Page 21 of Bossed Around by the Bratva (Morozov Bratva #20)

A smile tugged at my lips as I thought back on the last couple of days. Glancing at Akim, I felt the rush of happiness flow through me. I tried to memorize every perfect little detail of his face in the light of the movie reflecting over us.

He smiled at me, and my heartbeat increased. My stomach filled with butterflies, and I couldn’t get enough of him. He had booked the entire movie house for one evening to give us more privacy.

The blood rushed to my cheeks as memories of this last week played on repeat in my mind. The images were so vivid that it was like living it all over again. Akim softly tapped my hand. Looking at him, he smiled. “Give me some of the popcorn your hogging,” he asked.

Blushing, I looked down at the popcorn in my hands. I was holding it to my chest without even knowing. As I held it out, our fingers brushed once again, and the butterflies in my stomach took flight again. Every time he took something that would happen, I was sure he was doing it deliberately.

The way I sometimes caught him staring at me when I explained something or was giving a presentation always took my breath away. He made a point of buying lunch every day. We would sit together on the small deck he added to his office, staring out at the park.

It felt strange to have someone care for me in such a way. But I felt honored knowing I was the only one he had eyes for. My attention was drawn back to the movie as someone screamed. I wrapped my arm around his, resting on my thigh.

That move earned me one of his gorgeous smiles. “What do you think of the movie?” he asked. His voice was almost a whisper. He searched my eyes as if he could see into my soul. Those emeralds of his had a glistering to them.

“It’s good,” I replied, looking back at the screen. It wasn’t my kind of movie, but we each gave up something to share other things. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught him leaning in.

“We should do this more often. But next time, we could go for a walk, have a picnic, or see a show,” he whispered into my ear. His lips brushed against me, sending a chill down my spine.

“We do when you have time, but lately, you’ve been busy,” I said, glancing at him. I felt like a love-sick puppy. I was willing to do just about anything for him.

“I can make time,” he stated matter-of-factly.

I laughed as I responded. “You’re joking, right? I know what you do for a living.”

“You deserve nothing but the best,” he added, brushing a strand of hair out of my face. Turning to him, I searched his eyes for a moment before shaking my head.

“Lucky for me, I already have the best,” I replied softly. If it wasn’t for the smile pulling across his face, I would have been sure if I said it. The pulsing sound coming from behind my ears was working overtime. My breathing was louder than normal, and my heart was racing.

Akim placed his arm around my shoulders. “Would you like to get a milkshake or something after the movie?” he asked, kissing my head.

“Yeah, that sounds nice,” I replied, leaning into his arm. I tried watching the last part of the movie, but I wouldn’t focus. It kept returning to our dates, our touches, and stolen kisses.

This wasn’t our first night at the movies. I know he didn’t like it and only did it for me. However, the previous two movies were action movies full of violence. Yes, growing up in a bratva family, I was used to it. But I didn’t enjoy it. Especially after seeing him kill those men before me.

But he treated me. We were watching a romance tonight. I would have preferred a cartoon. But he hated those.

“You want to tell me what’s on your mind?” he suddenly asked. It was almost like he could sense my attention wasn’t there.

Tilting my head back, I smiled at him. “I was just thinking how lucky I am,” I replied before pressing my lips to his in a deliberately slow kiss. Sparks flew between us. I found my thoughts wandering again. I could spend the rest of my days with my lips glued to his perfectly lush ones.

“Let’s go for a walk,” I added, laughing as I pulled him up. He came willingly. We exited the theater and headed to his truck. “No,” I said, pulling him back.

“I thought you wanted to go for a walk?” he asked, turning his head from side to side.

“Yes, I do,” I added. “But we can walk from here. The city has no lookout point, so we’ll just walk a bit.”

Akim took my hand and walked with me down the street. On the corner was an ice cream shop. As we entered, he pulled me closer. His grip was firm but didn’t hurt. He ordered two ice creams with sweet goodies on mine.

As we walked out, he leaned closer, whispering. “You know, you’re even more beautiful under the moonlight.”

My stomach did a somersault. For a moment, I was speechless. “I’m considering walking you home every night, just so I can see your skin glow under the moonlight,” he confessed. He wrapped his free arm around my waist and pulled me closer.

“You’re crazy, Akim,” I managed to say between laughs. Shaking my head, I repeated myself. “You’re crazy.”

“Nope,” he replied. “I’m just crazy about you.”

Despite my best efforts, the heat rushed to my cheeks. “Stop,” I begged, trying to catch my breath. His grip on my waist tightened as we started back to his truck. The night air was cool, but with him so close, warmth spread through me like a quiet fire.

As we reached the truck, he stopped. “I mean it,” he mumbles, pulling me impossibly close. “You’re breathtakingly beautiful, especially when you're flustered.”

Pulling away, I lightly smacked his shoulder. Turning away, I buried my face in my hands as I mumbled. “You really don’t know when to stop, do you?”

“Not when it comes to you,” he said teasingly. But there was something deeper in his tone. I shudder.

“You cold?” he asked, wrapping his arms around me. I nodded. “Come, let me take you home,” he said, walking to my side of the truck. The drive home was quiet as my mind kept playing over every interaction.

He stopped and jumped out. He pulled me into his arms as we walked to my door. “I’ll walk you home every night if you let me,” he said. His tone was softer, and there was no teasing; it was just sincerity.

I swallowed hard as my pulse quickened. “You really are crazy,” I replied, looking at him.

His lips twitched into a smirk. But instead of replying, he leaned in. He pressed his lips to my forehead before kissing me. As she pulled back, his thumb brushed my cheek. His eyes searched mine as he spoke. “Sweet dreams, beautiful.”

I watched as he stepped back, hands in his pockets. He gave me one last smile before turning and leaving. I took a warm shower, and before I could jump into bed, the doorbell rang. I thought it was him returning and opened the door without looking.

“Forgot something?” I asked, then inhaled sharply as I saw Misha and Lukyan standing before me.

Misha turned her head to the side, smiling. “No, but apparently someone did.” She huffed as she invited herself inside. “So, tell me more?”

“Misha,” I replied, turning to face her. “I have my own life, you know. What are you doing here?”

“Elisse and I are going to a show next weekend and wanted to know if you would like to join us. But I guess not, seeing as you have someone you appear to be doing things with?” she asked suspiciously.

“I have work. It is all the company I need. Thanks for the invitation, but no, I am busy next weekend,” I huffed, waving her out the door.

Misha grinned, walked out, and turned before speaking again. “Okay, we’ll leave. But you must come around sometime and tell us all about this work keeping you so busy.”

“Yes, yes,” I replied, nodding as I closed the door. “Good night,” I called through the closed door.

Getting into bed, I smiled up at the ceiling. Sleep stepped in and carried me away almost instantly.

I was in the office before Akim. Last night was magical once again, and I was walking on clouds. He barely greeted me as he entered. Making his coffee, I wanted an excuse to go to his office. Not that I had ever needed one.

Walking in, I held my head high. I placed the cup before him and smiled. The low hum of the city barely reached his office. But this morning, it sounded loud. I moved to the door leading to the small deck and closed it.

Walking back to his desk, I shifted some papers around, pretending to organize them. My focus was entirely on the man in the leather chair before me.

His fingers tapped idly on the armrest. His other hand held a pen that I was sure he didn’t even notice as he was watching me.

I felt the weight of his gaze. It dragged over me like a physical touch, slow and unhurried. I didn’t look up right away. I kept my eyes on the documents. I knew what I would find in those eyes when they met mine. A possessiveness, amusement, something dark, yet known.

“You’ve been staring at me for the last five minutes,” I murmured, flipping the page I was pretending to read. “Don’t you have work, boss?” I glanced at him, grinning.

A deep chuckle rumbled from him. The next moment, his hand was wrapped around my wrist. He tugged gently, pulling me towards him. I gasped as I stumbled forward. His grip was firm but soft. His thumb grazed the inside of my wrist, moving in slow, circular motions.

“I’m a busy man, Zhen,” he mumbled. His voice was thick with amusement. “But I’m never too busy for you!”

I rolled my eyes at him. But my pulse betrayed me as it quickened. I’ve come to know him this way. Possessive, playful, and constantly pushing boundaries. Not that I minded. I liked his way.

Tugging my wrist free, I straightened myself, forcing a professional expression. “You have a meeting in twenty minutes,” I said.

He leaned back in his chair as he replied. “And?”

“And,” I said, stepping in behind him. “You need to focus.”

Resting my hands on the back of his chair, I leaned down, speaking close to his ear. “Behave, and maybe I’ll reward you later.”