Chapter 42

Chapter

Forty-Two

"From a little spark may burst a flame."

― Dante Alighieri

Sofiya

No. It couldn't be him.

My heart raced as I spun around, hesitation in my step.

There he was, in a sharp Prada suit, no tie, hair pulled back in a man bun, and a hint of stubble on his cheeks.

His piercing eyes locked onto mine, an intense silence settling between us.

He is here.

Mikha?l's here.

The atmosphere crackled with tension as I felt every part of me pulsate under his gaze, but I couldn't look away.

His impassive expression, the slight purse of his lips, and the prominent vein on his neck held me completely captivated. My eyes roamed over his broad shoulders, strong arms, and that chest I had once longed to touch—and still did.

Memories flooded my mind of running my fingers through his dark hair and sitting on those muscular thighs.

He looked even more attractive than he did the day I left him, months ago.

Bittersweet memories surged back, overwhelming me with emotions.

I had tried desperately to forget him, to move on, but seeing him again; my heart couldn't take it.

Like Adam and Eve, I was torn by the irresistible urge to bite into my forbidden fruit.

But a strong gut feeling warned me that getting involved with him again would lead to trouble.

Mikha?l's here.

I almost can't believe it.

"Look at you," Mikha?l whispered softly. "You are breathtaking, Sofiya."

My heart pounded in my chest.

I wanted to say something, anything, but the words remained lodged in my throat.

As he moved nearer, I couldn't stop myself from instinctively stepping back, my back against the edge of my desk.

But he kept coming closer, closing the gap between us.

His eyes locked onto mine, intense and weighty. He always had this knack for making me feel both valued and vulnerable, like he could peer right into my soul.

"You look like a fucking Goddess, Sofiya. You're so beautiful, you look unreal."

A blush spread across my cheeks, my body beginning to tremble .

"You have no idea how much I've missed you, baby. These past hundred and twelve days without you felt like an eternity."

A hundred and twelve days.

His words hit me hard, tugging at my heart, and a lump formed in my throat.

All I wanted was to tell him how much I missed him too.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my hands gripping the edges of my desk to steady myself.

"Why do you think?"

I stayed silent, unsure of what to say.

"Come on. Why do you think I'm here?"

I hesitated. "For business?"

He burst into laughter, his shoulders shaking with amusement…. or bitterness?

Taking one final step, he came to a stop right in front of me.

Even in my high heels, I had to raise my face to meet his eyes.

His beautiful dark eyes that I love so much.

Being near him again after months stirred a swarm of butterflies in my stomach. I let my eyes roam over his face, taking in the high cheekbones adorned with faint freckles, his full and soft pink lips, and those thick eyebrows that had always fascinated me. Soft purple shadows lingered under his eyes, evidence of his sleepless nights.

I guess we are both sleep deprived.

For a brief moment, I caught a hint of hesitation in his eyes, but it vanished.

If I were to lay my head on his chest, I knew I would feel his heart beating rapidly, echoing the frantic rhythm of my own.

"No, Sofiya. I'm here for you . "

I couldn't help but exhale a breath I hadn't even realized I was holding.

I crossed my arms defiantly, refusing to fall into his trap. "You're going to kidnap me again or maybe throw me in another lake?"

He smiled softly. "We need to cure your PTSD, baby, and I've got just the remedy."

"The only thing that would help is if you disappeared from my life entirely."

My chest weighed down as the words left my lips, but it was too late now.

So I stood my ground, barely an inch between us.

He winced, but his eyes softened as tears formed in mine.

"I tried, dorogaya ," he muttered. His touch was gentle as he brushed a finger across my cheek, then grasped my chin. "But clearly, I failed miserably."

I wished he would stop talking and quash the hope in my heart that things could work out between us. But I knew anyway that too many obstacles stood in our way, making it impossible for me to move on easily.

"Where is Helena?"

Alexsei sometimes tells me about my mom, how she's doing and where she's living now. He even gave me her phone number, but I haven't had the courage to call her, even though I miss her like crazy.

He let go of my chin and turned to face the window.

"In Moscow. I let her teach in a primary school, but she can't leave the country anymore, or else…" He trailed off.

"Or else what?"

"You already know."

Or else she's dead.

I sighed. "I see."

"I kept my last promise to you, Sofiya ," he continued, slipping his hands into his pockets. "I promised to protect her. So, don't worry about her."

"Why did you ask Alexsei to babysit me?"

A fleeting hint of amusement danced at the corner of his lips before he wiped it away with the back of his hand.

My brows furrowed. "I don't need him or you to live my life."

If only that was true.

I turned out to be a much bigger liar than I had ever realized.

"I know, but I do," he replied, stepping closer to me.

I shook my head, my lips quivering.

The room felt unusually cold.

"I need you, Sofiya," he whispered.

"Stop…"

"My life is a living hell without you," he continued, moving closer. "I can't eat, sleep, or focus on anything without thoughts of you consuming my mind. Your scent lingers everywhere, your voice fills my dreams, and memories of your smiles are the only things that light up my days."

His confession seemed to hurt him deeply, and all I wanted was to rush into his arms. Despite everything, my love for him was undeniable, and I couldn't bear to see him suffer, especially because of me.

"What happened to Marina?" I asked, trying to change the subject and buy time to process everything.

"She's gone."

"Gone?"

His words sent chills down my arms.

I felt guilty, wondering if I was somehow to blame for her downfall.

But another part of me felt relieved; she had nearly killed me, and now she was out of my life .

For months, I'd been living in fear that she would track me down in New York and finish me off for good.

He nodded. "I will kill anyone who hurts you."

I gulped, knowing he meant every word.

Minutes passed as we sized each other up until he closed the gap between us, standing even closer.

I briefly entertained the idea of reaching up to kiss him but pushed it aside.

Suddenly, my thoughts halted as he pressed the cold barrel of his gun against my stomach.

My heart pounded, and I looked down in shock, seeing his hands tremble slightly.

Fear gripped me, and I froze.

"Don't kill me," I whispered, trembling.

"Please," he whispered back, vulnerable. "Take it."

I shook my head vigorously, unable to comprehend.

"Please, dorogaya . I'd rather endure this pain than live another day without you."

"But you told me to leave," I cried, tears streaming down my cheeks, ruining Jade's hours of makeup work. "I didn't want to go! I didn't want to rebuild my life without you, but you forced me to, Volk."

"I know," he said softly, placing the gun in my hand and closing my fingers around it. "You can build a beautiful life without me, but I can't, because you're the only beautiful thing in mine."

I sniffed loudly, trying to steady my trembling breath, and glanced down at our intertwined hands.

His rough grip against my softness sent shivers down my spine.

We were opposites in many ways, yet strangely alike in others.

Now, it seemed, this would be the tragic end to our twiste d tale.

With a gun between us, our eyes locked in a mix of sorrow and unattainable hope.

Even facing death, our souls yearned to be together.

In that moment, I knew I had to be brave—for myself, for him, for what remained of my shattered dreams.

My fingers tightened around the gun, its cold metal pressed against his chest where his heartbeat pulsed.

Drawing in a shaky breath, summoning all my courage, I rose onto my tiptoes and brushed my lips against his.

"I lied," I whispered, my voice barely reaching him. "I need you too."

With determination, I released my grip on the gun, letting it thud to the office floor.

Without a second thought, I kissed him passionately, my hands finding his face as he lifted me in his arms.

Wrapping my legs around his waist, I pulled him closer.

The kiss was electric, our lips crashing together with wild heat.

He then nibbled on my lip before our tongues danced together.

"Fuck me, now."

His lips left mine, trailing hot kisses down my neck.

A devilish smile played on his lips as he bit down hard on my skin.

"Don't boss me around."

I bit my lip, anticipation building as he gently placed me on my desk, sweeping everything aside.

"If you don't fuck me right now , I'll call out for Alexsei. I heard he's quite skilled at-"

Before I could finish, he gripped my throat tight, eyes burning.

"I'm going to fuck you so hard for that."

I couldn't wait.

I arched a brow in defiance.

His eyes fell on my dress, and I already knew what he was going to do next.

"Don't you dare tear my dress," I warned, knowing deep down that challenging Mikha?l was a dangerous game.

But he never complied with demands.

With both hands, he ripped my dress, exposing my bare chest to the cool air.

A shiver of excitement ran down my spine, and my nipples hardened in response.

Now, I stood before him in just a crème thong, legs slightly parted, revealing the wetness between my thighs.

"It was Eli Saab, it cost at least six grand," I whined.

He scoffed. "Only?"

I rolled my eyes, knowing arguing over the dress was pointless.

I guess money doesn't matter when you're the freaking king of Russia.

I gasped as he grabbed my breasts firmly, the sensation electrifying every nerve in my body.

"Fuck, I missed these and this," he breathed, his hands moving to cup me between my legs.

My hands gripped his thick arms as I propped myself up, eager to take control. I captured his mouth again, and he deepened the kiss, matching my fervor. As our kiss grew hotter, I felt him push my thong aside. His fingers found my clit, and I moaned into his mouth, his touch sending shivers through me.

"So wet," he whispered against my lips.

He stopped kissing me, his eyes locking with mine as he knelt between my legs. My breath hitched as he slid my thong away then, with urgency, he parted my thighs wide, his strong hands holding me firmly.

The wait was unbearable, and I bit my lip, gripping the edges of the desk tighter.

"Look at you," he whispered, his nose brushing against my clit as he inhaled deeply. "So fucking wet, waiting for my cock."

I nodded eagerly, a throaty moan escaping as I arched my back, seeking more of his touch.

"I want to take a picture of you, just like this. So I can look at it every second of the day."

"Please, Volk," I begged, my voice filled with need. "Please, touch me."

He stopped suddenly. "What's my name?"

I paused, confused, then saw the pain in his eyes and understood. I'd been calling him Volk, keeping a distance between us, treating him like he wasn't the man who meant everything to me.

"Mikha?l," I breathed out.

"Good girl," he smirked, his fingers tracing my inner thighs. "Do you know how many times I've pictured you while jerking off these past hundred and twelve days?"

I shook my head, heart pounding.

"Every single night."

My heart bloomed.

I couldn't wait any longer. I pushed his head closer to my clit.

He chuckled darkly. "Impatient, aren't you?"

Just as I was about to beg again, his tongue trailed from bottom to top, making me moan.

I grabbed his head, guiding him where I needed him.

His tongue worked my clit, circling and sucking. My climax built, legs trembling .

Desperate, I dug my nails into his scalp. "Oh, please, don't stop! I'm-"

He cut me off by thrusting two fingers into my wet entrance.

I gasped, my body clenching around him as my orgasm hit.

The pleasure washed over me, and I couldn't hold back his name.

I laid back, legs still on his shoulders as he continued, his tongue working wonders on my sensitive skin. I closed my eyes and hummed as he kissed up my inner thighs, tummy, and chest, sucking a nipple hard.

"That was fast," he kissed between my breasts.

"You're rude," I chuckled, cheeks flushing.

I wrapped my legs around his hips, pulling him closer. His erection pressed against me, and I couldn't resist grinding against him, feeling him grow even harder.

Sex had always sounded strange to me.

The idea that two bodies could find comfort and release in each other seemed almost unfathomable. But now, as he lay on top of me, his eyes locked onto mine, his hands exploring every inch of my skin, his heart pressed against mine, nothing felt as special as this intimate connection.

In that moment, everything else faded away, and it was just the two of us.

In his arms, I felt safe, cherished, and desired.

"I'm not done with you yet," he whispered, nibbling on my ear before scooping me up and carrying me to the window.

"Stop," I gasped, hiding in the crook of his neck. "People might see us!"

"Only if the lights are on, dorogaya ."

I lifted my head to check .

The room glowed softly with streetlights filtering through the window, revealing the road below from my sixth-floor office. I still wondered if anyone might glimpse us against the glass, the thought of being seen added a thrill.

Gosh, this man has really messed up my brain.

As his lips found mine again, I forgot about everything else and surrendered to him.

He dropped me to the floor, my high heels still on, and turned me around, pressing me against the window.

My breasts were against the glass, my face turned to the side as he knelt down, opening my legs and licking me from behind.

"Fuck, you taste so good. I can't get enough."

I moaned loudly, gripping the window frame for support as he ravished me.

I heard him open his trousers, and without hesitation, I turned around and dropped to my knees, eager to have him in my mouth.

He gently cupped my face, running his fingers through my hair, admiring me.

"You've never belonged to me more than you do right," he whispered, his thumb gently caressing my lower lip as I teasingly licked it. "Open your mouth."

Without hesitation, I eagerly took him into my mouth. He groaned softly as I began to move, my lips and tongue working together to pleasure him. His arousal on my tongue only fueled my own desire, and his hands gripped my hair as I continued, deepening and quickening my movements.

After a few strokes to catch my breath, I licked him from base to tip, circling his tip with my tongue.

"You're so … thick," I whispered, taking him deep until I choked slightly.

"You love my cock, don't you?" He pulled back, teasingly tappin g his erection against my tongue. "Such a good little slut."

I chuckled, taking his dick in my hand as my lips traveled down to his balls, and I started to suck on them.

"Fuck," he groaned, throwing his head back. "You're so good at that, baby."

I took his cock back into my mouth, and he started fucking my mouth vigorously, his hands gripped my head firmly, positioning it just the way he wanted.

I held onto his thighs for support as he pounded my mouth relentlessly, barely giving me time to catch my breath. He hit the back of my throat repeatedly, making me choke a few times.

With each forceful thrust, my breasts jiggled, and the pleasure was so overwhelming that I could swear I could climax just from this alone.

"I m-missed you so much," he whimpered as my hands tightened on his thighs.

I continued to pleasure him, but he suddenly pulled his cock out with a pop.

The ache of desire still throbbed between my legs, and I looked up at him with disappointment.

He smiled down at me. "I want to come in your pussy, not your mouth."

With that, he lifted me up effortlessly and turned me around, pressing me against the window again. My bare chest pressed against the cool glass, the coldness contrasting with the heat of my skin.

He wasted no time thrusting into me from behind, and a gasp escaped my lips as he filled me completely.

He held onto my hips, his grip firm and possessive, and he began to fuck me with a steady rhythm that drove me wild .

I arched my back, pushing back against him.

"You like that, huh? Being fucked like a whore for the world to see," he said, his hand smacking my ass while the other gripped the back of my hair. "Anyone could walk in, but you don't care, do you?" I shook my head, my breath hitching as I tried to hold onto something, anything, to keep from losing myself. It felt like I was on the verge of fainting. He slapped my ass again. "Answer me."

"I-I don't care," I moaned loudly, unable to control myself any longer. "As long as you keep fucking me, they can watch."

He chuckled darkly. "That's my girl."

Outside, the city lights continued to illuminate the streets, and I couldn't shake the thought of whether anyone might be watching us.

Yet, in that moment, all that mattered was the man behind me, making me feel alive like never before.

"Don't worry, dorogaya ," he whispered against my ear. "You're mine, and I'd take down anyone who ever laid eyes on what's mine."

Mine.

I felt my climax approaching rapidly, my legs almost giving out, but he held me steady, supporting me with each thrust.

"I'm gonna come inside you. You're gonna take every fucking drop of me, understood?"

Struggling to collect my thoughts, I nodded while biting down on my arm.

With a final deep thrust, he filled me up, his firm grip on my ass and his whispered words pushing me over the edge.

I trembled in his arms as my orgasm hit me hard, our bodies pressed together.

After we both caught our breath, he gently turned me around and pulled me into his arms. I could feel his heartbeat against my chest, matching the rhythm of mine.

"That was fucking amazing," he murmured, pressing a soft kiss on my lips. " Ty neveroyatnyy. You're amazing. "

As his warm release leaked down my leg, panic washed over me.

I was completely naked with no clothes to wear home.

My office was in disarray, and everyone would probably know that I had unprotected, extramarital sex at work, where my boss could barge in at any moment.

"Mikha?l," I whispered, pulling away slightly. "I don't have any clothes to wear. What am I going to do?"

He chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Don't worry. I've got you."

He quickly sent a text, and within minutes, there was a knock on the door. He retrieved a bag, presumably from one of his men, containing a long silk knit Prada dress and a warm jacket.

"Put these on," he said with a reassuring smile. "I bought them for you in Moscow."

My eyes widened. "Oh. Thank you."

Feeling embarrassed, I quickly dressed.

I couldn't believe I had forgotten about the practicalities.

I could get fired for this.

Once dressed, he wrapped his arm around me protectively and led me out of the office to the dimly lit hallway where Dve waited.

I averted my eyes, feeling my cheeks flush.

Did he hear us? Was he outside the whole time?

As we headed to the emergency exit, I heard jazz music from the exhibit and smiled, hoping people were still having fun.

Stepping outside, the chilly night air hit me, and I huddle d closer to Mikha?l. He opened the door of a black SUV, and we slipped into the backseat, our bodies pressed together in the confined space.

"I'll take you to my place," he said softly, kissing my forehead. "You can stay with me tonight, and I'll get you home in the morning."

"You have a place in New York?" I asked, confused.

He smirked and kissed my lips. " Da. "

"I'd like to go home, please," I said, lowering my head. "I'm tired."

After everything tonight, I needed space to think.

" Nyet. "

I swallowed hard. "Please. I can't just forget everything and fall back into your arms like nothing happened."

"You did it ten minutes ago."

I sighed, burying my head in my hands. "Don't make me regret that too."

His jaw clenched, and I saw a flicker of hurt in his eyes. "We can work through this together ."

I shook my head. "I need time to process everything. I need to figure out what I want, and if we can even have a future together."

"Don't push me away, Sofiya."

"I'm not," I said, my voice trembling.

He let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair. "How much more space do you need? It's been months since we last saw each other. Haven't you had enough time already?"

Tears welled up in my eyes. "It's not that simple, Volk."

"Volk, huh?" He looked away, jaw tight.

Despite Dave's presence making our argument more awkward, I reached for Mikha?l's hand, but he pulled it away.

"You said you needed me," he murmured, barely audible .

The pain in his words cut deep, as if he feared being left behind or not being enough for me.

We were so similar, yet so broken.

"I do need you, Mikha?l, but I can't just use you to fill an empty space in my heart," I admitted, my voice trembling with honesty.

His brows furrowed. "So, you need me, but you don't want me?"

"That's not what I meant," I rushed to explain, but he didn't let me finish.

"Go to Sofiya's apartment," he ordered Dve sharply. "Make it fast."

Silence filled the car as Dve drove through the city streets, and I couldn't help but feel the weight of unresolved emotions hanging in the air.

I kept stealing glances at Mikha?l, his profile illuminated by the passing streetlights.

He looked so painfully beautiful. So painfully mine.

My heart ached to touch him, to feel the warmth of his skin against mine, but I knew I needed this space to sort through my thoughts.

I needed to be sure he loved me as much as I loved him.