An Arranged Virgin for the Bratva (Zolotov Bratva #10)

Chapter 15 - Vladimir

I drum my fingers on the steering wheel, the rhythm matching my racing heartbeat. The clock on the dashboard moves at an agonizingly slow pace. 11:58 PM. Two minutes until Sofia's scheduled exit.

My eyes dart between the building's entrance and the surrounding streets, searching for any sign of danger. The night is quiet, too quiet for my liking. I exhale slowly, trying to calm my nerves.

Through the tinted windows of the speakeasy, I catch a glimpse of Sofia's unmistakable blonde hair. She's talking to one of the Crimson Crew members, Alexei Volkov—the same bastard who dared lay his hands on her that night at the club—her body language completely transformed. Gone is the cool, collected woman I know. In her place stands Kira, all bubbly smiles and exaggerated gestures.

"Oh my gosh, you're like, so funny!" I hear her high-pitched giggle through the bug we planted earlier. The sound grates on my nerves, so unlike Sofia's usual dry wit. On the one hand, I hate seeing her dumb herself down, pretending she’s all looks, no brains. On the other, I can’t help but feel proud of how she plays the game so damn well.

The burly man laughs. "You're not so bad yourself, Sweetheart." To my horror, he slides an arm around her waist. Sofia pretends to be shocked and shoos it away, playfully wagging a finger at him and flicking her hair over her shoulder.

Well, she’s learned fast how to keep him on his toes.

I grit my teeth at how freely she laughs, reminding myself it's all an act. Sofia knows what she's doing. She's strong, capable. But that doesn't stop the protective urge surging through me.

Sofia leans in conspiratorially. "So, when are you gonna show me where all the action happens? I bet it's super exciting!"

My hands tighten on the steering wheel. She's fishing for information, walking a dangerous line. One wrong move, and her cover could be blown.

"All in good time, Darlin'," the man replies, his voice a low rumble. "Gotta make sure you can be trusted first."

Sofia pouts and I can almost hear the eye roll in her voice. "Don't you trust me by now? I thought we were friends! I’m just so bored."

I check the clock again. 12:01 AM. She should be wrapping up soon. My foot hovers over the gas pedal, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

"Patience, Kira," the man chuckles. "Good things come to those who wait."

"Fine," Sofia sighs dramatically and goes in for a hug. "I guess I'll just have to keep imagining all the cool stuff you guys do. Anyway, I should probably get going. It's way past my bedtime, but promise me we’ll hang out soon?”

I grit my teeth as I watch her trip on her heel. She pulls back, grabbing at his lapel for support. He places his arms around her waist, holding her close and lingering a little too long.

“Anytime, Darling,” he says, beaming at her, staring into her eyes. My eyes. “You know I like the occasional wild night out.”

“Oh, I’m wild, alright.” Kira pulls away from his grip and gives him a wink and a quick air kiss on the cheek before turning around to walk toward the exit.

My muscles tense as I watch the door, waiting for her to emerge. The seconds stretch into eternity.

Finally, Sofia steps out into the night, her face a mask of vapid cheerfulness until she's sure she's out of sight. Then, like a switch being flipped, her features settle back into their usual cool composure.

As she approaches the car, I scan the area one last time, alert for any potential threats. Only when she's safely inside do I allow myself to relax slightly.

"Well?" I ask, unable to keep the tension from my voice.

Sofia's lips curl into a small, triumphant smile. She reaches into her pocket, producing a small, inconspicuous device.

"Got it planted right on his jacket lapel," she says, a hint of pride in her voice. "He didn't suspect a thing."

I can't help but feel a surge of admiration. "How'd you manage that?"

Sofia's green eyes glint with mischief. "Oh, you know. Just a little flirting, a strategically placed hand around his neck under the pretense of a goodbye hug…" She mimics the action, her fingers barely grazing my own shoulder. Even through my jacket, I feel a jolt at her touch.

"And then," she continues, "I pretended to lose my balance. Grabbed his lapel to 'steady' myself." She makes air quotes with her fingers, her usual sarcasm seeping back into her voice.

I grip the steering wheel tighter, pushing down a flare of jealousy. "Oh, so that’s what that hug was," I manage to say.

Sofia doesn’t miss a beat and rolls her eyes. "Please. As if I'd actually be interested in that neanderthal. It's called acting, Vlad."

As we approach a red light, I take the opportunity to scan our surroundings again. Force of habit. "No tail?" Sofia asks, her own gaze sweeping the area.

"Doesn't look like it," I reply, but I remain vigilant. Sofia might be ice, but I'm the shield that ensures she stays unmelted.

The light turns green, and as we accelerate, I feel a weight lift off my chest. Another successful mission. Another step closer to Sofia’s goal.

Our goal.

But as I glance at Sofia, her face illuminated by passing streetlights, I realize that maybe, just maybe, we're also a step closer to each other.

"So, where are we going?" she asks, breaking the silence.

"Somewhere private," I reply, my voice low. "We need to listen to that bug without any interruptions."

Sofia nods, her fingers drumming an erratic beat on her thigh. It's a rare display of nerves from her, but I understand. Tonight’s been quite the breakthrough, and neither of us can wait to reap the rewards.

"You did well in there," I say, trying to distract myself.

Sofia's lips curl into a smirk. "Of course I did.”

Now, it’s my turn to roll my eyes. She laughs when she sees me do it.

Finally, I pull into a secluded parking lot surrounded by trees. The engine dies, leaving us in silence.

"Ready?" I ask, reaching for the listening device.

Sofia leans in close, her shoulder brushing mine. A small heat spreads down my arm, and I’m left disappointed when she adjusts herself to give us some space. "Let's do this," she whispers.

I activate the bug, and suddenly, the car is filled with muffled voices. We both lean in, straining to catch every word. Sofia's breath is warm against my cheek, her proximity both distracting and electrifying.

"Did you hear that?" she hisses, grabbing my arm. I’m hyperaware of her touch, forcing myself to breathe slowly, to focus and not get lost in the sensation of her. "They mentioned something about a hideout!"

Suddenly, Sofia's eyes widen. "The warehouse on 5th and Main," she whispers, her voice trembling with excitement. "That's their main hideout! Bingo!"

This is it—the breakthrough we've been waiting for. My mind races with possibilities, plans already forming.

"We've got them," I say, unable to keep the grin off my face. "Sofia, you're brilliant."

To my surprise, Sofia's calm composure cracks completely. Her green eyes light up, a genuine smile spreading across her face. It's a transformation that takes my breath away.

"We did it," she breathes, her voice filled with a warmth I've never heard before. "Vlad, we actually did it!"

“We did, and I swear I’m going to get my guys to infiltrate every last hideout they own. I’m going to fuck them bastards in way they never thought possible,” I say, “and we’re going to rid ourselves of them for good.”

The determination in my voice seems to ignite something within Sofia, and I see surprise flicker across her face.

Before I can say anything else, Sofia throws her arms around me in a spontaneous hug. I freeze for a moment, shocked by this sudden display of affection from the usually distant woman. Then, slowly, I wrap my arms around her, savoring the unexpected closeness.

"Thank you, Vlad," she murmurs against my ear, her breath warm on my skin. "I couldn't have done this without you."

There's a softness in her tone that catches me off guard, and I feel something shift between us, something that makes me feel tethered to her. "Always," I respond, my voice rougher than I intended. "We're in this together, Sofia."

"Together," she echoes, and I swear I hear her smile. "I think I'm starting to like the sound of that."

She pulls back slightly, her eyes meeting mine.

Sofia's gaze lingers on mine, her green eyes sparkling like emeralds. We look into each other’s eyes for so damn long that I can count the speckles of brown in hers. The air in the car slowly turns charged, electric. Before I can process what's happening, she leans in, and my heart races as I close the distance, meeting her lips in a kiss that’s both tentative and urgent.

I'm frozen for a split second, my mind reeling at this unexpected turn. Then instinct takes over, and I'm kissing raw, one hand cupping her face while the other pulls her closer. She tastes like mint and adrenaline, and I can feel her heart racing against my chest.

I take one hand and push back my seat before reaching for her waist. I hold her tight, my fingers digging in, and help her over to my seat, where she now sits, straddling me, her lips still on mine.

I groan, clutching her hair and pulling her closer, one hand now resting on her ass.

When we finally break apart, both breathless, Sofia's cheeks are flushed. "I… I've been wanting to do that for a while," she admits, a hint of her usual sass creeping into her voice. "Don't let it go to your head, Vlad."

I chuckle, still dazed. "Wouldn't dream of it, princess."

Our lips meet again, more heated this time. Sofia's hands roam over my chest, her touch setting my skin on fire even through my shirt. She bites my lower lip and fiddles with my belt. I hear a soft thud on the floor as it’s discarded. I hear the zipper of my trousers come loose, and I hold her waist to keep her up as I lift myself off the chair. She pulls down my trousers, my boxers, and her eyes widen slightly as she takes in the length of my already hard cock.

And then, I feel her hesitate slightly, her eyes flickering between my cock and my eyes.

I cup her cheeks in my hands, forcing her to look into my eyes. “What is it, Sof?” I ask, gently. “We don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”

She pulls back, biting her lip in a way that's both adorable and sexy. "Vlad," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "I… I want to make you feel good, but I'm not sure…" She trails off, a vulnerability in her eyes I've never seen before. "Could you… guide me? Show me how to… you know."

I swallow hard, my heart pounding. This isn't the confident, sexy Sofia I'm used to. This is a side of her I never expected to see, curious and uncertain all at once. It's intoxicating.

"Are you sure?" I ask, searching her face.

Sofia nods, determination mixing with the shyness in her expression. "I'm sure. Teach me?"

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. Sofia's trust in me is both exhilarating and terrifying. I want to protect her, to make sure she feels safe and respected every step of the way.

"Okay," I say softly, taking her hand in mine. "We'll go slow. If you want to stop at any point, just say the word."

I guide her hand to my lap, my touch gentle but firm. "Start by just touching gently," I instruct, my voice low and husky. "Feel the shape; get comfortable with it."

Sofia's fingers trace tentatively along my length, her touch feather-light. I can't help the small groan that escapes me. Her eyes widen slightly at my reaction.

"That's good," I encourage her. "You can apply a little more pressure if you want."

As she explores, I explain the basics, guiding her hand when needed. I'm hyper-aware of every change in her expression, every catch in her breath.

"Like this?" she asks, her voice breathy as she strokes more firmly.

"Perfect," I manage to say, fighting to keep my composure, even though the blood gushes straight to my cock, making me feel a thousand degrees of thrill.

Sofia's eyes meet mine, a spark of mischief returning. The next thing I know, her hand is gliding up and down my shaft. I'm powerless to resist her, my breath hitching as pleasure coils through me.

"Good girl," I murmur. My eyes drift shut and my hands clutch the edges of my seat. Sofia's other hand finds its way to my chest, her fingers splaying out against my hard muscles.

"Is this okay?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes," I breathe, "Perfect."

I watch with heavy-lidded eyes as she increases her rhythm, her gaze locked onto mine. She crouches lower to get comfortable, her curves spilling out of that dress, and the vision—of her licking her lips in pleasure, her hand on my cock, her body for my taking… it’s all too much.

I feel my cock throb. She gasps, her expression softening. "Vlad, I… I want more. I want you."

My heart skips a beat. Part of me wants nothing more than to give in to her request, to lose myself in her completely. But a stronger part knows it's not the right time or place.

"Sofia," I say gently, cupping her face with my hand. "You have no idea how much I want that too. But not like this, not here. Not where we’re on edge, where we can be seen.”

Even though I don’t want this pleasure to end, I gently stop her and make her sit up properly. With my hands on her hip while she straddles me, I look into her eyes, hyper-aware of how I feel her heat through her clothes. But now is not the time to be selfish.

I tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear and give her a soft kiss. “Your first time should be somewhere comfortable, something private. How about we pick this up back home?"

I see a flicker of disappointment in her eyes, quickly replaced by understanding and… is that gratitude?

"You're right," she says softly, leaning into my touch. "Thank you, Vlad. For being patient, for… caring."

I pull her close, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Always.”