One thing was certain. He’d been holding back when I’d kissed him. His mouth demanded that I give him more, but he didn’t rush. With each deepened kiss, heat curled through my body as his fingers slowly slid down the fabric of my dress to the hem.
The coolness of his fingers against my bare skin took my breath away and a little moan escaped. His response was a low growl as his kisses slowed, and I felt the softness of his fingers running up my thigh. It was like my world was circling in slow motion as I let out another moan against his mouth. I was expecting his fingers to continue, but he just teased me instead, pressing against me and circling my thigh.
My pulse was pounding with each passing second that I felt him taunt me with something I wasn’t sure I’d ever get.
“Devin,” I whispered between kisses.
He reluctantly broke his mouth from mine.
“We shouldn’t.” I tried to steady my breathing, but he drew his fingers up higher along my thigh and my breath caught.
A flicker of amusement ran through his gaze and it made my stomach knot in excitement.
“Are you sure about that?” His voice was gravelly with need.
“I’m not sure about anything,” I said, realizing that was the truest statement I’d been able to utter since our worlds had collided.
He cupped my face with both hands and drew me in for another kiss that sank me deeper into an unknown world where I didn’t belong.
My mind flashed back to the flyer from Ellis, and the image of Lieutenant Davis and Jaxson coated all of my emotions. The Volkovs were predators and we were the prey, but that was going to change soon. I let out a whimper of need and hungrily met Devin’s kisses with a silent plea for more.
Chapter Twelve
Devin
I felt a change in Avery’s kiss and reluctantly broke my lips from hers, but getting a small taste of Avery made me ache for more.
Her eyes opened to mine and held a faraway look. I wanted to bring her back to this moment, but I didn’t know how.
“Be my date for Friday’s event.” I attempted to ask her, but it came out more forceful than I intended. It was more of a statement.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself.” She smiled, her eyes warm from the same longing threading through me. “At least wait until Wednesday to make sure you’re still interested in me. . .or I’m still employed.”
Avery parted her lips to say something else, but she quickly slammed them shut.
“What?” I asked, taking a step back. “What did you want to say?”
“How about that dance?” Her chest heaved as she brought in a deep breath, and I imagined what sat under the thin fabric of her dress. There was no teetering on the edge of attraction with Avery. I was fully into her, and the feelings weren’t anything I’d ever experienced before, even with Cynthia.
And because of that, I was willing to take things as slow as she wanted or needed.
I held my hand out, and she wove her fingers through mine as we walked over to the dance floor. Any excuse to pull her into me was a reason I’d gladly accept, and she didn’t disappoint as she swayed her hips, sliding her ass into my hips.
It didn’t matter what song was beating through the club. We were in our own world. I spun her around and pulled her body into mine. Her hands crept along my chest, releasing every desire I had running through me. I brought my lips to hers and felt her mouth open so I could deepen the kiss.
She ran her hand around my neck and tangled her fingers in my hair. I’d come here a million times before, and never had I danced with a woman like this. This dance was the most erotic thing I’d ever encountered, and I knew it was solely because of who I was with.
There was something different about her. She was more vulnerable—more open—than other women. There was no endgame with her.
And she didn’t want anything from me. For the first time, I’d met a woman who wanted absolutely nothing from me or my family. No strings attached. In fact, it was the exact opposite. There was a chase.
I held in an excited groan as her hand slid down my stomach. Her tongue was swirling into mine and my entire body was aching.
I’d never gotten this excited from kissing someone before, and I couldn’t imagine not having more of her.
She slid her hand back up my chest and wrapped both of her arms around my neck. My fingers grazed the small of her back before resting on her hips, pulling her into me. Her breasts pushed into me as she ground into me. She let out a little gasp, and I felt a smile as my hardness pressed into her belly.
I wanted her so bad it hurt, but right when I thought I couldn’t take anymore, her kisses slowed and she pulled back.
“I should probably get going.” She sucked on her bottom lip and I had the same desire. I wanted to suck on that lip, her neck. . . “I hadn’t even expected to stay here this long, and things have gotten out of hand and—”
As she continued, I spotted a man near the bar, glaring at her. He was so focused on Avery that he didn’t even seem to notice I was watching him.
“I know I shouldn’t have kissed you back, and I’m so sorry. I’ve never—”
“Avery, it’s okay. Whatever you want or don’t want to do is fine with me.” I brought my gaze back to hers and saw the fire behind it. “You’ll always call the shots.”
I looked over Avery’s shoulder to see the man standing and staring in our direction. There was no mistaking who he was looking at.
“Let me take you home. I have a car waiting—”
“I’m okay. I’ve got it.” She shook her head. “Question.”
“Anything.” I smiled, looping my arms around her waist.
“What’s behind that secret door upstairs?” Her brow arched and a playful glint surfaced. “I saw you walking out of the wall.”
“So you weren’t looking for the restroom?” I laughed.
“I was hoping to bump into you,” she confessed.
“Mission accomplished.” I smiled, bringing her in.
“Well?” she pressed.
“A card room.”
An impish smile flickered across her face. “What do you play?”
“It’d be simpler to list what I didn’t play.”
“Are you any good?” Her brow lifted.
“Very.”
“I’ve always heard of these private card rooms, but I guess I never ran in the right circles to see one.”
“It’s always good to experience as much as you can in life.” I glanced over to where the man had been standing and he was gone. I scanned the bar and dance floor and didn’t see any sign of him. “I’ll take you sometime.”
“Wolf Industries is very generous with pay, but even with taking that into account, I wouldn’t be able to afford it, I’m sure.”
I laughed and shook my head. Just being with Avery made my world seem lighter.
“If you decide you still want a date by Wednesday, I’ll be waiting. If not, it will be business as usual. No hard feelings.” Avery sucked in a breath and dropped her gaze to the floor. The act nearly ripped my heart out. She really thought I wouldn’t want her beyond tonight. “I promise.” She brought her gaze to mine and smiled. “After the liquid courage gets out of your blood, you might reconsider.”
I laughed and kissed the top of her head, feeling her body relax into mine. “Avery, you have no idea how much I’ve wanted you since the moment we first met. It has nothing to do with a couple of drinks.”
She slid her arms around my waist and stood on her toes to give me a quick kiss on the cheek.
“We’ll see about that.” She unwrapped her arms from me. “I’ll see you on Monday. Try to stay out of trouble.”
“You sound like Greta.” I grinned.
“Who said she wasn’t the one sending the message?” She laughed and turned around, weaving her way through the crowd.
I quickly looked around the club and saw that Jenn and whoever she was with had left an empty booth, and I still didn’t spot the guy anywhere aro
und. My skin tingled with uncertainty as I slid my fingers against my lips. A gnawing sensation formed in the pit of my stomach. Something wasn’t right about that guy. It wasn’t my imagination. He was looking at Avery.
I quickly wove through the people in my way and nearly crashed through the front door. The bouncer stepped out of my way.
“Did you see which way a woman with auburn hair, green eyes, and who was wearing a black dress went about forty seconds ago?”
He pointed to the north. “That way.”
“Did she get a car?” I asked.
“No. She was on foot.”
“Shit.” I shook my head.
“Need any help?” he asked, reaching for his phone.
“I’ve got it. Thanks for the information.” I took off in the direction he said Avery went, my heart rate increasing with every step. Something wasn’t right.
I had one more stop to make before I could go home, but I had to make sure she made it safely to wherever she lived. I scanned the sidewalks, looking for any sign of Avery or the man from Priva. I wasn’t certain where she lived. I’d glanced her address from the forms Greta hadn’t filed yet, but it still left a couple of options on foot.
The longer I went without seeing her, the more certain I was that I’d chosen the wrong route until I heard her voice around the bend. I quickened my pace to an outright run and turned the corner to see Avery pressed up against the brick wall of a building with the same man from Priva blocking her from escape.
Her eyes connected with mine and her expression was laced with fear.
“Please, leave me alone,” she said, trying to push the man away, but he stayed as stiff as a stone statue.
“Did you not hear the woman?” I snapped.
The guy turned around slowly, looking beyond surprised as my fist connected with his nose. He stumbled backward, and I quickly kneed him in the gut as he held his nose, yelling at me.
The man fell to the ground, cursing at me when I nailed another kick into his side.
“When a woman asks to be left alone, you do as you’re told.” I kicked him again and knelt. “You got that?” I took a quick photo of the man, called for my car, and slid my phone back in my pocket. “I don’t hear you.”
“Yes,” he stammered. “Yes. Fine.”
Not turning my back on this creep, I motioned for Avery to come to my side, which she did quickly.
The lightness from only a few minutes ago had been completely extinguished. Her eyes were wide with fear and disbelief.
“Why did you follow me?” Her words were merely a whisper, but I kept my eyes on the man.
“I saw that guy watching you at Priva and then he disappeared.” I glanced at Avery. “After you left, something didn’t feel right and the bouncer told me which way you went.”
“Thank you.” Her eyes landed on the man on the ground. “I can usually take care of myself, but I just wasn’t expecting this and I’d had—”
“You have nothing to apologize for.” I smiled, fighting the urge to bring her into my arms. “I’ve heard about the kind of damage you can dole out.”
“Oh, yeah.”
“I’m getting up.” The man coughed.
“No. You’re not.” I eyed the pathetic excuse of a man. He was dressed in a pair of cheap black slacks, a pale blue shirt, and brown loafers with worn soles. Priva wasn’t his usual hangout, but I’d find out who he was soon enough. This was what my family excelled at. We kept the streets safe at night. Of course, the police took the credit for keeping the sidewalks cleared and filth like this off the streets, but my family knew the truth. Our men kept these thugs in line.
Viktor finally pulled up to the curb, and I guided Avery to the car and opened the back door. She slid in and flashed another look in the man’s direction as I walked around to the other side and climbed in.
“I have a standing appointment. Do you mind if I stop there before getting you home?” I asked, reaching for her hand.
She wove her fingers through mine and pulled my hand to her lap.
“It’s the least I can do.” She flashed a feeble smile and turned to look out at the city. “So where do you have to go at midnight?”
“I have a meeting.” My eyes met Viktor’s in the rearview and my chest tightened. It was still hard to believe he’d spoken to the police. “One of our vendors is behind and I need them to understand the consequences.”
“At midnight?” she repeated, turning around to look at me. Her brows were arched with skepticism.
“Their work hours are a little different from most people’s.” I nodded. “It might be a good learning experience for you.”
Her expression fell. “What do you mean?”
“Well, you’re more than welcome to stay in the car with Viktor or you can come inside with me. Either option is fine with me.”
Her gaze flipped to the back of Viktor’s head before she pulled it back to me. “I’ll come inside with you as long as you’re sure it’s okay.”
“I’ve got nothing to hide.” I sat back in the seat, holding her hand tightly as Viktor drove us to my final destination for the night.
“I didn’t mean you were hiding anything,” she stammered. “I just meant—”
I squeezed her hand gently. “I know you didn’t mean anything by it.”
Her eyes narrowed on me. “Why are you so nice to me?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” My brows knitted together in confusion.
She shrugged. “It just seems like you and your brothers watch out for a lot of people. Between the building you’re unveiling and tonight. . .” Her voice trailed off.
“I don’t really think about it in those terms.”
Viktor pulled up to the bakery, and Avery looked out the window and then smiled at me.
“You’re hungry?” she asked, and Viktor laughed.
“No. This is the stop.” I pulled out my phone and glanced at the time. “So, you ready?”
Avery nodded and released her hand from mine before climbing out of the car. I slid across the seat and followed behind her. She looked tentative about her decision and I noticed she glanced at the car.
“You can stay in the car if you want,” I offered, and she shook her head.
I glanced down the sidewalk before walking to the door, punching in the security code, and walking inside. Avery was right behind me as I shut the door and locked it. The smell of cinnamon smacked into me and I glanced at Avery, who looked uneasy.
“Where is everybody?” she asked.
“In the back.” I pointed to a door behind the counter and her shoulders relaxed slightly.
“So they start baking at midnight?” She spun around to look at me.
“No. They usually start around two in the morning.”
“Oh.” She turned to face me. “Do you want me to stay out here?”
“Whatever makes you the most comfortable.”
Confusion flashed through her gaze. “I just don’t want to get in the way.”
“You won’t.” I hid a smile.
“I didn’t see anything on your list of holdings that mentioned a bakery.”
“You wouldn’t.” I buttoned my jacket. “We don’t own it.”
“Oh.”
I walked behind the counter and watched Avery trying to decide whether she wanted to follow me. The moment I turned to go in the back room, I heard her footsteps come behind me.
“Where is everyone?” she asked, looking around the empty room where giant mixers and stainless steel tables anchored the room. A long line of industrial ovens dotted the wall to the left, and empty tray racks had been rolled in front of the ovens.
“They’re in the back room. This is the kitchen.” I glanced behind me to see Avery taking in the industrial kitchen as if it were the gateway to heaven. “You like to cook?”
A shy smile crept along her features. “My dad and I used to talk about owning a bakery one day, even though we never ventured beyond chocolate chip cookies.”
My chest constricted seeing the pain dart through her gaze. “Why move beyond perfection?”
Her expression lightened. “Exactly.”
I slowed and waited for her to catch up before I unlocked the door to the back room. Her eyes fell to the keypad.
“Is this that rough of a neighborhood?” she teased, and I only smiled as I punched in the code.
The door unlocked, and I pushed the stainless door open to see several tables piled with bags of baked goods and briefcases. I heard an audible sigh from Avery and had to hide my smile.
Several of the men stood up quickly and stared at Avery as she came in behind me.
“She’s one of our most recent hires,” I explained as one of the men slipped his hand out of his pocket. “She might take over a run for me now and again.”
Avery stood next to me, taking everything in.
“Every Saturday morning, we have our team delivery.” I paused and looked at George, the bakery owner. “How many items?”
“Over twelve hundred loaves of bread, half as many bagels,” George answered. “And so on.”
I glanced at Avery, who seemed perplexed.
“To several of the charities around the city.” I smiled at her as her gaze fell to the hundreds of stacked loaves of bread. Most of our guys had started making the runs.
Her gaze flicked back to mine. “You run baked goods through the city?”
“They pay for all the items and their men drop them off,” George explained to her on my behalf. “The Wolf brothers are good men.”
I stiffened. I generally only heard that term when we were meeting against hostility.
My gaze flashed to George’s and his expression turned solemn. “The Volkov family is very generous,” he corrected.
“I see that,” Avery said, rocking back on her heels.
“We do what we can, when we can.” I stole another look at Avery, and the same feelings rushed over me that I felt at the club.
I wanted her to see the kinder side of my life in case she ever heard about the darker world we lived in. It was bound to happen working on the floor she did, but we were as diversified in our criminal background as our philanthropic ways.
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