Chapter 22
Simon
We get ready for school, and it isn't until we're ready to go that I realize Boris has made no effort to leave. I stare at him. "We're going."
"Okay." But he's still in the kitchen.
"Now."
"Yes, honey." Then he focuses on Ira, who is fully dressed and waiting for me to get a move on. "Have a good day in school, bud. I'll see you this afternoon."
Ira nods.
"What do you want for a snack when you get home?"
I'm about to object when Ira grins. "I don't know."
"Fair enough. I'll come up with something. Do you have any homework this afternoon, or are you free to do something?"
Ira shrugs. "I don't know."
"We'll see." Boris crosses the kitchen and bends to hug him. I should stop this. I should tell him to leave. Ira and I will be fine on our own. We've made it this far.
Boris straightens and leans closer and kisses my cheek. "See you in a bit."
No words come, and when Ira walks out the door, I follow. What the fuck? We're silent as we walk, but Ira appears more carefree than normal.
"You're in a good mood today."
He gives me a blinding smile. "Boris came back."
My heart thuds faster. "Yeah." But what if he hadn't? What if he'd been hurt? "It's dangerous to be around wolves. Boris only has himself to blame if something happens to him."
Ira shrugs. "It's Zahrah who goes near the wolves. He only came with her to keep her safe. It's what a good friend does. Plus, the wolf is her best friend. Boris said so."
I stare at him. "You can be a good friend without putting yourself in danger. If a friend is about to do something dangerous, you tell an adult and stay away."
The look he gives me conveys how unimpressed he is. "Boris is an adult. He can tell himself."
I flatten my lips, but before I can come up with something to say, we're by the school, and children are milling about. The mothers watch us as we walk closer. They're like a group of sharks, and I'm a bleeding seal. Perfect predators.
"Okay, honey. I'll come get you at the end of the day." I hug him. "Have a good day at school."
He nods and hurries off. I turn and walk with rapid steps before anyone can speak to me, though I can't help but feel a little smug about the cookie order. They can stare at me all they want, but this time we contributed, most likely more than several others.
Then I groan to myself. It was all Boris' doing.
I'm back at the house sooner than I'm ready for. Is it weird that Boris is still inside? It is, right? Why didn't he leave? It's not like he had a long way home.
I open the front door with my heart in my throat and step inside.
Boris is leaning against the door frame to the kitchen, watching me.
"Hi." I don't know why I whisper.
"Hi, honey."
I sigh. "Boris, we're not..."
He moves closer and wraps his arms around me. "We are."
I shake my head. "I'm not saying you're not a great guy." A bit reckless, too hot, and too young. "But I have a child. I can't--"
He cuts me off with a kiss, but I pull away. "No, listen to me."
He heaves a sigh. "Simon. You're mine. I know you have a hundred reasons not to want a relationship, why you think you can't have one when you have Ira, but you're mine. It's fate. There is nothing I can do about it."
I stare at him. "Bullshit."
Boris shakes his head, grabs my hand, and tugs me into the kitchen.
He gently pushes me down on a chair but doesn't sit himself.
Instead, he paces in front of the stove.
I say nothing, and when he runs a hand through his hair and groans all I can do is stare.
What's going on? Is this his reaction to me trying to break up with him?
Not that anything is going on. Not much is going on, at least. A few one-sided kisses.
I might not have pushed him away, but I haven't reciprocated either.
"Do you believe in soulmates?" He gives me a pleading look.
"No."
"You don't believe in soulmates?"
I lean back in my chair and cross my arms over my chest. "No."
He blinks, and this time I'm convinced his eyes shift color. A shiver works its way down my spine. His eyes are normally brown, but now they're...amber. Fuck.
"Boris?"
He blinks, and the eyes are brown again. A shuddering breath leaves me without my permission.
"Do you believe in magic?"
I shake my head.
"What if I told you magic is real, and soulmates are real?"
I shake my head again.
"Simon." His tone is pleading, but I can't deal with this. I don't know what this is, but it's too much.
"No."
"Yes, dammit. You're mine. Nothing you say or do will change that."
What the fuck? "I think you should leave."
He growls. Really growls, like a dog would growl. Before I can second-guess myself, I push off my chair and rush toward the doorway.
I don't make it more than a couple of steps before strong hands grab me and shove me against the wall. Not shove, more like steer me, but it goes so fast I have no control over it. My front is flush against the surface, and Boris' chest is pressing against my back.
"Simon." His breath is hot against my ear. I know I should be afraid, I know I should fight to be let free, but instead, my body relaxes. I don't know why, and I'm disappointed in myself.
"Honey, I need you to trust me."
I snort.
"I know this isn't ideal." He nuzzles the skin behind my ear. "Or you know, I don't mind standing here the entire day. I would love to, in fact." He kisses my neck, and to my absolute horror, I angle my head to give him more room. What is wrong with me?
Boris groans. "Damn, I wish I could take you to bed." He gives me a little lick, which makes me jump. Who licks their...partners?
"But we need to talk. There are things I need to tell you, but I'm not sure you're ready to listen, which frankly scares the crap out of me."
I don't reply.
He kisses my neck once more. "Okay, here's the deal. The wolves in Rutchester aren't ordinary wolves. They're wolf shifters. Magic is real. Soulmates are real."
I stare at the wall, and my heart sinks. He's a crazy person. I've allowed a crazy person into our lives, into our home.
"Simon?"
What do I need to say to get him to leave? Fuck, he lives across the street. How am I going to keep Ira safe from him?
"Baby?" Boris touches my shoulder, and I jump, which is stupid since he's pressed against me. What does one more touch matter?
"Yes." I should play along, right? I don't want him to get angry.
"Do you see how I never was in any danger?"
Eh...I'm not following. "Of course."
Boris snorts. "You have to lie a bit more convincingly unless you want to spend the entire day standing here. Again, I don't mind. I love feeling your ass pressed against my groin."
The moment he says the words, I can feel him begin to harden against me. I squeak. He wouldn't...do anything, would he?
He snorts. "No."
Did I speak out loud? I don't think so.
"You never have to fear me. You're mine. I'll keep you safe. Always."
I have no idea what he's talking about.
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