“Did you really have to say that?” Ida Jane demanded.
“Did you really think they didn’t know?” I shot back.
Her cheeks were so red. “I mean, a little mystery isn’t so bad.”
“They’re all going to hear you scream my name over and over. Now they have fair warning.”
Her pink cheeks made her eyes sparkle brighter. “You can be so crass. And no, they aren’t, because we’re going home.”
“And you love me. You said so. There are witnesses and video of the blessed moment, so you can’t take it back.”
She narrowed her eyes, even as her lips curved upward. “Mmm. That was before I knew you were going to embarrass me.”
“I’ll do it again. I’m still learning how to be in a relationship.”
Her face softened. “I don’t want to change anything about you, Maxim Dolov. You’re perfect for me, to me, just as you are. Even embarrassing me like that.” She leaned in closer. “I’m so hot.” I clamped my hands tighter on her butt. “Wet,” she whispered. “Needy.”
I slid her down my body, one hand staying on her ass to ensure she remained decent. I sucked in a deep breath as I maneuvered her to the car, thankful I’d gotten the SUV and didn’t have to deal with the low entry of the sports car. We drove home in silence, but it was a healthy one, ripe with anticipation.
“I need you,” she said. “You’ve got me so addicted to your dick.”
“Goes both ways, Mrs. Dolov.” I liked saying that, planned to keep saying it.
I’d heard a story about why there were so many names for certain things in society. We had many names and nicknames for things that mattered. Ida Jane mattered to me more than anything else. She was my krasivaya, Fists, my wife, Mrs. Dolov, and I loved her.
I pulled into the garage and hurried around the car, helping her out so I could tug her inside. “I’m really glad you all live so close,” Ida Jane said.
Instead of veering off toward the bedroom, I strode toward the outdoor patio.
“Maxim.” Ida Jane’s voice grew uncertain. “I’m not sure I’m capable of public sex.”
“That’s not why I brought you out here. Now, be a good girl and listen.”
She raised her eyebrows, her lips pursed in disapproval. That had me humming with good humor. She didn’t take my shit. She never would. But she’d loved me through a tough time, just as I had her. We fit. We worked well together. And the sex… My dick jumped against my zipper at the thought, even as my heart pounded against my ribs. The nerves surprised me. I took a moment to steady myself.
I sucked in a breath. “This isn’t where I wanted to do this. I was coming up with some amazing scenarios before Coach mentioned my Green Card. So, all I can do is hope you like where this ends.” I dropped to my knee.
“Ida Jane—”
She clasped her hands over mine. We were both shaking. “We’re already married.”
“Yes, but it was fast, and I know it wasn’t what you always dreamed of.This timeit’s going to be right. The one we tell our kids about.”
She smiled, but it was shy. “Kids?”
“Yes. If that’s what you want. I need to ease into the idea.” I shook my head. “Don’t distract me.” I cleared my throat. “Ida Jane Barlow—”
“Dolov. My name’s Ida Jane Dolov.”
I chuckled. “Ida Jane BarlowDolov, will you do me the greatest of honors and marry me again, this time in a ceremony with all our friends and with all the trappings, including an engagement party and all the other shit…erstuffI don’t know about and never thought was important until I met you?”
I slipped a dazzling large diamond ring off a chain that hung around my neck. She’d noticed the chain, but I removed it each night before I got into bed, tucking it away in my set of drawers in the closet. Unlike me, Ida Jane prided herself on not being a snoop.
I shrugged. “I didn’t want to lose it—and I wanted it with me for the right time.”
Her fingers settled against her lips as she gaped at the ring, transfixed by its sparkle.“You gotta stop buying me jewelry.”
“No promises, krasivaya.”
