Page 83 of Bratva's Intern

Probably wake Maxim up and initiate round two.

Fuck.

One minute he’d threatened me and ran me off, and the next he was eating my ass. Which was the real Maxim? He was so complicated.

When he’d told me to leave last night, he’d scared the hell out of me. Something dark had bubbled to the surface, and for that split second before I ran, he hadn’t looked human. Definitely not like a businessman. He’d looked like a man capable of carrying out the murder of someone who’d invaded his personal space without his permission.

Shit.

I needed to go.

Just for a second. To clear my head.

What the hell was last night about? He’d mentioned “next time” like this would become a regular. What did that mean? I couldn’t fathom Maxim wanting me to be his boyfriend. Maybe a PA with benefits? His relationships were temporary. Nik had told me this last night, so I didn’t dare think seriously about what had happened.

Just sex. That was all. I’d been convenient for him. The thought left a sour taste in my mouth.

I swallowed hard against the knot in my throat. It was easier to believe that none of this meant anything to Maxim. Easier to believe that I was just another name for his folder.

I tuned into the rhythm of his breath again. Each exhale brought a whisper across my neck and, with it, a wave of tenderness, washing over me and pooling in my pulse points.

I can’t afford to like him. Loving a man like Maxim can only lead to heartache. Just enjoy the ride.

Moving carefully, I tried to slip out from under Maxim’s arm, but the moment I shifted, his hold tightened, pulling me back against him. Like that was where I belonged. God, it felt good.

“Where do you think you’re going?” His voice was rough with sleep, deep and lazy.

“Bathroom,” I murmured, swallowing against the dryness in my throat. “I need to pee.”

He didn’t answer but tightened his arm for a second longer. Then he exhaled and let me go. “Hurry up and bring your sexy ass back to bed.”

I stared at him. Even in the dim morning light, his expression was unreadable—half-asleep but still sharp. He wasn’t smiling, wasn’t teasing. He meant it.

I’d never thought Maxim would be the possessive type. He didn’t strike me as a man who would care much about someone else, much less be bothered by me using the bathroom for a few minutes.

A shiver ran down my spine, and I wasn’t sure if it was from fear or something dangerously close to excitement.

I hurried into the bathroom, closing the door behind me. My hands trembled as I gripped the edges of the sink, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My hair was a mess, lips stillswollen, skin marked in places I hadn’t noticed last night. Love bites littered my neck like a teenager.

Oh no, no, no.

I turned on the faucet, splashed cold water on my face, and exhaled.

What the fuck had I done?

I’d slept with my boss.

Slut.

Jess’s going to have a field day when she finds out.

I wasn’t supposed to like him like that. Sure, he was hot. Sure, he was devastatingly charming when he wanted to be. Sure, he made my heart pound in ways that had nothing to do with fear or anger. But… this? This was bad.

I took a deep breath, then another. It didn’t help. I used the toilet and washed my hands, but I still couldn’t make myself return to Maxim’s bedroom.

What would I say?

What did he expect of me?

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