Bratva Boss' Baby (Kotov Bratva Book 1) Page 9

  Viktor narrowed his eyes. “What personal stuff?”

  “She told me a little of your past.”

  Viktor frowned. “She had no right.”

  “She’s your sister. Aren’t siblings supposed to be annoying?” she asked.

  Viktor took a deep breath. His childhood and upbringing were a closed book. He supposed if telling Ava a little about his past would get her to reconsider her initial impression of him, then fine. Viktor wouldn’t be mad at Katya. At least she achieved her objective.

  “That’s true,” he finally said. “Katya’s only concerned for my well-being.”

  “You’re lucky to have family on your side.”

  “What about you?” Although Viktor knew her background, he wanted to hear it from her own lips.

  “Trust doesn’t come easily to me,” she finally said. “I grew up in a small town. My father left my mom when I was young. My mom had to raise me alone. The kids at school always teased me for being trailer trash. It wasn’t easy making friends.”

  “But look where you are now, Ava. You managed to escape your little town. I’m betting few of them managed to get a degree.”

  “I thought my life was finally going somewhere until I lost my job at the firm,” Ava said. “I’ll always be grateful to you for offering me a job.”

  “Do you enjoy your work so far?” he asked, curious.

  “Your previous accountant left a hell of a mess, but yes. I am. Numbers always calm me.” She paused. “Although, to be honest, some of the numbers and the assets stated on some of the reports don’t add up.”

  “Ask the right question, and I might just answer,” he said.

  Viktor wouldn’t go back on his word. If she asked him outright what exactly he did behind closed doors, Viktor might humor her. He was in a good mood. Things were going well. He would deal a severe blow to the Mogileviches once Fernandez agreed to be their supplier.

  Ava didn’t seem to be angry or terrified of him either. She was ready to give him another chance, one he wouldn’t blow. Sure, Viktor could easily force her to stay with him, but where was the fun in coercion? Viktor wanted Ava to come to him out of her own accord. Once she surrendered, he’d leave her begging and wanting more.

  Ava drank her wine. “You’re no ordinary businessman, are you?”

  “You already know the answer to that. You wasted your question. Now it’s my turn. After yesterday, why didn’t you leave?”

  Ava bit her bottom lip. “I was tempted to hand in my resignation.”

  “But?” Viktor pressed.

  “I need this job.”

  “That can’t be the only reason.”

  She let out a frustrated sigh. “I can finally understand why Katya and you are siblings.”

  “You can’t seem to stay away from me?” Viktor flashed her a cocky smile. This was new. He repelled most people simply because they were terrified of him and his reputation. Ava had been the exact opposite.

  “Don’t sound too smug. I hardly know anything about you.”

  Viktor reached out across the table to touch her hand. “Let’s change that. This is nice, isn’t it? We’ll go out and eat together again sometime. Not as boss and employee.”

  “Are you asking me out on another date?”

  “Is that what they’re called?”

  “You’re teasing me,” Ava blurted. “But yeah. Spending time with you isn’t so bad.”

  Viktor leaned against his chair and sipped his drink, feeling victorious. He’d never put in so much effort to get to know a woman. It was much harder than he thought. “Then let’s have dinner next time.”

  “Okay,” Ava agreed. “We should get back to the office. Lunchtime is almost over.”

  He noticed her reluctantly looking at the untouched plate of tiramisu on the table. Viktor chuckled. “Relax. We have all the time in the world. I’m the boss after all.”

  “I was afraid you’d say that. Want to split the cake?”

  Viktor picked up his fork and took a small portion, then held it out to her. Ava hesitated, then leaned in to take a bite. His trousers felt a little tighter. He couldn’t keep his gaze from the sweet curve of her tempting lips. Without saying another word, he fed her more of the cake. The gesture seemed profoundly intimate. Personal. By the time they finished the cake, a blush had appeared over her cheeks and neck.

  “There’s a bit of frosting on your lip,” he said.

  Ava picked up her napkin, intending to wipe it off, but Viktor beat her to the punch. He leaned forward and licked the icing away. He took that chance to taste her once more. Viktor kissed her, taking his time, not caring if anyone saw them. He owned this restaurant, after all. He could do whatever he pleased.

  She let out a moan of protest when he pulled away. Her breathing turned harsh. “Not fair,” she whispered. “I don’t understand why you have such an effect on me.”

  “I do.” Viktor didn’t elaborate.

  Sooner or later, Ava would learn her place. When his father picked Viktor to be the next Pakhan of the Kotov Bratva, it felt like a heavy weight had been placed on his shoulders. Being at the top felt lonely at times, but maybe if he had a queen by his side, he wouldn’t need to feel so alone.

  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 bou
ght. 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 dismiss
ed. 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.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Despite the awkward start of the evening, Viktor could tell Ava had thoroughly enjoyed herself. Viktor didn’t care much for the food at Marcel’s. He had to wash everything down with vodka. Viktor was a simple man at heart.

  “You’re not finishing your dessert?” Ava asked him, raising one eyebrow at him.

  He pushed his plate at her. “At heart, I’m a simple man with boring tastes.”

  “There’s nothing simple about you.” Ava finished his mousse for him. It looked like no mousse Viktor had ever eaten. Whatever. Viktor doubted he’d be eating here again.

  “For our next date, let me cook you something,” she said. “It’s the least I can do.”

  “You’re cooking?” he asked. Viktor’s interest had been piqued. Sure, he had a personal chef at home to take care of all the cooking, but tasting Ava’s food would be special.

  “Hey, I’m a pretty decent cook. At least that’s what my mom told me. She taught me everything I know in the kitchen,” Ava paused. “Just don’t expect anything fancy, okay?”