Page 143 of Bratva's Vow
“Can you hook me up?” Marcus asked. “I mean, I can’t pass for a twink, but I don’t mind wearing a dress if it gets me one of those sweet rides.”
“You’re not even gay. And I don’t wear a dress.” Just some really sexy lingerie.
“I could be for the right pay.”
My jaw dropped. “You’re impossible! I’m going!” I walked away, heading for the parking lot where Nik was supposed to be waiting for me.
“Don’t think I can’t see that lace peeking out of the waistband of your jeans, Holloway! And that crop top. Since when do you wear crop tops?”
I flashed him the finger, all two of them, and ran off toward my car. I jogged across the lot, adjusting the strap of my bag, cheeks still hot from all the teasing. Where was Nik? He usually waited for me outside the lecture hall.
I pulled up short. Next to my car stood Maxim, all sleek and smug in a dark coat that probably cost more than my tuition. Sergei was nearby, arms folded, sunglasses on like we weren’t in the middle of a sunny campus but guarding a high-value target in Moscow.
My stomach did this stupid little somersault—equal parts nerves and giddy relief. Since Maxim had given me myfather’s urn, it felt like all the debris that had cluttered our relationship had been washed away.
I glanced over my shoulder.
Jakoby and Marcus were walking in the opposite direction. Thank god.
I hurried toward the car. “Maxim? What are you doing here? Where’s Nik?”
Maxim straightened and arched an eyebrow like I’d insulted him. “Is that how you greet me, kroshka?”
“I’m on campus,” I hissed. “We aren’t invisible to the people around us, you know.”
“Good.” His smirk was pure menace, and before I could protest, he reached for me and pressed his lips to mine in a kiss that was not nearly as chaste as it should’ve been in broad daylight.
Someone across the lot let out a whistle.
Another called, “Damn, is that Wren?”
I flushed scarlet and fiddled with the key fob to open the car door. “Get in.” I ducked inside, groaning, and Maxim followed me in like he had all the time in the world.
“I gave Nik the afternoon off.” He casually buckled his seat belt. “He’s been working a lot lately.”
I squinted at him. “So… you came for me instead of sending a replacement?”
“Yeah, I took the afternoon off. You don’t seem happy to see me.”
His frown and uncertainty deflated my fear. Taking a deep breath, I reached over the seat to take his hand in mine. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t expect you to be here, and—” I took his face in mine and kissed him the way I should have outside. When I drew back, I glanced down at the tent in his pants.
“Oops, I didn’t mean for that to happen.”
“I’m not complaining.” He placed my hand over his erection. “Do you plan to take care of that?”
Hmm.
“I have an even better plan.”
“Oh?”
I bit my bottom lip, heart thumping. What if he objected? Well, he had to find out sometime, and I didn’t want to keep this secret from him anymore.
“I’ll show you.”
He narrowed his eyes, just the faintest glint of suspicion—or anticipation—flickering behind them.
I smiled.
