Chapter Forty-Five
Aleksei
The echoes of Bobik’s laughter seem to follow me as I head away from his rooms.
Moy syn , my son — his joy is infectious.
As I make my way down the corridor toward Stella’s suite, I notice a lightness in my step that wasn’t there before.
Reaching her door, I pause for a moment, listening. There’s a faint hum of music from within, something classical that I can’t quite place. I knock lightly. “Stella?”
“Come in,” she calls.
I enter to find her standing by the window, staring out into the gardens, wearing a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. She’s smiling—a genuine, radiant smile that catches me off guard. Her usual guarded expression is gone, replaced by an openness that makes me curious.
“Aleksei,” she says, turning to face me. “I didn’t expect you.” Although she’s clearly surprised to see me, there’s none of the usual watchfulness about her.
“Been busy, but thought I’d check in… on the baby,” I say. “You’re in a good mood,” I observe, closing the door behind me. My gaze drifts over the books scattered on her desk, titles on neuroscience and astrophysics. “Something happen?”
She hesitates, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face. “I…” She gnaws on her lip. “I guess you’re going to find out anyway. I met someone today.”
“Met someone?” My brow arches.
Let’s see where this goes…
She takes a deep breath, meeting my eyes. “I met Bobik.”
“Ah,” I say. “I see.”
Her eyes narrow on me. “You’re not angry?”
“Would it make a difference if I was?” I look at her.
She looks away. “I’m not sure. I just… Well, I was worried because Diana—”
“Diana should have known better,” I interrupt. “She has lapses in judgment sometimes.”
“When she’s high?” Stella tilts her head.
I exhale a breath through my nostrils. “My sister has her own ways of coping with things. I don’t agree with all of them.”
“Well, I find her nicer to be around when she’s stoned, to be honest.”
“I’m sure she’d be interested to know that.”
“Not that I don’t like her,” she adds quickly. “She just seemed more relaxed. She’s usually a bit uptight.”
“Like me?” I ask.
“That’s not what I said.”
“You didn’t need to.” I walk into the center of the room and lean my hip against the couch there, my arms across my chest.
“I… um…” She looks around the room, clearly uncomfortable.
“Bobik enjoyed your visit?” I ask, changing the subject.
“He did,” she says quickly, clearly grateful for the new direction. “We talked about astrophysics, artificial intelligence… He even showed me some of his own theories.” Her eyes shine with admiration. “You have an exceptional son, Aleksei.”
A swell of pride rises within me, but it’s entwined with worry. Bobik doesn’t connect easily with others, and his world is small by necessity. The fact that he opened up to Stella is… unexpected. It could lead to problems.
“I see.” I pace toward the window, staring out at the gardens without really seeing them. This new development is unsettling. Bobik and Stella bonding without my knowledge, outside of my control. Yet, a part of me is… pleased.
“I hope it’s alright,” she continues softly. “I didn’t mean to overstep.”
I turn back to her. “It’s not a matter of permission. It’s about his safety. He is vulnerable.” The words are clipped, but I soften them with a sigh. “I’m glad he had a good time.”
Her shoulders relax slightly. “Maybe, if it’s okay with you, I could visit him again? He mentioned wanting to discuss some ideas.”
I study her for a moment. There’s sincerity in her request, an earnestness that’s hard to deny. “Fine,” I concede. “But you tell me first.”
“Of course.” She smiles again, and this time, I allow myself a small smile in return.
Internally, my thoughts churn. Diana’s actions were irresponsible — s umom poshyol , out of her mind — but perhaps this is a beneficial turn. Bobik could use a friend, and Stella… there’s a warmth she brings that I hadn’t anticipated.
I make a mental note to speak with Diana about boundaries, but I can’t ignore the subtle sense of rightness that settles in my chest. For once, things seem to align.
“Thank you, Aleksei,” Stella says softly. “It means a lot.”
Her gratitude stirs something unexpected within me. Protective feelings I recognize, but there’s more — a growing affection that complicates everything.
“It’s nothing,” I reply gruffly, dismissing the emotion threatening to surface. “Let me know if you need anything.”
She nods, and I turn to look at her, the emotional tension lingering between us. As I stand silently for a moment, I can’t shake the feeling that the walls I’ve built are starting to crack, and I’m not sure if that’s acceptable or opasno — dangerous.
Impulsively, I step closer to her, the space between us narrowing until I can feel the warmth radiating from her skin. “I want you to be comfortable here, Stella,” I say softly.
Stella’s gaze meets mine, those green eyes searching. “I… I’m adjusting,” she says, her voice husky.
“Good,” I murmur, although I can’t be sure that she’s saying she’s happy to be in this place.
Likely not… and until now, that hadn’t bothered me.
But suddenly, there’s a tension building in the air, a magnetic pull that’s hard to ignore.
The soft glow of the lamp casts gentle shadows across her face, highlighting the curve of her cheek, the subtle parting of her lips.
Without thinking, I reach out and brush a strand of hair away from her face. Her breath catches, and for a moment, time seems to pause.
“Stella…” Her name rolls off my tongue, laden with meanings I haven’t allowed myself to explore.
She leans into my touch ever so slightly. “Aleksei,” she whispers.
The sound of my name on her lips undoes something inside me. Before I can second-guess it, I close the remaining distance between us and press my lips to hers. The kiss is tentative at first — until she responds, her mouth soft against mine, and the world outside fades away.
Her hands grip the front of my shirt, pulling me closer as the kiss deepens. I can taste the hint of tea on her lips, feel the rapid beat of her heart mirroring my own.
“ Blyad ,” I moan against her mouth; she’s warm, pliant, soft in the places where I am growing hard. My cock is throbbing.
I slide my arms around her waist, drawing her flush against me. Her fingers move to the back of my neck, touching the short hairs there.
“We shouldn’t…” she starts, but the hesitation in her voice tells me she doesn’t believe her own words.
“Tell me to stop,” I say, my forehead resting against hers.
The fuck?
When did I let a woman call the shots?
She closes her eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips. “I don’t want you to.”
Thank fuck. Because I had no intention of ending this. I lift her smoothly, and she wraps her legs around my waist as I carry her to the couch. The world narrows to the sensation of her — the way her hands explore, the soft gasps that escape her lips.
I’m growing aware of a blurring of lines I’ve rigidly kept in place but I can’t bring myself to care.
Her eyes meet mine, and for the first time in a long while, I feel seen — not as the Pakhan , not as Bobik’s guarded father, but simply as a man. The realization is both terrifying and liberating.
I can’t remember the last time I kissed a woman like this — with my lips and my soul. There’s a fierceness in me that’s unleashed, an urgency that’s unfamiliar. And with every gasp from Stella’s lips, with every stroke of her hands, I feel a piece of control slipping away.
I set her down on the couch, peeling her shirt over her head.
And then my hands are on the bare skin of her waist, her ribs…
I cup the soft swell of her tits, hefting their weight in my palms. Her scent surrounds me, that subtle vanilla perfume that now seems to be a constant reminder of her presence.
“Aleksei,” she moans as my thumbs flick over her hardening nipples. I reach behind her to release the catch of her bra. Her breasts spill free, and even though I don’t know her body very well, I am certain that they’re fuller. More lush. Full with the promise of the child she’s carrying.
I tug at her underwear, and she shifts her hips to help me slide it off.
She’s already wet, and I swear I can smell her desire, the sweet musk of her arousal.
My cock twitches, the ache to be inside her overwhelming.
I keep my eyes on her as I straighten and strip off, until I’m as naked as she is.
She licks her lips, her eyes hot as they run over me.
“Now,” she says hoarsely. “I want you now, Aleksei.”
I lift her thighs, wrapping her legs around my waist again. I fit the head of my cock to her entrance, teasing her as she rocks against me. She whimpers, her hips moving in a silent plea.
I groan low in my throat. “You’re so fucking wet,” I grit out, running my thumb over her swollen clit.
Her eyes are half-lidded, a heavy mix of lust and uncertainty. “Please,” she breathes. “Please… now…”
It’s all the encouragement I need. I push into her, slowly, steadily, my hands gripping her thighs as she takes me in. Her heat surrounds me, and for a moment, I forget to breathe.
I pull out almost entirely, then push back in, a slow and measured pace that has her nails digging into my biceps. Her back arches, her lips parting in a silent scream.
“ Tak khoroso, ” I mutter, my forehead against hers. “So tight and wet.” I thrust again, a growl escaping my lips as I lose myself in the feel of her. “Fucking perfect.”
Her hands move to my ass, urging me on. I give her what she wants — harder, faster, deeper — until her moans fill the room. Her walls clench around me, rippling waves of pleasure that have me gritting my teeth to hold back my release. I can’t let go yet — not until I feel her shatter.
I reach between our bodies, my fingers finding her clit again. Her head falls back, her breath coming in quick pants as I stroke her. My hips keep moving, my cock slipping in and out, filling her as I bring her closer.
“Fuck, you’re beautiful,” I mutter, bending my head to capture a nipple between my lips. “I could eat you up.”
She makes a broken sound, her hips bucking as her orgasm builds. “Touch me, Aleksei,” she pleads. “Please.”
I give her what she wants, circling her clit with my thumb as my hips snap against her.
And then she’s coming apart around me, her walls pulsing as she cries out my name.
I lose myself in the feel of her release, my own orgasm washing over me, and I thrust into her once, twice more, until I spill myself into her.
We’re both breathless, sweaty, spent. I collapse on the couch, still inside her, my arms around her as we catch our breath. I can feel her heartbeat against my chest, her hands running lazy patterns on my back. For a long moment, we stay like this, our bodies connected, our hearts slowing.
“That was…” She trails off, her eyes closed.
“Incredible,” I finish for her, burying my face in her neck.
I don’t want to think about the implications of this — what it means for me, for her, for the baby growing inside her.
All I want is to savor this moment, to hold onto it and pretend that everything is simple.
That I’m just a man, and she’s just a woman, and we’re free to explore this connection without consequences.
But the reality is never that simple. And as I pull away from her, I know I should step back into the world of the Bratva, into a world of secrets and lies and complexities.
“I should go,” I say, my voice rough. “It’s late.”
She gnaws on her bottom lip, her eyes huge and deep. “Don’t… Not yet.”
For a moment, I just look at her, trying to memorize the curve of her lips, the way her hair falls over her shoulders, the flush on her skin. This is a woman I could lose myself in, and I know, in that moment, that I’m already halfway gone.
But I can’t let myself fall. Not entirely. Not yet.
Just a few more minutes.
What harm could it do?
I settle back against her, feeling her belly against mine.
I’m keenly aware of the baby growing inside her, of the possibility of a future that’s too daunting to consider.
And as I stare into her emerald eyes, I know that nothing will ever be the same.
The lines I’ve carefully drawn are blurred, and there’s no going back to the person I was before.
I’m falling, and it terrifies me.