Chapter 5
CHAPTER
FIVE
SOFIYA
“Damn, you look hot!” Alex exclaims as I slide into the taxi, squeezing in beside him and Daria in the back seat.
I blow out a nervous breath, tugging at the hem of the miniature sequin dress that reveals way more thigh and cleavage than I’m used to. I bought it yesterday on a whim, figuring if I’m sneaking out to Moscow’s hottest club, I might as well dress the part.
“Probably wasn’t the best choice for shimmying down the fire escape, but here I am.” Earlier, I said a brief goodnight to Sam in the lobby, letting him think I was in for the night, and then snuck out through my bedroom window.
Daria and Alex exchange broad smiles, like proud parents.
“We thought you’d chicken out,” Daria admits, “but we’re glad you didn’t.”
I push down the flicker of guilt threatening to rise up. The reason Sam and the rest of my guards trust me is that I’ve never pulled a stunt like this. It crossed my mind, but it always seemed like too big of a risk. And if anything ever happened to me, Liza would be distraught.
Alex leans forward in his seat, his eyes bright. “And tonight, we have even more reason to celebrate.”
A grin spreads across my face. The rush from my performance and the standing ovation still hum through me. I’ve done plenty of live shows, but tonight was electric. I felt powerful, confident—like everything finally clicked. The audience was with me every step of the way, and I was already craving that high again.
The best part was after the recital, a scout from the Berlin Contemporary Dance Company came backstage, and offered me an audition with their artistic director in a few days. It’s a rare opportunity for a new grad, and I’ll be there, come hell or high water.
But it also means a lot of hard work in my future. After four years of busting my ass, tonight might be my last chance for me to let go, to be reckless and wild before I’m consumed by the demands of my passion once more.
I turn to my friends, excitement buzzing through me. “Tonight, I’m all in. Let’s make it count.”
The lineup in front of Soundsystem stretches a full city block—not surprising if it’s the place to be, as Alex claims. Despite a flicker of nerves, I’m doing my best to look like I fit in as we approach the massive bouncer guarding the door. Daria shows him something on her phone, probably our passes, and after a few flirty words from her, he nods and lets us through.
I follow my friends down a hallway into the cavernous, warehouse-style space already packed with hundreds of young partygoers, here to cut loose and forget everything outside these walls. The air in the club is thick, and the electronic music is loud—the perfect setting to disappear into the crowd, as anonymous as anyone else in here.
“Should we hit the dance floor?” I have to shout to my friends, even though they’re right beside me.
“We need a few shots first,” Daria yells back, motioning to a roped-off area on the other side of the room. “VIP is over there.”
Alex and I follow her. I have no intention of getting wasted, but a few drinks won’t hurt.
The VIP section is almost as busy as the main club, but at least you can get to the bar without being trampled.
“First round’s on me,” I announce. “Any requests?”
“How about a Blow Job?” Daria asks with a wicked smirk.
I laugh. “Really? Is that an actual shot?”
“Yes, and it’s delicious,” she assures me, “but if you’d rather not ask for something so scandalous, ask for a Kamikaze.”
“Oh, I like those,” Alex adds, but he’s barely listening, his stare glued to a sexy guy across the room who’s definitely eye-fucking him back.
I head over to the bar, catching the attention of a bartender who looks me up and down, not bothering to hide his appreciative stare.
“What can I get for the most beautiful woman in the club?” he asks, leaning on the bar and taking a not-so-subtle glance at my chest before flashing a grin.
He’s good-looking, with tousled dirty blond hair and sharp features, but he has major fuck-boy energy.
I brush off his flirty opening. “Three Kamikaze shots, please… on second thought, make it six.”
What the hell. We’re celebrating. The faster we get a few drinks in us, the faster I can hit the dance floor and shake off all this pent-up adrenaline.
“Anything else I can get you?” His tone drips with suggestion, and I fight back an eye roll.
“Nope.”
He winks as he turns to make my order. Daria and Alex’s teasing about my lack of one-night stands echoes in my mind. This guy would be an easy option, sure, but if I’m going to take a risk tonight, it won’t be with him.
“Think that line actually works for him?”
A deep, amused voice catches me off guard. The scent of musky cologne fills my senses, and a shiver traces down my spine before I even turn. But when I do… damn . The man beside me is the embodiment of tall, dark, and handsome, with thick dark hair and black-framed glasses giving him a Clark Kent vibe. Masculine energy radiates off him, and I take a slow, deep breath, trying to stop myself from staring.
Under the dim lights, I can make out strong cheekbones, full lips, and a chin with an enticing indent—enough to send a spark of heat through me. Jesus, I’m a sucker for a chiseled jaw, and his is nothing short of perfect.
“I’m sure he flirts with all his customers,” I manage, trying to keep my voice steady. “He must be working for those tips.”
He chuckles, a low, gravelly sound that I feel between my legs. It’s been a long while since anyone’s made me weak in the knees, and it’s a welcome feeling.
“Maybe,” he says, leaning in so I feel his warm breath fan over my ear. “But in this case, he’s right. You really are the most beautiful woman here.”
A flush creeps up my neck, warmth spreading through me despite my best attempt to play it cool.
“Now who’s the one with the cheesy lines? Tell me—does that line ever work for you ?”
He smiles, resting his muscular arms on the bar top, his thumb tracing down the center of his lips. I follow the movement, transfixed. “Don’t know. Never used it before. I don’t bother with flattery unless it’s true.”
I glance away, fighting a small smile. “Everyone resorts to flattery once in a while,” I challenge.
He raises a brow. “Luckily, I’m not everyone.”
Something about his expression seems familiar—he reminds me of someone, but I can’t figure out who. “Have we met before?”
“I don’t think so.” He tilts his head to the side. “I’d definitely remember meeting you if I had.”
My heart races, and for a second, I can’t think of a single word to say. But I’m saved by the bartender when he reappears.
“Here you go, gorgeous,” he says, sliding a tray of shots toward me with a wink. There are way more shots than I ordered. “Drinks on me tonight. And if you’re interested in a little company later?—”
“She’s not.” The sexy stranger cuts in, his tone icy. In one smooth motion, he picks up the entire tray and dumps it behind the bar.
My jaw drops. This man might be insanely hot, but he also might be straight-up insane . “Make them again,” he snaps at the bartender, who looks rattled. “This time, in front of me.”
I blink, frozen, as the bartender nods silently, the tendons in his neck working hard to swallow. He starts remaking the shots in clear view, his hands a little unsteady.
“What the hell was that?” I hiss.
With one eye on the bartender, he turns to me. “You need to pay better attention when a stranger’s making you a drink.”
I shake my head. “He’s the bartender. It’s literally his job.”
His gaze drops to my lips. “A terrifying thought, isn’t it?”
Heat pools low in my belly. What the hell is wrong with me? His over-the-top alpha vibe shouldn’t be a turn-on, but damn, it kind of is. Maybe my friends were right—I need to get laid.
He slaps a stack of bills on the bar. “This’ll cover your drinks for the night. Under no circumstances is that mudak paying for you. Got it?”
I straighten, trying to reclaim some self-respect. “I can pay for my own drinks, thanks.”
He slides a finger under my chin, lifting my face to his, and a rush of warmth spreads through me. “I know you can, but I want to. I’ll be watching you all night, moya sladost. Keep that in mind.”
Goosebumps prickle along my arms at the term of endearment, one that’s oddly familiar. My brain must be scrambled. I’m not used to feeling this kind of pull, like every nerve in my body is suddenly tuned to him, crackling with energy.
“Your drinks.” The bartender sets down the shots, keeping his head down as if he’d rather be anywhere else. When I glance up, my mysterious protector has vanished like smoke.
“Who was that guy?” I ask the bartender.
His eyes flick up briefly before darting away. “I-I don’t know, but I really don’t want to find out.” He hurries off to serve someone else.
Alex and Daria’s faces light up as I approach with a tray full of shots.
“So, who was the hot as fuck guy you were chatting with at the bar?” Alex asks, nudging me with his shoulder.
I shrug, trying to play it off. “Don’t know. We were just chatting while we waited on our drinks.”
Daria finishes applying her lipstick, closing the compact mirror with a click. “The way he looked at you was anything but casual.”
“Forget him. Tonight’s about us.” But I’m not sure I can. Something electric hums under my skin from our brief exchange.
I raise a shot and toss it back, savoring the citrusy taste. My friends are watching me as I slam the glass on the table.
“What?” I ask, feigning innocence.
“You might have forgotten about him, but he hasn’t forgotten about you,” Alex says, nodding toward the upper level.
I glance up. My sexy stranger is there, leaning on the railing, watching me. When our eyes meet, he lifts his drink in a silent toast. A rush of heat floods my cheeks, and I look away quickly, my pulse racing.
Daria whistles. “If a man that fine was staring at me, I wouldn’t be down here. I’d be up there so fast, he wouldn’t know what hit him.”
“I’m playing it cool,” I say, shrugging. His promise to watch me all night lingers in my mind, and I can’t deny the thrill that runs through me. “But I want to dance, not flirt with a random dude. So, are we hitting the dance floor or what?”
“Oh, Sofi, I wasn’t talking about flirting,” Daria says with a wink. “I was talking about getting a lot more up close and personal.”
“Leave her alone,” Alex says, giving Daria a light shove. “Sofiya just wants to have a good time with us.”
“Exactly,” I agree, although I’m not sure that’s the entire truth.