Chapter 7 - Jenna

Was I in the middle of a daydream? No, my boss just asked me to go to dinner with him. I was actually stunned into silence and could only stare at him, as if I was hypnotized by his slightly mischievous smile and those blue eyes that were staring right back at me.

"Have dinner with me," he repeated.

No, I didn't imagine it. I still couldn't understand what was going on, because for an entire week, he didn't seem to remember that we'd ever met, and had been ignoring me that whole time, and now he was asking me out. It just plain didn't make sense, unless I was daydreaming. Which I wasn't.

"Why?" I finally blurted, lost for any other words.

He laughed. "I have it on good authority from my HR department that today is your birthday." When I nodded, still not getting it, he continued. "I treat all my employees to a meal on their birthday."

There was a tiny, brief moment of disappointment, followed by a rush of embarrassment that I ever thought he was actually asking me out. Even if he did remember me from the coffee shop, I was an intern in his highly successful and prestigious lobbying firm. He'd never be interested in me. Still, I couldn't believe my good luck. A chance to pick his brain, maybe get to learn something about the inner workings of the business.

"Okay, that sounds great," I said, thinking we would grab something now.

After all, it was the end of my work day, and since I didn't have an evening class, this was an extra treat. No lonely ramen in the apartment, but a real meal with an intriguing man.

Whoa, there, it's just something he does for everyone in the office. Don't get too worked up.

"Good," he said, making no move to get up. "I'll pick you up at eight."

"Tonight?" I squeaked. "Um, I mean, sure. That works."

At that point, I would have canceled everything, even life-saving surgery. I was definitely getting too worked up. He assured me he had my address from my employee file when I clumsily tried to give it to him, and I left with flaming cheeks.

Bursting with excitement that there was no use trying to rein in, I headed straight to Brooke's boutique. I didn't know where Mr. Volkov would be taking me, but my nice suit didn't seem appropriate for dinner anywhere at that hour, and all my other clothes were years old. I was cursing myself for being so stubborn to have left all those beautiful outfits from Katie behind, but I never would have felt right wearing them. Not even to impress my boss.

Brooke was almost done with her shift and was happy to stay and help me pick something, insisting on not only using her discount but paying for half of whatever I chose as her birthday present to me. We had planned to celebrate my twentieth on Sunday afternoon when we both had open schedules, so I told her I'd accept only if she didn't also insist on paying for our lunch that day.

She worked her fingers to the bone to make a life for herself, with no help from any family since she aged out of the foster system. Despite that, she was one of the most generous people I knew, and I was so grateful we met as roommates on our first day at Berkeley, both of us were scared out of our wits but looking forward to the future. She was the only reason I hadn't ditched the apartment. Even though my half was paid for with Bratva money, I didn't want her to be left high and dry. If I got hired at the boutique and found one more part-time job, we might just be able to renew the lease.

We found the perfect outfit, a simple but elegant green dress that made my hazel eyes pop. It was more than I could afford, but with the discount and Brooke's birthday offer, I took it home with me. The manager told me she was trying to work out a new schedule for the upcoming month and would try to find me a shift or two.

I was buzzing as Brooke and I left the shop. A new dress, a dinner non-date with my boss, job prospects, and the best friend in the world. What more could I ask for on my birthday? Brooke had a study session, so we parted ways at the bus stop.

"Good luck on your date," she called, before heading to the parking garage to retrieve her car.

"It's not a date," I laughed. She gave me a knowing grin since I'd gushed about how handsome Mr. Volkov was a time or two since starting the internship.

It didn't seem like he remembered me though, and hadn't said more than six words to me, but it didn't stop me from developing a tiny crush on him. Just something to pass the time during the endless grunt work Theo piled on me.

While I got ready that evening, Katie called to check in like she normally did. She was being diligent about pretending everything was normal. I asked her how she was since she was starting her last trimester and I wasn't an uncaring monster, then got rid of her to concentrate on looking my best. Guilt reared its ugly head, as well as the anger I couldn't quite kick at her deception. I shoved it all aside and dragged out my ancient curling iron, which I hadn't used in almost a year.

When I hurried down to the sidewalk at eight on the dot, I was surprised to see that Mr. Volkov had arrived in a chauffeured car, but he acted like it was no big deal. This couldn't possibly be just for me. He was clearly rich, so probably had a chauffeur all the time. My jaw dropped again when we rolled up in front of one of the fanciest places in San Francisco, a high-end seafood place with a stunning view of the bay.

I had imagined something nice, but nowhere near this decadent. This place was out of my reach and when we entered, my stomach growled at the delicious scents wafting from the other diners' plates and from the kitchen.

"Seafood is my absolute favorite," I said. "Thank you, Mr. Volkov."

He grinned at me as we were whisked to a secluded table as soon as we walked in the door. "Looks like I made a good guess, then," he said with another smile that had me melting. "And you have to call me Lev."

"Well, if I have to. You're the boss." Oh my God, I had to stop trying to flirt. My cheeks burned as I sat down, and it got worse when the wine steward came around, and I had to admit that I was only twenty.

"I wasn't interested in drinking tonight anyway," Lev said, waving him away. He turned to me, his intense eyes seeming to see my very thoughts, which didn't do anything to make my blush subside. "So you don't mind spending your birthday with an old man, do you?"

I frowned even though he was joking, not liking that he noticed our age difference. Of course, it was obvious, but I wished it wouldn't matter to him.

"I don't care about things like that," I said. "Age is just a number. It's what's inside that counts. And I don't view you as old."

It wasn't like I could admit my secret crush, or that he was exactly my type. Not just his looks, because plenty of hot young guys had tried to hit on me before. It was his aura of confidence and his success, which I was sure was down to how dedicated and hardworking he was. He was the perfect man, mature and worldly. And yes, scorching hot.

He ordered appetizers, seeming to know all my favorites, and then put his chin in his hand, staring at me across the small table. "Tell me why you wanted to work in a lobbying firm," he asked.

Right. Job. Boss. This was a treat for an employee, nothing more. I told him all about my love of politics, laughing when he winced. "Nobody admits to loving politics, do they?" I asked. "I guess I love the whole process. I'd love to run for office one day and see if I can stick to my ideals throughout an entire career."

"They do seem to always lose their way, don't they?"

I nodded vigorously, pleased he was treating me like a peer almost, and not making fun of my inexperience. "I guess the lure of the money is too much for most people."

I paused as pain struck my heart. Even people like my sister. She'd say it was love that changed her feelings, but I couldn't see it that way.

"I'm sure companies like mine have a lot to do with it," he said.

Was he baiting me to say something bad about the industry? It seemed like he was really musing over the complexity of the whole system.

I shrugged. "It doesn't have to. Sometimes, sure, but for smaller issues, it's important to get them heard at a level where real change can be made."

I was breathless when he nodded. "You've given it a lot of thought. That's impressive. I wondered if you were just in it for the class credit."

"That too," I admitted, cracking him up.

His laugh was infectious, and our conversation continued to flow effortlessly through all three courses until I was stuffed with food, but still hungry for more time with him. It wasn't all business talk. Mr. Volkov—Lev—had a funny side and kept me laughing. Nothing was forced and he never once acted like he was just waiting for his obligation to be over with. I didn't want the downright magical evening to ever end.

But this wasn't a date. Just something routine he did for all his employees because he was kind and generous, as well as the already endless list of good traits I'd discovered about him. It wasn't a date, but I wished it was by the time the driver rolled up in front of my building.

It was past eleven, but it seemed like we'd been together only minutes. The weekend was going to drag by until I got to see him in the office again.

"Let me walk you up," he said, getting out of the car with me.

My skin tingled as he placed his hand lightly on the small of my back as he let me go ahead of him into the elevator. I held my breath up the five flights, waiting for him to do it again on the way out, wilting with disappointment when he didn't.

At my door, I wondered if I should invite him in. My heart was thudding, and I didn't have a clue what to do. Simple goodbye and slip inside or ask if he'd like some coffee? Did we even have any coffee left? Why would he want to come in anyway? But why had he walked all the way up here in the first place? On top of my turmoil, Brooke probably had her ear pressed to the door, listening in. I was burning up when he put one hand on my arm and realized I'd been standing there like a dolt, unable to make a decision.

"Jenna, I have a confession to make," Lev said, looking down at me from his towering height. Not so far away that I didn't get lost in his eyes, though.

"Oh?" I squeaked. "What is it?"

A smile curled his lips. "I don't take all my employees out to dinner on their birthday. I used yours as an excuse."

It seemed like my heart had already been beating at maximum, but it pounded faster. "Why?"

He shook his head. "Isn't it obvious?" he asked, tugging me closer, so I had to tilt my head back to keep looking at him.

The next thing I knew, those lips I'd been watching all night were meeting mine. Soft, yet strong, with his hands sliding up my arms, I melted against his firm chest. His fingers traced further up my neck to tangle into my hair, pulling my head back more. I was transported by the feel of his hands and mouth, and tried to stay rooted to the earth. But he had me soaring, and wanting more.

I parted my lips with a sigh, and he ran his tongue along the seam, gently invading my mouth. I remembered I had hands of my own and gripped his jacket's lapels to pull myself closer to him.

I had my first kiss in tenth grade. This was nothing like that. If it had been like this, I probably wouldn't still be a virgin. I splayed out my fingers, feeling the heat of his chest against my palms, then gripped again as my knees started to go weak. Lev's amazing kiss actually made my legs go weak.

He slowly pulled away, and my eyes fluttered open. I saw him smiling down at me. He traced my hair behind my ear and trailed his finger back down the side of my neck. It was only when he took a step back that I unlatched my grasp on his jacket.

His smile turned mischievous. "Jenna?" he said. The sound of my name coming out of those lips that had turned me to jelly sent a thrill straight through me.

"Yes?" I whispered.

"I can't give you special treatment in the office."

With that, he rounded the corner to the elevator, leaving me in a stupor, about to melt into a puddle on the floor.