Chapter 4 Valeri #2
She shakes her head at my sound plan and grabs the syrup, dousing her waffles in it. “It’s all about the mix of salty and sweet,” she says, dipping her bacon in the syrup. “That’s really where the magic happens.”
When I hesitate, she laughs and says, “Just try it. You’re gonna love it.”
I smile at her enthusiasm and grab the bottle of syrup, pouring it over my waffles and then dipping my bacon in it. Holding it up, I raise a brow at her. “Only for you would I do this, Evie.”
She smiles and watches me take a bite. Her smile grows when she can tell I like it.
“Told you,” she says, drenching her own piece of bacon again and taking a big bite.
“You were right,” I admit with a laugh. “You’ve completely changed how I think about food now. I’ll never look at breakfast the same way again.”
“Just wait till you try salted caramel ice cream or a hamburger with bacon and syrup. The possibilities are endless, Valeri.”
I smile and say, “It’s a date then.”
“Huh?” she says around a mouthful of food, blushing even harder when she realizes what she’s just signed herself up for.
“That’s two more dates you owe me. One for ice cream and another for hamburgers.”
After she chews, she says, “It could just be one date for hamburgers and ice cream.”
I think about it and shake my head. “No, I like my way better. I get to see you more.”
She looks like she’s about to say something, but instead she fills her fork with eggs and takes another bite.
I’m surprised by how much I enjoy just being around her.
She’s nice and funny and laidback. She’s not looking around at the small diner, giving me the stink eye for not taking her to someplace more expensive, and she’s not slowly working her way through a fruit bowl with a pinched look on her face, claiming that she just doesn’t require a lot of food like other women. She’s a goddamn breath of fresh air.
When she takes her last bite, she gives me a triumphant smile and pushes her empty plate aside, piling everything onto it so it’s easier for the waitress. “I can’t believe I just did that.”
I laugh and toss my napkin onto my own empty plate. “I knew you could do it.”
She smiles and then looks at her watch, her face quickly changing from happy to worried.
Her bruise is more noticeable with the light coming in, and to keep my temper in check, I think about how beautiful it’s going to sound when I break all the bones in her father’s hand.
The thought cheers me up, but all that goes to shit when I look up and see Ilya and Nikolai walk in.
They’ve been with the Bratva since my older brother took over after our dad was killed, and my desire to ease Evie into my lifestyle is going to be a lot harder if these two walk over.
Nikolai does all our tattoos, and the man is covered in them.
Ilya has about the same number as I do, but three tatted-up Russians is enough to make most people suspicious.
I silence my groan when Nikolai looks over and meets my eyes.
He sees Evie, and his smile grows as he elbows Ilya and nods in our direction.
When they start to walk over, I look at Evie and say, “A couple of my friends just walked in, and we’ve been spotted.”
She looks over, easily spotting the two large men who are headed our way. The scared, nervous look comes back, and when I see it, I don’t even have to think about it. I get up and scoot in next to her so Ilya and Nikolai can take the seat across from us.
Before they can even open their big mouths, I tell them in Russian, “She knows nothing about the Bratva, and it better damn well stay that way.”
They laugh and stare at Evie with open curiosity. Nikolai holds a tattooed hand out to her. “Hi, I’m Nikolai.”
She shakes it and says, “Hi, I’m Evie.” Ilya introduces himself next as the waitress comes over with a big smile on her face, turning the charm on while she takes their orders and then clears our empty plates.
“What happened to her face?” Nikolai asks me in Russian.
“Her father. Don’t worry, I’ll be having a word with him about it.”
He smiles and says, “Call me if you want some help with that.”
Switching to English, Ilya asks, “So how did you two meet?”
Evie blushes and says, “I hit his car.”
They laugh and take the coffee the waitress drops off for them.
“You hit his brand-new Aston Martin?” Nikolai asks, making her cheeks turn an even brighter red.
“It was easy to fix,” I say, reaching over and giving her thigh a soft squeeze to let her know I’m not even slightly mad about it.
I feel her body tense at my touch, but when I don’t move my hand, she slowly starts to relax.
I make sure to keep my hand closer to her knee because something tells me Evie isn’t very experienced, and the last thing I want to do is scare her away.
After a few minutes of Ilya chattering away about what breakfast he’s in the mood for, she slides one hand under the table and rests it on top of mine.
The move leaves me grinning like an idiot.
Nikolai quirks a brow at me, and the amused glint in his eyes lets me know I’m never going to hear the end of it.
I spread my fingers, and she immediately threads hers through mine.
I stroke her hand with my thumb, amazed that something so small as holding hands can be so damn erotic.
I can’t even remember the last time I held hands with a woman.
I usually go to the club, find someone who catches my eye, and either go back to her place or mine or, hell, just find a dark corner somewhere.
There isn’t any romance, no emotional attachment, at least not on my end, and when they leave, I never think about them again.
It’s not that I’m trying to be an ass. I just never wanted anything more.
Evie’s already changing that, though, because I feel like I’ve already become obsessed with her.
If she knew I had someone dig up information on her, that I’ve already driven past her house on more than one occasion, and that I’ve changed my entire schedule so I can watch her on her way to and from work, she’d probably scream and run in the opposite direction.
I wouldn’t blame her if she did. I’d chase her cute ass and bring her back, but I wouldn’t fault her for trying to get away from me.
Evie convinces them both to order what we had, and after they’ve placed their orders, she turns to me and says, “I really need to get home.”
I give her hand a squeeze and finish the last of my coffee. “Dip your bacon in syrup,” I tell them. “It’ll change your life.”
Evie laughs and grabs her bag. “It was nice to meet both of you.”
“You too,” Nikolai says with a grin.
Ilya bumps Nikolai’s shoulder and points at the bench seat that Evie and I were just sitting in. “Move your ass over there. We’re not dating.” Then he looks at Evie and smiles. “I’m sure we’ll see you again soon, Evie.” In Russian he adds, “Your brothers are going to love hearing about this.”
I smack his arm and laugh. “Just for that, I’m going to let you pay for us.”
Nikolai laughs. “I’ll let you pay for me too.”
“It’s worth it just to see you smiling and holding hands under the table like some love-struck teenager,” Ilya says with a laugh.
They’re still laughing when I tell them to fuck off. Smiling, I lead Evie out of the diner with my arm around her shoulders.
“Wait, we didn’t pay,” she says, turning to go back inside.
I tighten my hand on her and laugh. “Ilya wanted to pay.”
“Oh, he didn’t have to do that. I should go back in and thank him.”
“I’ll tell him you said thanks. It’s okay, Evie.”
She clutches her bag, still looking unsure, but then glances at her watch again and decides it’s more important that she get home. I open the car door for her again, and when I get in on my side, she quickly says, “You can just drop me off in front of the library. I can take the bus home.”
“I can drive you home. It’s not a problem.”
She shakes her head. “No, please. I need to take the bus.”
Instead of arguing, I drive her back to the library, parking my car near the bus stop.
“When’s the next bus?”
“In twenty minutes.” She reaches for the handle and says, “Thanks for breakfast, Valeri. I had a really great time.”
I laugh and reach over to move her hand from the door. “I’m waiting with you. There’s no way in hell I’m driving off and leaving you at the curb. It’s bad enough I’m letting you take the bus.”
“You don’t have to wait. I’ll be fine.”
Leaning closer, I reach up to tuck a strand of her dark hair behind her ear, noticing that it’s just as soft as I imagined it would be. Her whole body stills, and I’ve never seen anyone look so damn uncomfortable. It’s like she has no idea what to do, and it embarrasses the hell out of her.
“Tell me something, Evie. Do you look so uncomfortable because you don’t want me to kiss you, or because you want it so badly it scares the hell out of you?”
“I’m not so sure this is such a good idea, Valeri,” she whispers.
“For me to kiss you?” I ask, running a finger along her unbruised cheek.
She blushes even harder and darts her eyes to the side. “For us to see each other, for any of it.”
“Why?”
“My dad won’t like it.”
She tries to pull away, but I cup her face and wait for her light brown eyes to find mine. “I’m going to be completely honest with you. Okay?”
“Okay,” she whispers.
“I don’t give a fuck what your dad likes or doesn’t like.” Her eyes widen in surprise, but I don’t stop. “I like you, Evie. I can’t stop thinking about you, and I want to see you again.” I smile and run my thumb lightly over her bottom lip. “And I really want to kiss you.”
“Why?”
I laugh at the absurd question but stop when I realize she’s being completely sincere. Her brow is scrunched in worry, and she looks so fucking vulnerable.