Page 4 of Accidental Bratva Daddy

I can't help but chuckle at her playful banter. "Fishing for compliments, Ms. Orlova?"

"Maybe," she admits with a grin. "Is it working?"

Our eyes lock, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe. This close, I can see flecks of gold in her emerald irises, smell the intoxicating blend of her perfume and something uniquelyher. It would be so easy to lean in, to close that last bit of distance between us...

But no. I can't afford distractions, no matter how tempting.

I clear my throat, forcing myself to lean back slightly. "You know, I don't think anyone's ever accused me of being delightful before."

Natalia laughs, the sound bright and genuine. "No? I find that hard to believe. You strike me as a man of many hidden depths, Luka."

If only she knew.

"What about you?" I ask, steering the conversation away from dangerous territory. "Successful fashion designer, darling of Moscow's elite... is your life everything you dreamed it would be?"

Something flickers in Natalia's eyes—a hint of shadow beneath the sparkle. "It has its moments," she says carefully. "But sometimes I wonder if it's worth the cost."

"The rumors?" I probe gently. “I heard a few. You shouldn’t let them get to you.”

“I try not to, but…” Natalia looks off into the distance, taking a long sip of her drink. "Don't get me wrong, I love what I do. Creating beautiful art in the form of clothes, making women feel powerful and confident... it's my passion. But the politics of it all, the constant scrutiny..." She trails off, shaking her head.“Sometimes I feel like the whole world is breathing down my neck.”

"It must be difficult," I say, surprising myself with how much I mean it. "Living under that kind of pressure."

She gives me a wry smile. "Says the man in the multi-thousand dollar suit. I'm sure you know nothing about pressure."

If only she knew. But I return her smile, inclining my head in acknowledgment. "Touché. Though I assure you, my world comes with its own unique set of challenges."

"Oh?" Natalia leans in, her eyes sparkling with interest. "Do tell, Mr. Mysterious Businessman. What deep, dark secrets are you hiding?"

For a split second, I consider telling her everything. Laying bare the truth of who I am, what I do. The weight of the empire I've built, the blood on my hands. But the moment passes, and I school my features into a playful smirk.

"If I told you, I'd have to kill you," I tease, though there's more truth to the words than she could possibly know.

Natalia rolls her eyes, but her smile remains. "Always so dramatic. Fine, keep your secrets. I'll just have to use my imagination."

"A dangerous proposition," I murmur, my voice dropping low. "You have no idea what kind of man I might be."

The air between us thickens, and I can feel the electricity on my skin. Natalia's gaze drops to my lips, then back up to meet my eyes. "Maybe I like a little danger," she whispers. “Maybe I’ve been waiting for something mysterious and unexpected in my life.”

That's all it takes to shatter my resolve. In one fluid motion, I close the distance between us, capturing her lips with mine. Natalia responds immediately, melting into me with a soft gasp. Her lips are soft, tasting faintly of whiskey and something sweeter. Cherry, perhaps. I deepen the kiss, one hand tangling in her silken hair while the other pulls her closer.

Natalia matches my passion, her fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt. When we finally break apart, we're both breathing heavily. Her cheeks are flushed, her lips swollen, and I've never seen anything more beautiful.

"Luka," she breathes, her eyes dark with desire.

That one word, my name on her lips, snaps the last thread of my control. My arousal is instant, my desire to claim her overwhelming. I surge forward, claiming her mouth once more as I press her back against the sofa. Natalia arches into me, a soft moan escaping her as my weight settles over her and my erection presses against her robed leg.

My hands roam her body, greedy for the feel of her soft skin beneath the silk robe. I find the tie at her waist, tugging it loose. "May I?" I growl against her lips.

"God, yes," Natalia gasps, already working at the buttons of my shirt.

I push the robe open, revealing her body to my hungry gaze. She's even more beautiful than I imagined, all pale skin and lush curves, the flushed pink of her nipples making my cock strain against my slacks.

"Perfection," I mutter, trailing kisses down her neck. “The only thing more beautiful than your clothing is the body beneath it.”

Natalia shivers under my touch, her hands pushing my shirt off my shoulders. Her nails rake down my back, igniting sparks of pleasure that go straight to my groin. "You're overdressed," she complains, fumbling with my belt. “Take this off.”

I chuckle darkly, capturing her wrists and pinning them above her head with one hand. "Patience, darling,” I tease, using my free hand to trace the curve of her breast. "I want to savor this."

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