Page 30 of Auctioned to My Bratva Boss

"Come on, tell me, what coworker gets that close to you?" He leaned into my ear, his rough breath hitting my cheek.

"Talking to him made you that happy?"

His words weren't pleasant, they had edges. But my heartbeat went uneven anyway, my breathing tighter. Heat rushed out of my body like it needed to prove something—that he was right there, that I wanted him.

"Whether you believe it or not, he's just a coworker." I stared into his gray-green eyes, barely managing a normal voice. "Don't I even have the right to talk to my coworkers?"

I felt sorry for my traitorous heartbeat. But I really didn't think having coffee with a colleague was some crime.

Matvey fell silent. His lips pressed thin, like he was suppressing something.

"If there's nothing else, I'm going back to work." I tried to escape his hold, but suddenly he grabbed my waist.

My body lifted. In an instant, my ass was on the cold marble counter. Then he gripped my chin and kissed me hard. It wasn't even a kiss—his teeth invaded, grinding and biting my lips. Sharp pain flared. My hands beat against his chest in protest. Useless.

He cupped the back of my neck, his tongue forcing the taste of blood into my mouth.

My breath disappeared inch by inch. I closed my eyes, my tongue tangling with his. His cock pressed against my thigh. I knew how hard it was, how hot. My lower belly burned too.

The kiss lasted forever, until I was nearly suffocating. Then he finally slowed.

"Riley, you'd better remember your place." He rubbed my swollen lips, a warning. "I bought you. You're my property."

"I..."

The heat went cold instantly. I stared blankly at the man in front of me.

I really should remember my place. I was just a toy he'd bought. Once he got bored, he'd toss me without a second thought.

I shouldn't fantasize there could be anything between us besides the transaction. Did I think this was some romance novel where he'd fall for me for real? Ridiculous. We weren't even equals.

After he spoke, he turned and left.

But I didn't have time to cry. I still had work to do. On the way back to my desk, I zoned out so hard I almost walked into a glass door.

The rest of the time, I felt hollowed out.

Finally finished work. Made it to quitting time. The first thing I did when I got home was change into pajamas, hide under the covers, and cry. Then I slept till morning.

When I woke up, my stomach was completely empty. After breakfast, I got to the office. My supervisor was already standing by my desk.

"Quinn, I've got work for you."

My body tensed automatically, my tone wary.

"What work?"

Please don't let it be spreadsheets again. Kate got fired, didn't she?

"Some drawings need proofreading," he said. "I already sent them to your email. Good chance for you to learn."

Designs? Not spreadsheets! I sighed with relief internally.

"Finish by tomorrow morning."

I opened my computer and scrolled through my inbox. Honestly, wasn't this too much? Could anyone really proofread dozens of design drawings in one day?

"This is work Mr. Bykov personally assigned." His expression turned grave. "Make sure you take it seriously."