Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Annika
“You seem to be in a better mood today.”
Hearing the voice through the music in my headphones, I turn toward Yana, pull down my white face mask, smile as I pluck one of my earbuds out.
I certainly am. I had thought my second day at Kirill’s compound was going to be more depressing than the first, especially since my body was aching with need all night.
Even mad at him, I still craved his touch.
But then when he woken me up and showed me my new studio, my mood changed drastically.
It’s not the same as being allowed to leave the compound at my own whim, but seeing my pieces, having a space to work, has certainly lifted my spirits.
As did the sexual favor I gave Kirill as a thank you.
I’m not sure if it is the pregnancy hormones or just the pure sexual electricity I seem to share with Kirill, but after he gave me the studio, I no longer felt like refraining.
Tasting him was like taking a drink of the purest water after two weeks of dehydration, and I greedily drank him up.
After Kirill left, I scampered upstairs to quickly change into some of my old clothes. I felt even better after putting on the familiar denim overalls and the worn, but comfy-feeling white t-shirt I’ve had for ages, and then got quickly lost in my work.
“I am,” I agree, swiping away a tendril of my blond hair that got loose from my messy bun. I then eye up the tray in Yana’s hands, and feel my stomach churn hungrily. My cheeks flush when I realize I already forgot Kirills directive to not skip over breakfast.
“Is that for me?” I ask, putting down my sanding block.
Yana nods.
“Kirill assumed that in all your excitement you would have forgotten your breakfast, so he wanted me to deliver this to you,” Yana explains.
She sits the tray down on my nearby work table and lifts the lid. The scent of blinis and berry compote instantly fill the air, and my mouth waters as I pull off my gloves and walk toward the meal.
“I was also informed that my presence was a bit overwhelming for you yesterday,” Yana goes on. “I wanted to apologize, and in the future, I will try to give you more space. But you must understand. You are my priority now, and I will not fail the Pakhan.”
I swallow the large mouthful of blinis and compote I just inhaled, and take a moment to take in my body guard. Yana’s face is void of any emotion, but the sincerity in her professional tone is not missed.
“You’re right,” I say after a while. “Yesterday was overwhelming. But it wasn’t just you. It was everything. It was just…too much to take in all at once. What do you say we start over fresh? You forget that I acted like a spoiled brat, and I’ll forget that you saw me naked.”
A clear, concise laugh pours from Yana’s lips, and she nods.
“Sounds good. And in the future, I will wait for you in the hallway. Not in the chair by your bed.”
“That is very much appreciated,” I reply, then let out a laugh of my own.
“And I will also give you space to work,” Yana says, taking a step back, “I’m not a creative person myself, but I understand that people such as yourself prefer to create in privacy. I will guard you from the hallway unless you need to be on a ladder, as Kirill instructed.”
“Thank you,” I reply, feeling her body relax even more. “I’ll call you back in when I need to climb.”
Yana gives another short, affirmative nod, then leaves me.
Alone once again, I make quick work of my breakfast, even take the large prenatal supplement that came along with the meal, and after draining my glass of orange juice, I pull my mask back up, hit play on my music app, and happily get back to work.