In the Beginning (Volkov Bratva #1)(21)

He smiled faintly, remembering the way she reacted when she saw him. There was something so innocent about her, and he couldn’t help but feel the need to corrupt her.

The front door opened, and this time it was Lauren who walked in. He watched her scan the cafe, her mouth moving before she finally stopped, her eyes widening gradually when she spotted him, then narrowing.

When she didn’t look away, he held up his offering, hoping that she would come over.

She didn’t seem to realize just how appealing he found her. She had a sensual sway to her hips that was accentuated by the low riding jeans she wore. She hadn’t come here trying to impress him, but she easily held his attention without much effort.

When she was next to the chair, her fingers tightened around the back of it, making a mental decision before she dropped down, strands of wavy light brown hair escaping from the messy knot at the top of her head.

Mishca pushed the extra cup towards her, waiting until she accepted it before he smiled. “Good morning, Lauren. Mocha and caramel frap, yes?”

“Thank you.” Her words were soft, barely above a whisper, but whatever she had been planning as she walked in with that determined look on her face drained away. “You didn’t have to do this.”

The corners of his mouth turned up. “It wasn’t a problem.”

Lauren took a tentative sip, arching a delicate brow as she swallowed. She seemed to realize that he had noticed how she preferred it fixed.

It became a battle of wills, Mishca studying her, Lauren trying not to react to him studying her, but she couldn’t hide her reaction to him. Mishca could tell she didn’t want to like him, but she found him attractive all the same. Her cheeks flushed as she looked him over, just as they had the first day they met.

She had wide expressive eyes that were currently closed off, but just beneath that mask she tried to keep up, he could see something else lurking in their depths.

Clearing her throat, she began rooting through her bag, pulling out an envelope and pushing it towards him as he’d done her coffee.

He glanced down at it for a second before meeting her eyes again.“What is this?”

With a subtle arch of her brow, she practically dared him to open it. Flipping it over, he opened it, spotting several fifty dollar bills inside. He could guess where they had come from, but as he closed it, he gave it back to her.

“This was for you” he said.

She shook her head, trying to hand it back, but he placed his hand over hers, stilling her movements.

She looked from their hands to his face. “I appreciate the sentiment,” she began before he cut her off.

“Not sentiment, amends. Your dress was ruined.”

“You didn’t ruin it.”

“But my date did,” he countered.

“It wasn’t your fault.”

“I insist. I want you to keep it.”

“Mishca…”

“Lauren…”

She glared at him, refusing to back down, but she had never come across anyone like him, of that he was sure. And more times than not, he got what he wanted.

Her hand twitched beneath his. “I don’t need your money.”

Mishca quirked a brow. “Never said you did.”

Rolling her eyes, she finally nodded, pulling her hand free and putting the envelope away. “Fine.”

“Fine.” His lips twitched before finally blooming into a smile. “Are we good?”

“We’re cool.”

He leaned forward, resting his hands on the table. “I want to apologize for what happened. I didn’t think she would take it out on you.”

Brows furrowing in confusion, she asked, “What?”

“It was something I said to her before you came back.”

“And what was it…I think I have a right to know after getting potatoes dumped on me,” she said with a laugh.

“Jonathan asked who you were. I said you were a girl who refused to go on a date with me.”

The straw was poised at her lips, but when he stopped speaking, she stared at him like he had grown another head.

He chuckled. “You look surprised.”

“Well…uh, I never refused to go on a date with you.”

“Oh, so are you saying you will?”

She smirked, shaking her head. “Does that line ever work?”

“I’m not sure. Once you answer, I’ll know.”

She checked the time, and could see in her eyes that she wasn’t ready to leave, but she sighed anyway. “I’ve got class.”

Standing, he offered his hand. “I can walk you.” Surprising him, she took it, letting him pull her to her feet.

Vlad was waiting for him outside, standing idly by the car as he waited for Mishca to finish his business. They had a meeting with an arms dealer across town, a big investment that Mishca’s father was relying on.

But he wagered he had enough time to see her off before he left. As they left the cafe, Mishca nodded at Vlad, a silent message for him to stay put until he got back. He only blinked once before settling back, going back over the newspaper he had been reading for the last half hour. It was one thing Mishca could appreciate about his position in the organization.

***

Outside her classroom, Mishca pulled Lauren to a stop, stuffing his hands in his pockets, ignoring the curious on-lookers as they walked around them to get inside. “What will it take for you to go on a date with me?”