LOGINKATYASunlight pours through the boutique’s wide front windows, laying golden streaks across the polished hardwood and over racks of designer clothes I have zero intention of buying. Evie lifts a strappy red dress in front of the mirror, tilts her head, grimaces, and then shoves it back onto the rack.“Okay, so red is a no,” she mutters. “Unless I’m going for murder-at-midnight chic.”I laugh, looping my arm through hers.“You could definitely pull it off.”"I'd rather not terrify the guy before I get him in the sack."She tosses a wink over her shoulder and drifts to the next display, humming softly under her breath.It's been three weeks since I saw her at the wedding, and for once we're both free this afternoon. She suggested retail therapy followed by coffee, two things I rarely pass up, especially now that life has settled into a strange kind of calm.Evie looks exactly the same, her soft curls bouncing with every step, bracelets chiming, eyes brimming with light and mischief, bu
Maybe it's not just the house that feels strange. Even being around my father feels a little off. I don't feel at ease with him anymore, but maybe I never did, since it was all I knew. I suddenly miss Isaac and can't wait to wrap up this conversation so I can be with him.He leans back in his chair, smiling like the weight of the world just got a little lighter. "So, you like him, then."I hesitate, then nod, knowing there's no point in lying. "I do."Papa stays silent for a moment, studying me with an expression I can't quite read. He seems relieved, yet I can tell he's also calculating something."Isaac's a good man," he says. "He can be a hard-ass, but I knew he'd take care of you."I look away, not ready to admit how much deeper it goes. He absolutely takes care of me, but I also like who I am when I'm with him. I don't have to pretend to be someone else or act out just to catch his eye. He lets me be myself, and he actually likes that woman. I don't have to shrink to be loved.I
KATYAI've been Mrs.Katya Kozlova for exactly two weeks and one day, but who's counting? That's fifteen straight days of surprisingly glorious, toe-curling sex with Isaac. If you'd told me on my wedding day that I would be walking into my childhood home blushing over what Isaac Kozlov did to me last night, I would have called you a liar.But he's been incredible since that first night. He's patient with me, vulnerable in ways I never expected. He stirs feelings I once thought impossible, and every time I'm convinced I've had the best orgasm of my life, he proves me wrong with an even better one.Isaac isn't merely a king in bed, he's a god. Part of me is almost grateful I was a virgin when we married, because any other experience would have paled in comparison. He's indecently skilled with every inch of his body.But he's so much more than an incredible lay. He's thoughtful and caring in ways I never anticipated. When he unveiled my art studio, I nearly burst with emotion. He didn't s
I step closer and lower my voice. "I know you worried marriage might mean giving up some of the things you love. But I want you to have everything you need at your fingertips. You're not here just to be my wife, Katya. You're here to be you."She turns, eyes glassy. "You did all this for me?"The genuine shock in her voice nearly undoes me. All I can do is nod."I don't even know what to say," she whispers.“Then don’t say anything,” I offer.And she doesn't. The sketchbook thuds to the floor as she loops her arms around my neck, kissing me so fiercely it almost knocks me backward. I catch her waist, steadying us both. What starts as a thank-you quickly morphs into something deeper, hotter. Her lips part, and I accept the invitation, sliding my hand up her back as our bodies press flush.She tastes like coffee and cinnamon, and something uniquely her. The kiss turns desperate, as though we're saying everything words can't. Her hands fist in my shirt, dragging me closer. My control sli
ISAACA week slips by, and life slides into a strangely easy rhythm. Being married to Katya feels at once effortless and wildly exciting. I fall asleep with her in my arms and wake the same way, her limbs tangled with mine. We don't even talk about the pull that's present every night we drift together like magnets, exploring one another's bodies and learning what brings the most pleasure. I'm already forgetting how it felt to sleep alone.This morning is too quiet, however, and never a good sign. The stillness pricks at me in my world, calm feels like a setup, the distraction before the storm.A quick knock, then the door opens. Mikhail steps in, expression grim yet steady. I motion to the chair across from me, but he stays on his feet."We still haven't located the people behind the firearms drop.I sigh deeply. Mikhail continues."Whoever they are, they've covered their tracks well. No chatter on the street, and none of our regulars have heard anything useful.""And the two we had i
I trace the edge of a flower petal near my foot, "Why did you really do this?" I blurt, done with polite theatrics. I played his game, did my part, the least he can do now is be honest. There's a beat of silence. "I told you," he says at last. "This marriage brings unity and peace between our families. Thanks to you, Katya, we now have a future without blood feuds. As the next generation, that's all a father could want for his child." "You could have let me choose my own future," I argue for the millionth time, the resentment bubbling in my chest. If I can't be angry at Isaac, I can sure as hell stay angry at my father. "Isaac is many things," he continues, "but unkind isn't one of them. And he has the power to keep you safe, to keep our family safe." "I didn't ask you to keep me safe," I spit, venom sizzling in every syllable. "I just wanted the chance to choose a life that would make me happy." "I'm not having this conversation again, Katya," he says sternly. "You didn't hav







