“Sit,” he orders gruffly, at the same time pulling me a chair like a perfect gentleman. Grumpy psycho.
I roll my eyes, huffing, but still sit. Your girl is hungry!
He takes the chair across from mine, and we eat in silence for a few minutes… until I can’t take it anymore.
“So, Bratva, huh?”
He shakes his head, that small, amused smile returning. “Yeah.”
“And you’re the Pakhan?” He hums, nodding. I take a bite of bread, and my eyes close with bliss. “Oh my God, this is delicious!” Zak chuckles, watching me stuff my face. Everything is freaking amazing. Like gourmet-level, freshly prepared comfort food. I close my eyes on a moan, and when I open them, he’s watching me. Staring. At my mouth… Uh-oh. I clear my throat. “So how exactly does one become a Bratva boss?”
He huffs out a small laugh, like he knows exactly what I’m doing, but is giving me the grace not to address it. “You’re born into it. Or you earn it.”
I tilt my head, my curiosity piqued. “Oh, and which one are you?”
“Both.”
My eyes go up to the ceiling. “Of course.”
He smirks, looking so freaking handsome, I want to climb over the table and into his lap. God, Nadia!
“What about you?” he asks.
“What about me?”
“What do you do?”
“Oh, I’m a nurse.”
His eyebrows lift. “Really?”
“Yeah, I work at a clinic in North Shore.” I take another sip of the amazing soup, paired with a bite of the delicious bread.
“That why you were so calm when you saw me bleeding?”
I look up from my plate, pointing my spoon at his face. “Dude, I was not calm. I was freaking out.”
His grin widens; he looks… proud? “Not really.”
I shrug and bring my attention back to my meal. The next time I look up, I see he’s watching me again. I quickly look away and focus on my soup.
We finish eating in silence until Maria returns to clear the table.
Then it’s just us again. And the bed…
Zak stands and starts unbuttoning his shirt.
My eyes widen. “Whoa. What are you doing?”
He gives me a puzzled frown. “Getting ready for bed.”
“Can you not do that in front of me?”
“Why?” he looks confused.
“Because!” I let out agitatedly, gesturing at ALL that’s him like a freaking maniac.
He smirks again. His long, strong fingers still working the buttons open. One. By. One. I swallow. Hard. Hypnotized by every inch of tatted, golden skin being revealed. Until I shake myself, turn around, and stomp to the window, resolutely keeping my gaze on the starry sky. I hear fabric rustling, the only sound filling the room, competing with my loud heartbeat.
