Taken by a Sinner (Sinners, #1)

by Michelle Heard

My eyes drift over her face, once again realizing just how exquisite she is. It’s as if every time I look at her, there’s something new to admire.

For the first time since we met, Tess hits me with the full-blown power of her smile as she looks up at me. It transforms her features from beautiful to otherworldly, making that annoying unknown emotion tug at my heart.

“Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here today to celebrate the holy union of Nikolas Peter Ares Stathoulis and Theresa Maria Drakatos.”

Like a puppet, I’m turned to face my groom, his finger nudges beneath my chin, forcing my head up, but he’s a blur through the tears. Then I blink, and my sight focuses on the man in front of me. Not Christos. OH. MY. GOD. Nikolas.

“But until then, I’ll act the part of a mafia princess.” “Not princess, Moró mou. Queen.”

I wanted Tess. Her fear, her passion, her feistiness. I wanted it all to myself because I’ve fucking fallen in love with her.

I need to keep the only weakness I have right by my side and protect it with my life. If Tess falls, I fall.

If she dies, I die.

It’s fucking crazy. The person responsible for the turbulent emotions in my chest is also the only one who can calm them. I’m like a rabid dog who becomes nothing more than a helpless puppy around his master – Tess. I’m so fucked. But at least she’s mine.

“You can do anything you want to, little dreamer. As long as you do it by my side.”

Biblical by Callum Scott begins to fill the air, I pull Tess into my arms. My eyes lock on hers as the words weave a spell around us, or at least, around me.

Her scent hangs in the air, making the place feel like home for the first time since I purchased it.

Slipping my arms beneath Tess, I lift her up. “What the hell, Nikolas!” “Shhh.” I set her down on the right side so I’ll be between her and the door, should something happen.

“Order the clothes online,” he instructs, handing me a black credit card.

I lower my hand to the side of her neck, and feeling her pulse, I lock eyes with her and wait. Soon enough, her heartbeat speeds up, and once it’s fluttering against my fingers, I murmur, “All it takes is one look from me to get your heart racing.” I take hold of her hand and press it to my chest so she can feel she has the same effect on me. “This is why I married you. Just by breathing, you make my heart beat faster.”

Nikolas makes me feel stronger, and damn… I’m falling for him.

“Nikolas, to what do I owe the honor?” Music blares over the line. “Give me a second. It’s Mariya’s birthday.” Mariya’s the retired head of the bratva’s daughter and like a sister to Viktor.

With every passing day, my protectiveness and possessiveness of her keep growing. I’m becoming obsessed with the woman and find myself constantly having to touch her.

She’s mine.

Only the best for my wife.

“It’s time you realize you’re the most important thing in my life.” My heart kicks in my chest then sets off at a fast pace. His other hand brushes softly over the bandages around my head. “I married you because I fell in love with you.”

“I love you,” he admits again, then he chuckles, giving me an incredulous look. “One minute, I still wanted to strangle your pretty little neck, and the next,” he shakes his head, “I found myself in uncharted waters. Madly, deeply, obsessively in love with you.”

The head of the mafia, the most feared man I know, is currently fussing over me. “Careful,” I say, my smile widening, “you’ll ruin your badass reputation if someone had to see you fussing over me like this.”

“I don’t give a fuck what people think. I’ll make a fucking fuss over my wife whenever I want to.”

“Eyes on my cock, Tess. I want you to see what the sight of your body does to me.”

“Your body is a masterpiece. It fucking drives me insane. Understand?” My eyes lock with his. “Yes.” “Say it, Theresa!” “My body is a masterpiece.” “And?” he questions me with a raised eyebrow. “It fucking drives you insane.”

And he loves me. It’s clear as day in every affectionate look, every tender touch, every soulful kiss.

God, who would’ve thought the man who terrified me would become the one to save me from my demons, to love me like I’ve never been loved before.

“You’ll teach me?”

“How to become the queen you need me to be.”

“You’re already the queen I need, kardiá mou.”