Page 28 of Baby for the Bratva King

“I don’t preach.”

“No,” says Saskia, shaking her head. “You’re right. Other people do that for you, and the money goes straight to your bank.”

I narrow my eyes down on her. “I’m afraid you’re trying to change the conversation here.” I push away from the window ledge, approaching her. Her feminine scent draws me in, so much that I’m all but a centimeter away from touching her face. “I know how you felt in that shower. I think I took your virginity.”

She exhales a steadying breath, trying to gather her composure again.

No point doing that. She’ll be losing it again in a few moments.

“You can pluck a flower and expect it to grow back. You can spend money and always make more. But virginity is different. Once innocence has been taken, it cannot be restored.” I watch her closely. “You let me ruin you, sweetheart.” I catch her gaze. “That explains why you were always so avoidant around me, running away when we were in the same room, saying you had somewhere else to be. How many times has this finger been inside of your pussy since you started working here?” I glide my finger over hers, comparing the sizes. “You were scared to be ruined, and yet you fantasized about it anyway.” I rise back to full height, admiring her from a different angle. She looks small on my bed, perhaps even a little hopeless. “Desire is the strongest emotion a human being can feel, and you’re still fighting the forces.”

“I’m not fighting.”

“Then why are you still in denial, ignoring me after being ruined?” I tilt my head to the side, watching her. “Are you afraid of being ruined again?”

Saskia decides to make that question rhetorical. It’s like drawing blood from a stone.

I step back, glancing outside. The sky is dull, clouds hanging over the city.

“You’re quite the mystery.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“One minute you’re acting coy, the next minute you’re on a pole wearing basically nothing.”

“I wear adhesive, so the strings stay in place, if that makes you feel any better.”

“This is serious, Saskia.”

“Yes, it is. Finally, something is worth your attention.” She arches her brow at me. “Why is that?”

“Because this city is a dangerous place.”

“I agree, which is why I make my own rules.”

“Indeed, you do, but these rules could get you in trouble, sweetheart.”

“I think you’ll find you got me in trouble last night.” Saskia presses her lips together, trying to look pissed, but her soft, feminine features don’t quite twist that way. “My face is all over the internet, or rather, my ass.”

“Well aware.” I grind my jaw, shoving my hands into my pants.

Saskia takes note of my reaction. “This bothers you.”

“Internet discourse is none of my business.”

“And yet this is,” says Saskia, watching me closely. “You gave people something to talk about because you were more concerned about me getting naked.”

“You don’t need to be naked. You were already a problem up there.”

“Right,” says Saskia. “And when there’s a problem, you must solve it.” Saskia sits back. “I’m not yours to worry about.”

“I think you’ll find you are, sweetheart, while you’re under my employment.”

Thirteen thousand a week to keep her away from the clubs is still a fine deal. I would’ve stretched to fucking thirty. Money doesn’t seem to have a limit when it comes to her.

Sun breaks through the clouds, streaming in through the window, landing on her face. Her eyes come alive, a fire starting in her eyes. And I want to keep that fire burning more than anything, even if it starts destroying things.

“Some things are worth ruining yourself for.”