Bratva Boss’ Baby by Winter Sloane

Chapter Six

Ava woke up in soft sheets. A cloud. She slept on a cloud. Ava didn’t want to get up, but she had trouble going back to her dream. Finally opening her eyes, she slowly sat up. She suddenly became aware of the sticky ache between her legs.

Last night had been real, after all. She felt deliciously sore. However, if Viktor decided he wanted to go another round, she was up for it. Where was he? The spot where Viktor had lain was empty. She didn’t hear the shower. Ava didn’t spot his discarded clothes anywhere either. Her heartbeats quickened.

Ava had dreamt she woke up in the middle of the night. She stumbled over Viktor’s pile of clothes on her way to the bathroom. Her foot had touched something cold and hard. When she stooped down to touch what it was, she recognized the shape. A gun.

Why was Viktor carrying a gun around? That had definitely not been a dream. It was real. She could still feel the cool touch of the metal on her fingers.

“Relax, everyone carries a gun around here,” she told herself.

Maybe Viktor was a cop or a detective? Who was she kidding? He sure didn’t look like a member of law enforcement.

“He’s just carrying it for his own protection,” she whispered out loud.

The city was riddled with gangs and other criminal groups. Ava had thought about taking shooting lessons and getting a gun. Even Gina kept one in her safe.

“He’s gone now.” Those words didn’t give her relief.

What did she think, anyway? Viktor stated his intentions clearly last night. He only wanted one fuck. End of story. Her phone vibrated under her pillow. She plucked it, unsurprised to see Gina’s name flashing across the screen.

“Hey, bestie. Morning,” she said with a yawn.

“Oh? Someone woke up in a good mood today.”

“You have no idea.” Ava stretched in bed.

“So, spill. Did you go home with that hot guy last night?” Gina pressed.

“I did.”

“Was he amazing in bed?”

“You bet.”

“You’re going to make me wrangle all the answers from you, aren’t you?” Gina demanded.

“He blew my mind. Before last night, I didn’t know sex could make me feel so…” Ava faltered.

She sounded ridiculous. Gina took home strangers all the time. A one-night stand was no big deal. Besides, she didn’t really want to go into the more intimate details. Gina would freak out if she learned they’d forgotten to use a condom. Ava woke up groggy, but she was definitely awake by now.

God. How could she be so stupid? They had gotten so lost in each other, they’d forgotten basic protection?

Ava shook her head. She took deep breaths. No reason to panic. It was just one mistake. That was all. It wasn’t like she’d ever see him again. Besides, what were the chances he’d gotten her pregnant? Probably a small one.

“Anyway, it’s over,” she said.

“What do you mean?” Gina asked.

“He left before I woke up.” Did she sound disappointed?

The image of Viktor bringing her breakfast in bed sprang up in her head. Maybe after feeding each other, they could have another round of sex. Ava snorted. She’d always had a fanciful imagination ever since she was a kid. Besides, it was best last night remained a memory.

“The bastard.”

“No. I expected it. Viktor made it clear last night that all he wanted was a fling. At least I get to enjoy this hotel room until noon,” she said.

“He took you to a hotel?” Gina asked, sounding skeptical.

“He said there were problems at home. Complications.”

“Uh-huh. Where did he bring you, anyway? Hopefully not some flea-bitten inn.”

“Viktor booked the suite at the Grand Dragon.”

“Are you joking? I heard the normal rooms there cost a thousand a night. So what does Mr. Moneybags even do?”

“We didn’t exactly have time for a meaningful conversation, but he mentioned he owned a couple of businesses.”

She fingered the sheets, then remembered she no longer had a job. Mood dampened, she ran her fingers through her tangled hair. She blew out a breath.

“Actually, he said he needed an accountant.”

“He offered you a job? Was that before or after he left you this morning?”

“He gave me his business card. It says he’s the CEO of Kotov Entertainment,” she said.

“Huh. Never heard of that company before.”

“Me either. Anyway, I’m not seriously considering his job offer. I can’t put my finger on it, but instinct tells me it’s better if I don’t pursue this.”

Ava had just lied. If she became desperate enough, she might seriously consider working for Viktor. It wasn’t like he was asking her to do anything illegal. He needed an accountant, and she was a damn good one. Full stop.

“What are your plans for the day?” Gina asked, changing the topic.

“Head back home. Order some takeout food and feel sorry for myself.”

Gina laughed. “Want some company?”

“You have work,” she reminded her best friend.

“I can fake being sick again.”

Ava never used up her yearly leave. She even went to the office during the time she had both a cold and fever. It blew her mind away that Charles and Amanda would willingly let their best employee go.

She gritted her teeth. There was no use dwelling on what happened yesterday. Ava couldn’t let resentment make her bitter. She had to learn to move on. Ava told herself this was just one hitch in the road.

“Ava, are you still there?” Gina asked.

“Yeah. I am.”

“Look, I know it really sucks the firm let you go, but they didn’t deserve you, anyway.”

Easy for Gina to say. She was still gainfully employed. Ava kept her mouth shut because she knew Gina was just being supportive.

“I just need time to stew,” she finally said. “I’ll feel better in no time, and yeah, I could use the extra company.”

“Great. I’ll bring over some cookies and cream ice cream.”

“Bring your own tub, because I can finish my own,” Ava joked.

“Will do.” Gina ended the call.

Ava fell back in bed. Last night’s euphoria had finally worn off. She hadn’t even told her mom the bad news. What would happen now? Ava still had some savings in the bank, but that wouldn’t last her long.

A month at the most. Living in the city was expensive. She’d have to move out of her fancy apartment eventually. She couldn’t live with Gina because her best friend stayed with a roommate.

The thought of dragging her sorry ass back to Briar Glen and living with her mother only depressed her. She couldn’t go back there, not after everything.

She resolved she’d get past this hurdle. She’d apply to all the best accounting firms in the city. Ava would man up, call Charles, apologize for the way she reacted yesterday, then remind him about the recommendation he promised.

Her stomach sank at the thought.

She hated to grovel and beg. It wasn’t in her nature. She prided herself on being strong. Ava preferred being in control of her environment, and yet last night, she loved letting someone else call the shots. She shivered, touching the hickey Viktor left on her neck. It was high enough that if she didn’t wear a turtleneck, everyone could see it. It felt like a personal brand.

Ava imagined Viktor crawling on top of her, restraining her wrists and setting his teeth to her most intimate places. She shuddered. Just thinking about the man who claimed ownership of her body the night before made her all hot and needy. Ava pushed away the sheets. She stumbled into the bathroom and entered the shower cubicle.

She pressed her back against the tiled wall. Spreading her legs wide, she began fingering herself. Ava shut her eyes, panted, and fantasized about Viktor kneeling between her legs, eating her out. Viktor pressing his big body against her, caging her.

He’d whisper the dirty deeds he wanted to do to her in her ear before he’d plunder his mouth. Then he’d slide his cock inside her wet and ready pussy. He’d breed her, get her pregnant.

What would it be like to carry his baby?

She gasped. It didn’t take long before she climaxed.

“God,” she whispered.

How could he affect her this much? They’d met at a bar. He’d taken her to a hotel. They’d fucked. End of story. Except Ava craved to feel Viktor inside her again. She told herself she was going through a phase. She’d just lost her job after all, a job she’d taken so much pride in. Most people who were born in the small town of Briar Glen lived in that town their entire lives.

Those brave enough to strike it out on their own in the big city returned to the town as failures. Ava refused to be one of them. She saw herself getting off the bus station in Briar Glen, disheveled and heavily pregnant. Her mother would freak out. Ava’s thoughts had gone astray again.

So what if they’d forgot to use protection last night? It didn’t mean a damn thing. Ava wasn’t pregnant, and she wasn’t returning to her hometown. She would find a new job. Be her kick-ass self again. Last night would be nothing more than a hazy memory.

“Forget Viktor, he’s moved on by now,” Ava told herself. “Right now, I’m going to focus on myself.”