Page 4 of Auctioned to the Bratva

He held out his arm, and we walked to the club entrance. I noticed a coffee shop on the corner and realized we were close to the second apartment I had my eye on. He opened the door and waited for me to enter. The place was smokier and the music playing much slower than at the other bar.

At the bar, he ordered a whiskey and a Black Russian. Had he been paying so much attention to me, or did he just have a good memory? There was no band on the stage, and I assumed that was why it was so much quieter. We got our drinks and moved to sit at one of the tables.

“I know,” I said as he took his seat opposite me, almost screaming as my mind saw Roman taking a seat next to Oleg. This man looked a lot like Roman and that was why he appeared to be and felt so familiar. Yet, there were quite a few differences.

Firstly, there were no bodyguards, no made men, and he surely didn’t have a gun. But to be sure, I looked at the people around us again, no, there were no signs of Bratva men. Plus,Roman was married; why would he be out here? I lowered my head. What was I thinking?

“You know what?” he asked, looking at me sideways. I couldn’t prevent the crimson shade from flooding my cheeks as I smiled at him, realizing I had said it out loud. Looking around, I must have been very loud as people were staring.

I shook my head and looked into my glass, “Nothing, sorry.” I replied. Feeling his eyes on me. I kept looking into my glass, not sure how to respond.

“Would you like something to eat, or have you had dinner?” he asked in his smooth voice. I slowly lifted my head, finding his gaze as I considered his motive.

“Something light, if they have,” I replied. He smiled and rose, heading back to the bar. He even walked like Roman, I thought as I watched him. I was sure it couldn’t be, as Evelina said, Roman got married a few years ago. Plus, Roman had short hair, and this man had a great wave of hair.

Something was indeed familiar about him; I just couldn’t place it. He glanced back with that warm smile across his lips. I shifted in my chair as I felt my breath catching again. I shook my head as he walked back with a large plate in his hands. I had to get rid of these emotions.

He was a stranger, who knew where from or what he would do if we were alone. He placed the big plate with snack food on the table, and I could not help but laugh. There were sausages, shrimp, potato wedges, and more. On the other side of the plate was a variety of fruit.

“You not hungry after all?” he asked with concern in his voice. I smiled up at him and shook my head.

“No, this is just an interesting choice for a late supper,” I replied, smiling. He eased his shoulders and sat back down.

“So, where are you from?” he asked before placing a shrimp in his mouth.

I glanced around, making sure no one was eavesdropping; it was a habit I had picked up during my stay with Oleg. “Russia, and you?” I asked as I swallowed some of the grapes.

His eyes widened slightly as he replied. “I am from Los Angeles, born and raised, but my brother lives here.” He glanced over his shoulder as if he was looking for someone before downing his glass. “Do you need another drink?” he asked quietly. “No thanks, I’m still fine,” I replied wondering why he suddenly appeared to be on edge.

As he walked back to the bar, he kept looking around, and I wondered what or who he was searching for. He came back with another round of drinks and sat back down. “So, Irina, what do you do for a living?” This time, there was a faster pace to his voice as he spoke.

“I’m a nursery schoolteacher,” I answered, searching his face for any sign of danger. “What do you do?”

He glanced around again before meeting my gaze. “I have my own firm that I run with my brother.” He said as he took another shrimp. “I don’t usually do this,” he continued as he wiped his brow. “But would you like to go back to my hotel room with me?”

I lowered my gaze and smiled, not sure why his invitation was so tempting. This was not something I had ever done. In fact, I have barely gotten past kissing. Now, here was this perfect specimen asking me to go back to his room with him.

The idea of spending the night with him frightened me but also made my senses light up. I didn’t know if it was the Black Russians or the allure of him, but I wanted him.

“No judgment, I promise.” He said as if he could see my thoughts. He leaned forward and took my small hand in his. He gently moved his thumb over my fingers from one side to the other. Again, my breath seemed to disappear, and my stomach made knots.

I did not understand the sudden urges he was causing within me, but I wanted to explore them. Looking up into his deep eyes, I smiled and nodded in agreement.

Chapter 3 - Sergei

I held out my hand for her as I rose from the table. She slid off the chair and placed her soft, warm hand into mine. Oh, my mind was going wild, the things I wanted to do to her. I shook my head gently, trying to clear the mischievous thoughts.

She was not like other women. I could sense it; there was an aura about her. I just couldn’t place it. We walked to the car, and I opened the door for her. Elegantly, she slipped into the seat and smiled as I closed the door.

I dashed around the back and almost slipped as I eagerly took my place in the driver’s seat. My pants suddenly felt a size too small, and my heart felt like it was clawing at my ribs to escape. Why was this woman having such an effect on me?

We pulled out of the parking lot, and I headed back to the hotel. As we entered, I saw a flicker of doubt cross her face, and I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. I gave her hand a little squeeze and stopped at the bar.

“Are you sure?” I asked, smiling down at her, hoping she had not changed her mind. She glanced around and returned my smile, nodding her head ever so gently. I ordered a bottle of champagne and led her to the elevator.

We rode up in silence and stepped out on the top floor. I unlocked the room and held the door open for her. Irina walked in, and I couldn’t help but notice her curves tempting me. Her silky brown hair glowed golden in the bright lights of the penthouse. She glanced at the room as if searching for something.

“I need the bathroom; which way?” she asked softly, glancing at me over her shoulder. I pointed to the door on theleft side of the open living area and watched as she walked to the door and disappeared. She had curves in all the right places.

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