Chapter Seven
Clare
“Dinner. Tomorrow night at 8.”
Leonid’s last words back on the boat were a shock to me.
Frankly? I enjoyed our little meeting. It was not what I’d imagined. I really thought those two would play good cop, bad cop in order to terrify me into telling them about my relationship with the Armenians. Ivan would be the good cop, advising me to reveal my—non-existent—secrets. Leonid would be the muscle, flexing his enormous arms and pecs and yelling in my face.
Well, I couldn’t have been more wrong.
I did sense that there was something business related behind this meeting. Leonid mentioned my application to the Blue Dolphin once. He wouldn’t have done that without good reason. Nevertheless, when I explained to him why I had done so, I got to see more of his human side. The man laughed out and banged his large palm onto the counter before his gaze met with Ivan’s. Then, Ivan just nodded to him, and neither of them brought it up again.
Other than this, the hour and a half I spent on that insanely extravagant yacht just breezed by. The two of them took me on a short tour. On the top deck lay a stunning swimming pool. With the sun scorching my skin, I wished I’d brought a bikini. Yet, how could I have known? I couldn’t have imagined that this urgent meeting would turn out so well.
The next morning, one of their men brought me a present. It was a gorgeous, floral dress with the tag still on. Hours later, I put it on and went out on the small balcony. Gazing out over the small gardens behind the safe house, I smooth my hands down the dress over and over again, remembering Dr. Yuschenko’s warnings about the Bratva.
These men are ruthless, and you think you can be all cheerful and relaxed around them? Are you really that na?ve?
My brain has a scary way of reminding me who I’m dealing with. They’re not blue-collar men, working nine-to-five jobs. They’re hardened criminals. I don’t know what kind of crimes they’ve been involved in, but they’re not knights in shining armor. Not that I believe in those anyway. All I want is someone to treat me as his equal.
Still, I can’t look past what happened back on that boat. Okay, I don’t have so much experience with men, but I do recognize certain circumstances. There are clues I don’t miss, and there were plenty aboard that yacht.
One? Leonid’s longing stare. My God, I’ve seen men who look at me like I’m a juicy steak, but there’s nothing like this man’s penetrating gaze. Other guys’ eyes say “I want to fuck you.” His said “I want to devour you. To mark you as my own, if it’s the last thing I do.” When I ducked my head to sip some water, his eyes dipped down to my cleavage and lingered there for a moment or two. Afterwards, his gaze darted back up to my mouth, and then, to my eyes.
Two? Leonid and Ivan never left me alone. We spent almost two hours on that boat together, and neither of them seemed willing to do anything other than hang out with me. Once they’d taken me on that tour, they were constantly on my flanks, showing me the features of the yacht, as if I were a potential buyer.
Their gazes held so much promise. There was a certain spark in their eyes. Their occasional touches on my back were meant to guide me to their preferred spot, like the second bar on the top deck. Leonid led me in and let his fingers roam down my lower back before smoothing them back up to the top of my spine. He rested his hand on the back of my head for several moments and gave it a tender stroke.
There’s some serious tension thrumming beneath my skin. Deep down, I don’t want this to be just dinner. Alas, when that thought lingers in my mind for a minute or two, a strict voice comes to scold me.
What the hell are you thinking? You want to play games with them? A couple of mobsters? Why? Do you have a death wish? Stop daydreaming, you silly twit!
By the end of this notion, doubt has already crept in. What if I’m misreading the signs?
They mean to protect me. They’ve been doing that since we crossed paths in that warehouse. Perhaps all I saw aboard the boat was just that—protectiveness. Care. Friendliness, along with the will to keep me out of the Armenians’ clutches. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s nothing physical. I do think they will be friendly tonight, even though my naughty side demands more than just smiles and friendly glances.
The balcony door slides open behind me, yanking me out of my thoughts. I flip around; Dr. Yuschenko’s standing just behind me.
“They’re here for you, Ms. Jensen,” he informs in his gravelly voice. He steps aside and I stroll back in, a wave of excitement washing over me.
His soft smile somewhat calms my nerves. He strokes my elbow, causing me to look back at him.
“Be careful, little one. Watch where you put your trust. Just because something shines, doesn’t mean it’s gold.”
A warning.
That’s what I take this as.
He means to warn me about those two.
I tip my head down and smile back to demonstrate my appreciation.
Yet, when I walk down the stairs, excitement quickly brushes caution aside. My ears pick up male voices amid the sound of my footsteps on the steps. Reaching the marble foyer, my suspicion is confirmed. Leonid and Ivan shove off from where they lean against the wall, their eyes on me as I leave the staircase behind. A thrill races across my spine, a tingle that sends warmth right into my heart.
“Beautiful,” Ivan praises, scanning my body from top to bottom. “That color suits you, Clare. Leonid, what do you think?”
“Good enough to eat,” he states, the admiration in his expression sending my pulse rising. Tingles race up and down my body, and I lower my gaze to hide the redness in my cheeks.
“Thank you,” I mutter under my breath.
Leonid takes me by the hand. Boy, he looks fantastic in that beige suit. His pecs seem to be suffering under that white shirt. That well-trimmed beard is adorning his handsome face. On the other hand, Ivan is in a navy-blue suit. There’s a dimple in his chiseled chin, one that is not obscured by any facial hair.
“Shall we?” I ask.
The men smile in amusement, hands on my waist. Leonid’s cologne stronger in my nostrils as he steps closer. “I like your eagerness, but I thought you’d be curious to hear our plans for tonight.”
With him towering over me, I have to lift my gaze to meet his intense stare. “You mentioned dinner yesterday, didn’t you? I know you’d want to know why I applied for a job at the Blue Dolphin.”
He squeezes his lips together and flinches, squinting. “Nah, that would be obvious. You want to make a living. Even if I were curious, I wouldn’t discuss this over dinner. Food and drink can distract people. I think a change of scenery is required tonight. What about you, Ivan?”
“I agree. There’s this place that means a lot to me.” Ivan’s voice is slower, emotion sending it down an octave. Their combined intensity enveloping me, I shiver in anticipation. “I’m sure you’ll like that place, too, Clare. We want to send you off with a celebration.”
Their thoughtfulness is moving to say the least. I throw glances between their faces in curiosity, a smile forming on my face. “Thank you. That sounds wonderful. Lead the way, please!”
Pushing the glass door open, Ivan heads for a shiny, black Mercedes up ahead. I can’t help but smile to myself when Leonid opens the rear door for me. Once again, the luxury around me is astounding. Aside from the leather seats, there’s a sizable minibar in the right corner. There’s a small drawer in the center console, its brown handle making it stand out. I count six crystal glasses in it. Leonid and Ivan join me in the backseat. I belt myself in and clear my throat.
“So, where are we going?” I wonder, their arms brushing my shoulders as the Mercedes starts off.
“Patience, Clare,” Leonid’s voice drops deeper, a rasp unmistakable. “Just relax and enjoy the ride.”
Delicious shivers run across my skin. Am I really experiencing all this? Because it feels a little too good to be true.
I can feel their gazes on me. Leonid’s fingers tuck some tendrils of my hair behind my ear while Ivan swipes his thumb across my wrist. There is tenderness in their moves. They are slow and deliberate. Nothing is accidental here. They both mean to show me what they want from me.
Do I have to choose?
Fear is long gone—a thing of the past. In the not so distant past, yes, but it’s no longer an issue. I cannot deny that. If I still harbored fear, I wouldn’t be asking myself that. I would’ve been figuring out ways to run away from these two.
In any case, choosing between them is next to impossible. I can’t choose one rugged handsomeness over another. I can’t select one mysterious Russian and send the other away.
The vehicle passes one high-rise after another. Silence lingers between us. I prefer looking at the buildings out the window, but, in truth, I’m not letting images register. My focus is not on skyscrapers. It’s within this fancy limousine. In particular, it’s between my legs. I can’t believe I’m daydreaming, but I’m actually imagining Leonid’s warm tongue.
Stop it, you fool! You can’t get all flustered now! They’ll notice!
I try to control my quickening breath, discovering that the car is coming to a gentle halt. I peer out of the window, finding a soaring glass lobby. Leonid opens his door and I scoot over, my gaze moving up an enormous high-rise.
“Holy cow,” I whisper, humid air hitting my face. “What is this place?”
“My building,” Ivan claims, approaching me. “The penthouse is mine.”
Ivan’s fingers stroke my elbow for a fleeting moment before he takes it in his grasp. He walks off, leading me to the entrance, Leonid staying on my flank.
Oh, no, I haven’t been imagining things. I haven’t mistaken their body language. These two wolves mean to devour me. They want to have their way with me, otherwise we would be at a South Beach restaurant, going over menus. They’re not interested in having dinner with me. They’re interested in having... me. The mere thought is enough to make my limbs shake.
In the elevator, I check my reflection in the chrome surface across from me. I pretend to shuffle my hair, but all I do is take in their lustful gazes. Both of them are distracted by my back and are staring at me.
My stomach drops as the elevator comes to a stop. The ding rings in my ears as the doors slide open. Leonid and Ivan usher me down a short corridor and into a stunning penthouse that makes my jaw drop. It’s literally the stuff of dreams. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, I can see the glittering Miami coastline, along with the open sea. The vast space is furnished in leather seating and gleaming wood pieces, like the rocking chair in the corner of the living room. A black quartz bar is to the left, but it doesn’t hold my attention for long. I do, however, notice an office and a bedroom through an archway.
The tip of my tongue moistening my lower lip, I decide to take the initiative. If these two wolves want me, they’re going to have to prove it. I make my way towards the nearest window, swaying my hips lightly. The scrape of shoes on the floor sends a shot of adrenaline through my veins. I sense footsteps behind me as I stand just inches from the window.
I close my eyes, sensing a gentle touch on my wrist. A sideways glance reveals the identity of the man beside me. It’s Leonid. His eyes blazing into mine, he tilts his head down, his other hand easing strands of my hair over my shoulder. Ivan’s cologne rushes through my nostrils as his fingers glide over my lower back. He smooths them over the curve of my ass and gives it a light squeeze over my dress. His lips landing on my shoulder, I tip my head back.
“This...” I whisper on an exhale. “This was your plan all along.”
“Yes,” Leonid admits. “You look ravishing in this dress, but we’d love to see you out of it in our bed, sweaty, with your hair disheveled and out of breath...in the morning.
“God...” I hiss, his statement sending more waves of arousal down my spine.
Ivan adds his own brand of torture. “We’d love to lick the sweat off your skin while you pant between us as we give you endless pleasure and take ours from your beautiful body.”
Ivan’s fingers clutch the hem of my dress. He eases it up, exposing the back of my thighs and my ass. I lean forward; Leonid strokes my forearm. Ivan’s knuckles brush the sensitive flesh of my ass cheeks, and he presses them into me. He splays his fingers over my skin and holds on, moving his hand over to my chest. The tip of his thumb nudges my nipple, and I whimper, caught in the delicious embrace of my hungry men. Pleasure builds inside me. I tilt my head back until I sense Leonid’s shoulder beneath.
But then, he shows me just how eager he is to see my naked figure. He lets go of my body and reaches down. Gripping the hem of my dress, he raises it all the way up, forcing Ivan to release me, too. He lifts it off my head, and I’m standing there with nothing on but a white lacy thong. My eyes open to slits. I shift my attention to Leonid. His full lips are parted, his gaze roaming my body. Goose bumps rise all over my skin as his hungry eyes take in every bit of me.
Part of me wishes to verbalize, to tell them that I want them to do whatever they want. Yet, Leonid beats me to it. He bends his knees, throwing his arm around my waist. The next thing I know, his other arm is around my knees. With little effort, he eases me up and off the floor.
I giggle, snaking my arm around his shoulders. He takes me to the bedroom I saw earlier, and I kick my shoes off. Ivan is quick to follow us.
“Look at her,” Leonid demands, his eyes continuing to travel up my naked body. “Such delicate beauty.”
“Fucking fantastic,” Ivan praises as his friend sets me down on the bed. I bring my thumb up to my mouth, watching them shed their clothes. In an instant, a funny sensation hits me. These two mysterious studs are getting ready to claim me. I am the object of their desire. Me. Clare Jensen. The girl who’s never really had a decent lover so far. Just two or three clumsy idiots who had no idea what they were doing and were only interested in enjoying themselves.
Leonid pulls down his boxers. His big, stiff cock sticks straight out from his body. He moves around the corner of the bed, his chiseled abs stealing my attention. I reach up to touch his smooth skin before looking in front of me. Ivan has just joined me in bed, his thick cock in his palm as he stares down at my crotch. In a swift move, he hooks his thumbs into the waistband of my panties. He eases them down my thighs and off my legs as Leonid climbs onto the bed, too.
The mattress dipping under their weight, I feel Ivan’s lips on my inner thigh. I lick my lips at the sight of Leonid’s large shaft. My fingers close around the base, the sound of Ivan’s kisses overshadowing my sighs. I move my fist up, savoring the feel of a huge cock in my grasp. Leonid’s thigh muscles clench in response as I lower him to my mouth. I lay a kiss on the head while Ivan is kissing his way up my slit.
“Yes,” I moan, unable to offer Leonid’s tool the proper attention. My grip around it loosens and he cups my breasts, his friend continuing to tease me. Ivan’s kisses grow in intensity; he squeezes my outer thighs. He leaves another trail of kisses down my slit. Leonid is pushing my breasts together. Crawling back, he bends down over me. His broad chest blocks the light, his mouth landing on my breast.
I’m in a haze of disbelief and molten lust. Leonid is kissing around my nipples while Ivan is sucking my nether lips like my pussy is a half-squeezed orange. My moans are so loud now. I’m at their mercy, longing for more. I ache for more of this mouthwatering teasing.
Leonid traps my nipple in his teeth, a gentle bite sending sparks of electricity coursing through my body. I drag my nails across the sheets, my butt clenching. Ivan lays more tender kisses up my pussy before the tip of his tongue strokes my clit.
“Yes! Oh, God, yes!” I groan, clutching the sheets. As Leonid grunts over me with my nipple in his mouth, I feel the first waves of my climax pulse. My inner walls tighten and loosen in quick succession as I surrender to the power of my orgasm. I hear Ivan’s smug laugh while Leonid is leaning back.
I keep my eyes shut, breathing in pants. Then, I hear a drawer opening and the sound of fingers fumbling with an aluminum packet. Once I open my eyes again, Leonid is standing across from me and Ivan has disappeared from view. The dipping of the bed tells me he’s right behind me.
In silence, Leonid reaches down and grabs me by the hips. He rolls me over onto my chest, and I flash a smile of gratitude up at him. I get up on all fours, presenting my ass to his friend.
“Amazing bubble,” Leonid says, his big hand falling hard on my flesh. My body jerks forward, and I lick my lips, feeling the swollen cock at my entrance. His long grunt shows his pleasure, and he pushes through my glistening folds. I close my eyes against how good it feels to have him fill me up, rolling Ivan’s balls in my grasp. Leonid thrusts deeply, then withdraws almost halfway, my inner walls stretching around his sheer size.
“Fuck me,” I urge, opening my eyes just enough to see Ivan’s tool. “Fuck me hard, please!.”
“Da,” Leonid grunts, pushing his inches back into me. I muffle my moan using Ivan’s stiff cock, letting it slip through my lips. He slides deep inside my mouth, his hand on the back of my head to hold me still. I can tell by his moves that he wants to be in control. I understand he won’t let me dictate the pace. He rocks his hips, seeking more of the friction that will send him over the edge.
Leonid’s steady penetration is making my body squirm under his touch. His long, deep strokes start to quench my desire, the head of Ivan’s cock hitting the top of my mouth over and over. I run my hand up his length, my saliva coating almost half of it. My fingers spread it down to his balls, and I lift my gaze up to his. His furrowed brows and rapid breathing spur me on. With Leonid’s shaft massaging my insides, I squeeze Ivan hard and move my hand up and down. The head of his cock bumps into the back of my throat, eliciting more moans
from me. Leonid’s balls are slamming into me, my body rocking back and forth in rhythm.
A snap of Leonid’s fingers later, and they switch places. Within moments, Ivan is opening another foil and rolling on protection, Leonid yanking his own condom off and tossing it away.
“I want to come all over your breasts,” he says, holding his cock as he kneels in front of me. I don’t think twice. I guide him into my mouth and swallow his delicious cock while Ivan buries himself deep inside of me. I feel his muscles flexing in my palms, plunging deeper into this world of ecstasy. Leonid fills my mouth as he slides along my tongue. Ivan holds on to my hips, their loud groans shouting their pleasure. Their strokes synchronize, and I’m in a cloud of bliss and lust. I’m satisfying them both, caught in their desire to have me. To own me. To mark me as their own.
I cry out as another orgasm rips its way through me. Ivan grunts, announcing his own climax. Leonid’s thighs begin to quiver. I don’t let him out, though. I won’t let him escape from the warm trap of my mouth. His cock twitches harder when Ivan pulls out. A few jerks later, Leonid’s juices shoot down my throat. Streams of Ivan’s juices land over my ass cheeks, my tongue lapping up drops of his friend’s essence. Leonid eases himself out of my mouth. He’s gasping for breath.
“You felt amazing, malyshka.” The tenderness in his voice caresses my ears. I look up at him as Ivan strokes the side of my belly.
“You blew my mind,” he confesses.
Leonid puts his hands under my armpits. He pulls me closer and lies down, his head hitting the pillow with a minor thump. I snuggle into his chest, taking in more of his scent. Ivan kisses my shoulder blade. I interlock my fingers with his and close my eyes, resting my free arm over Leonid’s stomach. I smile to myself, utterly exhausted and more content than ever.