68 Rules

Having fed the little ones, we decided to buy them some of the most necessary things for the time being, because the rags they were wearing needed to be destroyed immediately. First, we had to wash the kids, show them their new home for the next few months, and then we’d get to the serious shopping.

Nazar strictly and unequivocally stated that all expenses for our bet were entirely on him. That detail wouldn’t affect the kids’ opinion in any way, because they’d be judging our attitude toward them, our care and attentiveness, and they didn’t need to know who exactly was footing the bill.

In that regard, I’m not a proud lady.

If he wants to pay, let him pay, the man is far from poor. After all, Nazar came up with this bet, and I agreed.

What surprised me, though, was that Yartsev immediately handed me his card, saying he had several more, and with this one I could spend as much as I wanted, and not only on the kids. For me, it was wild because I had never been anyone’s kept woman and wasn’t used to spending someone else’s money like that.

No, of course, many men had given me expensive gifts, and it would’ve been stupid not to accept them, but not everyone wanted to take responsibility for supporting me, which suited me just fine.

I also got my phone back, and the ability to move around freely, because no one locked the apartment door anymore. On the contrary, I was handed a duplicate set of keys.

Getting all that felt damn strange, like we were already a married couple sharing household responsibilities. Obviously, that’s exactly what Nazar was trying to achieve, getting me used to these circumstances.

He can keep dreaming.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll run?” I look mockingly at the brunette when he handed me the keys.

“We have a deal,” the man snorts, confident in his words. “Besides, I already know a lot about you. Some from your stories, some I dug up myself.”

That aspect made me tense and wary. It’s unpleasant when someone digs through your dirty laundry.

“And how deep exactly did you dig into the basket of my dirty laundry?” I look displeased into his green eyes.

“Oh, don’t worry,” he smirks. “Not as deep as I’d like. But I respect your personal boundaries, and I’d like you to tell me the dirtiest parts yourself when you trust me. As it is, I know who you are, where you’re from, names, surnames, addresses… and anyway, if you run, I’ll find you.”

“‘Respect personal boundaries.’ Funny,” I snort. “You kidnapped me, locked me up, harass me…”

“And you don’t like that last part?” the bastard laughed and suddenly wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close and lowering his voice. “I really like it. And you’re lying to yourself if you think you feel differently.”

His lips landed on my neck, and my body instantly reacted, sending armies of goosebumps racing over my skin. There was probably not a single hair left that didn’t stand on end from anticipation and inner trembling. Strange, because I’d never reacted this quickly to other men. Sure, I can get turned on fast, but from one touch?!

Sadly, I realize Nazar is too dangerous for my heart. And not because he’s a playboy and a manwhore, but because I won’t allow myself to be with him. The more time I spend with him, the more I understand that.

He turned out to be really good… unlike me.