Page 8 of Auctioned to My Bratva Boss

Steady footsteps approached the bed, unhurried but each one landing on my nerves. The heavy sense of presence grew closer until he stopped right beside the bed. God, I had never been this close to Matvey before.

I held my breath, waiting.

The moment the tape was ripped off, a burning sting spread across my lips.

I sucked in a sharp breath.

A large hand suddenly gripped my throat. Not hard, but firm enough to warn me.

"Don't move," he said, his voice right at my ear, hot breath brushing my skin. "I won't be gentle if you get hurt."

I froze completely. I didn't dare twitch.

Matvey's hand was big and rough. His thumb pressed under my jaw while his fingers rested against the side of my neck. My pulse hammered wildly against his palm. He had to feel it.

"Good girl," he murmured.

Oh God, did he really just say that?

He shouldn't have. Not while my hands were tied and my eyes were covered. The words definitely shouldn't have sent a strange spark straight to my lower belly. But they did.

Damn it.

"Now," his fingers gently brushed my lower lip, wiping away the sticky residue from the tape, "I'll give you a choice."

"Blindfold or rope. I'll remove one first."

What kind of question was that?

My brain short-circuited. Was this some kind of interview? A psychological test? I knew he was strict with employees, but this wasn't the office. Should I be glad he wasn't the one interviewing me? I'd probably get fired on the spot.

I wanted to say remove both, but I doubted he'd accept that.

"The blindfold," I answered, biting my lip.

I was afraid of the dark and of the unknown.

He didn't move right away.

"Reason?" he asked.

"I..." My throat felt dry. "I need to see you."

The words were barely out before I wanted to slap myself.

Riley Quinn, have you lost your mind? That sounded like a line from a cheap romance novel.

He let out a soft chuckle. My ears burned instantly.

It was the first time I had ever heard him laugh. At the office, he always kept a straight face. I used to wonder what it would be like to see him smile—I thought I might not be able to stop myself from kissing the little lines at the corners of his eyes.

"Fine," he said. "Good reason."

The next second, the black cloth was removed from my eyes.

It took my eyes a full two seconds to adjust to the light. The room was enormous—big enough to throw a party for a hundred people.

Then his face came into focus.