Page 19 of An Arranged Virgin for the Bratva

"Sofia?" I ask, my protective instincts flaring. "What's wrong?"

She doesn't answer, but I follow her gaze to see the man she was with earlier, pushing through the crowd, clearly searching for her. Sofia's breath catches, and I feel her tense beside me.

"We need to go," she says urgently, all pretense of nonchalance gone. "Now, Vlad."

I'm torn between demanding answers and getting her to safety. But one look at the genuine fear in her eyes makes my decision for me. Whatever's going on, it's clear she doesn't want to be found by that man.

"Alright," I nod, her security becoming my number one priority. "Let's get you out of here."

Without a word, I wrap my fingers around her wrist and guide her through the writing crowd. The whole time, her eyes dart frantically as she searches for an escape.

"In here," I hiss, pulling her toward a door marked 'Employees Only'. We burst into what appears to be a supply closet, and I slam the door shut behind us.

The space is cramped, barely large enough for the two of us. Shelves laden with cleaning supplies press in from all sides, and the smell of bleach hangs heavy in the air. I can feel the heat radiating off Sofia's body, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she catches her breath.

"Sofia," I growl, my patience wearing thin. "Who was that man? Why were you with him?"

Her green eyes meet mine in the dim light, defiance warring with something else—fear? Uncertainty? She opens her mouth, then closes it again, her brow furrowing as she seems to debate with herself.

"It's… complicated," she finally says, her voice barely above a whisper.

I lean in closer, our faces mere inches apart. "Then uncomplicate it for me," I demand, my tone brooking no argument.

Sofia's eyes flash, that familiar icy demeanor sliding back into place. "He was just some guy, Vlad. No one important," she snaps, but I can hear the slight tremor in her voice.

"I don’t buy that," I retort, frustration building. "I find you in a seedy club, practically in some stranger's lap, and now you're running scared. What am I supposed to think?"

She flinches at my words, and for a moment, I see a crack in her carefully constructed facade. "You wouldn't understand," she murmurs, her gaze dropping to the floor.

Frustration wells up inside me. I reach out and gently hold her chin, forcing her to look into my eyes. Her lips part and her eyes widen as I step an inch closer, leaning in until I feel her body pressed against mine.

“Try me,” I insist, my voice low and intense. "I can't protect you if you won't let me in, Sofia."

“Protect me?” she asks, her voice trailing off toward the end. A strange look crosses her face, one of disbelief, as though she can’t comprehend why I’d want to do something like that.

“Yes. Protect you. I don’t care that you went to a nightclub, Sofia. My only worry is that you could get hurt. You’re my responsibility now, can’t you see that? I have to know why you were hiding.”

Sofia's breath hitches, her chest rising and falling rapidly. I can see the pulse point in her neck fluttering, betraying her nervousness despite her icy exterior.

"I'm not hiding," she murmurs, but there's a tremor in her voice that tells me otherwise.

"Liar," I growl, my frustration reaching its peak. It’s impossible to be in this confined space with her without wanting more. The longer we talk, the more my resolve weakens.

She continues to look at me, her breath uneven. Her lower lip quivers, like she’s caught in a situation she doesn’t have an out from.

“Hey,” I whisper, suddenly worried. I reach over and push a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Shh, just relax.”

Sofia's eyes widen at the unexpected gesture, her breath hitching as our faces remain inches apart. It’s a rare moment of vulnerability, and it catches me off guard.

As my thumb brushes against her cheek, Sofia lets out a shaky exhale, her gaze flickering between my eyes and lips. The air crackles with such tension, and I feel every cell in me come alive.

The next thing I know, I’m slowly inching closer. She gets on her toes, meeting me halfway, and the next thing I know, I have my lips against hers. I groan as she nibbles at my lower lip softly, and I reach out to hold her by the waist. I feel her tremble, and the blood gushes to my head at the softness of her lips against mine.

The whole time, her hands stay by her side. I wonder if she’s not actually interested, and I consider pulling away—but then she parts her lips for me.

Fuck me.

My tongue slides into her mouth with fierce passion, and she kisses me back, but something in her manner seems like she’s holding back. Slowly, I caress her back, putting an end to the kiss, and pull back.

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