Page 44 of The Tsar’s Obsession (Bratva Sinners #1)
Birthday Boy
Mia
“You okay? You sure you don’t want a painkiller?” The man tattooing my buttcheek was concerned for my well-being while I was sprawled out on the seat, lying on my stomach with my pants pulled down to reveal my naked backside.
This was the most unusual experience. It took me months to pick this tattoo shop, never having thought about this kind of stuff in the past. “Yeah, I can’t really feel too much, to be honest. Is it supposed to really hurt?
” I responded, acutely aware that my naked ass was mere inches away from his face.
He paused both the needle and his response for a few seconds but then resumed. “Well, yeah. I mean, this is not the most sensitive part of the body, but still. Although, women have a way higher pain tolerance than men.”
I thought about that fact and about the man whose name was slowly being forever inked into my skin. He went through a lot of pain, both physical and emotional, it seemed. And yet, he still managed to stay gentle and loving, gifting me happiness with every second of his presence.
Kirill’s reaction to the tattoo was just what I hoped for. He was shocked and truly moved, his adorable voice of surprise cementing in my head that this was a good decision .
I also thought it was a great decision to finally collide our two worlds and celebrate Kirill’s birthday— all together . Fancy restaurant—check. Russian gangsters—check. Uptight lawyer, awkward stepbrother, and best friend who couldn’t keep her mouth shut—definitely check.
After a blissful birthday day together, we arrived at the place a little earlier, Kirill’s eyes shining with joy.
I loved seeing him like this—carefree and happy.
Truly happy, his beautiful smile filled up the room, almost as if he didn’t carry any sins with him.
Almost as if he were an angel, pure and innocent.
“Fuck, you smell so good.” He crooned into my ear, a long exhale leaving his lungs and igniting my whole body.
“Made for me. I can’t stop smelling…tasting…
loving you.” Our obsession with each other was mutual.
The intoxicating aroma that his body exuded solely for me made my knees weak and my mind delirious.
I couldn’t get enough; I craved more of him every day.
“How is your delicious tushy?” We took our seats, and Kirill leaned in with a smile, making me blush at his words.
“It’s a little sore, but worth the pain, baby.” My lips ghosted right underneath his ear, finding that part I so loved to kiss. “You’re worth the pain.” My lips drowned in him. “The pleasure.” Another peck, “The chaos.”
My own words sent a rush through me, and those green eyes pierced mine, without any humor or tease. Slowly, his hand cupped my cheek, stilling all of me once more.
“Ma– ”
“Ew! Cut the PDA!” Viv burst the cocoon we were immersed in and interrupted whatever Kirill was going to say. “Ugh, all of you are so in love, I hate it!” She quickly shuffled over for a hug, with Carly and Ari right behind her.
In the time between Ari's injuries and now, Carly and Ari had entered into a real relationship, just as Viv explained a month ago, and Carly had been riding a high ever since. Things were getting serious between them, and she was hoping he would propose soon .
I hadn’t properly seen Ari since he was in the hospital, and that was back in August. Not only had he been actively avoiding me at work, but I also noticed that Carly made every excuse under the sun as to why he could never join us for dinners.
Overall, he disappeared from everyone’s radar.
The difference between his behavior before the accident and after was night and day.
Before it all happened, he would always be around, be the life of the party, magically showing up where he wasn’t even expected.
Carly and Ari walked closer to the table, and Kirill’s arm wrapped around my waist, squeezing me to him.
“Mia! It’s been months!” Ari’s joyous voice was surprising considering how diligently he tried not to speak to me or be in my company while in the office. I rose for a hug, but Kirill’s arm remained around my waist, both of us up on our feet.
“Nice to see you again, Ari.” Kirill extended his hand, and…did the Russian accent come back again?
“Likewise, happy birthday!” Ari was always so polite and genuine; he looked truly happy to be out and celebrating the birthday of a man he didn’t know.
“Thank you. Let’s get drinks; grab your seats. Hello, Carly.”
But Carly shot him a big fake smile with a curt ‘happy birthday.’ She didn’t like him. I knew that. They had only met a few times, but there was always a strain, for no obvious reason.
It was hard for her to hide how much she disapproved of Kirill, even though she encouraged me to take a chance on him. I suspected that Viv had blabbed to Carly about the true nature of Kirill’s work, and Carly probably saw that as the biggest sin on the planet.
Kirill, of course, looked nothing like the expected Bratva crime boss, which seemed to irk Carly even more.
A few months ago, at our girl’s brunch, she made a comment about how dedicated Kirill was to wearing the finest clothes, as if trying to mask something.
I didn’t react outwardly, although it ripped open a massive hole of resentment inside me.
Especially considering that Ari’s polished appearance wasn’t any different, yet she never seemed to find fault in him.
But when it came to someone I loved, she had no problem picking him apart.
“He’s rich as fuck, Carly. Let the man enjoy his Rolex and shit.
” Viv would always come to my defense with a vicious eye roll, but Carly was clearly bothered by how Kirill walked through life in his expensive shoes, having earned his money solely outside the law.
In a way, it made sense; she was a lawyer and loved her job and everything it represented.
Nonetheless, the entire afternoon turned out to be surprisingly lighthearted and easy. The conversation flowed along with the drinks, but Kirill’s hand was glued to my thigh the entire time, his happy energy passing to me. Fuck, I was so in love with him.
I’d never wanted attention until I received a dose of his. Now, I was a fucking addict. Him, his eyes, his lips, his words, his love, his energy, his care, his everything. I wanted it all.
But with everything he was…came a very dark side. A dark side that greeted me full force in our kitchen late at night.