Chapter 13 - Kolya
Sophia’s work has been spectacular. With each passing day, I felt better about grabbing the wrong woman. She amazed me constantly and had so much to offer. Walking into my office, I smiled as I sat down and opened my emails.
My smile vanished instantly as another lawsuit appeared in my inbox. Staring at the email, I couldn’t believe what I saw. I opened it and leaned back in my chair.
“Another lawsuit?” I exclaimed. It had the same alias—Sophia Camden. I wondered if Melody was messing with me. Maybe she still didn’t realize that I knew the truth or that Sophia and I had reached an agreement.
I was still convinced that all of this was Melody’s doing. But I had no proof. Plus, I had promised Sophia that I’d hold back from taking action until there was proof. I knew I had to find it. Sophia wouldn’t look that hard into Melody, believing she’s innocent.
The rest of my day was spent scouring the internet. I made some calls and reached out to my contacts. Yet, no one knew anything. The time spent delivered no results. This was all very hush.
At supper time, I was very quiet. My mind was preoccupied. I couldn’t discuss my feelings with Sophia and had no one else I could confide in. I have my sister and cousins. But I didn’t want to drag them into this mess yet.
I had to find something to show her. Sophia deserved to know what was happening.
“You seem in another world,” she said, pulling me back.
“I’m sorry, I have a lot on my mind,” I replied.
She smiled as she spoke. “You know you can share.”
“I know, thank you, but this load is mine to bear,” I commented as I got up. “Excuse me. I’m feeling tired. I think I’ll turn in now.”
Sophia nodded but didn’t push further. I took a quick hot shower, hoping to relax the tension in my neck. But it didn’t help, and sleep evaded me. I had a restless night, feeling more tired when I got up than when I went to lie down.
I was up and having coffee before the sun. Sophia was still sleeping, so I left her. With my morning coffee came the paper. Opening it, I was shocked to find my latest lawsuit had made the news.
The article wasn’t big, but it was noticeable. Getting up, I stormed outside. There were people I had to call. After the first three, I knew I was in trouble. Many of my allies and business associates have withdrawn from deals that were practically done.
All of this is because of one article. This had to be fixed with an urgency like none before.
Getting up, I went to see if Sopia was up yet.
Oddly enough, I needed her arguments to calm me down.
I enjoyed her company, but I noticed arguing with her was calming.
It offered a strange peace which I desperately needed.
She wasn’t in bed anymore, and I didn’t see her in the dining room. I was halfway back down to see if she was outside when it struck me. Sophia had said last night she wanted to go into the office early. She spoke about the cases I had given her to review.
Grabbing my keys, I headed out. I still felt agitated and angry when I got to the office.
Heading to the filling room, I entered without knocking.
There she was. Her head was buried in files.
But I recognized the files. They weren’t the ones I gave her.
She had my personal files open on the table before her.
“What the hell are you doing, Sophia?” I asked. My tone was not friendly at all. She looked up, her expression one of guilt.
“What is this?” She contradicted. Her tone dripped with irritation. She pointed a finger at something in one of the files.
“What is what?” I shot back, moving closer.
“This!” she stated, slamming her finger on the paper.
“What are you doing? I mean, really, supporting children’s charities.
Why? Why are you doing this? I mean, Bratva men aren’t supposed to do nice things for others.
Not without compensation. So, what are you getting out of this deal? What is going on here?”
The anger in her eyes was confusing. But she was sincerely confused. “Sophia? Really?” I asked, astounded. I could feel my mood shifting. “Look,” I added, stepping closer. “Not everything is white and black. You should look beyond the close-minded lenses.”
“Closed-minded?” she retorted. Placing her hands on her hips, she continued. “I will have you know that I am far from closed-minded.”
“The way you’re acting says otherwise.” I spat back. “You are! There are so many things going on around you. Yet, you don’t seem to notice. You can’t see the truth!”
“The truth?” she questioned. “What are you implying? What truth would you like me to see? I saw the lawsuits signed by my name. I know Melody has nothing to do with it. But you keep on believing she is. Now I ask you about these payments to the orphanage, and you dare to call me close-minded. Telling me not everything is black and white. It seems pretty clear to me.”
As she spoke, she came around the table. The intensity was more than I could handle. More than my mind and body would take. The was a burning pool of lust. I had to taste. Taking hold of her face, I pulled her in and kissed her.
I intended it to be brief, just one small sip of this fountain bubbling over before me. But once our lips touched, the scorching heat ignited my soul. I couldn’t pull back. Sophia didn’t fight it either. She was kissing me back.
Her lips opened briefly and closed again, like a fish seeking water to survive. My hands moved down her arms, her skin silky smooth. I wrapped them around her waist, pulling her more into me. I could feel the heat she gave off, lighting all my senses.
Placing my hands on her hips, I lifted her onto the end of the desk.
Spreading her legs, I moved in between them.
Sophia wrapped them around my waist. Grabbing her hair gently, I pulled her head back a bit.
This time, our kiss was more intense. I couldn’t control myself anymore. My body craved hers.
I held her tightly against me. But it wasn’t enough to satisfy the hunger growing inside.
I wanted so much more. My hands explored her legs, moving up and down her thighs.
Coming back up, I pushed over her hips, sliding my hands under her top.
Her skin felt smooth as silk. My hormones spiked, running wild with the idea of having her naked before me. And against me.