Alexandr's Reluctant Submissive by Ann Mayburn Read Free Book Online Page B

that’s lame, and you don’t have to come if you don’t want to, but—”
    The stubborn streak Jessica knew so well filled Gwen’s voice, “Oh, I’m coming. Do you think I’d send mi flora off with a group of strangers? No way in Hell.”
    “Thank you, sweetheart. I owe you big time.”
    “Yeah, you sure as heck do.”
    She hung up the phone and sprinted to her suitcase, digging through it until she found a bra and a decorative silvery-blue scarf trimmed with lace. After putting her bra on and wrapping the scarf around her neck, she turned to go find Alex, only to run right into him.
    She met his gaze and her pulse fluttered at the stern look he was giving her. With very deliberate, tight gestures, he unwound the scarf from her neck.
    “Do not cover my mark.”
    Sure her cheeks were bright red, she tried cover the hickey again, but he wouldn’t allow it. “Alex, I can’t parade around with a love bite on my neck!”
    “You do not wear my ring or my collar,” he growled. “No man will look at you without knowing you are taken, that you are mine. I must have this, Jessica.”
    She blinked at him and hesitated. “I don’t want people to think I’m a slut.”
    He closed his eyes, and to her surprise, laughed before opening them again. “You came back from dead; I do not think my mark as big of deal.”
    The absurdity of the situation made her lips twitch, but she didn’t fight Alex when he tossed the scarf to the floor. “We must leave now.”
    She slipped on her ballet flats then glanced at her luggage. “What about my stuff?”
    “Personal shopper has already stocked closet for you at our home.”
    “Um—okay.”
    Before she could question him further, they were out in the hallway where Luka and Maks waited for them, with two more unfamiliar people. The guy blended in with the rest of Alex’s bodyguards—big and scary—but it was the woman who caught her attention. Built like an Amazon, the female bodyguard had to be close to six feet tall and she was all muscles and curves. With her black hair, blue eyes, and no-bullshit attitude, she kind of reminded Jessica of Wonder Woman.
    Maks and Luka just stared at Jessica, clearly not listening to Alex as he gave them instructions in Russian.
    Her heart ached at the pain in her friends’ gazes and she tugged away from Alex then stood a pace away. What if they didn’t want her to touch them? What if they were mad at her that she’d followed along with Jorg’s wishes and hated her?
    Lifting a hesitant hand in their direction, she said, “Can I have a hug, please?”
    She didn’t even have a chance to draw a breath before she was enveloped by both of them, Luka pressing his face to one side of her head, Maks to the other. The men shook against her and she dimly heard Alex telling the other two guards to wait for them outside. Maks trembled against her back and Luka gripped her tight enough that she was struggling to draw a breath.
    Thumping on his thigh, she said, “Hey, fragile human here. You two behemoths are going to squish me.”
    Right away Luka’s grip loosened, but he didn’t step away. Maks had every inch of his body pressing into hers, and she was trying to ignore the fact that he was becoming aroused. She’d expected this reaction from him, given their past history, but it still made her uncomfortable—and if she was being honest, turned on. She couldn’t help it; he was a very good-looking man who she knew was great in bed, but his feelings for her went beyond friendship. Feelings she could never return.
    Not wanting to tempt Maks with what he couldn’t have, she gently stepped away from them, brushing back tears.
    “I missed you guys, so much.”
    Maks gripped her by the back of the head and laid a kiss on her before she was even aware he’d moved. It was a brief kiss, but his erection now pressed into her as he groaned against her lips. Before she could twitch to push him away, Luka had her face cradled gently in his big hands. She