Page 26 of The Bratva Bosses' Nanny

She takes a sip of her wine, her eyes scanning me from head to toe. “You know, Nikolai, for someone who’s always so serious and intense, you’re not half bad company.”

“I thought you liked Dmitri’s company the most,” I reply.

She almost chokes on her wine, making me grin. “He’s... interesting,” she says, trying to recover.

I raise an eyebrow, “Just interesting?”

“Well, he’s not as commanding as you are.”

I lean back in my chair, taking a sip of wine. “Is that what you like?”

She meets my gaze, “Maybe I do. Maybe I like a man who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to take it.”

I feel a sudden tightening in my pants at her words and the way she’s looking at me. This woman knows how to push my buttons.

I lean forward, my own gaze bold as I take in every inch of her. “And what do you want, Emma?” I ask, my voice low and husky.

She doesn’t flinch, “Right now? I want to see if you can handle a little competition.”

“Competition?” I repeat.

She nods slightly, “Yeah. Let’s see who can finish their steak first.”

I smile at her playfulness, but I’m willing to indulge her. “You’re on.”

The steak is incredible, cooked to perfection and seasoned just right.

She picks up her knife and fork with a flourish, and I mirror her, ready. “Go,” she says, and we’re off, slicing into the perfectly cooked steak, the rich aroma filling the air.

She’s quick, I’ll give her that, cutting with precision, taking bite after bite with a zeal I didn’t expect. I keep pace, savoring the tender meat, but my focus is split between the steak and the way her lips wrap around the fork, the way her hair falls over her shoulder and brushes against her skin, the way her eyes light up with each bite.

“You’re not bad at this,” I watch her clear half her plate already.

She chews, swallows, and grins. “I’m full of surprises.”

She’s down to her last piece, and I’m right there with her. With a final, decisive cut, she pops the last morsel into her mouth, raising her eyebrows as if to say, “Beat that.”

I chuckle, finishing my own last bite. “Impressive.”

She leans back, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. “So, do I get a prize?”

“Depends on what you want as your prize.”

Her eyes flash with mischief. “I want a tour of the yacht. Show me all your secrets, Nikolai.”

I stand up, offering her my hand. “Your wish is my command.”

Chapter 11: Clues in the Cliché

Emma

Nikolai’s hand is warm in mine, a solid presence as he leads me through the yacht. The sway of the boat is more pronounced here. It’s almost soothing.

A glass of wine deep, I feel a buzz of courage, a playful boldness that has me grinning up at him.

“So, what’s behind door number one?” I quip as he opens the first door.

“It’s an arcade,” he announces, and I can’t help the laughter which bubbles up. Pinball machines, racing games, even an old-school Pac-Man—this yacht has everything.

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