23. Luna
“That was some chase.” Lev’s laughter fills the hallway as I walk toward the stairs. I’m starving. Nik probably won’t be home until late, so I’m thinking popcorn and sparkling water while I finish my library book that’s due back tomorrow. “I didn’t think Nik would let the little guy live.”
Me, either.
But he did.
I smile as my mind wanders to Nik fumbling all over the warehouse with his men, trying to get our furry intruder to leave. A pleasant tingling zips down my spine, causing me to shiver. I reach up to my face, my thumb finding the spot where Nik’s had lingered. Yearning is what I saw in his eyes, his gaze suggestive. My thighs clench, thinking about the way he’d looked at me.
“Need some company upstairs?”
Lev touches my arm, halting me from going up. My face grows warm at the nonsensical notion he can read my most recent thoughts.
“I …”
How would Nik feel about my inviting a guard up for dinner? I know how my father would feel. And while I enjoy Lev’s company, I don’t want to disrespect Nik.
“I’m okay. Thank you, though. Especially for all your help.”
He smiles. Disappointment glimmers in his gaze, though his expression softens a moment later, and he nods before leaving to return to his post for the rest of the evening. I hesitate on the bottom steps, feeling uneasy. Lately he seems to be pushing the boundaries of what’s appropriate, but I don’t want to get him in trouble—I know how that ends.
After a quick shower, I pop popcorn for my night in, adding extra butter. It’s only 5 p.m., but I’m already in my pj’s, ready to finish this book. Settling on the deep sectional sofa, I pull a plush blanket down over my shoulders. At times, I feel more at home here than I ever did at my parent’s place.
I plow through the last seven chapters of my thriller, predicting that it was, in fact, the mayor behind the young girl’s disappearance.
The clap of the book snapping shut echoes in the apartment. My mind drifts to Nik again. I don’t know how he does it, going back to the city right after getting home. The demand is insane. My father works hard, but even he has a better work-life balance. From what Nik shared with me in Russia, I get the feeling his dad struggled to find balance, and that’s why his mom left. I don’t envy the women married to these Mafia men?—
I pause, catching myself. I’m one of those women. But, I suppose, not in the traditional sense. I don’t love the man I’m married to, so it doesn’t matter if he’s not home for dinner most nights.
I frown at my thoughts.
Our marriage may not be traditional, but I care. I see the weighted sighs, the tired eyes depicting how drained he is.
I wish I could alleviate his burdens.
The buzz of my phone on the coffee table makes me jump. I grab it, hoping it’s Nik.
My sister’s message makes me snicker.
Bella: Please tell me you are doing something other than reading in your pajamas tonight?
Luna: You caught me. What are you up to? How is school?
It’s funny how two people can grow up in the same house, with the same parents, and turn out so differently.
Bella: School is fine and I’m headed out tonight. Going to a new club!
Luna: Be safe Bella. Please. Want to meet for coffee next week?
Bella: Sure. I’ll text you. Bye!
My sister is too young to be going out the way she does, and I probably should’ve told her that. But it’s been a point of contention before, and I don’t want to ruffle our already fragile relationship—although, it feels like things have been more amicable between us since I moved out. Coffee next week would be a good step for us.
I exchange my phone for the remote, curiosity about what Nik likes to watch pressuring me to turn the TV on. Baseball crackles through the screen, and I laugh. Such an American sport for his Russian heritage.
Settling in to watch the game he’s recorded, I tell myself I’m going to wait up for him. But instead of paying attention to the TV, the enticing way he looked at me earlier has a myriad of fantasies playing over and over in my head—until I eventually end up drifting to the bedroom, resigned to the fact that I’ll probably fall asleep before he gets home.