Bratva Boss’ Baby by Winter Sloane

Chapter Fifteen

“That’s enough for tonight,” Viktor said, placing a hand over hers. Ava looked up from her computer screen. Then she checked the time on the monitor. Oh, shoot. She’d lost track of time again.

“Sorry.” She flashed him a sheepish smile. “It’s just, there’s so much to do and sort out.”

“Work can wait until tomorrow. Maybe I’m not paying you enough.” Viktor rubbed at his two-day-old beard, which Ava admitted looked sexy as hell on him.

“You’re paying me enough,” she said quickly.

She saved her file and turned off her computer. Ava had been tempted to answer a few emails but decided to take Viktor’s advice. She was a workaholic through and through. It didn’t matter if she changed jobs. She eyed her boss. Oops. Best to simply think of him as her date for tonight. Today, he wore his midnight-blue suit. Ava had told him just the other day that it was her favorite. He’d remembered.

Warm and fuzzy feelings started in her gut. A week had passed since their first official lunch date. Since then, Pavel had been released from the hospital. Pavel didn’t seem to hold a grudge against Viktor. Viktor seemed like a different person altogether. They’d stolen away during breaks for a few intimate kissing sessions. This was their second date. Ava couldn’t help but be excited.

Then she looked down at herself. Viktor looked sleek and handsome as always, but Ava? She didn’t feel all that sexy in her cashmere sweater and blue jeans. Fridays were casual at the office. Then she remembered she did bring a change of clothes for tonight’s date.

“Can you give me ten minutes to change out of my clothes?” She wanted to touch up her makeup as well. She must look like a mess. When she got into her work, she didn’t care about her appearance. Viktor looked her up and down, the heat in his gaze evident. His insatiable hunger for her still managed to blow Ava away sometimes.

“You look perfect the way you are,” Viktor said.

Perfect? Her man really knew the right words to say. Her man. Could she even call Viktor that? Were they an item? Only time would tell.

“I won’t take long,” she said.

Katya had already gone home for the night, so it was only Viktor and her in the office. She headed to the bathroom. Ava could hear the music from the club downstairs. At this time of the night, customers who got off their shift were beginning to pour in. It was weird that she now found it normal to be working in an office situated above the strip club.

Through Katya, she had gotten to know some of the girls and the other members of the staff. She’d even managed to get some of the gruff-looking security guards to smile once or twice. Those guys seemed to follow Viktor everywhere. They really took their job seriously. Ava stripped out of her boring clothes and fit into the new dress she’d bought. It was a sexy, strapless crimson number, one that hugged her curves in all the right places. Normally, Ava wouldn’t dare wear such an eye-catching color, but she wanted to look tempting for Viktor tonight.

Ava fished out her makeup kit next. She needed to redo her eyeliner, maybe apply mascara. Her phone rang. Seeing Gina’s number flashing across the screen, she sighed. She’d gotten into a little argument with Gina three days ago. Gina didn’t think it wise she was dating her boss. Even worse, Gina tattled to her mom. That aggravated her. Who she dated was none of her mom’s or Gina’s business. Still, she couldn’t be mad at her best friend forever. Gina was only looking out for her. She answered, letting Gina say her piece first.

“Hey, Ava. I’m calling to apologize for before,” Gina began.

That was new. When it came to their friendship, Ava was usually the pushover who said sorry first.

“I didn’t like how our conversation ended either. We’re best friends. We shouldn’t be fighting,” Ava said.

“That’s right.” Gina paused. “Are you still going through with tonight?”

Gina knew about her date with Viktor. That was the reason she’d called Gina three days ago.

“Yeah. I’m really looking forward to dinner. Viktor’s taking me to this newly opened French restaurant in town. I think it was called Marcel’s.”

Gina gasped, then she whistled. “Wow. Your boyfriend sure has connections. I hear Marcel’s booked until the end of the year.”

“He’s not my boyfriend yet,” she blurted. “We’re still in the dating phase.”

“He hasn’t tried anything inappropriate? You’d tell me if he did?”

Anger swelled inside her. Ava had a smart comeback but decided to keep her mouth shut instead. Gina was trying to make amends. She could see that. “Viktor’s not as bad as you think.”

“Ava, you told me he had a hand in sending his own brother to the hospital.”

In Ava’s moment of panic, she had rattled that incident to Gina. Now, Ava regretted it.

“Maybe I made a mistake.” Why was she actually lying to Gina, of all people? It didn’t matter. Viktor seemed to really regret his actions. Ava desperately wanted, no needed to believe that underneath his dangerous exterior, he remained a good man at heart.

Gina said nothing for a few moments. “Well, I just want you to be careful.”

“I can take care of myself.”

“I know you can, but Viktor is—”

“I can handle him.” An outright lie, but Gina didn’t know that. Ava couldn’t tell Gina that when it came to Viktor, she felt seriously way out of her league. Viktor had been right during their lunch date. Ava felt an indescribable magnetic connection to him, one she didn’t want to be free of yet. She needed to know if this thing with Viktor—she wouldn’t give a name to it yet—could lead to anything serious.

“If you say so.” Gina sounded doubtful. “Anyway, enjoy your evening. If you need someone to talk to, I’m just a phone call away.”

Gina ended the call. Ava fixed her makeup. She grabbed her purse and found Viktor waiting for her outside. He leaned against the wall, reading a text on his phone. When he saw her, he put his device away.

“You can handle me, huh?” Viktor said. He eyed her, then licked his lips. Ava blushed. “You look good enough to eat.”

Viktor closed his hand over her wrist and tugged her close. Her breath hitched as her breasts pressed up against his firm chest. Viktor slid a possessive hand around her waist.

“Tell me, Ava. Did you wear that sexy little number to please me?” he asked, voice husky with want. Viktor kissed her mouth, preventing her from answering right away. Then he moved his lips to the lobe of her left ear. “Tell me the truth.”

Viktor then sucked on the skin over her pulse point. She groaned, feeling the graze of his teeth.

“Yes,” she admitted, clutching at his shoulders as he left a bite there for all the world to see.

Viktor lifted his head and smiled like a wolf. “I knew it.”

He parted from her, then offered her his hand. One moment, he acted like a ravenous beast, and the next, a gentleman. Sometimes, he confused her. Then again, if Viktor didn’t stop, she would’ve given him anything he wanted. She would’ve even let Viktor take her against the wall, over her messy desk, or even on the floor.

The thought heated her entire face. Good thing he didn’t notice. He led her downstairs, to the noisy club and to the quiet night. Viktor rested a hand on her lower back as they walked to his car.

“I hope you’re hungry,” he said.

“I can eat. I only ate a light lunch so I could fully enjoy tonight’s special dinner.”

“Good girl.”

She didn’t know why, but hearing those two words from his lips made her aware of her nipples tightening under her dress. Ava pictured herself all tangled up in his sheets. Viktor above her, holding her wrists in place. She’d beg him to call her that again. Ava shook her head and resolved to keep her head out of the gutter, at least until the end of the evening.

Viktor opened the car door for her. She slid inside. The drive to the restaurant was a quiet one. She didn’t mind. With Viktor, she always felt at ease. Small talk wasn’t necessary to fill the time. They arrived at the Garnet Tower fifteen minutes later. A 120-floor architectural wonder of steel and glass, the building towered every other structure in the city. Standing on the ground floor, Ava felt tiny. A little daunted.

Her date reached for her hand and squeezed it. “Shall we?”

Unable to speak, Ava nodded. The restaurant was located at the top floor. They took the elevator. There was a small line, but people seemed to know who Viktor was and parted for him like a wave. They had the elevator all to themselves. She snuck a look at Viktor. All of this seemed normal to him. She had already deduced he was some kind of an important figure in the business world. Apart from being in the entertainment business, he owned major shares in plenty of establishments in the city.

That wasn’t all of it. Ava had a feeling Viktor still harbored secrets he wasn’t too keen on sharing with her. Was she brave enough to pry? If she asked him outright, would he give her a satisfactory answer? The waiter greeted them right away upon their arrival. He took them to their table. The floor-to-ceiling glass didn’t obstruct anything.

Ava had a view of the entire city. She stared at the buildings’ outlines and the thousands of lights. She was gawking, but she couldn’t help it. Ava didn’t feel like she belonged here. She thought she recognized a few famous faces among the diners. It was a good thing she’d decided to change into her dress, otherwise, she’d feel like a fish out of water.

“Wine, sir?” the waiter asked.

“What would you like to drink, Ava?” Viktor asked, returning her attention to the present.

“You choose,” she said, relieved to find her tongue. “As I recall last time, you had excellent taste.”

Viktor chose a glass of red wine for her and ordered vodka for himself. “What do you think of this restaurant?”

“Fancy.” Ava couldn’t even understand half the menu. Most of it was in French, but she was relieved to see a small description in English underneath the French names. Viktor studied her for a few moments.

“You once mentioned you enjoyed taking a food tour with Gina,” Viktor said. “I figured I’d bring you here for a new culinary experience. They specialize in French-Japanese cuisine.”

Her nervousness ebbed. Viktor remembered that little detail? Touched, Ava told herself to relax, to simply enjoy herself this evening.

“Sorry, nerves got the better of me earlier, but I’m feeling better now. This is all wonderful, Viktor. I’m really glad you brought me here. I promise I’ll enjoy myself.”

Viktor nodded. “I don’t know anything about the food either. What do you recommend?” Viktor asked the waiter. It took maybe fifteen minutes to get their order. Viktor seemed delighted Ava took over in asking the questions. The waiter looked relieved to be dismissed. Their first dish arrived. Consomme served in a fancy wine glass. It had foam on top. Viktor squinted at the dish.

“What the fuck is this?” Viktor grumbled as more dishes arrived.

“You’re not into French fusion?” she asked, tasting the soup. Despite its appearance, it was delicious.

“No. I wanted to impress you.”

She couldn’t help it. A giggle slipped from her lips. So she wasn’t the only one nervous about tonight. That put her at ease. Viktor scowled at her.

“What’s so funny?”

She touched his inked hand. Underneath the tattoo, she felt roughness. Old scars maybe? This man was still a complete mystery to her. Still, slowly but surely, Ava was unearthing all the complicated layers that made up Viktor.

“Nothing, just marveling at how sweet you are.”

That response deepened Viktor’s scowl. “Don’t ever use that word on me again,” he said.

She smiled at him. “Okay, this will be our little secret.”

“It better.”