Chapter 15

Alexei

 

I pace at the bottom of the stairs in my tuxedo. I haven’t worn this in a long time. I’m nervous. I, the fucking Vor, am nervous. I’ve never had this feeling before, it’s foreign to me. I’ve always just taken what I want from women and moved on, but she is different. She is working her way inside of me and I can’t stop it. The more I have of her, the more I need. I know she’s all wrong for this life, but I can’t help myself. I look up from where I stand at the bottom of the stairs. All the air is sucked from my lungs as Clara walks slowly down the stairs toward me. I have no words for how devastatingly beautiful she is. This girl is going to fucking break me. I can feel it. When she steps off the last step, I gasp. Her eyes are outlined in black making them pop against her pale skin. She stands in front of me, not moving an inch.

“Alexei?” Vera calls, breaking the spell Clara has me under. I clear my throat and adjust the bowtie that’s wrapped around my neck. Vera laughs.

“You look absolutely stunning,” I tell her. Clara’s lips part and a genuine smile crosses her face. My heart leaps in my chest as I reach up and caress her face. My fingers linger a little longer before I lean down and kiss her. She opens to me and our tongues collide. I have to stop this before I have her naked in my bed. I’m trying to do what’s right here. I’m trying to give her a good night but she’s making it painfully hard for me. I pull my lips from hers, which was a challenge in itself, before I smirk at her.

“If we keep this up, you will never get your surprise.” Her smile slowly fades.

“I don’t like surprises.”

“This one you will. Come,” I say holding my hand out to her. She takes it without an ounce of hesitation which sends me soaring. I wink at Vera over my shoulder as Dmitry hands me the coat I got for Clara. I help her slide her arms in before grabbing her hand in mine and leading her out the front door. As soon as we step out, it occurs to me that she hasn’t been out of the house since she’s been here. I watch the way she inhales deeply, taking in the cold winter night. I give her time to adjust, her eyes darting around at the newly fallen snow. The driver stands with the limo door open, but I can’t take this moment from her. Her eyes move around before coming to rest on mine.

“Thank you, Alexei.”

“I haven’t done anything yet,” I chuckle. She grabs my face in her hands and kisses me quickly. She only pulls away enough to speak, her warm breath still dancing over my skin.

“You’ve done more than I can tell you.” With that, I take her and lead her to the car feeling the chill as it races over my skin. Once I have her settled inside, the car begins to move.

“What do you like to do?” I ask finding that I want to know more about her. She’s like my own personal drug that I can’t get enough of. Every time I think I can push her away, she comes falling back into my arms at full force.

“I like to listen to music. I’m not a very fun person. I read sometimes but that’s about it.” It’s hard for me to believe that she didn’t have a social life before now.

“You’ve never told me that or I could have gotten you some music to listen to or books to read,” I tell her. She turns to me, her face as soft and sweet as always.

“Alexei, I’m happy just being with you and Vera. I’ve grown quite fond of her. We get along really well and Alina, she’s just the best.” I nod my head and pull her closer to me, needing the warmth that she provides.

“I’ve never asked you this and for good reason. I’m a selfish man and even if you said yes, I don’t know that I would accept it, but I have to ask. Do you want to go home, Clara?” My chest tightens when the words leave my mouth. I didn’t want to ask her, in fact, if she says yes, I might just ignore her anyway. I’m not ready to let her go just yet, although I know it’s wrong to keep her too.

“If I’m being honest, no.” I let out a breath when she says no. She doesn’t want to leave me, and I don’t know that I ever want her to go. Something about Clara calls to me, grounds me. I keep her tucked into my side as we pull up in front of the club.

“I have to take care of something here. You can come in or wait here,” I tell her.

“What is this place?”

“It’s a gentleman’s club.”

“A strip club?” She looks up at me with her eyes wide. I chuckle and press a kiss to the tip of her nose.

“I own it, воробей.” She tips her head a little like she always does when she’s studying me.

“You own a strip a club?” I chuckle once more and reach for her hand when the driver opens the door. I climb out and help her out too before heading inside.

“I’ve never been to a place like this before,” she admits.

“You shouldn’t have a reason to.” Pulling her along with me, the bouncers nod as I make my way past. Clara’s eyes move around the room taking it all in.

“It’s… nice,” she muses.

“I pride myself on taking care of all things in my business.” She smiles up at me when one of the girls strolls up to me.

“What are you doing here?” she asks sweetly.

“Handling a few issues. How is the new girl working out?” I hired her right before Clara came to me. She was thin but needed a job. She could move her hips and tease in the right ways, so I hired her.

“Watch and see. She’s up next. Did you need Mitas?” Ashley asks. I nod my head and watch her walk away, ushering Clara to one of the empty chairs. I pull out her chair, watching her as she sits never taking her eyes off the stage. I glance around and wait for Mitas. He’s the man that I leave in charge of managing the club when I’m not here. The music begins pulsing through the room and the girl in question, I believe her name was Victoria comes out on stage. Ashley was right; the new girl has gained weight which is good. She crosses the stage like she owns it which is the way she should. She should be confident and ready to handle her job. That’s why I pay better than any other club in New York. I glance over at Clara, but her eyes are glued to the stage, taking it all in. I turn back to watch the show, watching Victoria slide along the pole before peeling her clothes off. The men whistle and catcall, tossing money her way. I keep watching until I see Clara stand out of the corner of my eye.

“Where are you going?” I call to her but it’s too late. She’s rushing toward the bathroom sign not looking back. I shove out of my chair and follow her when Mitas steps up with the paperwork that I needed to sign off on.

“What’s wrong? You look off,” he says holding the folder out to me. I grab it and sign it quickly.

“Is that all?”

“Yes, that was it.” I brush past him and walk into the women’s bathroom not giving a damn if there’s anyone in here. Clara stands at the sink, her head hanging between her shoulders. She takes slow, deep breathes and it unnerves me.

“What happened?” She turns her head to look at me, unshed tears sparkling in her eyes. I move toward her and she moves back.

“It’s degrading. Do you know how many girls are forced to do things?” She gasps for air. It never occurred to me that this would hit her so close to home after what happened to her.

“Clara, these girls ask for the jobs. I don’t force anyone to do anything. Is that what you think?”  The blue eyes that stare back at me crush my fucking emotions. She thinks I force them into this? What kind of monster does she believe me to be? “I’ve never forced any woman to do anything they haven’t wanted, Clara.” She swallows hard and bites her lip between her teeth. I can see the apology in her eyes, but I don’t want it. I don’t need it. Maybe I am making a huge mistake with her. Maybe I should send her on her way and forget this whole thing. The thought lingers in my mind until she takes the first step toward me. Then another until she’s standing directly in front of me.

“I’m sorry.” Reaching for her, I pull her into me, kissing her until she only thinks of me and what I do to her body. When I break away from her, her eyes are wild.

“No. Don’t be sorry. I should have thought it over before bringing you here. I’m sorry.” Neither of us says another word. I take her hand and lead her out of the bathroom, back to the limo.