Page 11 of Konstantin (Marinov Bratva #1)

But I won’t take her. That would be too easy. This game we’re playing is a lot more exciting. For both of us.

“You’re part of my world now, Ms. Monroe. Let’s see how well you can handle it.”

I register her audible exhales, the way her skin prickles the more I touch her.

I feel it too, katyonak.

“I’m sure it won’t be that difficult.” Her perfect mouth curves at the corner as she glances at me from over her shoulder.

I let out a harsh laugh, tipping her chin up between two fingers. “You like goading me, don’t you, Tessa?”

Spinning her around, I push her up against her desk, winding her hair around my wrist. I let out a groan as I yank her head back, making her eyes glaze over.

“When we finally fuck, Ms. Monroe, I won’t hold back. ”

Her chest rises and falls heavily, her lips parting in a harsh sigh. “You make it sound like I’d be easy. Like I’d let you have me.”

“No…” I shake my head. “You’re like a safe I’m going to enjoy cracking.” My knuckles feather across her chin. “And when I do, you’ll be on your knees begging me to give you what you have been long denied.”

She swallows heavily, her eyes locked with mine, her throat bobbing.

“We’re supposed to be professional.” But her voice betrays her, filled with quiet desire, the same that’s coursing through me.

“But that’s not what you want, is it?” My body presses against hers, every inch of her melding with mine, and I know she can feel my straining erection against her stomach.

Her cheeks flush, her body needy as her gaze flickers between me and the floor. I could have her right now, legs spread, my cock buried so deep she forgets every other man who dared to touch her.

My mouth lowers to hers, a growl escaping from deep in my throat. Her hands grab my biceps, and my lips brush hers just as the intercom on my desk goes off.

Nu blyat.

“Sir, you have a meeting in fifteen with the new investors. Just wanted to remind you,” the secretary we passed earlier says.

I practically grunt like an animal at the disruption.

The line goes dead, and the last thing I want to do is leave the comfort of this woman.

It’s a strange thought, to feel some odd comfort in her arms. But unlike her, I don’t live in fantasy or denial. I don’t pretend what I feel means nothing.

Only weak men deny what’s in front of them. Fear is not something I have, not like most people. I’m not afraid of whatever is happening between us. If anything, I’m intrigued. I never thought I’d ever experience such a…phenomenon .

After all these years of being unaffected, truly unaffected, I know this woman is different.

She’s something more. Something important. A bigger part of my destiny. I just haven’t figured out how.

And God help whoever tries to get in the way when I do.

Those eyes suck me in, the need in her body calling to me, but I can’t miss the fucking meeting. Ms. Monroe will have to wait. For now.

It’s a good thing we have all the time in the world.

Pulling back, I head for the doorway, glancing back at her. “Just so we’re clear, I expect my coffee at my desk as soon as you get in.”

“Let me guess. Black, no sugar, like your soul.” That mouth curls like the feisty temptress she is.

I’m on her in a blink of an eye, fingers curled around her slender throat, pushing her almost flat on the desk.

“I should have you on your knees for that, forcing every inch of my cock into that mouth until you’re gagging and clawing for air. But it’s your first day…” I drop my mouth to her cheek and leave a gentle kiss there. “So I will excuse this insubordination.”

She flusters as I back off, straightening her skirt, fingers running up to her neck where my hand just was.

If that’s too much for her, I don’t think she’ll be ready for what I have in store. That only amuses me.

“Oh and as far as your duties, you’ll go where I go. That includes this office, the bar, the club. Sometimes we’ll have to travel. You’re mine in every way.”

Her eyes narrow. “Travel?”

“Mm. Business trips. Maybe a private island or two.” I smirk. “We might even have to share a bed.”

She rolls her eyes. “And here I was hoping for a luxury suite without a caveman in it.”

I laugh—deep, genuine. She’s sharp. Witty. Keeps me on edge in a way I shouldn’t enjoy as much as I do.

I step closer, crowding her again—like I can’t help being everywhere she is, like I need to touch her every chance I get. It’s a sickness, this intensity, this lust…if one were even to call it that. But what else is there?

Reaching for a loose strand of hair, I inspect how soft it is, how perfect. “You don’t like the idea of sharing a room with me?”

She lifts her chin. “Not at all, considering how difficult it is for you to keep your hands to yourself.”

God, she has no idea how tempting she is when she’s like this.

“Never know. You might actually like it.”

“Doubtful,” she scoffs.

I let out a wry laugh. Her witty tongue shouldn’t turn me on, but it does. Everything she does hits like a shot of good vodka.

“I have to go. But if you need anything, you come to me.” My knuckles caress down her cheek—so soft, I’m almost undeserving of it.

Almost.

When I step out of her proximity, she turns away from me, staring out of the floor-to-ceiling windows at the view of New York City beyond us.

I step behind her, palms across her hips as I look out with her, the city buzzing and unaware of the predators that lurk around every corner. “What do you see when you look out there?”

She shrugs. “People. Problems. Chaos.”

“I see power.” I lean in just enough that my breath stirs her hair. “Everyone plays a role, serves some sort of purpose. Some of them just don’t know it yet.”

She stiffens slightly. I like that. I like the way her body reacts before her mouth can catch up.

“And what role do I serve?”

I run a finger lightly over her shoulder, a feather of a touch. “We’ll figure that out together, I promise. But I want you ready.”

She turns to face me, her expression unreadable, but her body leans in, drawn toward me like a tide she can’t fight.

“Ready for what?” she asks.

I reach up, fingers brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, letting my touch linger. “Anything.”

Her eyes cling to mine with charged silence and thick with everything unsaid.

This thing between us…it hums beneath my skin, electric and alive. Whatever this is, it’s not a spark. It’s a fuse.

And we’re seconds from detonation.