Blake: A Romantic Suspense (V Mafia Series Book 1)

by Karice Bolton

  Beautiful.

  It was like being inside these walls made everything about me melt into a mysterious world where I was playing a completely unfamiliar part, and I loved it. The glitz and glamor surrounding me created a mystical place that I loved being part of. For once, I was leaving everything behind and indulging in a role I didn’t know I’d longed to play.

  I shook my head, and Blake slowly snaked his arm along my waist, sending a rush of desire through me. I’d never encountered a man who could produce such feelings in me from nothing more than a glance or a touch.

  “Well, I hope you enjoy tonight.” Blake led me up the stairs, where a velvet rope sectioned off the balcony. Another bouncer sat at the top and gave Blake a quick nod as he let us through. Even though we were relatively close to the dance floor, it was quieter and more subdued in this space.

  Wallpaper with velvet brocade wrapped the walls, and several tables with champagne service bordered the way to where Blake’s brother was sitting. I heard a little squeal from Nina, and Blake laughed as I nearly floated to the table.

  I clearly wasn’t in my element, and I shouldn’t feel sexy, yet I did.

  As Devin introduced himself to Nina, I knew I wouldn’t have to worry about keeping her amused. She nearly melted into his side as he motioned for her to scoot into the booth.

  “I was worried you wouldn’t come,” Blake said, his arm falling away from my waist. The moment it left, I missed his touch as I scooted into the booth.

  “I told you I thought it would be fun to see how the other half lived,” I teased.

  “And which half is that?” he asked, sliding into the booth next to me.

  I didn’t answer his question, but I felt his gaze on me as if he wasn’t sure I really was here. I scanned the club and saw beautiful women in every corner.

  “You’ve really made my night.” His gaze steadied on mine, and I felt another rush just from being near him.

  “I’m not going to be here long. I have work in the morning,” I said softly.

  “We’ll see about that.” Blake flashed a wicked grin and I nearly melted.

  “What do you mean?” I narrowed my eyes on him. “I mean it. I have to get home early. My first appointment is at eight.”

  “Whatever you say.” His eyes stayed on mine, and I felt heat spread through me.

  “Do you come here often?” I asked.

  “Not until recently,” he answered. “It’s not really my scene. I’d prefer spending the night in.” His gaze fell to my lips and I felt the flutter return.

  I couldn’t even fathom what it would be like to kiss those lips.

  “I usually . . .” I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “I usually spend most of my nights at the house.” I nodded and watched Nina climb out of the booth with Devin right behind.

  There was something about being here that let me forget who I was. It was like I could leave all of my problems at the entrance and lose myself in the dazzling mystery of living this lifestyle.

  And I craved that. I craved the idea of being with Blake Volkov.

  If nothing more than for a change.

  “I’ll be out there dancing,” Nina informed me, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

  “You do that.” I winked and watched her take off with Devin.

  “Would you like to dance?” Blake asked, his fingers running up my back.

  A shiver ran down my spine from his touch, leaving me nearly breathless. I turned to look into his eyes and smiled, a flicker of worry sparking through me.

  “I don’t really . . .”

  He was studying me, waiting for something beyond my answer.

  I sucked in a deep breath. I needed this. Why not do something different—something completely out of my element—where I no longer had to be in charge?

  “Yeah. I’d like that.” My smile widened, and his hand rested at the base of my spine. It wasn’t overtly sexual, but I was allowing him more access to my body than anyone had gained in years. Dating was never a priority, and yet with this simple gesture, it was like I was letting him claim me for the night.

  His lip curled slightly as his gaze darkened. “Good. I can’t wait to be the envy of every man here.”

  “You’re certainly smooth.” I didn’t care if that was his everyday pickup line. I loved hearing it roll off his tongue. His words pulled me deeper into this world, and I knew I’d do just about anything to spend one night with him.

  Chapter Seven

  Blake

  The moment I received Ava’s text that she was standing outside the club, it felt like my life was starting to turn around. After tonight’s run with my brother, I felt even more disconnected from the world I was supposed to fall into.

  Watching Devin walk a briefcase full of cash out to our car with nothing more than a pistol by his side jolted me into my new reality. It was a stark reminder that I was now involved in a world divorced from the rest of the universe. This society ran by its own rules, governed by nothing more than ruthless individuals out to get what they wanted, my family included. We didn’t usually get this gritty and run the routes like this, but the man who usually ran this one had wound up in the hospital with pneumonia.

  But getting Ava’s text temporarily changed that for me. At least for the night, I could pretend I was the guy I was before I got injured.

  I honestly didn’t think she’d show up, but that was what was so fun about Ava. She was impossible to predict. I actually thought she might chase me out of her office this afternoon.

  Ava’s friend seemed nice enough . . . right up Devin’s alley. Although, I wasn’t sure there had ever been a female who didn’t light up my brother’s world, and from what I heard about his breakup, any distraction was a good one.

  I linked my fingers through Ava’s, and we walked down the steps to the dance floor. The music was hitting all the right beats, but being with Ava made the club disappear.

  She managed to make all the messed-up emotions thrashing through me about my family, my future, and my life as a whole seem unimportant. She moved in front of me, and I watched the swish of her hips as the fabric of her pencil skirt tugged along her hips and over her ass.

  As we maneuvered our way onto the floor, I brought her into me, roping my arms around her waist.

  “You know, I didn’t even tell you my friend’s name,” Ava said, smiling.

  “Well, you’re all I care about.” I smiled and Ava blushed.

  “Her name is Nina.”

  “Good to know.” I looked down into her brown eyes. I saw a flicker of desire dart through her gaze, and her chest rose and fell a little quicker than seconds before.

  Our bodies didn’t match the fast music as she pressed herself into me. Our bodies swayed to our own silent song between us. Her beauty was so effortless, and she didn’t even recognize the spell she’d cast on me.

  “You’re the most fascinating woman I’ve ever met,” I said softly as her big doe eyes locked on mine. I watched her breath catch on the tip of her lips as she thought about what to say. “I feel like you came into my life for a purpose.”

  She thought I was feeding her one-liners, but I truly felt what I was saying.

  “A purpose?” she asked, her voice as sweet as the first day I heard it.

  I nodded and moved my hands to her hips. “Thinking about you has kept my mind off some pretty dark things.”

  Ava’s hungry eyes swept over my lips and I smiled, pulling her in closer.

  I slid my hands along her luscious hips. All of her movements were laced with sex. The way her hair brushed my arms, her breasts pressed into my chest, and her hips swayed against mine made it almost unbearable to be stuck in the middle of the dance floor with her. I truly wasn’t kidding about her being the envy of the club. I saw the men looking in her direction every five seconds.

  “So you know quite a bit about me and I know very little about you,” I whispered.

  She smiled, her eyes dipping to my chest. “I think it should s
tay that way,” she said, pressing her head against my chest as I felt her melt into me.

  “Why’s that?” I asked, my lips resting on the top of her head.

  “I’m boring,” she said softly.

  Her arms looped around my neck, and she brought her head back to look into my eyes.

  “I work as a psychiatrist. Nothing more to tell.”

  “I don’t buy it for a second.”

  Her eyes stayed on mine.

  “It’s true. Compared to nights like this . . .” She shook her head.

  “This is my brother’s scene, not mine.” I smiled at her, and it was almost like that bit of knowledge made her relax a little more.

  “You don’t like this at all?” she asked. There was a note of underlying hesitation.

  “I like it tonight, having you here in my arms.”

  “Is that what you tell all the women?” Her brows rose and I hid a smile.

  “All the women?”

  “Oh, come on. I saw a bit about you online.”

  “Is that so?” I asked, somewhat amused.

  “You’re the player of the Hurricanes, and I’m not talking about on the field.” I felt her arms tighten slightly around me.

  I laughed, shaking my head.

  “That was a different time.”

  “Like what?” she teased. “Two months ago?” Ava wiggled her brows, and she melted me a little more.

  “I’m not like that any longer.”

  “Since when?”

  “Since last season.”

  “How come?”

  “It got old.”

  “I can’t imagine any guy thinking new women in new states would get old.”

  “It’s true.”

  Her lips parted and her brown eyes locked on mine.

  “Our worlds can’t collide.” She shook her head.

  “I’m washed up. No need to worry about that.” I smiled.

  “That wasn’t the world I was talking about,” she said softly, her lips dangerously close to mine.

  I knew she was right on so many levels. She deserved better. I shouldn’t even think one second about involving her in my life, but the thought of not spending a night with her was crippling. I wanted to experience every part of Ava, and I could see in her eyes that she wanted it too.

  “How long is appropriate before we leave this place?” she asked, nearly breathless.

  Her question made desire pulse through every cell in my body.

  “I thought you had work in the morning.”

  “I do.” Her smile looked deliciously sinful. She glanced at her friend, who was walking back to the table with Devin.

  My pulse quickened. There was a very high chance she’d talk herself out of whatever it was she thought she wanted to do tonight.

  She released her arms from my neck, and I could feel the want in her body as she pressed herself against me without leaving. Her hands slid down my chest and to my waist, resting on my belt.

  “You want to go back to my place?” I asked in a low voice.

  I knew it was the most overused line, but Ava was all business. If I tried to come up with something clever, she’d probably laugh in my face. With this question, she bit her lip and nodded.

  I didn’t want to separate our bodies, the energy running between us, but I needed to let my brother know.

  “You want to tell Nina?”

  “Mmmhmm,” she said, her eyes dopey with lust.

  Ava took a tiny step back, sliding her hand into mine as we quickly climbed the stairs. I motioned to my brother, and Nina looked over, her eyes connecting with Ava’s. They exchanged a knowing glance, and my chest filled with the thrill of the unknown as we quickly made our way outside.

  The line of wannabes had only lengthened as I scanned for a car service. A black sedan pulled up to the curb and we slipped inside. Devin needed the car, and my apartment was only two blocks away. We could’ve walked, but it didn’t seem right.

  I closed the car door behind us and told the driver my address.

  We were there within minutes. Neither of us said much on the way.

  I was worried I’d say something that would scare her away, and I wanted her so badly the thought terrified me. I paid the driver and we walked up to my building. The doorman let us in and we walked into the lobby.

  “This is gorgeous,” she whispered, and I looked around. I suppose it was. The two-story entry allowed for more light to come inside during the day, which was what initially drew me in.

  I slid my hand along Ava’s spine, and she shivered as we stood waiting for the elevator. The moment it chimed, she stepped inside and spun around to face me.

  “I’ve never done something like this before,” she whispered, and I cupped her chin in my hand.

  I believed her completely.

  “I’ll do how much or how little you want,” I told her, bringing my lips so close to hers.

  “I want a lot,” she said softly, her tongue gliding along her parted mouth.

  My mouth crashed to hers, and she pressed her body into me as I pinned her to the wall. Her tongue filled my mouth with the sweetness I imagined, and her hand ran through my hair, driving me insanely crazy for her.

  The elevator dinged and the doors opened. Neither of us wanted to leave the kiss behind until we absolutely had to, and the doors began to close again.

  She giggled as I led her out into the hallway, and my heart pulsed in my chest from the sound. Ava’s laughter literally brought joy to my heart.

  I unlocked the door and we walked inside.

  “Such a beautiful home,” she said, barely looking around but keeping her gaze focused on me.

  She slowly ran her fingers around her waist to her back, and I heard the sound of her zipper, completely taking me by surprise as her gaze steadied on mine.

  I closed the gap between us and took over, her fingers falling away as I undid the last little bit. She worked her luscious hips out of the pencil skirt until it fell into a puddle around her ankles.

  She was wearing black lacy panties, and the way she filled them out made me barely hold on. Ava sucked on her bottom lip and then began to slowly work herself out of her jacket, dropping it to the floor next to her.

  Ava stood in front of me in nothing but a red silk camisole and black panties. I’d say she looked vulnerable and giving, but she looked fierce and was, without a doubt, the sexiest woman I’d ever laid eyes on.

  “I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman, Ava,” I murmured, and her cheeks flushed.

  I looped my finger over the lace and pulled down her panties as her eyes stayed fastened on mine.

  “I never imagined I’d be with a sports star,” she whispered.

  I chuckled and knelt in front of her, running my fingers along her thigh to her V spot. Moving the silk up her belly, I traced my mouth up her skin, tasting sweetness as her breathing changed.

  She curled her fingers through my hair as my mouth ran over the swell of her breast, my tongue flicking against her hardness when a moan of pleasure shook me to my core.

  I stood up, my gaze raking over her curves. Ava took a step forward and curled her fingers around my neck, bringing my mouth to hers. I scooped her into my arms and carried her to my bedroom, our kisses only deepening with each step until I placed her on my bed.

  She pulled the silk over her head, and I ached to be inside her. Her breasts rose and fell with each of her quickened breaths as she fumbled with the buttons on my shirt, attempting to open them quicker than she was capable of. I hovered over her and got the sudden urge to protect her, to always be her protector. I leaned down and kissed her hard as she pulled off my shirt and began working on unfastening my pants.

  Every part of my body was on fire with need for Ava as I kicked my pants to the floor, still kissing her and feeling her nails digging into my back. I propped myself on an elbow, and my free hand roamed along her side and around her butt.

  She let out a little moan of approval as I brought her hips in
to me, her legs falling to the side.

  Ava brought her lips to the crook of my neck before sinking her mouth into my shoulder, letting out a soft moan as my fingers worked her body into a frenzy of emotion and need.

  The sight was beautiful as I hovered over her and covered her naked body in soft kisses, teasing her before pushing into her.

  Ava’s body quivered, and her nails dug into my back as she lifted her hips into me.

  I began pumping into her as her lip trembled with desire. She nearly panted with hunger as she arched her body into mine. The swell of her ass under my palms rocked my world as her lips crashed to mine. Our worlds melded into one as she cried my name and I felt her tighten around me in ecstasy as my body shuddered into hers. After a few seconds, I rolled to the side to get off the bed, but she grabbed onto me and pulled me into her.

  “Wow,” she whispered, still trying to catch her breath, and I suddenly didn’t feel like going anywhere.

  Chapter Eight

  Ava

  I still couldn’t believe I let myself have a one-night stand with Blake Volkov.

  A professional athlete.

  A man who would never promise more than a fling.

  A member of the V Mafia.

  I fell for the trappings of fame, good looks, and charisma. Exactly what I said I’d never do, yet I couldn’t help myself.

  I groaned at the mortal weakling I’d become, but this walk of shame was one for the record books. Actually, it was a pretty short walk considering the cab dropped me off in front of my house.

  Sleeping with him wasn’t planned—not initially, anyway—but it was worth every single thread of guilt that was now rapidly unspooling inside me.

  I knew he was far more experienced than I was, but everything was perfection. Whether it was how he looked at me, making me feel like the most gorgeous woman in the world, or how he ran his fingers so expertly along my body, working me to climax time and again and putting my needs far above his, I was completely ruined.

  A shiver ran up my spine as I thought about his sapphire blue eyes running along my body for the first time. I wasn’t skinny by any means. Finding a bra where my breasts didn’t overflow was always a battle, and getting pants to slide over my hips constantly presented challenges, but none of that mattered when I was with him last night. It was like he worshipped not only me, but my body, and I liked it.