Daniil grinned and shook his head, rubbing on my belly. He had that same look on his face, letting me know that I was beingcuteagain.
My dad was watching our interaction carefully, staying silent, even as my mom nodded, grabbing her purse, and pulling out a black book. She stated, “Well, in that case, I do know of an excellent OBGYN. We send some of the single teen moms who come to the church to her. She has an excellent bedside manner and she’s very skilled.” She flipped through the pages of the black book.
A thought occurred, and I blurted, “Is she ugly?”
Mom was startled at my question even as Daniil laughed outright, pulling me in closer to him. He had remembered Ember’s advice too. Whispering in my ear, he said, “You have nothing to worry about, my sweet. I choose you.”
Since the conversation with my parents hadn’t taken too long, we went back to the gymnasium with a little persuasion on my part to Daniil and both my parents. They even agreed that I shouldn’t be playing, but I stayed firm in my belief that exercise was good for me.
Daniil grumbled the most. “If you’re going to play then tell Mary to not trip my son into you again.” I didn’t know she had. I just thought he slammed into me because I hadn’t been paying attention. Although it didn’t surprise me since I knew Mary was getting ticked off while playing. She could hold her own if need be.
The game was a blast in the end.
We won.
I was in fine spirits, grinning like an idiot and taunting Daniil, who was decidedly a sore loser. I didn’t have to hide our relationship from anyone here, so it was easy.
Daniil was free to be himself, even with my parents looking on, staying quiet through the game, their eyes never leaving the two of us. Assessing. Just waiting for me to say I had changed my mind. I wasn’t going to. I wanted to get to know him better, and that wouldn’t happen if I followed the path my parents wanted.
I smirked, the game only ending a few minutes earlier. “I told you I could play.” I spun and bowed. “Tell me who just schooled you.”
Daniil’s lips pinched and he crossed his arms, miffed. “You did not justschoolme. We only lost by five points.”
I laughed. “Ah. But, you still lost.”
Daniil’s nose crinkled. He stayed mute. Pouting.
I ran a finger over the top of his nose. “So…”
He grabbed my hand, pulling me closer to his glistening body. “How about we play one-on-one and see who the winner is?”
I stared at his chest, and then his neck. His jaw. His lips. All of a sudden, I very much wanted to play “one-on-one.” Just of a different variety. “No. I don’t think so.” He would kick my ass if I went up against him by myself. “But, I think I deserve a treat for my current victory.”
Daniil paused, obviously hearing the huskiness of my tone. He bent to face level with me, purring, “And what kind of a treat would you like, my sweet?”
I licked my lips. “You. Me. Tangled in sheets.”
Daniil pulled me in closer, quietly talking against my cheek, and told me exactly what he had in mind to make those sheets tangled.
From right next to us, my mom said, “I think everyone’s going to dinner now.”
I jerked. Shit. I had almost forgotten about them.
Daniil stilled, stopping his intimate words but slowly standing straight, glancing around the room that was still completely full. His lips twitched, and he smiled down at my mom. It wasn’t a very nice smile. “If we’re going to get to know one another better, it will require some privacy every once in a while.”
Mom scolded, “Yes. I agree. But that doesn’t have to include,” she gestured to us, “that.” She paused. “In front of everyone else, no less.” She shook her head, embarrassing me. I was positive she hadn’t heard us, but I’m sure we looked pretty cozy. “Use a little discretion, sweetie. It’ll go a long way.”
Daniil actually chuckled. “She’s pregnant with my child.That, as you so delicately put it, wasn’t anything.”
I gaped, taking a step back.
He had not just said that to my parents.
My parents and I stared.
None of us were happy with him.
His laughter cut off immediately, seeing my expression. His eyebrows pinched together as he gazed at me now. He reached for me, and I took another step back, crossing my arms. He was confused for a second. God, he was arrogant. I waited for him to figure it out. Some things you just don’t say to someone’s parents.
