Chapter Four
Eve flipped through the thick binder once more. She settled it between her knees. Without realizing it, Eve considered the living room couch “her spot”.
Three days had passed since Vadim had taken her here, but she didn’t know if she could still consider herself his captive. He carelessly left his keys right by the small table her the door. Not reckless, but the choice to leave had always been an option.
Not that it mattered. Once she stepped out of his property and back to civilization, she’d be a hunted woman. She turned her attention to the data he’d collected, evidence he hadn’t lied to her once. The file contained information about her family, the Petrovichs most of all, and a detailed list of the deals Gustav Petrovich had made over the years. Eve finally saw a pattern emerging. All of the steps Gustav had taken would lead to the downfall of her family.
The mob boss had slowly won over the Valentins’ allies, swayed them over to his side, so when the day came for their eradication, no one stood in his way.
Vadim appeared in front of her, and just when she thought she’d become used to his presence, he proved her wrong.
Her pulse raced a little faster whenever he approached, and it was hard to ignore Vadim. Eve unthinkingly scooted to one side to make way for him. He sat, placing one proprietary hand over her exposed left thigh, just below the cut of her denim shorts.
It made complete sense now, why he had clothes in her size and other feminine products. Vadim had known what Gustav Petrovich had planned for the longest time. He’d had no way of contacting her—her family made sure of that—but he’d thought ahead.
Goosebumps appeared across her arms. He’d been obsessed with her, and yet she couldn’t judge him, not when she’d been miserable all these years, thinking only of him, too. Vadim ran his hand up her thigh, and she swallowed, aware of her panties getting wet.
Any closer and he could flick open the button of her shorts, drag the zipper down, expose her pink panties. Lacy underthings she’d never choose for herself, but she wore them all the same, because arming herself with layers of clothing felt like the right choice. Eve understood on some level he’d never touch her without her consent, but the protection wasn’t against him, but for herself. Eve was terrified she’d be so lost in his kisses, his touches, that she’d forget what he was.
Finally, he spoke. “Aren’t you sick of looking at that? Some sunlight and a walk could do you some good.”
Eve gripped the edges of the binder. “You’ve been thorough.”
She could no longer call it a kidnapping. It still was, but in some ways, he’d saved her, too.
“Any wrong move and I’d lose you forever.”
He stopped touching her, and she almost begged him to keep on doing it. Eve didn’t know how it started, why she allowed these little gestures, but she’d gotten used to it, didn’t mind crossing boundaries, one step at a time when it came to him.
“Was I worth the effort?” she dared to whisper.
“You know the answer to that question. Gear up. We’re going for a hike.”
She scrunched her face. “Seriously?”
“Woods surround us in all directions. It’ll be a waste if you remained indoors all the time.”
“I’ve never gone on a hike since forever,” she argued, then gestured to her body. “As you can see, I’m not exactly fit and slender.”
He caught her wrist, the movement so fast she barely noticed it. Eve’s heart hammered against her chest.
“There’s absolutely nothing fucking wrong with you. The curves and breasts you hate so much, I dream of possessing every moment and every day.”
What could she say to that?
“There’s something wrong with you.”
Vadim chuckled, and she stared, never expecting to hear him laugh. It was a good sound. “I’ve known that since my father shoved a gun in my hand where other kids were given toys. What can you say for yourself, that you’re attracted to a monster?”
“You’re not that.” A monster wouldn’t risk so much, put his own life at stake simply to claim one woman for himself. “Not to me.”
Vadim’s expression grew intense, unreadable. Ignoring her comment, he jerked his head to the door. “Ten minutes.”
Eve wondered if she tempted Vadim with sex, would he reconsider? The thought made her blush, because her purity remained intact. Did Vadim know that? She saved it for him all these years, even when it became clear they might never meet again.
“Nine minutes,” Vadim said, looking at his watch.
Fuming at him, she retreated to the room he’d assigned as hers. His room lay next to hers. She lingered by the doorway. Last night, she’d debated slipping into his private space and joining him in bed, not necessarily for sex, but she wanted company and she had a feeling his presence would ward off the nightmares she’d been having.
“Seven,” Vadim added, and she hurried inside to change.
Eve pulled out her drawer. The day before, he’d caught her staring at the purchases and told her she could order her own choices online and he’d pick the package up at the nearest post office. There was a nearby town, she knew that. That was where he picked up supplies. She’d tested him once, asked him to bring her there.
Not yet, he’d said, and she wondered if that was a lie.
Eve shook her head. No use examining every choice and action now. She dressed into clothes more suitable for hiking, and slipped into a pair of sneakers. They were probably a half size bigger than what she was used to, but a good estimate.
She didn’t know what to think of a man who paid so much attention to detail. Other women in her situation would have freaked out, but not her. Better living with a man whose wants she understood as opposed to the real monsters who wouldn’t hesitate to tear her apart and leave her an empty-eyed doll.
****
“Are we there yet?” Eve asked him, panting. He grabbed one of the water bottles from his pack, handed it to her to drink. She uncapped it, taking a huge gulp. “This view better be worth it.”
“I assure you it is.” The path turned uphill, uneven, full of wayward roots and rocks. Vadim slowed his pace, offering her a hand to cross harder areas. Missing a step, she startled and cried out, but he hauled her against him, amazed how her curvy frame fitted against his body. Perfect.
“Thanks,” she mumbled, still a little shaken.
“Slow down, don’t rush.”
She glared at him, crossing her arms over those luscious breasts he imagined sucking on, leaving his teeth marks on. Then he turned his attention to their destination. After the rocky obstacle, his ears caught the sound of running water.
“Are we near a river?” Eve asked, clearly excited.
“This way.” He led her past a trail of trees and into an opening, which led to the river that threaded the entire forest.
Eve caught her breath. “Pretty.”
“I knew you’d like it. We’ll have our sandwiches and rest here a while.” Vadim had packed enough for the two of them. They found a spot near the bank. Feeling ravenous, he finished his food in a few bites, noticing Eve do the same.
“What?” she demanded.
“I like a woman with appetite.” His woman, Vadim didn’t add, not wanting to scare her away.
“Most men aren’t like you.”
“You speaking from experience?” Unexplainable jealousy hit him like a punch to the gut. Thinking of some clueless fucker unable to comprehend what kind of treasure he held in his hands made him seethe.
“You jealous?” she threw back, and didn’t argue when he eliminated the distance between them. He sat behind her, legs spread on either side of hers, so the curve of her ass and her back pressed up against his front.
Vadim decided he liked this position a lot.
“This is wrong,” she whispered, twisting to look at him.
“What is, princess?”
“Me, wanting you after everything that happened.”
“Nothing wrong with that.”
She rose shakily to her feet. Vadim killed the urge to yank her back down, but she surprised him by straddling his lap instead, locking her fingers behind the nape of his neck.
“What are you doing?” he asked, amusement in his voice, but his cock formed a bulge in his jeans, seeking relief. What better way than to sheathe himself in the tight heat of her cunt?
“Princess,” he managed to grit out. “If you keep doing that, I’ll lose control. I’m only a man after all.”
She pressed one hand over his chest but closed his fingers over hers. “It felt good,” she admitted. “When you took my lips, kissed me hard enough to let me know you wanted to do wicked things to my body.”
“Would you want that?” he asked, brushing his mouth over hers, but not quite touching.
“I’m scared if I give in, I won’t be the same.” She looked at her, big blue eyes not as naive as the first time they met, but in some ways, still heartbreakingly innocent. “You’re my first, you know.”
That knowledge filled him with smugness, that he’d be her first and the last, because Vadim didn’t share his most cherished possessions.
“You ruined me when we danced all those years ago. Oh, you didn’t need to do much. That quick kiss we shared was enough.”
“Good. Does that frighten you? That I’m glad I have that effect on you?”
“The blade’s double-edged.”
Vadim didn't deny it. He could have waited a little longer for the two of them to have this discussion, but now was fine, too.
“You’re not a sheltered princess anymore, Eve. What will you do next?”
She bit on her bottom lip, one he wanted to nip at. He slipped his hands past her waist, under her shirt to grip the curves that maddened him, obsessed him. Vadim wanted her under him, at his mercy, begging him for release.
“If I’m not Charles Valentin’s daughter, who am I? What have I left?”
“Mine.”
Would it be enough for her? Vadim would never let her go, but he wouldn’t get in the way of her dreams either. Once she finished grieving for her family, once she had the strength to move forward, she’d come to the realization that in a way, he set her free from the cage and constraints she’d had to live with her entire life as the daughter of a mafioso.
Vadim didn’t stop her from tugging at his shirt. He allowed her to pull it off, so it would be his turn. She didn’t protest when he returned the favor, baring more of her creamy silken skin, the bright pink lace bra that matched her panties. Most of the bruises from three days ago had begun to fade, and so had the cuts.
Eve might forget, but he wouldn’t. He recalled every blemish, any imperfection those fuckers put on her skin. They’d pay their debt soon enough.
“Tell me to stop and I will.”
She didn’t, not even when he reached behind her, unclasped her bra and tossed it away so he had an eyeful of her luscious breasts. He grazed a fist over her pinkish-brown nipples, liking how they pebbled under his touch.
“I don’t want you to stop.”
“Once we go down this path, there’s no coming back.”
“I know. I want to lose myself in you.”
It took plenty of courage for Eve to admit that. Vadim had given her space these past few days, knowing she fought a war inside of her—the desire for him versus vengeance for her kin. He could take her anytime, as was his right, but the last thing he wanted was her to hate him even more.
Eve’s breathing hitched when he lowered his head to one breast, held the bud captive between his teeth, and grazed at it.
He tongued her areola, slipping his hand further down her body, past the waistband of her jogging shorts, underwear, to find what he wanted. Vadim fingered her slick pussy folds, rubbing her clit back and forth. Then he bit hard enough to leave a mark on her tits. Eve cried out, digging her fingers into his biceps.
“Yes,” she managed to utter. “More. Please.”