Page 17 of Bratva Queen

If I’d given my body up to Aleksei that morning months ago, I’d be filled with regret right now. But I didn’t, and I felt proud of that. Stepan was the ideal first. He was sweet, considerate, and clearly, very giving. I knew enough about sex to know that would be a big plus.

When we stepped into the suite, my eyes grew with wonder. It was huge! Not just a bedroom but a lounge with a bar, not just a balcony but a deck with a jacuzzi! I dropped my bag on the couch and swirled around to Stepan.

“Wow! This is amazing!”

He grinned happily, pulling me into his arms. “I knew you’d love it.” He kissed me, long and deep. I thought,this is it; it’s happening! But he had other ideas. “There’s something else,” he murmured against my lips.

I frowned playfully and pulled my coat off. “What else could there possibly be?”

He smirked as he walked over to the bathroom door, revealing another massive room, sparkling with small downlights. “You didn’t think I’d ask you to share my bed, without wining and dining you first?” I cocked my head in confusion. Surely dinner wasn’t awaiting us in the bathroom?

He peered inside. “Ah, there it is.” When he emerged, he held a hanger on the tip of his finger. There hung a gorgeous, long, slim evening dress in the softest, most delicate material I’d ever felt. It had slits up the legs and a plunging neckline.

I gasped. “Stepan! You didn’t!”

His grin widened. “Oh, I did. Gucci. Just for you.”

Ten minutes later, I glided out of the bathroom, floating on a cloud of happiness. Stepan was at the room’s bar, sipping on a crystal tumbler of whiskey with his hand in his pocket. When he saw me, he set the glass down and held his hands out.

“Oh, my beautiful,beautifulqueen!”

I giggled and twirled around, allowing the dress to ripple around my legs. There was even a pair of stunning black Jimmy Choo’s awaiting me in the bathroom. He set his hands on my waist and looked over my body hungrily. His lips found their way to my neck, kissing me along my collarbone.

“Oh, Isabel…” he moaned. “Dinner can wait, can’t it?”

I chuckled, pushing him away. “You’re the one who said it; we won’t share a bed until you’ve wined and dined me. Although, I’m not too sure about the wine part…”

He smiled, biting his lip and looking at me with a glint in his eye. “You just haven’t tasted the right wine, my darling.”

A small, fleeting uneasiness entered my stomach. I was pretty set on not drinking, I always had been. I’d never been drunk, and I didn’t really plan on it happening in the future. But… maybe… one glass wouldn’t hurt?

We took the elevator up to the very top floor. The doors slid open to reveal a glimmering, embellished, extravagant restaurant. This time, the looks I received were that of respect and wonder. It was amazing what a quality designer dress could do. We were seated at what seemed to be the best table in the house—right against the glass pane—with a view of the city.

Stepan might have been right. The wine I sipped on went down very smoothly, not that I had much to compare it to. Along with my expertly prepared medium-rare steak and sauteed vegetables, it was without a doubt, the best meal I’d ever had.

Would Aleksei go to this extent? No. He was ready to take my virginity in a hallway, much less feed me beforehand.

Ah! Why was I even thinking of him? That was months ago now. He meant nothing to me. Of course, I would still find him mouth-wateringly sexy, that was human nature and clearly wouldn’t change, but when it came to matters of the heart, Stepan took first place. By far.

When we made it back to the suite, I was definitely feeling the effects of the wine. I put the back of my hand to my forehead and sighed. “Stepan, I think the wine was too much. I feel…”

“Don’t worry about it,kukla,” he purred, approaching me from behind and wrapping his arms around my waist. “It will only make this more fun.”

His lips pressed against my neck, and I took his words to heart. That was what people said about alcohol anyway, right? There had to be a reason everyone loved to drink so much. I just wished I didn’t feel so queasy.

“Um, Stepan… there’s something you need to know.”

I turned around to face him, and he continued to kiss my neck, sliding his hands down my sides. “Hm?”

“I’ve never… done this before.”

He froze.

His head lifted, and he looked into my eyes. I suddenly worried that it was a problem; that he would find me so much less attractive for it, that he wouldn’t want to sleep with such an inexperienced woman.

“Malyshka…” he drew the word out. “That is the best news I’ve ever heard in my entire life.” His eyes darkened, losing any sense of softness.

“Really?”

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