Chapter 15 Attention
Chapter fifteen
Attention
Maxim paced his room for only a minute before he found himself flinging down the hallway, further and further away from Kira.
He didn’t stop till he burst through the doors and was out on the balcony, breathing in fresh air.
He gripped the bannister, fighting the wave of nausea and dizziness, cursing himself for existing.
He blamed the liquor for kissing her. He blamed that stupid teenage boy for driving him into a possessive asshole, and he blamed his brother for making him go to that ridiculous ego-stroking party.
But these were all choices he made. Everything could be laid at his feet.
Maxim was losing the game. He was falling for that damn lying woman, and he didn’t understand why.
He didn’t want to accept that Kira was funny, or attractive, or freaking brilliant.
He didn’t want to admit that he loved everything she was doing to the house.
She was transforming their crappy compound into a breathtaking garden.
It was more than that. Maxim wanted to be around Kira. He enjoyed the way she smelled and the way she looked at him when she thought he couldn’t see her. He enjoyed her ridiculous giggle and even the way she fucking walked. It was stupid!
It was beginning not to matter that she was more intelligent or richer. That she was better in so many ways.
Maxim never thought he could earn a woman like her, and yet, he wanted to. He wanted to deserve her. It’s what made him possessive and suddenly very concerned about her health. He needed to cure her. He wanted to be the person in Kira’s life who cared for her more than anyone else.
It derailed him. He was beginning to believe her. She was consistent. Her lies never contradicted each other. Except for her secret about eating. Could she be real? Could she be telling the truth?
Two things kept him from falling 100 percent. Kira claimed Lazar hit on her and that he could never believe it. She could be trying to come between them. Isolation was one of the best tactics for control.
And her lie about being a virgin. Though there was no proof on that account, it was a difficult thing to believe she invited a bunch of escorts to her hotel room and did not fuck them. In their world, women weren’t faithful. So why would she be?
Maxim leaned against the railing and crossed his arms over his chest. He could see her window from here. The lights were off, but he wondered if she was still awake, thinking about him. He imagined going to her room and crawling into her bed.
If only his pride would let him.
He’d never do it. Not in a million years.
No, if she wanted anything, she’d have to come to him.
Kira laid in bed, nearly panting, staring at the ceiling, waiting and hoping Maxim returned.
Her stomach ached with need. Her body pulsed with desire.
But every minute that passed was another minute of disappointment, and after twenty minutes, she smacked her hands down and refused to give him another thought.
Why was he so stubborn!
Could she go to him? She had already done that and had been humiliated. She couldn’t chance it again. No, if he wanted anything, he’d have to come to her.
But day after day, nothing changed. Maxim had refused her a moment of his time.
He was ‘busy’ apparently. His distance caused a tornado of emotion that was only quelled by eating.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, she had full meals that fed small families.
The guilt was quiet for once, and she gave in to every desire, filling up on ice cream, steak, and everything dipped in cheese.
‘You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, Morozov.
But so were you three months ago.’ If Maxim wanted a fat wife, then he was going to get one.
She could already see the changes in her breasts, stomach, and cheeks. Would he notice?
Being ignored was something a Morozov never handled well, and his distance had gone on long enough. So, like anyone else in her family, she forced the spotlight on herself.
“What the hell is this?”
Kira stood in the doorway as a large truck approached. She stood smug with her arms crossed, ignoring Maxim, like he had spent the last seven days ignoring her.
He had a phone against his ear. “No, not you. I’ll call you back.” He shoved it in his pocket. “Morozov?”
“Yes, dear?” she mocked.
“When you want attention-” Morozov leaned into her ear and whispered, “Just ask for it.”
She scoffed, her mood dampening. She didn’t want Maxim flirting with her.
He did it only to play with emotion, not because he felt anything.
He clearly didn’t because how could he kiss her at her door, semi-drunk and irrational, and not try to get in her bed?
What man would turn away his wanton wife?
An unfeeling bastard.
The back of the truck slid open, revealing a beautiful white grand piano.
Maxim bristled beside her, and Kira straightened her back, quite proud of herself. “I told you not to use your family’s money.”
“I’m not. This came from my family’s house. I paid for the truck with my pitiful allowance.”
She had found another loophole. He shouldn’t be surprised. She was too smart for her own good. “I imagine that’s what you get for ‘slumming it.’” He walked away, picking up his cell phone again.
Kira wanted more than his total disregard, and with a rush of anger, she chased after him. “I’m a real idiot for marrying you since I’m so obsessed with money!” The door slammed in her face, and she cursed his existence.
It was only rational that she picked the most intrusive spot for her new instrument: right next to his office door.
It was actually the most perfect spot. It had a huge bay window beside it, letting in natural light, with a big white bookcase in front.
It had been a preferred reading spot, but her piano looked so much better there.
She sat down on the bench and rested her fingertips on the white ivory keys.
The peace it brought her only ignited happiness, and the feeling had been so rare these last few weeks that it caused a few tears.
Her life had drastically changed, and all the family and connections she had were gone.
For so many years, she imagined how freeing it would be to be on her own.
And now she wanted nothing more than to sit in her father’s office and smell his cigars.
Kira darted to her room to call Yakov. She grinned when he picked up on the first ring. “Polar bear. Are you alright?”
She wiped a tear from her cheek. “I’m good, Papa. I just missed your voice.”
“I’m sorry I missed our phone call last week. Will you call me at the same time tomorrow? I am very busy.”
Her heart broke a little when she realized he had to go. “Okay.”
“Oh, I heard what happened with that Utkins boy. Your husband impressed me. Tell him to call me later today. I have a job the Utkins can help with and maybe give that boy of theirs some manners.”
“Sure.”
“You are happy, yes?”
“Yes, Papa.”
“Good.”
The line clicked, and Kira sank into her pillow.