger told me that you earn most of your income from drugs, gambling and, um, people.”
He tilted his head. “People?”
Her cheeks heated. She hated talking about this stuff. “That you get paid to hurt or kill people. Or, ah, sell them.”
He blew out a breath. “I am trusting you with my truths, Julietta. Do you understand?”
She nodded, and began to wonder if maybe she shouldn’t have asked.
“You already know that I’ve killed men. I’ve done so to keep you safe. I did that because I care for you and want you protected. Others, that don’t have the ability to do that themselves, pay someone like me to do it for them. Understand? But I have never sold, or bought, a person. I do have morals and lines I won’t cross. That is one of them.”
She stared into his eyes, trying to gauge if he was telling her the truth. “So, you’ve never had anything to do with prostitutes?”
“Ah, Rodger told you I was going to pimp you out, didn’t he?” She gave him a jerky nod. “I have used the services of prostitutes in the past, but I have never had any under my control. And I would never seduce a woman into my bed for the purpose of making her into a prostitute.”
More heat rushed to her face, and with a wince she looked away from him. She was so stupid for letting Rodger’s words get into her head. Now she felt like a bitch for accusing him like she had.
“I’m sorry I even thought you would do that. I do know you better than that… It’s just, well, not much in my life has ever gone right. And you showing up with all the shiny expensive gifts and all your attention and affection? It seems too good to be true. And you know what they say about that.”
He cupped her face again, forcing her gaze up to his. “You’ve seen for yourself, my life isn’t all sunshine and roses, krasivaya. But the many benefits outweigh those moments. Hopefully, you see me as one of the benefits, not a disadvantage. There will be times you’ll wish you never met me, I’m sure. But I’m crazy about you, and I don’t intend to give up until you’re mine.”
Before she could respond he leaned in and kissed her again, melting all her thoughts away with his heat. When he pulled back and released her, she needed to change the subject. He was talking long term, and she wasn’t ready for that kind of talk yet. She gazed down at her new camera again.
“You know, even with this awesome little piece of machinery, I’m still screwed.” More tears pricked her eyes. “I’ve missed two markets with no explanation. That not only costs me my site, but basically blacklists me. It could take years to get my spot back.”
She didn’t say it out loud, but she feared she’d lost her surfing teaching job, too. What was she going to do? With no job, Jess could only afford to carry her ass for so long.
Any joy she’d started to feel vanished in an instant, and she just wanted to go crawl back into bed.
“Hey, whatever you’re thinking? Stop it. The market organizers know you’ll be back and just needed a couple weeks off. Trust me, your site is safe. Your surfing job is waiting for you, too, if you want it. They just need a couple days’ notice to fit you back in the roster. Oh, and I slipped Jess some cash to cover your rent, so don’t worry about her kicking you out. Although, that might have been a mistake on my part. I probably should have paid her to kick you out. Then you’d have to move in with me.”
Tears blurred her vision again, despite his attempt at humor just now, and she shook her head.
“See? You’re too good to be true.”
Yet he was real, and he was hers. And no matter what she tried to tell herself, it was clear he was also rapidly claiming her heart.
Epilogue
Two months later
With a sigh, she leaned back in her seat. Daniil had brought her back to Flamma Oceano for dinner. They came here every Friday night, and Juli had gotten to meet the owner, Nico, a few times. He was about as stereotypically Italian as a bloke could get. However, he was also a total tease and flirt.
“Settle down, Daniil, you know he didn’t mean anything by it.”
Her boyfriend sat across from her with a thunderous look on his face.
“Oh, he meant it all right. Sweet talking little bastard is after my woman.”
She barked out a laugh. Nico had just delivered their desserts and served hers with a wink before he leaned in to whisper in her ear how easy it was to tease Daniil now that he was dating her. Naturally, her man proved him right by going all growly caveman, mainly because he didn’t believe her that was all Nico had said to her. With another sigh, she put her napkin on the table and moved to sit in the seat beside him. Leaning into him, so her breasts pressed up against his arm, she reached up and cupped his face, tilting it toward her. Predictably, his gaze flicked down to the now ample amount of cleavage that was pushed up out of her sexy low-cut blue dress.
“The only thing Nico is after, is to rile you up, and you know it. He does it every time we come here, if he’s working.”
Daniil grunted then his expression cleared into something much hotter. She was grateful they had their usual table hidden out on the balcony when he leaned in and took her mouth. His kisses still melted her, body and soul. He ate at her mouth, nibbling her lower lip before pulling back. He kept a palm holding her cheek as he stared into her eyes. She wasn’t sure what he was searching for.
“I love you, solnyshka moto.”
She grinned broadly. She’d always adored the way he called her his sun. But since her attack and bout of depression, it held more meaning. Because it was Daniil that had cracked
her shell and gotten her to step out of the shadows so she could begin to shine again.
“And I love you, too, angel moy.”
By the shocked look on his face, she guessed her accent was all wrong, but she hoped he could work out that she’d tried to call him her angel.
“You’ve learned some Russian?”
Heat bloomed over her cheeks and down her neck as she shrugged. “Only a couple of words so far. I wanted to surprise you. Did I say it right?”
“Yeah, krasivaya, you said it perfectly.”
Suddenly, a dark look passed over his face, and her heart skipped a beat.
“What’s wrong? Is it Viktor? Did he have a complication?”
Viktor had been the unfortunate one on bodyguard duty when she’d been attacked. He’d been shot and hit over the head hard enough to give him a concussion. The last time she saw him, he’d seemed well, but head injuries were strange things and shit could go wrong down the track after having one.
With a scoff, Daniil shook his head. “No, Viktor is fine. Well, he’s still got that nurse on his ass, but he’s healthy.”
One of the nurses from the private hospital he’d been in had taken a special interest in Viktor. It was going to be fun watching how that situation played out. Maybe she should agree to move in with Daniil so she could watch the show from a closer perspective. These Russian men were hard-headed and often didn’t see what was in front of their noses. She understood how they felt because she was the same way a lot of the time.
He grabbed her right hand and began stroking his fingers along hers, caressing each digit with his own.
“Julietta, these past months we’ve been really good together, right?”
“Ye-ah.” She drew out the word, getting increasingly worried. Her mind took a nosedive, and panic had her breath catching in her lungs. Was he breaking up with her? Had someone else threatened her and he’d finally decided she wasn’t worth the effort? “Just tell me what’s happened. Has one of Tony’s friends come for revenge? Are you trying to get rid of me now?”
She hadn’t asked for details, but she knew both Rodger and Tony were dead. Probably out in the ocean somewhere, or in a shark’s belly. She didn’t feel guilty about either death. They’d made their beds when they attacked her and Viktor. Clearly, they had no qualms in hurting or killing others… Basically, in her opinion, they lived by a code—a totally fucked up one, but still, it was a code—and that code bit them in the ass when they got too big for their boots.
His eyes popped wide open. “What the hell?” He shook his head. “Clearly, I’m not doing this right.” Keeping his grip on her hand, he used his other one to reach into his pants pocket. Pulling it free again, he slipped to the floor on one knee.
Holy fucking shit. Is he…
“My precious Julietta, I love you. You’re my whole world. Will you make me the happiest man alive, and marry me?”
He was. He was totally proposing, not breaking up with her. Tears stung her eyes, and she started nodding like the crazy woman she was.
“Yes.”
She couldn’t get any more words out. After she left Rodger she’d sworn off all men forever. Remembering how her mother had lived her life, on top of her ex hitting her, had cemented the idea she was better off single. But then this glorious man came barreling into her life. He’d saved her life more than once, and continued to shower her with love and affection. He was never too busy to make time for her, no matter what time of day or night. It didn’t hurt that he was the best lover she’d ever had. Her body heated up and grew wet just thinking about the explosive chemistry they had between the sheets. Her man also liked to buy her pretty things all the time, too, and as much as she didn’t need all the gifts, it made it clear he wasn’t interested in her for her money like her ex. Nope, Daniil was richer than God apparently, and he liked to spend it on pretty sparklies for her. Who was she to complain?
She frowned in confusion as he slipped a stunning yellow-gold ring, naturally with a freaking huge solitaire diamond on it, onto her right ring finger.
“Shouldn’t that go on the other hand?”
He shook his head as he rose from the floor to sit beside her again. “In Russia, it’s not tradition to give an engagement ring. It’s not until the wedding that rings are exchanged. However, I figured you’d like an engagement ring.” He shrugged looking a little sheepish, not an expression she’d seen him wear before. “And I rather like the idea that you’re wearing something that clearly shows others you’re spoken for.” He paused to clear his throat. “I told you how I lost my parents when I was a teen, so there is lots I don’t know about my heritage, but I remember my mother and father both wearing their wedding rings on their right ring fingers. So, if you don’t mind, I’d like for you to wear it on the right. You know, only if you’re comfortable with it.”
He looked into her eyes with fear in his gaze, as though he was concerned she’d think his request silly or something. And the way he asked proved he was really nervous. Her man didn’t ask for much, nope. Daniil Mikhailov made demands, and they were met.
She leaned in and gently kissed him, pulling back before he could deepen the kiss.
“I love that you’re wanting to include parts of your heritage in our lives. I’m certain your parents would be extremely proud of you for it. I have no family at all, no heritage to fall back on, so I am more than happy to follow you and learn yours. Maybe one day we could go to Russia and you can show me where you grew up before you came to Australia?”
For a moment, she thought she saw a sheen of tears over his eyes, but he pulled her in and kissed her long and slow before she could be certain. He kept at her until she had melted against him in an aroused mess.
“I’m taking you home.”
She grinned up at him as he took her hand and led her from the restaurant. Yep, her man was back to his usual self. Making demands and expecting them to be obeyed.
****
Within minutes, Daniil had them home. And it was both his and her home now. His Julietta had been refusing to discuss moving in with him for over a month now, changing the subject on him every time he brought it up. But now she’d agreed to be his wife? There was no question to whether she would be moving in with him.
“Yury will come with us in the morning to move your stuff over here.”
She shook her head with a chuckle as she got out of the car.
“What? You think I’m not serious? I’ve made it clear I want you here with me all the time, and now you’re wearing my ring. That means you want that, too.”
He’d moved around the car to stand in front of her as he’d spoken. She smiled up at him like he was a stubborn toddler that didn’t want to go to bed or something.
“You know, at dinner you kept asking me so many questions and acting so worried I was convinced you were going to break up with me. Now you’re all back to growly demands, and I actually feel more relaxed, because you’re back to normal. Well, normal for you.”
He scoffed. They both knew he could demand all he liked. She would always do as she pleased, and he would let her. She was the only person in the world who held any power over him. His Julietta held his heart and his soul, and there was nothing he would not do for his love.
When she smiled up at him sweetly, he growled low in his throat. He knew how much she loved the sound, and he smirked at her when a shiver ran over her body. As he reached for her, she dodged away from his hands.
“I don’t think so! Tonight, we’re going to actually make it inside. Yury and Viktor don’t need another show.”
That had him growling again. They’d gotten carried away a few weeks ago and he’d stripped her on the way up the path to the front door. Unfortunately, his friends had been walking back to their guest house at the time and had seen more of his bride than they should have. At least his property was big enough and the land around his home was filled with enough trees to prevent anyone outside of the property’s fences from seeing them.
/> When she slipped off her shoes and ran toward the door, he took off after her with a grin. If she wanted a game, he’d give her one. And when he caught her, he planned on not letting her go. Ever.
He also suspected she would need to call in sick to work tomorrow. She wasn’t going to be able to stand on a surfboard by the time he finished with her tonight.
“You can run, my Julietta, but you can’t hide.”
Her laughter floated back to him as she pushed through the front door. “Now, why wouldn’t I want you to catch me? That’s the best part!”
She’d put her foot on the bottom stair when he caught her. With an arm around her waist he pulled her back against his front and lowered his mouth to kiss and nip at her neck. Her fresh scent filled his head and lungs, and with a wide grin he swung her up into his arms and prowled up the stairs toward their room with his prize.
For the first time he could remember, he was looking forward to his future with a full heart and with Julietta he had a beacon of light to show him the way.
“I love you, wife.”
She’d started undoing the buttons on his shirt as they’d moved, but had paused at his words.
“Getting ahead of yourself, angel moy, we’re not married yet.”
With a shake of his head he lowered her feet to the floor beside their bed.
“Semantics, solnyshka moto.”
Then he made quick work of stripping her bare. Damn, but she really was such a beautiful creature, and she was all his. Fumbling in his hurry, he stripped himself between kisses. Then, picking her up, he tossed her on the bed before following her down. He let her have his full weight for a moment, knowing she liked to feel caged in beneath him. He kissed her again, dancing his tongue with hers as he stroked his palm down her side, leaning up enough to be able to tweak her already tight nipple.
He released her mouth with the intention of moving down to suckle on her other breast when she caught his face in her palms. Her blue eyes were clear and focused as she stared straight into his eyes.
“You’re my whole world, too, you know that, right? I love you, Daniil, and I can’t wait to really be your wife.”
