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“Put girl down” His accent is as thick as his meaty arms

You gotta love Yuri I’m ninety-nine point nine percent sure he’s ex-mafia, too Or bratva—whatever they call Russian mafiya His tattoos read like a rap sheet and when he’s not looking ets in his way or looks too long at his girl

Alex’s body, already rigid, goes even tighter He lowers me slowly to ht

I thrust my body between them, but Alex effortlessly pushes me behind him

“It’s okay, Yuri” Da a bit I pat Alex’s well-dressed arm “He’s mine I mean—he’s with me I’m with him He can take me now”

Yuri cracks his knuckles “You know this guy? He’s not safe”

I actually hear Alex growl beside me

“He’s safe for me,” I say quickly “Not for other people” Definitely not for you I take Alex’s aret out of there without any bloodshed “Let us pass, Yuri”

Yuri’s eyes narrow, but after two beats, he steps aside

Alex doesn’t take hispast, then he swoopsme toddler style on his hip

“This is fun” I sit even taller and kick my feet like a happy tot It’s a ridiculous position, but I love it

“I would throw you overshoulder, but I’rumbles

I giggle and tangle ers in his thick, dark hair So to be embarrassed about my behavior tomorrow, but in this moment, it’s too pleasurable to be this close to Alex with my inhibitions down

Apparently he’s cased oes straight to my suite, where he waits for me to fumble in the tiny cross-shoulder purse for the key I accidentally drop it and only then does he put me down

I’ stuff up, but I like to think he enjoyed carryinghis waist Of course, I’d like to straddle his waist in a whole different configuration, but that probably won’t happen