Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Matvey
"Have several outfits made to these measurements. Send them over."
I shot off an email to Bergdorf Goodman's concierge service with her measurements and a deposit attached.
I was a regular there. Give them your specs, and they delivered. Their work was always solid.
I could already picture Riley in those outfits—full breasts and ass on display, that dip at her waist just begging for my arm to wrap around it. Her body was made for me.
I leaned back in my chair. My cock was rock hard and aching, already leaking.
It wanted to be buried in Riley's tight, wet heat...
and I knew it better than anyone. My hand drifted down, stroking myself a few times.
But it was nothing compared to her. If I wasn't so fucking desperate, I'd save every drop for inside her. Anything else was a waste.
This whole week without seeing her, Riley haunted me. Those full tits and round ass kept getting me hard at the worst times.
I should've stayed. Should've taken her home myself. Instead, I'd ditched her for this bullshit deal with Veronica.
As soon as I'd left, I'd messaged Anton to pick her up.
But all Anton sent back was: "Pakhan, she's gone. Staff said she didn't even call a car. Walked out on her own."
That place was miles from her apartment. Riley must've walked forever to get home. In those heels. Her ankles were probably rubbed raw.
My hand kept working mechanically, but I felt nothing. My dick was numb. No matter what I did, it just felt wrong. The image of Riley turning away, eyes red, refusing to look at me—it made my chest tight.
Fuck. I was going soft—and I didn't even want to finish anymore. What the hell had she done to me?
No woman had ever made me care like this. No woman had ever made me crave her this badly—and not just her body. I wanted her to hold me, kiss me, need me.
She was like a nail driven into my heart. By the time I'd noticed, she was already embedded deep. It wasn't a bad feeling, exactly. Just that every breath without Riley felt like suffocating.
I wanted to bury my face in those perfect tits so badly it hurt.
But not yet. I still had work to do.
The dinner went ahead as planned at the Waldorf Hotel.
Nice enough venue. Soaring Byzantine dome overhead, massive crystal chandeliers spilling soft light across the space.
Too bad the woman on my arm wasn't the one I wanted. Veronica wore a dark green jumpsuit, back completely exposed, a pigeon-egg emerald at her throat. She smiled sweetly, like we were the real deal.
Riley wore the white dress I'd sent her—short in front, showing off those killer legs, the strapless top highlighting her full chest, trailing fabric in back covering what needed covering. I was satisfied. The dress suited Riley perfectly.
But what the fuck was this picture? Veronica plastered to my side while Riley walked behind me.
If I hadn't promised Veronica I'd play along with this remarriage charade to boost her profile and help her claim her inheritance, I wouldn't give her the time of day.
And why the hell had I agreed to this circus? Because right now, I needed her help clearing obstacles off my smuggling routes.
This was temporary. I wasn't stupid enough to keep playing house with her forever.
"Darling, do you like my dress tonight?" Veronica's voice dripped honey as she pressed against my arm.
Her bony frame felt like leaning against a plank of wood.
"Riley, don't fall too far behind." I ignored Veronica completely, glancing back at Riley, who was gaping up at the ornate ceiling patterns.
"Sorry, Mr. Bykov." She immediately looked at me, those big eyes still full of wonder.
Whatever. As long as she was happy.
"Matvey, there are plenty of reporters here tonight. Don't forget what you promised me." Veronica switched to Russian, tightening her grip on my arm.
"I know."
Talking to her set my teeth on edge.
"So good to see you, Mr. Bykov!" People kept approaching with champagne flutes, making small talk. "Bykov Group's commercial reach is simply unmatched."
I was sick of the ass-kissing.
Nearly everyone looked my way—but some gazes drifted past me. I followed their stares. Riley stood there looking uncomfortable under the attention.
"Come here." I beckoned to her.
She immediately rushed over looking relieved.
"Matvey." Veronica sounded displeased, voice low.
"You're the one who wanted her here." I shot her a look.
Veronica practically ground her teeth.
To keep Riley from feeling awkward, I sent her over to the dessert table nearby.
"Oh! Miss Gadz, wonderful to see you." A woman in her forties approached Veronica, champagne in hand. "I've worked with your father for ten years... we've met."
Veronica's face instantly arranged itself into a flawless smile.
"Of course I remember you." They clinked glasses, then Veronica's gaze landed on me. "This is my... husband."
"So the remarriage rumors are true?" Another middle-aged man joined us. "That's excellent news."
Max Evan. Precious metals trader. Long-time partner with Veronica's family.
"Naturally." Her body heat pressed closer. "Very soon."
I never said that.
Veronica had always been trouble. I'd known it for years—back when she was still my wife.
Ours had been a strategic marriage, nothing more. I had no feelings for her. But out of marital obligation, I'd treated her well. I'd given her everything she asked for, business and personal. And the bitch had still cheated—with some young Spaniard.
I hadn't called her out. Just gave her one long look.
"In that case," a server passed by, and I used grabbing champagne as an excuse to extract my arm from Veronica's clutches, "that deserves a drink."
Riley's reflection appeared in my glass. She leaned against a table, eating fruit. No one approached her, but plenty of men stared hungrily. I turned. Her blue eyes met mine. She looked away, kept stuffing her face.
"Who's that sexy beauty?" Max pointed toward Riley, clearly interested.
"My assistant." My tone came out harsh.
"Riley." Veronica suddenly called Riley's name loudly. "Come here!"
Riley immediately wobbled over in her heels. Adorable as hell.
"Miss Gadz." She nodded slightly at Veronica. "What do you need?"
"These are all our business partners. As an assistant, you should learn to network." Veronica held out a champagne flute.
"Of course." Riley reached for the glass.
"Ah—" Veronica "stumbled," splashing the entire glass of golden liquid down Riley's front.
The semi-sheer fabric at Riley's chest and hem turned practically transparent, flesh-toned underneath clearly visible.
That fucking bitch!
"Oh... I'm so sorry." Veronica's hand froze mid-air. "I lost my balance."
Riley stood frozen. Her blonde hair was soaked, stuck to her skin, champagne dripping down her dress. She looked heartbreakingly pitiful.
Every eye in the room turned toward us. Riley was center stage. Most looks were curious, surprised, but some men's gazes were pure sleaze. I wanted to gouge their eyes out right there.
I moved forward to drape my jacket over Riley, but Veronica's grip on my arm was iron.
"I..." Riley's voice broke. "I'll go clean up."
She turned, flustered. Then came a sharp ripping sound. The train of her dress tore completely away from the base, the whole panel falling to the floor. She might as well have been exposed.
"How terrible." Veronica lifted her heel off Riley's hem, face innocent.
"What the fuck are you doing?" I abandoned all pretense of partnership, shouting at Veronica.
Everyone around us startled.
By the time I turned back to Riley, that small figure had bolted.
Veronica forced a smile, explaining to the crowd that my reaction was because she'd embarrassed my assistant and damaged Bykov Group's image. I couldn't stomach another word. Veronica's schemes, those leering stares, Riley's humiliation—it all burned in my chest like fire.
"Excuse me. Restroom." I immediately set down my glass and followed.
"Matvey!" Veronica's voice chased after me.
Fuck off.
I tracked Riley's path and finally caught up to her in the hallway leading to the restrooms.
"Riley." I draped my jacket over her shoulders. "I'll take you home."
"Stop pretending!" She wiped at her tears, then threw my jacket on the floor. "This is what you wanted to see, isn't it?"
"That's fucking impossible! I..."
What was she thinking? How could she believe that? Seeing her like this was killing me.
"You've been letting Veronica bully me this whole time!" More tears streamed down Riley's face. She couldn't wipe them fast enough. "I don't owe you anything. This is just a transaction!"
Her words hit my brain like a rush of blood. My pulse pounded with each breath.
I didn't want to hurt her. I was just... keeping my distance. I didn't want her dragged into bratva business. Didn't want her to see me weak.
That was my baggage. I didn't need her to understand.
"I didn't." I pinned her against the wall and kissed her.
I didn't give her another chance to speak. Every word she said right now would only make this worse.
Riley's lips were still so soft. I sucked gently at them, tangled my tongue with hers. My tongue came home. I knew she felt it too. Her fists beating against my chest gradually softened, her body melting into mine.
Damn. Just kissing her got me hard as a baseball bat.
I slipped my hand inside her bra and pinched her nipple. Her body went limp against me.
"Not here..." she gasped.
From now on, that's the only kind of protest I wanted to hear from her.
I kissed the corners of her eyes, tasting her tears with her, sharing that bitter sting.
"You want me." My mouth returned to her lips.
Her taste could last me all day.
She closed her eyes and didn't answer. But I knew she was already wet. I slid my hand between her legs. Sure enough, soaked. My fingertips found her clit, rubbed gently.
"Mmm..." Her head fell against my chest.
I kissed the top of her head softly, kept my touch gentle. Riley's moans were sweeter than I'd ever heard.
"About tonight's event..." voices drifted closer.
Shit. Why now? I forced down my ragged breathing and straightened Riley's disheveled clothes.
"I'll have Anton take you home." I draped my jacket over her again and texted Anton.
She got in the car without looking at me once.
By the time I got back to the venue, the endless dinner was finally wrapping up. I walked out with Veronica on my arm. When I tried to leave, she stopped me at the car.
"Matvey." Her fingers traced my sleeve, voice sultry. "Aren't you going to see me home?"
She'd used that move on countless men. I was done with this shit for tonight. I didn't want to waste another second on her.
"I have work." I got straight into the car. "I'm leaving."
"This late, and you'd let your wife go home alone? Aren't you worried?" She pressed her hand against my car door.
"First, not wife. Ex-wife." I looked at her, then at the muscle-bound bodyguards behind her. "Second, you've got more security than me. What's there to worry about?"
She didn't respond, just tried to yank the door open and climb in. I slammed it shut.
"I already agreed to help you get your inheritance. Don't push your luck." I watched her snatch her hand back. Finally felt a little better. "This is a business arrangement. Stay in your lane."
"Matvey! You bastard!" The car had already pulled away several feet before Veronica's voice reached me.
I had to admit, being a bastard felt pretty fucking good. Even if I couldn't burn this bridge just yet.