Page 48 of The Bratva Bosses' Surrogate

Here I am, literally living the dream, and yet, I’m a bundle of nerves. He’s waiting downstairs for me, and I just hope we’re not running late. Fuck.

“Sofia? You ready yet?” Ivan’s voice drifts up from downstairs, deep and slightly impatient. I scramble to straighten my hair faster.

“Just a minute!” I call back, knowing full well it’s not just a minute.

I run the straightener through my hair, trying to hurry. Then suddenly, I accidentally grab the hot part and yelp in pain. “Fuck!”

“Sofia? You alright?” His voice is laced with concern now, echoing up the stairs.

“Y-yes, I’m fine!” I shout back, wincing as I inspect my fingers. They’re red but not too bad. I quickly finish up, taking a deep breath to calm my racing heart. Why does everything feel more intense with Ivan, even getting ready?

Then I hear footsteps. Great.

“What happened? Are you okay?” It’s Ivan.

“Yes, it’s just, I burned myself with the straightener.” I admit, feeling a bit foolish for the small accident.

Without a word, he strides over and gently takes my hand in his. His touch is surprisingly tender. “Let me see.”

He inspects the reddened skin, his brow furrowed. “You have to ice it,” he declares, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I try to brush it off, “No, but seriously, I’m fine, Ivan.” The burn stings, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.

He looks at me, his gaze firm. “I said you have to ice it. Sorry for making you rush.”

His words strike a chord within me, and I can’t help but feel touched by his genuine concern. Despite my initial resistance, I know he’s right. I need to take care of this burn properly.

Relenting, I nod in agreement. “Okay, Ivan. You win. Let’s get some ice for this.”

Ivan smiles softly, his eyes filled with warmth as he guides me towards the kitchen. The simple act of tending to my minor injury makes me feel cherished and protected in a way I’ve never experienced before.

As he retrieves an ice pack from the freezer, I can’t help but marvel at the complexity of this man. He exudes power and darkness, yet beneath that intimidating exterior lies a caring soul.

He places the ice pack gently on my burnt fingers, and a soothing coldness spreads through my hand. The relief is immediate, and I let out a sigh of contentment.

Ivan’s eyes meet mine, his voice filled with sincerity. “You’re important to me, Sofia. I want to take care of you.”

His hand gently caresses my cheek. His words make me shiver. Having a man like him take care of me? I wonder if that dream could ever become a reality.

Ivan’s voice cuts through my thoughts, decisive and firm. “Okay, let’s leave now.”

I look at him, startled. “What? But I’m not ready!” Panic flutters in my chest. My hair isn’t perfect, the burn on my hand...

He steps closer, his presence overwhelming the room. “You look gorgeous. So come on, let’s go.”

For a moment, I’m speechless, caught off guard by his impromptu decision and his compliment. His gaze sweeps over me, not missing a beat, and I feel a warmth bloom inside me. It’s not just his words, but the way he says them, with a certainty that makes me feel seen, valued.

Despite the rush, the slight chaos, there’s an excitement bubbling up inside me. Ivan’s spontaneity, his assertive nature, it’s exhilarating. I nod, a smile tugging at my lips. “Okay, let’s go.”

We head out, a short ride to the shore, and there it awaits; a car I’ve never seen before. Sleek, expensive, and unmistakably luxurious. Does their money ever end? The thought crosses my mind as I take in the extravagant display of wealth.

Ivan opens the door to the back seat, a gentlemanly gesture that still catches me off guard. He slides in right next to me, closing the door with a soft thud. The intimacy of sitting so close in the back of this lavish car sends a thrill through me.

“Where are we going? You have to tell me now,” I demand, the suspense eating at me.

He smirks, enjoying my impatience. “You can wait for another twenty minutes. You’ve held out a long time already.”

“Ugh,” I sigh, rolling my eyes and crossing my arms across my chest. The mystery is both infuriating and exciting.

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