Page 22 of Plus-Size Curves for the Bratva

"Arms out," I instruct, my tone sharper than necessary. He complies without a word, and I begin taking his measurements, my movements quick and efficient.

As I work, I can't help but notice the solid warmth of his body, and the subtle scent of his cologne. My fingers brush against his chest as I measure across his shoulders, and I feel him tense slightly as sparks shoot down my spine.

"Hold still," I mutter, moving to measure his inseam. As I kneel before him, I'm acutely aware of our positions, and my cheeks flush with heat.

I try to focus on my work, but as I slide the tape measure up his inner thigh, my hand accidentally cups against a large, noticeable bulge between his legs and I freeze, my eyes widening in shock.

"Oh," I breathe, the word escaping before I can stop it.

Denis remains perfectly still, but I can hear his sharp intake of breath. The tension in the room skyrockets, and I'm hyper-aware of every point of contact between us.

My mind races, a jumble of conflicting thoughts and emotions. This is Denis Zolotov, the man who's turned my life upside down. And yet… the heat radiating from his body, the undeniable evidence of his arousal, sends an unexpected thrill through me.

"Natalia," he says, his voice low, hoarse and strained. "Are we done here yet?”

I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. "No, I… almost," I manage to say, my own voice sounding strange to my ears. "Just… just a few more measurements."

I force myself to look up, meeting Denis's intense gaze, which is focused on me. There's a tightness around his mouth that betrays his struggle for control, a pool of desire in his eyes.

His body is tight, rigid.

My hands tremble slightly as I continue on, hyper-aware of every brush against his muscled form. The air between us feels charged, crackling with unspoken tension.

"You're very skilled at this," Denis murmurs in a hoarse voice, breaking the silence. "How long have you been designing again?"

I appreciate his attempt at normalcy, even as my body hums with awareness. "Since I was a teenager," I reply, my voice huskier than usual. "It's always been my passion."

As I move around him, I catch another whiff of his cologne. It makes my head spin, and I have to steady myself against his arm.

"Careful," he says softly, his hand coming up to support me. The touch sends sparks through my body, and I can't help the small gasp that escapes me.

I'm acutely aware of my own response now—the quickening of my pulse, the warmth pooling low in my belly. It's undeniable, this attraction, as much as I want to fight it.

"I think…" I start, my voice wavering. "I think we're done for today."

Denis nods, his eyes never leaving mine. "Thank you, Natalia. Your work is… appreciated."

The double meaning in his words isn't lost on me, and I feel a blush creeping up my cheeks. As he turns to leave, I'm left with a whirlwind of confusing emotions and the lingering scent of his cologne.

Chapter 10 - Denis

The sleek black car glides to a stop, and I step out onto the red carpet. Camera flashes burst like fireworks, the crowd's excited buzz swelling as I turn to help Natalia out.

"Your grand entrance awaits," I say with a wink.

She emerges, and yet again, I’m taken aback by how stunning she looks. The ruby red georgette dress she designed embraces every curve, the classic boat neckline showcasing her elegant neck and collarbones. The fabric flows dramatically from her hips to pool at her feet.

"If I trip in these heels, you better catch me," Natalia says with a nervous laugh, subtly explaining why she’s taking my arm for support.

The reason doesn’t matter. I’m simply thrilled to have a reason to hold her close. In fact, I have half a mind to tell her she should wear heels more often, but I refrain for fear of scaring her off.

I instead chuckle, patting her hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, I won't let you fall."

We make our way down the carpet, and I notice heads turn to follow Natalia's progress. The dress demands attention, but it's her radiant smile and classic beauty that truly captivate. Of that, I am sure.

My chest swells with an unexpected surge of pride. This vibrant woman is here with me and I'm seeing Natalia in an entirely new light tonight.

"You look absolutely stunning," I murmur in her ear as we pause for photos and I slide an arm across her waist for the cameras.

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