Page 59 of Brooklyn Bratva

I was just starting on the second, smaller bag when she grabbed my wrist. “Stop.”

“What?”

“I unpack. I not need your help.”

“Oh. Ok. Sure.” I set the bag down on the table again, taking a deep breath as I went back to the front door to get the box. It was an effort not to feel totally dismissed. What the hell was going on? One minute she was perfectly lovely to me and the next she was dishing out back-off vibes like I was trying to overstep. It wasn’t as though I thought she was incapable. I was just trying to be nice. Apparently, I’d failed spectacularly.

Well I wasn’t going to hang around where I wasn’t wanted. I went to get the box in from the hall. The whole morning had been weird and the sooner I got out of her hair the better. She couldn’t wait for me to leave, and after the incident in the bakery, I was glad to go.

I hadn’t ordered anything, but the name on the label was definitely mine. I took it through to the bedroom with me, tossing it down on the bed and sat down to unlace my sneakers.

The mess of the morning had me longing for a shower, and I stripped and dived beneath the spray. Being on my feet all week, standing most of the time, was new to me. I’d get used to it, but for now, it was a matter of working out the kinks in my spine by stretching down and letting my arms hang, knuckles grazing the floor.

It felt so good. Almost as good as Ivan’s hands on me. But that, I was sure, was going to come later.

Wrapped in a towel, I ripped open the box, even more confused as the outside packaging gave way to gift wrap. Undoing the careful wrapping, I pulled out a silky soft shift and matching kimono. Buttery soft silk in a deep purple edged with black lace slid through my hands.

They were both beautiful.

Before I even read the note, I knew exactly where these had come from.

No more cartoon characters.

My lips hitched up into a smile. These were certainly the most adult night clothes I’d ever owned, and I loved that Ivan had bought them for me.

Letting my towel fall onto the bed, I pulled the slip over my head, letting my eyes flutter closed at the cool smoothness of the silk. Ivan had gotten my size exactly right. The slip fit perfectly, stretching slightly over the fullness of my breasts and around the swell of my ass, but still following the contours of my waist.

I smoothed my hands over my sides, enjoying the way my hands glided over the material so smoothly.

I lay back, stretching out, enjoying feeling so incredibly decadent. I could have been a film star, and I loved wearing something so glamorous. Reaching for my cell, I scrolled through to Ivan’s number and hit call as I leaned back against the pillows.

“Hey.”

“What?” Ivan nearly bit my head off in response.

“Uh oh. Did you find the guy at the airport?”

“Oh, I found him.”

The didn’t sound like a good thing.

“Well, good. Anyway, I got your present.”

“And?”

“I’m wearing the slip right now.”

I heard Ivan’s breathing hitch over the line and he swallowed audibly. His voice had a much softer edge to it when he spoke again. “Do you like it?”

“It’s beautiful. I can’t wait to show it to you. It’s so silky. It feels so smooth. Maybe you should ditch your guest and come here.”

He let out another audible breath. “Nothing I’d like better. But I have said guest staying on my couch.”

I grimaced. That wasn’t what I’d been hoping for. “Is he with you right now?”

“Unfortunately.”

I laughed softly at his grumpiness. “Poor baby. I guess you’ll have to wait to see what good taste you have. The purple’s so beautiful against my skin.”

“Never knew you were such a tease, Becca.”

I grinned, pleased with myself at getting him at least a little wound up, just over the phone.

“I never knew how easy it was.”

He grunted. “I thought it would look good on you.” I could hear him walking around and the noise of him opening the fridge. “You should come over. Bring the dressing gown too.”

“The kimono?”

“Yeah. Tonight I want to unwrap you slowly.”

Becca

Ivan answered the door with a scowl on his face and a beer in his hand. He didn’t look exactly happy to see me, despite asking me to come.

He nodded behind him, into the living room with a dark glance over his shoulder. I got the distinct impression he’d have rather put the guy on the next plane out of here than bring him back to his apartment. But it was done now.

I peered inside, wondering who this guy was to rub Ivan so badly the wrong way. I was intrigued.

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