Accidental Bratva Daddy (Bratva Blessings)

Chapter 2Luka

2

Luka

T he elevator ascends smoothly, each floor bringing me closer to Natalia's presidential suite. My heart rate quickens, a sensation I'm entirely unaccustomed to. I'm Luka Volkov, feared leader of the Volkov Syndicate. I don't get nervous over women.

And yet, as the doors slide open with a soft chime, I find myself smoothing down my already immaculate suit. No woman has ever made me feel this way, as though she’s consuming my every waking thought in the moments between seeing her.

Natalia answers my knock almost immediately, as if she's been waiting just on the other side of the door. The sight of her steals my breath away. She's changed out of her gown into a silk robe that clings to her curves, her auburn hair tumbling freely around her shoulders. Without the mask of makeup and high fashion, she looks softer, more vulnerable.

It stirs something protective in me, a feeling I quickly try to squash. The only person I need to watch out for is myself. The world gets colder every year, and my circle grows smaller. Even a little ray of sunshine like Natalia isn’t enough to warm the ground I tread on.

"I was beginning to think you wouldn't show," Natalia says, a teasing lilt to her voice as she steps back to let me in.

I smirk, falling easily into our flirtatious banter. "And miss the chance to see the infamous Natalia Orlova in her natural habitat? Never."

Her eyes narrow playfully. "Infamous, am I?"

"Oh, absolutely," I say, following her into the opulent living area. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a breathtaking view of Moscow's glittering skyline. "Your designs are the talk of the town. And that little display at the party? I'd say that cements your status as the most interesting woman in this city.”

A faint blush colors her cheeks, but she lifts her chin defiantly. "Those women had it coming. I won't apologize for standing up for my family."

There it is again, that fierce loyalty, that spark of fire that drew me to her in the first place. It's intoxicating... and dangerous. I need to remember why I'm really here.

"I wouldn't expect you to," I say, watching as she moves gracefully towards the minibar. "Family is everything, after all. They come first. Always.”

Natalia glances over her shoulder, her green eyes searching my face. "You say that like you speak from experience."

I shrug, careful to keep my expression neutral. "Let's just say I understand the importance of protecting what's yours."

She hums thoughtfully, turning back to the array of crystal decanters. "Drink?"

"Please."

I settle onto the plush sofa, admiring the way Natalia moves with easy confidence in this luxurious space. She belongs here, among the finer things in life. A traitorous voice in my head whispers that she'd fit just as well in my world, ruling by my side, draped in jewels and power. A Queen for all to see on my arm, loyal and fierce and brave.

I shake off the thought. Focus, Volkov. You have a job to do.

Natalia returns with two glasses of amber liquid. As she hands me mine, our fingers brush. The contact sends a jolt of electricity through me, and judging by the way Natalia's breath catches, she feels it too.

"So, Mr. Volkov," she says, settling beside me on the couch. Close, but not quite touching. The space between us fairly crackles with tension. "What brings a man like you to a fashion show afterparty?"

I take a sip of my drink. It’s an excellent whiskey, smooth and rich. "Business, primarily,” I say as I savor the taste. “Though I have to say, the company has been an unexpected pleasure."

Natalia's lips curve into a coy smile. "Just unexpected? Not delightful? Captivating? Life-changing?”

I can't help but chuckle at her playful banter. "Fishing for compliments, Ms. Orlova?"

"Maybe," she admits with a grin. "Is it working?"

Our eyes lock, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe. This close, I can see flecks of gold in her emerald irises, smell the intoxicating blend of her perfume and something uniquely her . It would be so easy to lean in, to close that last bit of distance between us...

But no. I can't afford distractions, no matter how tempting.

I clear my throat, forcing myself to lean back slightly. "You know, I don't think anyone's ever accused me of being delightful before."

Natalia laughs, the sound bright and genuine. "No? I find that hard to believe. You strike me as a man of many hidden depths, Luka."

If only she knew.

"What about you?" I ask, steering the conversation away from dangerous territory. "Successful fashion designer, darling of Moscow's elite... is your life everything you dreamed it would be?"

Something flickers in Natalia's eyes—a hint of shadow beneath the sparkle. "It has its moments," she says carefully. "But sometimes I wonder if it's worth the cost."

"The rumors?" I probe gently. “I heard a few. You shouldn’t let them get to you.”

“I try not to, but…” Natalia looks off into the distance, taking a long sip of her drink. "Don't get me wrong, I love what I do. Creating beautiful art in the form of clothes, making women feel powerful and confident... it's my passion. But the politics of it all, the constant scrutiny..." She trails off, shaking her head. “Sometimes I feel like the whole world is breathing down my neck.”

"It must be difficult," I say, surprising myself with how much I mean it. "Living under that kind of pressure."

She gives me a wry smile. "Says the man in the multi-thousand dollar suit. I'm sure you know nothing about pressure."

If only she knew. But I return her smile, inclining my head in acknowledgment. "Touché. Though I assure you, my world comes with its own unique set of challenges."

"Oh?" Natalia leans in, her eyes sparkling with interest. "Do tell, Mr. Mysterious Businessman. What deep, dark secrets are you hiding?"

For a split second, I consider telling her everything. Laying bare the truth of who I am, what I do. The weight of the empire I've built, the blood on my hands. But the moment passes, and I school my features into a playful smirk.

"If I told you, I'd have to kill you," I tease, though there's more truth to the words than she could possibly know.

Natalia rolls her eyes, but her smile remains. "Always so dramatic. Fine, keep your secrets. I'll just have to use my imagination."

"A dangerous proposition," I murmur, my voice dropping low. "You have no idea what kind of man I might be."

The air between us thickens, and I can feel the electricity on my skin. Natalia's gaze drops to my lips, then back up to meet my eyes. "Maybe I like a little danger," she whispers. “Maybe I’ve been waiting for something mysterious and unexpected in my life.”

That's all it takes to shatter my resolve. In one fluid motion, I close the distance between us, capturing her lips with mine. Natalia responds immediately, melting into me with a soft gasp. Her lips are soft, tasting faintly of whiskey and something sweeter. Cherry, perhaps. I deepen the kiss, one hand tangling in her silken hair while the other pulls her closer.

Natalia matches my passion, her fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt. When we finally break apart, we're both breathing heavily. Her cheeks are flushed, her lips swollen, and I've never seen anything more beautiful.

"Luka," she breathes, her eyes dark with desire.

That one word, my name on her lips, snaps the last thread of my control. My arousal is instant, my desire to claim her overwhelming. I surge forward, claiming her mouth once more as I press her back against the sofa. Natalia arches into me, a soft moan escaping her as my weight settles over her and my erection presses against her robed leg.

My hands roam her body, greedy for the feel of her soft skin beneath the silk robe. I find the tie at her waist, tugging it loose. "May I?" I growl against her lips.

"God, yes," Natalia gasps, already working at the buttons of my shirt.

I push the robe open, revealing her body to my hungry gaze. She's even more beautiful than I imagined, all pale skin and lush curves, the flushed pink of her nipples making my cock strain against my slacks.

"Perfection," I mutter, trailing kisses down her neck. “The only thing more beautiful than your clothing is the body beneath it.”

Natalia shivers under my touch, her hands pushing my shirt off my shoulders. Her nails rake down my back, igniting sparks of pleasure that go straight to my groin. "You're overdressed," she complains, fumbling with my belt. “Take this off.”

I chuckle darkly, capturing her wrists and pinning them above her head with one hand. "Patience, darling,” I tease, using my free hand to trace the curve of her breast. "I want to savor this."

Natalia writhes beneath me, her body arching into my touch. "Luka, please," she whimpers. "I need more.”

Her words send a surge of possessive desire through me. I release her wrists, making quick work of my remaining clothes. My cock springs free, hard to the point of near-pain, and her eyes instantly drop to it. She licks her lips at the sight, and I give her a ravenous grin.

“I have more for you right here,” I tell her, enclosing her body with my arms. When I settle back over her, skin to skin, we both groan at the contact.

"Tell me how much you want this," I demand, needing to hear the words. "Tell me you want me."

Natalia's eyes lock with mine, burning with an intensity that takes my breath away. She parts her legs, the robe falling to the ground, the pink of her aroused flesh slick against the head of my cock. "I want you, Luka," she says. “So fuck me. Now."

I don't need any further encouragement. In one smooth motion, I bury my cock inside her. We both cry out at the sensation. She's tight and hot and perfect around my shaft, her channel pulsing lightly around me. For a moment, I stay still, forehead pressed to hers as we both adjust to the overwhelming feeling.

"Move," Natalia urges, her slender legs wrapping around my waist to pull me deeper. "Please, Luka, I need you deep."

I silence her with a kiss, swallowing her moans as I begin to move. I push in deeper, stretching her and reveling in the way she gasps and sighs my name. Nothing else matters when her hot whispers brush against my ear.

She’s almost too tight for me, urging me deeper yet barely able to handle my thickness and length. I’m not one to brag about such things, as it’s both a blessing and a curse at times, but it does feel good to see how overwhelmed she is. That determination in her sparkling eyes are what keeps us going, though, and eventually, I’m able to sink all the way down to the hilt.

We find our rhythm quickly after that, as if our bodies were made for each other. The room fills with the sounds of our passion—skin on skin, breathless gasps, and whispered endearments in both Russian and English.

"You feel incredible, darling,” I growl, brushing my lips against her earlobe. "So tight and so wet. Your body is perfect.”

Natalia can only whimper in response, her nails digging into my shoulders as she meets me thrust for thrust. I can feel her getting close, her inner muscles fluttering around me.

"That's it, darling," I encourage, slipping a hand between us to where we're joined to circle her bud. "Come for me. I want to feel you squeeze my cock until it’s dry.”

My touch is all it takes to send her over the edge. Natalia comes with a cry of pure please, her body arching off the sofa and her abs tensing.

The sight of her lost in ecstasy, combined with the tight, wet grip of her body around mine, makes me lose control. I bury my face in her neck as I come, muffling my groan against her skin. She whimpers as I fill her, our bodies growing damp where we’re joined, my pulsing shaft buried to the hilt in her channel.

I feel no guilt or shame as I unload inside of her, even though it’s raw and unprotected. I never even asked if she’s on the pill, but I have to assume she is. Nobody would be this reckless without it.

I brush any other possibility out of my mind, unwilling to let it ruin the bliss of the moment.

For several long minutes, we lay tangled together on the sofa, both trying to catch our breath. I can feel Natalia's heart racing against my chest, her skin flushed and damp with sweat. I've never seen anything more beautiful.

"Wow," Natalia says finally, a hint of laughter in her voice. "That was..."

"Yeah," I agree, equally eloquent. I lift my head to meet her gaze, unable to stop the smile that spreads across my face. "Definitely life-changing. Maybe you were right. This hotel is better than mine.”

Natalia grins, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I don't know," she teases. "I might need more evidence before I can make that judgment. After all, once could simply be an aberration.”

I growl playfully, nipping at her lower lip. "Is that a challenge, Ms. Orlova?"

"Maybe," she says, running her fingers through my hair. "Think you're up for it?"

In response, I stand, scooping her into my arms. Natalia lets out a surprised laugh, wrapping her legs around my waist. "What are you doing?"

I start walking towards the bedroom, pausing to press her against the wall for a deep, passionate kiss. "Gathering more evidence," I growl against her lips as my cock becomes half-aroused against her body. "I intend to be very thorough in my research."

Natalia's answering moan is all the encouragement I need. “Then show me.”

We make it to the bedroom, though it's a close thing. I lay Natalia down on the plush king-sized bed, taking a moment to drink in the sight of her. Her hair fans out on the pillow like a fiery halo, her skin glowing in the moonlight streaming through the windows.

"You're staring," Natalia says, a hint of self-consciousness creeping into her voice.

I shake my head, climbing onto the bed to hover over her as I stroke my cock to full hardness. "I'm appreciating," I correct her. "You're a work of art, Natalia Orlova. A woman like no other.”

She reaches up, cupping my face in her hands. "Then appreciate me properly," she says, pulling me down for a searing kiss.

After that, words become unnecessary. We communicate through touch, through sighs and moans of pleasure. I map every inch of Natalia's body with my hands and mouth, committing each sensitive spot to memory. She's responsive, arching into my touch, her nails raking down my back in a delicious mix of pleasure and pain.

When I finally sink into her a second time, burying my cock in her wet heat, it feels like coming home. We move together in perfect synchronicity, as if we've known each other's bodies for years instead of hours. Natalia meets me thrust for thrust, her legs wrapped tightly around my waist, urging me deeper, her moans making it hard to keep my rhythm under control.

"Luka," she gasps, her head thrown back in ecstasy. "I'm close, I’m…”

"Let go, darling," I murmur, reaching between us once more. "Come for me, Natalia.”

She does, spectacularly. The sight of her coming undone beneath me, my name on her lips, sends me over the edge with her again. For a moment, the world narrows to just this—the feel of Natalia in my arms, the sound of our ragged breathing, the scent of sex and sweat and us .

Later, as we lay tangled together on the other side of the bed from the wet spot, I try to remember the last time I felt this... content. This at peace. Natalia's head rests on my chest, her breathing deep and even in sleep. I run my fingers through her tousled hair, marveling at how soft it feels.

This isn't me. I don't do pillow talk or gentle caresses. I take what I want and leave before the sun rises. So why can't I bring myself to move?

As if in answer to my unspoken question, my phone buzzes on the nightstand. With a quiet sigh, I carefully extract myself from Natalia's embrace, tucking the sheet around her bare shoulders. She stirs slightly but doesn't wake, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

I grab my phone, padding quietly to the balcony. The cool night air raises goosebumps on my bare skin, a stark contrast to the warmth of Natalia's body just moments ago.

The notification on my screen makes my blood run cold:

Target location confirmed. Isla Miramar resort, arriving tomorrow.

Isla Miramar. The same place Natalia had mentioned earlier. The same place she's headed with her family.

I glance back through the glass doors, taking in Natalia's peaceful form on the bed. For a moment, I let myself imagine a different life. One where I'm just a businessman, where I could pursue whatever this is between us without the weight of my other responsibilities.

But that's not the world I live in. I have a job to do. And Natalia... she's an Orlov.

With a heavy heart, I begin to gather my clothes. It's better this way, I tell myself. Better to leave now, before things get any more complicated. Before I do something truly unforgivable, like fall for her.

As I dress, my resolve hardens. I have a hit to arrange, a mission to complete. Whatever I felt tonight, whatever connection sparked between Natalia and me, it has to end here.

I take one last look at her sleeping form, committing every detail to memory. Then, silent as a shadow, I slip out of the suite and back into the night.

It's time to become the Volkov everyone fears once more.