Page 17 of Bratva King's Secret Twins
“Oh well, since our residents are wealthier, sometimes they bring their…unsavory business home. We have a service that brings people…like you home in the morning.” The lady leans in across the counter a little. “We will even give you coffee and a pastry.”
This realization hits me like a bat to the head. Nikolai is used to handing out exorbitant meals at Italian restaurants and getting girls to come home with him. Last night was like any other night for him, and I as I hoped wasn’t special, so whydoes knowing I’m not special hurt? “Nikolai Petrov…the penthouse.”
“Oh! You go, girl! You got the owner of the hotel. I’ve seen him. He is so hot.” She wiggles her eyebrows and licks her lips. “With looks like that, he has to be the best in bed. Tell me he is the best in bed!”
“One of the best.” I grin. Probably the best I’ll ever have. The woman fans her face as she types and my stomach drops as I think about the amount of women Nik has probably wined, dined, fucked and said nasty things to before me and the thousands that will come after.
“Okay! So your cab is out front. He will take you to get breakfast and then take you home.” She smiles and I wince under the happiness she cascades over me. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“Yes, can I leave Nikolai a note?” I ask.
“Of course.” She smiles and grabs me a pen and paper. I take it from her and lean against the counter as I write out the note that will protect my heart.
Nik. I’m sorry. I can’t see you again.
8
GWEN
Two weeks later
“Bitch, spill everything!” Kelsey squeals, kicking her legs in the air and rolling over onto her stomach. Kelsey is my best friend from Pre-K. We were practically made for one another, the yin to my yang; without her, I don’t know who I would be or where, but I promise you, nobody would have liked it.
Kelsey is all bubbles, sunshine, and rainbows; literally, she has golden blonde hair and bright green eyes that shine whenever she laughs, and she is always laughing. We’re sitting on her baby pink couch with sour gummies, popcorn, and fuzzy pajamas. A must whenever boys are involved.
“Okay, so he is hot, Kel.” I grin.
Kelsey has her legs on top of mine, looking at me with the intense gaze a housewife gives a murder mystery podcast while popping my award-winning concoction of sour gummies and warm, buttery popcorn into her mouth. She questions with her mouth full, “Like Taylor hot?”
“No, like every single romance book you have ever read hot.”
I lazily drum on her knees, avoiding Kel’s growing eyes. She sits up, glaring at me. I nod my head, a wide grin spreading on my lips, “Like Daddy status.”
“Shut up,” Kelsey whispers as she very calmly places the popcorn concoction on the coffee table and levels me with a look that says,I must see this man ASAP.
I place both of my hands up in front of me, blocking her. “Before you ask, he has no social media.”
“Oh, that’s fine.” She smiles, pulling her legs from on top of my lap. “Because you’re going to give me a very detailed description or drawing.”
“Kel, I can’t draw.” I lean back as she sits on the heels of her feet.
“Okay, then get to talking.” Kelsey’s eyes are crazed, and a scarily happy smile spreads on her face.
“Kelsey, what would David think about you asking for a real life portrait of my date?” I ask. David is my childhood boy best friend and Kelsey’s fiancé. They had the perfect‘it’s been you all along’moment in high school, and it was totally rom-com worthy. Especially with Kelsey being bubbly and sweet, while David was the complete boy next door package, with the football abs, messily perfect sandy brown hair, golden retriever energy, and girl-swooning smile to match.
“Oh, he won’t mind.” Kelsey leans forward, not blinking.
“What will I not mind?” I look over at David entering the house as he shakes out his hair and tosses his baseball hat on the opposite chair.
“Gwen went on a date with a book boyfriend.” David smiles, looking between us. “And she refuses to describe the handsome devil.”
“Oh, come on, Gwen, no fun.” David slides onto the couch cushion behind me, matching his fiancé’s crazed look.
I shake my head and make a zip motion over my lips. “Nope, the date goes to the grave because it’s not happening again.”
“The hell it will!” Kelsey attacks me, jumping five feet in the air monkey-style. Her fingers automatically get to work, running over my skin, and I contort to dodge her fingers, but David holds me in place to allow his fiancée to get her dirty work done.
“Guys!” I laugh, squirming under Kelsey’s relentless tickling while David’s grip keeps me pinned. My laughter turns desperate as Kelsey’s fingers find all my most ticklish spots.