Page 31 of Bossed Around By the Bratva

“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.

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