Chapter 38
S amara
One week later.
I took a deep breath. This would not be easy. I’d thought about it long and hard over the past week, and I really saw no way around it.
I had to divorce Gregor.
The manner of my father’s death had been skillfully covered up. It was listed as a home robbery gone wrong. The news reported that my mother had left the United States to grieve with family. From what I understood, she was shipped back to Russia and had not left willingly.
Unfortunately, the whole thing reeked of a cover-up scandal. There were salacious rumors running rampant.
The Federov name and prestigious reputation were now irreparably tainted.
The very reason why Gregor had married me in the first place was gone.
I gave Matilda a stiff smile as she dropped off a lunch tray set for two on the small table by the window inside my painter’s studio.
Of course, his injury had not slowed him up one bit over the last week.
In addition to his own affairs, and helping cover up my family’s scandal, he had overseen turning a side room in his house into another studio for me.
When he was home, he joined me each day for lunch.
Outside of our time in the bedroom, it really was my favorite time with him.
“I like your use of orange.”
I turned my head as Gregor walked into the room. He came up behind and wrapped his left arm around my waist as we both studied my current work. “It’s very Toulouse-Lautrec of you.”
I loved when he talked Impressionist art with me. It was so sexy.
Screwing up my nerve, I set my paintbrush aside. “Gregor, we need to talk.”
He stroked my cheek. “What is it, malyshka?”
“I think we should get a divorce,” I blurted out.
His eyes narrowed. “Excuse me? What did you just say to me?”
In a rush, I told him all the reasons we should divorce. I tried to reassure him that I would stay his girlfriend as long as he would allow, but that he shouldn’t be forced to link his name with mine.
With what could only be described as a growl, Gregor grabbed my arm and pulled me forward just as he bent down. Tossing me over his good shoulder, he proceeded to carry me out of the studio.
“Gregor! What are you doing? Stop! Put me down! You’ll hurt your shoulder!”
His only answer was to swat me on the ass. “Apparently, my wife needs to be reminded that she’s mine to have and to hold until death do us part.”
Sometime later, as I was curled up in his arms, he said, “In case you were wondering, the answer is no. There will be no divorce. Not now. Not ever.”
I sighed dramatically. Tracing one of his tattoos with my finger, I couldn’t resist teasing him. “I should have gone with my first plan and run off and just mailed you the papers.”
He shook his head. “That wouldn’t have worked.”
“Why not?”
“Because you beautiful creature, I would have chased you to the ends of this earth. You’re mine, malyshka. Now say it,” he demanded savagely.
I reached down and grasped his already hardening cock. “I’m yours, Gregor. All yours.”
Get Your Bonus Deleted Scene here!
Warning: This scene was too intense to include in the book.