Chapter 20
CHAPTER
TWENTY
ALYONA
The smell of fresh coffee and something warm, buttery, and inviting wakes me up. I can hear Leo moving around the room, but I linger for several minutes with my eyes closed, letting my mind wander.
Over the course of the last week, Leo and I have found our rhythm. It feels surprisingly normal considering we’re exes living aboard a yacht posing as an engaged couple. What happens on the yacht, stays on the yacht—like our own floating Vegas.
After our time in the cave, we entered our stateroom and haven’t really left.
I spend my days wrapped up in Leo, lying out in the sun, splayed on his chest after a day of swimming.
Our evenings are spent dining on the terrace of our stateroom—while barely dressed—before locking ourselves in the bedroom for hours and hours.
The sex is insane. I knew it would be. But it’s the rest that worries me.
Something feels different—a shift between us.
I’ve tried to convince myself that with the ground rules—no feelings, nothing long term, just sex—there’s no danger to me or to my heart.
But the lies I tell myself are getting harder to swallow with each passing day.
And the crazy thing is I’m too wrapped up in him to care.
Lost in my whirlwind thoughts, I barely register the bed dipping and Leo’s big, calloused hand brushing the hair from my face. “I can tell you’re awake. Your breathing has changed.”
I open my eyes to find Leo’s face right above mine.
Goddamn, how does he manage to look so handsome first thing in the morning?
He’s wearing a plain white T-shirt and a pair of board shorts, and with this naturally bronzed skin, he looks like a surfer, like someone who was raised on the water rather than the streets of Brooklyn.
“Happy birthday, butterfly.” He kisses me on the lips. “Did you think I would forget?”
I smile wistfully. “I almost forgot myself. It’s like we’ve been living in a time warp.
” A rush of melancholy hits me, as it always does around my birthday, because my mama and papa are no longer here to enjoy it with me.
I usually celebrate with Yulian and Rowan and whatever friends are willing to make the trek across the Atlantic. This birthday will be different.
“What’s wrong?” Leo frowns. “Something is bothering you.”
“Oh, it’s … you know, sometimes birthdays are tough.” I wave a hand in front of my face, but he stops me, covering my hand with his own. “I was hoping Yulian would be back by now. It would at least be nice to hear from him.”
“I get it,” he murmurs, sweeping my hair back from my face. “I used to dread my birthday after Mama died. No matter how many presents I was showered with or how many other family members joined to make it special, it was never the same. Always felt like she was missing.”
This man. Reaching out, he strokes my jaw with his knuckles.
How does he always know the right thing to say?
“Usually, I can distract myself, but sometimes it catches up with me,” I admit.
Rolling onto his back, he draws me into his strong chest. “I never imagined I would lose both parents before I turned twenty-five, you know?” My mother’s death a few years ago was a long time coming, not that it made it any easier when she finally succumbed to liver failure.
I don’t want to wallow any longer, so I burrow into him and say, “Let’s do something fun today. ”
He pushes me onto my back and leans over me, bracketing me between two strong arms. “I have some ideas. But first, for your birthday present …” With that, he plants kisses along my neck, trailing downwards as he peels the covers from my upper body.
His hands wander while his mouth focuses on my left breast. Flicking the hard point of my nipple with his tongue, he sucks it deep into his mouth, taking long pulls until I’m panting and breathless.
Just as his hand wanders below the covers, my stomach growls like a monster come to life. Leo pulls away, and I immediately feel the loss of his touch. “Food can wait, my pussy can’t!” I attempt to argue.
“Other way around. Your pussy can wait for a few minutes while you eat.” He narrows his eyes playfully. “Greedy girl, didn’t I give you enough orgasms this week to last a lifetime?”
I smirk. “Yes but … as you say, I’m a greedy girl.
” I sit up and let the covers fall away.
Birthday suit for the birthday girl. Leo goes off to a side table.
I hear the distinctive snap of a match being lit, and then he’s walking towards me carrying a tray laden with all the things.
Coffee, warm croissants and fancy pots of jam to go along with them, a selection of berries, cheese, toast, poached eggs, and smoked salmon.
And a cupcake with a birthday candle in it.
“Make a wish, butterfly.” He spreads out beside me propped up on an elbow.
I freeze, unsure what to wish for. Seconds pass by, and Leo doesn’t miss my hesitation. He tilts his head. “Do you need some ideas?”
“No.” I frown. Why is this so hard? Suddenly it comes to me.
I want you.
I want this.
I want things to go back to how they were before you broke me apart.
When I open my eyes, Leo is staring at me. “Are you going to tell me what you wished for?”
But there’s no point in sharing that, so I stick to safe territory. “I wished for more orgasms.”
He smirks. “Well you know what they say …” He leans in and nips at the sensitive spot behind my ear. “Be careful what you wish for. But first …” Leo plucks the cupcake from my hand. “Open up.” I do as he says, opening my mouth and taking a bite, moaning in pleasure.
“This is delicious,” I say between bites.
“I agree. Delicious.” He feeds me every single bite, right up until the last morsel. When my lips wrap around the final bite of sweet goodness, I draw his finger into my mouth, sucking the chocolate residue clean off it. “Good girl,” he growls. “I like to see that mouth put to good use.”
I laugh and grab a pillow to toss at his head, but he’s too quick and ducks out of the way. Smiling, I lean back on the bed, needing a moment to digest the hit of carbs and sugar. Just as I close my eyes, Leo’s cell phone rings.
“I should take this,” he murmurs, picking up the phone.
“Who is it?” I ask. Leo’s selective with the phone calls he answers, so this has piqued my curiosity.
He pauses for a moment. “It’s your brother. He’s video calling me.”
“Oh, fucking hell,” I exclaim, jolting up from the bed. I’m excited about Yulian calling, but this seems like a really bad moment to see him. “You should take it. Just … go somewhere private,” I plead, acutely aware of my lack of clothing.
Leo gives me an indulgent smile. “He’s going to want to speak with both of us. We should get it over with now. Together.”
“No, that’s a terrible idea,” I yelp, frantically rummaging for something to wear while grappling with my bird’s nest of hair.
“Relax, would you. He’s not going to suspect anything. If that’s what you’re worried about.”
I shoot him a death glare. That is exactly what I am worried about. The last thing I need is my brother thinking there’s something going on between us. It would just lead to a bunch of questions I’m not prepared to answer.
I also don’t need Yulian all up in my business, but it’s too fucking late, because Leo has accepted the video call and is smiling into the phone. At least he moved to the sitting area, rather than sit propped up in bed.
“So, did you make a baby or what?” Leo says by way of greeting, eliciting a growl from Yulian.
“I go off the grid for two damn weeks and all hell breaks loose.”
Leo, unbothered, just shrugs while I scramble to find any clothing that’s neither a bikini nor a negligee. Leo catches my eyes and lifts his brow suggestively. Argh. I madly gesture for him to quit ogling and address my brother.
“That’s right,” Leo states matter-of-factly. “But your sister is safe. And by the way, you’re welcome.”
“Khuy,” Yulian bites, calling Leo a dick. His way of saying thanks I suppose. “Where are you now?”
“Off the coast of Italy on a yacht. Maybe you could visit. It’s quite beautiful here. Where are you?”
Yulian sighs as I locate a crumpled T-shirt and hastily pull it over my head. It’ll have to do. “On a plane. I sent Rowan to the estate to be with Bianca and Georgia, and I’m heading to Russia to join the others. We need to regroup before strategizing.”
Leo nods, like that plan makes perfect sense. “Good. Andrei and Daniil can fill you in on the latest developments.” I get the sense that Leo is being purposefully vague because of me, and I make a mental note to press him for details. I deserve to know what’s going on.
“Where is Alyona? I’d like to speak with my sister.”
I straighten my T-shirt and quickly run my hands through my sex hair to flatten it out. I settle on the sofa beside Leo, making sure to keep a decent amount of space between us. “Yulian,” I say, tucking my hair behind my ears. “I’m okay, don’t worry.”
His eyes soften the moment they land on me. “Thank fuck. When I heard …” He doesn’t finish that sentence, but I get it. I can see the worry in his eyes. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you, Alyona. I’ll regret that—”
“Stop,” I say. “I’m glad you were able to get some time with Rowan. You deserved it, and I don’t want you feeling guilty for one minute.” He doesn’t look any less tortured, but he nods. “And thankfully, Leo was close by when it happened and was able to help.”
Leo and I have never talked about why he was in Europe or how he found out about my situation, though it’s pretty obvious Gianni spilled the beans.
I was infuriated at the time, but I can’t deny how much scarier this would all be without Leo.
More than that, his protection might be the only reason I’m still here.
Leo squeezes my thigh, as if he can hear all the wild thoughts running through my head.
“You’re safe now, even if it is with this svoloch.
” Yulian’s lips curl upwards into a smile, and he leans his head back against the airplane headrest. Seeing my brother relax a little, I’m able to relax, too.
Even if he is taking shots at Leo, I know there’re few people in the world he trusts more.
“And by the way, happy birthday, sis. I’m sorry I can’t be there to celebrate with you.
We’ll have to throw a big fuck-off party when this is all behind us. ”
“Of course. I look forward to it.” I offer up a weak smile. Because who knows how long it will be before this is actually behind us.
“I had no idea you could fight like that. When Andrei told me, I was so proud of you,” Yulian says, referring to my abductor. “Did you take a self-defense course when you moved to Paris?”
“Something like that,” I murmur, resisting the urge to look at Leo. “I had a very good teacher.”
Leo’s fingers start a slow drag along my inner thigh.
I seize up, he wouldn’t do anything while we’re on a video call with my brother, would he?
It’s just a gentle touch, a tickle even, but it’s enough that my body tightens with desire.
As happy as I am to see my brother, I need to end this call, right now.
“Well, bro, as you can see, I’m alive and well. Let us know when you arrive in Moscow.” My voice is a little lower, hoarse. Nothing Yulian would notice, but if Leo keeps tracing those damn circles on my inner thigh, we are going to have a problem.
“I will,” he responds, eyebrows pressed together. “Leo, let’s talk when I’m settled. I imagine you’ve been keeping an eye on the web chatter.” The two men exchange a look—a whole conversation not meant for me.
“Of course. And Yulian …” He has my brother’s full attention now. “Aly is safe. I’m making sure of it. She is in good hands—you know she’s like a sister to me.”
What. The. Hell. I rip his hands from my inner thigh. Who touches their sister like that!?
Yulian’s face visibly relaxes. “My brat’ya naveki.” We are brothers forever.
Great, we’re one big happy family.
With that, the call ends, and I turn to Leo, my nostrils flaring with irritation. “I’m like a sister to you!? Of all things, why would you say that? Especially after we spent the last week—” Fucking like rabbits. Having mind-blowing sex. “In bed.”
Leo’s lips draw into a tight line. “I was reassuring your brother. He’s worried—you know how he is with you. What was I supposed to say? I’ll protect her like a boyfriend, like a lover.”
“Well, no, but you didn’t have to say that.”
A muscle in his jaw flexes. “You are the one who laid out the ground rules. This is only a hookup, a short-term thing, so what does it matter?”
I huff out an irritated breath, but I don’t know why I’m pushing the issue. Is it because his words made me feel like the girl who had a misplaced crush on her older brother’s best friend and got burned?
But Leo’s right. Yulian needed reassurance that he will keep me safe, like a brother would. I’m silly to be feeling anything but grateful towards him.
“Forget it,” I insist. “I’m just feeling a bit emotional about the birthday stuff. Anyhow, I need a shower,” I add, trying to keep my tone light. I don’t look back at him as I head to the bathroom, and I’m relieved he doesn’t follow me.
As I step into the steaming hot shower, I vow to wash his scent off me.
If I could go back and erase his touch, I would, because somewhere during our time on this yacht, it’s like my body forgot that it hates him, and my mind is so damn turned around, it feels like I might still love him … which is insane.
I cannot still be in love with Leo.
I press my palms into my eye sockets and try to slow my racing breath. All my carefully laid plans feel like they are going off the rails. I’m hurtling towards the danger zone and have no idea how to put on the breaks.
Or even if I want to.