“That’s the start of my brother Vasily’s property. I’ve walked down here before with his dog, that’s how I knew about it.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get all weird.” I look back out at the water, feeling like an idiot. “I’m not very good at this.”
“Good at what?”
I decide to keep it vague and say, “I don’t date much.”
He gives me a big smile. “Good.”
Knowing that he’s probably dated an ungodly number of women, I turn my attention to the basket before I start asking questions and learn things that will just haunt me and make me feel like shit.
“So what did you bring?”
“Open it up and see.”
Pulling the basket closer, I lift the lid, smiling when I see the assortment of food. There are breakfast burritos, containers of fruit, and a thermos of coffee. He’s even added some creamer and sugar, which means he was really paying attention at the diner.
“This is perfect,” I tell him. I run my finger over the edge of the basket before looking at him. Valeri is intimidatingly good looking, and when those vivid green eyes are staring at me, making it clear that all his attention is on me, I find it hard to breathe. “You don’t have to go through so much trouble for me. I hope you know that.”
“This isn’t trouble, Evie, and even if it was, you’re worth it.”
“No, I’m not,” I say without thinking.
He cups my face, running his thumb lightly over my skin. “We’re going to need to work on your self-esteem. You’ve been taught certain things by your father, and that needs to change. I’m the one you should trust,lapochka, not him.”
I don’t know what to say, but he doesn’t seem bothered by my lack of a response. He just smiles and kisses my forehead before grabbing the thermos and pouring us each some coffee.
“I hope you’re not disappointed that I didn’t make any of this. I’m not very skilled in the kitchen.”
“I’m not disappointed.” I take the mug he offers and pour in some creamer and sugar while he gets out the food. There are so many things I want to ask him, so many things I’m curious about, but I don’t want to bombard him like it’s a police interrogation, so I just settle on, “How old are you?”
He smiles and unwraps his burrito. “I’m twenty-seven.”
“Do you miss Russia?”
While he chews, he looks out at the water and shakes his head. “I like it here.”
“Where are your parents?” I ask, forgetting that I was just going to ask the one question.
He laughs and takes a drink. “Someone’s curious today.”
“Sorry. You don’t have to answer.” I take a bite of my own burrito just to shut myself up.
“I don’t mind your questions. My father died several years ago. My mom is still heartbroken over it and has no desire to leave Russia because that’s where her memories of him are.”
“I’m so sorry. My mom died when I was young. I know how hard it is to lose a parent.”
“I was at least older when it happened. I can’t imagine how hard that must’ve been for you.”
I shrug my shoulders and tuck a blowing strand of hair behind my ear. “I wish I could say that my dad was so heartbroken that he started drinking to try and cope with it, but the truth is he was a nasty drunk before she died, and her death just made it worse.” I’m surprised I’ve told him all this. I never talk to anyone about my personal life, but Valeri makes me want to share things with him, to open up in a way that I never have before.
“I’m very sorry, Evie.”
I grab the container of fruit and give him a big smile. “It’s fine. No more sad stuff. I don’t want to waste what little time we have.”
He smiles and tosses his wrapper in the basket before stealing one of my strawberries. “True enough. There are far better ways to spend our time.”
When he cups the back of my head and pulls me closer, I don’t resist. Setting the container aside, I gladly turn my attention to him. He tastes like the strawberry he just ate, and I’m hungry for more. I may not have experience on my side, but I have years of sexual frustration that’s boiling over, making it impossible for me to stop. Every time his lips touch mine, every swipe of his skilled tongue, the feel of his hand cupping my head in a possessive grip—it all works together to make me feel like I’m about to fucking explode.
