Chapter 13 - Vladimir
I step into the dimly lit bar we chose for tonight’s test, my eyes sweeping the room with practiced efficiency. No familiar faces. Good. I choose a secluded corner booth, sliding onto the worn leather seat as I order my usual vodka neat.
The amber liquid burns a familiar path down my throat as I take a sip, my mind already drifting to thoughts of Sofia. I smile as I imagine how exactly tonight might unfold. It’ll be fun to see her attempts at seduction. Little does she know this whole plan serves no purpose.
Consider me seduced from the moment I first laid eyes on her.
The door swings open with a creak, drawing my attention. A striking brunette saunters in, wearing a tight golden sequined dress that is not only cut dangerously low but gathers tight at her small waist and ends just below the knees. It leaves little to the imagination, and yet, oh so much. She’s wearing bangles and long earrings, and her hair is swept over on one side, highlighting a perfect cheekbone on the other.
I see heads turn. My gaze lingers, appreciating the sway of her hips in those glittery high heels and the confidence in her stride. In another life, I would have certainly been interested.
But now, I’ve got eyes for just one.
I scan the room again, searching for a glimpse of pin-straight blonde hair or flashing green eyes. Nothing. Where is she? Punctuality has always been one of Sofia's strengths. Her tardiness is… unsettling.
My fingers drum against the sticky tabletop as I check my watch for the third time in as many minutes. The ice in my glass clinks as I take another sip, the burn doing little to ease the tension coiling in my gut.
"Come on, Sofia," I growl under my breath. "Where are you?"
Has something happened? Should I be worried? The protective instinct that's been growing since I met her flares to life, urging me to action.
Or maybe, a tiny voice says. This is her move. By making me wait, she’s getting me eager, weakening me for when I finally see her. If that’s the case, she’s already winning the game.
Impressive move, I think to myself.
The brunette glides toward the bar and curves her body over it, extending one slim arm to call for the attention of the waiter. She then settles onto the stool beside me and extends her legs out before her, gracefully locking one ankle over the other and I catch a whiff of her perfume—a heady, intoxicating scent that's both familiar and new.
"Vodka, neat," she orders, her voice low and husky.
My heart lurches. That voice. I'd know it anywhere, even if it's pitched differently tonight. I turn my body toward her, unable to hide my shock as I take in the sight before me.
"Sofia?" I breathe, my eyes widening as I struggle to reconcile the person in front of me with the woman I married.
She turns to face me and gives me a wink, a smirk playing on ruby-red lips that I've never seen so boldly painted. "Hello, Vladimir," she purrs, her green eyes sparkling with mischief beneath the dark wig.
I fight to regain my composure, plastering on a teasing smirk to mask my surprise. "Well, well. Aren't you full of surprises?" I drawl, letting my gaze roam over her disguise. "I have to say, I'm impressed. I wouldn’t have recognized you.”
Sofia leans in, her breath warm against my ear as she whispers, "What gave me away, handsome?"
I struggle to maintain my usual aloof demeanor as Sofia's boldness catches me off guard. I clench my fist, resisting the urge to reach out and touch her, to confirm that this seductive creature is really my Sofia.
"Your voice," I manage, my voice rougher than I'd like. "Though I have to wonder why you felt the need for such… elaborate measures."
"Elaborate measures?" she counters, arching an eyebrow. "I thought you'd appreciate a woman who knows how to blend in. Isn't that what you taught me?"
The way she says taught is slow, tantalizing, suggestive, and lights a fire in my blood.
“Oh,” I murmur, leaning in until my lips brush against her ear. I feel her shiver and wonder if my touch truly affects her or if it’s all a part of her game. “I could teach you a lot more. But playing with fire might get you burned.”
She tilts her head back slightly, a challenging glint in her eyes as she meets my gaze. "Maybe I like the heat," she retorts softly, her fingers grazing my hand, which rests on the bar.
The touch sends a jolt through me, and I have to resist the urge to grab her hand and pull her closer. Instead, I see her lift her glass to her lips, innocently sipping on her vodka.
Did she mean to graze my hand, or was it an accident?
Damn it, she’s playing me, and she’s playing me fucking well.
I watch her out of the corner of my eye, feeling the air between us crackle with unspoken tension. Sofia pretends to be engrossed in her vodka, but I see the small smile playing at the corners of her lips, and I know she's aware of the effect she has on me.
"Just be careful, Sofia," I warn in a low voice, leaning even closer and grabbing her stool until it swivels and she has no choice but to turn and fully face me, our bodies almost touching. "Playing with me might lead you places you're not ready to go."
She stares me right in the eye, puckering her lips around her straw, sucking hard. A groan escapes me.
And she fucking smiles , looking pleased as hell. "And where might those places be, Vlad? Should I be afraid?" Her voice is laced with a teasing edge that ignites something primal in me.
My hand twitches with the urge to touch her, but I clench it into a fist against the bar. I find it hard to use words, to think, to remain calm.
Oh, she has me wrapped around her finger, alright.
Sofia leans closer now, her hand on my thigh, slowly inching up. “Or better yet, perhaps you should show me—if you can think you can handle it.”
I can't take it anymore. The tension, her proximity, the challenge in her eyes—it's all too much. Without thinking, I grab her wrist, my large hand easily encircling it. "Come with me," I growl, my voice rough with desire.
I don't wait for her response, pulling her through the crowded bar. My eyes scan for a secluded spot, finally landing on a door marked 'Storage' in the back corner.
I push the door open and pull her inside, slamming it shut with one hand which now rests against the door, cornering her in, while I still hold her wrist with my other.
The storage room is dimly lit, shelves stacked with liquor bottles casting long shadows. The air is thick with the scent of alcohol and dust. I release Sofia's wrist, turning to face her in the confined space. Sofia's eyes gleam in the low light, and I see her chest heave, her eyes darting between mine.
We both watch each other, the tension seeping off our skin, the desire evident in my smoldering gaze and her flushed cheeks.
"And now?" she whispers, her gaze locked on mine. "What happens now, Vladimir?"
I struggle to catch my breath. A nagging thought intrudes, souring the sweetness of the moment. My eyes narrow as I study Sofia's yearning face, her parted lips.
“I don’t fucking know,” I growl. “You tell me,” I begin, unable to hold back the sudden bite of jealousy in my tone. "Is this how you plan to handle all your negotiations? Ending up with strange men in dark corners?"
Sofia's eyes flash, a hint of her usual iciness returning. "What are you implying, Vladimir?"
I hold back a groan, conflicted between a desire and possessiveness I've never felt before. "I'm asking if this is your standard power play, if other men get you into spaces as private as this.”
For a moment, Sofia looks like she might slap me. Then, something in her expression softens. She walks closer and reaches up, her cool fingers tracing my jawline.
"No," she says firmly, her gaze locked on mine. "This isn't a game anymore, Vladimir. I've never… responded like this to anyone else. Only you."
Her words hit me like a physical force, stirring something deep within my chest. I search her face for any hint of deception but find only sincerity in those green eyes.
"Why me?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
Sofia's lips curve into a small, genuine smile—so different from her usual smirks. "I wish I knew," she admits. "But there's something about you, Vladimir. Something that makes me want to let my guard down. Maybe it’s the simple fact that around you, I don’t feel the need to be someone I’m not."
I can't hold back any longer. My restraint, doubts, fears—everything snaps like a frayed rope, and I reach for her waist and clutch her tight, jerking her toward me.
She looks up at me with wide eyes, surprised, and then breaks into a teasing smile. She grabs my lapel and pulls me closer. “I won, didn’t I?”
Fuck me. I know she’s only teasing. We’re way over the games. I can feel it in the way she responds to me, her body near threading into mine.
And so I do the obvious thing. I slam my lips against her.
The world outside fades away, leaving only us in this dimly lit sanctuary. My hands slide down to her back, feeling the warmth of her skin through the thin fabric of her dress. The silky material only heightens my desire to touch her bare flesh.
"Sofia," I breathe against her lips, unable to form coherent thoughts beyond her name.
To my surprise and delight, Sofia responds with equal fervor. Her fingers tangle in my hair, pulling me closer. So different, so responsive.
The gentle tug sends a shiver down my spine. I press her against the shelf, our bodies molding together as if they were made for each other.
The intensity of our connection catches me off guard. I've kissed women before, but never like this, never with this all-consuming fire that threatens to burn me alive. I can feel Sofia trembling against me, and I wonder if she feels it too—this undeniable bond forming between us.
"Vladimir," she gasps as we break for air. Her green eyes, usually so icy, now burn with a heat that matches my own. "I didn't expect…"
I cup her face in my hands, my thumbs brushing her flushed cheeks. "Neither did I," I admit, my voice rough with desire. "But I can't fight this anymore, Sofia. Tell me you feel it, too."
Her response is to pull me back into another searing kiss, her body arching into mine. It's all the answer I need.
This kiss is different—deeper, hotter, and charged with a newfound intensity. My hands roam her body with purpose, exploring every curve and contour as if committing them to memory.
"God, Sofia," I growl against her mouth, my fingers digging into the soft flesh of her ass. "You're intoxicating."
She arches into me, a soft moan escaping her lips. "Less talking, please," she breathes.
I chuckle into her mouth and trace the curve of her breast through her dress, feeling her nipple harden under my touch. The thin fabric is a maddening barrier, and I'm overwhelmed by the urge to tear it away.
"Is this okay?" I ask, my voice rough with desire.
Sofia nods, her eyes dark with want. "Yes," she whispers. "Please, don't stop."
My hand slides down her side, bunching up the hem of her tight dress and sliding it up her quivering thighs. I trace the edge of her panties, feeling the heat radiating from her core. As I slip my fingers beneath the fabric, I'm struck by how incredibly wet she is.
She gasps into my mouth, her hands now digging into my back as she pulls me closer. I gently massage her clit, before sliding my finger through her length, stopping at her entrance.
“Part your legs,” I command.
She complies instantly, spreading her legs wider for me. Slowly, I edge in a finger, but she’s tight. Tighter than should be, and I encounter an unexpected resistance.
I frown. She’s wet, yet she still tenses in my arms. I go half an inch further, and she’s way too tight. A small gasp escapes her lips.
A doubt overcomes me, and I pull back slightly, searching her face. "Sofia," I say softly, "are you…?"
She bites her lip and closes her eyes, ignoring my question. “Just carry on, will you?” she demands.
I chuckle deep in my throat. Maybe I’m imagining things. If she was a virgin, she’d tell me, wouldn’t she? Obviously, I’m new to her, and she’s probably just tense and finding her rhythm with me.
“I’ll take care of you, alright,” I whisper in her ear.
With gentle determination, I resume my exploration, carefully gauging Sofia's reactions. To ease her into this, I nuzzle her neck, giving her soft, slow kisses. I feel her muscles relax, and her body goes slightly limp against the door.
My finger moves in slow, deliberate circles, finding its way inside. She moans when I’m wholly inside, and I continue making small circles, building her pleasure gradually. Her breathing quickens, her body arching into my touch.
"That's it," I murmur, watching her face intently. "Let go for me, Sofia."
“Mm-hmm,” she mumbles, her arms thrown around my neck, pulling me closer. I give her neck a small, soft nibble and curve my finger into a C, hitting the top of her pussy.
“Oh my god.” Her nails dig into the back of my neck and she throws her head back, eyes closed. I feel her clench her thighs as I tap against her sweet spot, and her breath hitches.
"You're so fucking tight," I groan, my whole body shaking with desire. And then, seeing how receptive she is, I slip in another finger, feeling her slick, wet heat envelop me.
Her eyes fly open, a mix of shock and pleasure in their depths.
"Oh my god!" she moans, clutching at me as I begin to pump my fingers into her in earnest, filling her with pleasure.
I finger her faster.
"Fuck," she gasps, her fingers digging into my shoulders. "I feel… I don't know… Don’t stop, please. Don’t stop."
"It's okay," I reassure her, increasing the pressure slightly. "Just feel."
"Vladimir," she gasps, my name a fervent prayer on her lips.
Hearing her say it like that, with such need, makes me burn hotter. I want to mark her, brand her as mine. I want the whole world to know she belongs to me.
My hands slide lower, grasping her backside and hauling her tighter against my finger. We both groan at the exquisite contact, and she mewls now, her breaths coming in short pants.
“That’s it, Baby,” I say, as I feel her muscles begin to clench around me. “You’re going to cum.”
“Mm-hmm,” she mumbles, her eyes squeezed tight. And then, I feel her knees give way. I grab her ass with my free hand, holding her up, and curve my fingers ever so slightly, now beating faster, harder, against her G-spot.
And then, her green eyes slam open in surprise with my name on her lips as her orgasm crashes over her, her pussy convulsing around my fingers. I look into her eyes, lose myself in them, as I see pure pleasure, confusion, lust, and surrender seeping through her.
Her entire body begins to tremble, and I hold her tight, leaving my fingers in her until the last waves of her orgasm wash over her.
As she comes down from her high, still quivering, I slowly remove my fingers from her, still holding her close, knowing her knees could buck.
"You're incredible," I whisper, brushing a strand of blonde hair from her flushed face before giving her a soft, quick kiss.
Sofia looks up at me with a soft vulnerability. “I never knew it would be that good,” she whispers.
I stop, the blood gushing to my head. The little doubt I had earlier comes back with a vengeance. “You never knew it would be that good?” I ask, with a frown on my face.
“No.” She blushes. “Or I might have tried being with a man earlier,” she says in her usual sassy way.
“Sofia,” I growl, clutching her arm, forcing her to look at me. “Are you saying you’ve never been with a man?”
She shakes her head, the perfect picture of innocence. “Maybe a kiss or two, but that’s about it,” she admits. “Why, is that a problem?”
My world crashes around me, I swear. And to think she shut me down when I was trying to ask if she’s a virgin. Had I known, even a little, that this was her very first time, I wouldn’t have chosen this godforsaken bar.
She’s not just a one-night stand, after all. Suddenly, I’m no longer in the mood to be here.
I grab her hand and walk toward the door. “We’re going home now,” I tell her, ignoring all her protests.