Chuckling under my breath, I walk away with our drinks and watch her from the table. The way she moves it's as if she was always born to be in a kitchen. She’s in her element right now. Loaded down with dishes she first serves Katya then myself. I wait till she’s seated with her food before I dig in. The flavors exploding on my tongue. Fuck, not only can she bake but she can cook as well.
“This is amazing Isabella. Who taught you how to cook like this?” She gets a sad look in her eyes making me feel like an ass for asking.
“Thank you. My Grandma taught me everything I know. We would spend hours in the kitchen perfecting recipes. She raised me once my mom dropped me off and never looked back. Even though we came from money she still lived a modest lifestyle. Never overspending on anything. Most people never even knew she had millions sitting in her bank. So once she passed I inherited everything but still chose to live her lifestyle.”
You would never know she was sitting on millions. She's exactly like Damon; they both refuse to flaunt it. “I'm sorry for your loss Isabella. But I'm curious about something and you can tell me to mind my own business but why do you work? You don’t need it.”
She gets a big smile on her face as if she has a secret. Her whole face lighting up.
“You're right, I don’t have to work. I went to school to perfect my craft. Getting the job at Naughty Beans was the perfect place to work for me to start. Plus I donate my paychecks to shelters around here. Grandma always taught me it’s always good to give back. So when I started doing more baking on the side for birthdays and stuff that money I got was also donated. I just really enjoy baking so I figured I could do both.”
She shrugs her shoulders like it’s no big deal going back to her food. But what she’s doing for other people who don’t have it is amazing.
“That's an amazing thing you're doing. Your grandma would be proud of you for continuing what she started.” She swallows hard, her eyes getting glassy.
“Thank you Victor, that means a lot,” she whispers out.
“Don’t be sad Auntie Bella, I can share Uncle Victor with you so you don’t have to be alone anymore.” God I love this kid she has no idea but she just won herself a shopping spree. The look on Isabella’s face is priceless; she has no idea what to say. So to move this along with where I want her to be, which is in my bed every day I push a little more.
“That’s right Katya you have a perfect idea. Auntie Bella should get close to Uncle Victor.” Am I a dick for using my niece's innocent words to get what I want? Ya, I am, but game on Isabella I’m coming for you. And the reward is going to be so sweet.
Chapter 3
I’m awake before anyone the next day. Watching the sunrise sitting in the backyard sipping my coffee. After last night I rushed through dinner, put Katya to bed, and made sure Victor didn’t need anything before I hightailed it out of there. I just needed time to process what he said and didn’t say. I knew he wanted to talk last night, but I chickened out big time. I hardly slept, just kept dreaming of a life with Victor and Katya together if I just gave it a chance. As innocent as what Katya said last night, Victor took that and ran with it. It was like he was just waiting for the perfect opening and it fell right into his hands from his niece. My life has been pretty boring up until now. I bake, come home and repeat the process the next day. Sure I went out on a few dates in college but it never amounted to anything past the first date. I never felt that spark I feel anytime Victor’s around me. It’s like butterflies have taken up permanent residence right in my stomach. It’s why I’m still a virgin. I wanted to make sure I was with someone who I loved. Do I want that someone to be Victor? Ya, I can see it happening and by the looks he throws me he wants the same. Grandma always said my future was out there. I just had to go and find it. Once she died I sold the house. I might have loved being raised there but it wasn't my future. Being here with them I think I’ve finally found what I was looking for. All it took was for one precious little girl to invite me to the zoo to see what was right in front of me. Today I have to take Katya to school then go pick up some of my stuff. I'm not even sure how long I’m staying. I hear the sliding door open and turn in my seat seeing Victor walking out with a coffee cup in his hand. He’s wearing grey sweats with a black shirt even in that he looks hot as hell. Pulling up the chair he sits down right beside me, pain etched on his face. No doubt the stubborn man didn’t sleep well and since he won’t take anything for the pain he’s feeling it today.
“Good morning Victor. How are you feeling? You look like you're in pain. I wish you would take something instead of suffering?” I know I'm fussing but I can't help it.
“Good morning Malen'kiy. And your right I am in pain this morning hurts like a bitch. But no, I won’t take the strong stuff.”
God this man is infuriating throwing my hands in the air I tell him. “Why are you so damn stubborn? A child is more agreeable than you are. You don’t have to be the hero. Katya will be fine and looked after, you don’t have to worry about that. I’ll watch and protect her with my life.” I indeed love that little girl with all my heart just like I’m in love with the stubborn man sitting next to me. He turns to look at me with an intense look in his eyes making me squirm.
“And you Isabella, who’s going to look after and protect you? It’s my job to protect my girls.” I open my mouth not knowing what to say and he holds his hand up stopping me. “Yes, I said mine because you are mine, Isabella.”
I’m speechless. He said I was his, like some caveman. Don’t get me wrong I’m so damn happy right now and doing a little dance inside. But why do I have a feeling he played me somehow with me being here. Squinting my eyes at him. “You can’t just say that I’m yours and that’s it, end of discussion Victor. That’s not how it goes.” I’m totally fine with how this is moving, but you know a girl’s gotta have some dignity.
He just shrugs his shoulders. “What’s the difference? It's going to end the same. What? You want hearts and flowers to be wooed? Fine, that's what I’ll do.”
“Fine, we can play this game. Then I get something in return. You take a damn pill tonight before bed.” Ha, I totally won this. He gets a cocky smile on his face telling me he has something up his sleeve which doesn’t bode well for me.
“That’s fine I’ll take the pill.” YES! Success. “But you have to stay in my bed tonight just so I know nothing will happen to you while you're sleeping and you can wake me up if it did.”
Son of a bitch! I totally got played again by him. And by the look on his face, I’d say he’s damn proud of it too. That’s fine I’ll be picking up my massive body pillow today and that will be going between us, see if he likes that. “Fine,” I growled out. I get up from my seat needing another coffee after that showdown. “Do you need anything? I'm going to wake Katya for school then I’m stopping by my place to pick up a few things. I have orders I still have to make for this week.” He gets up with me following me inside making another coffee. I turn and realize he’s right behind me jumping back. He places his hands on my shoulder to steady me.
“Easy Isabella I don’t want you hurting yourself. But to answer your question, give me twenty minutes and I’ll be ready after all I’ll be going with you.”
With that, he walks away without a backward glance. I just don’t know how I’m going to survive today with him being everywhere.
Two hours later
I’m not surviving it. The whole morning he’s been touching me as if it’s by accident, just little innocent touches here and there. We are currently at my apartment picking up a few things I need. Well at least I am, Victor is packing way more than I would need as if he’s packing up my whole apartment. I pick up one thing to take and he picks up two more. Don’t even get me started on the school drop-off with Katya. She walked right up to her friends and announced this is my Auntie Bella and she’s going to marry Uncle Victor. And what did this overgrown caveman do? He threw his arm over my shoulders and nodded at them as if he agreed with a big ass smile on his face. I mean would it kill him to ask first but no not Victor Petrov. He also should be resting, not lifting heavy stuff either. When we walked into my apartment, I told him to sit on the couch. That I'll be done soon. Nope, he had to look around and start packing stuff I don’t need. Like right now he’s taking pictures off my wall. Walking over to him I take it out of his hands and hang it back up. “Victor, what are you doing? I don’t need them so they can stay on my wall.” He gives me a thoughtful look and nods his head. Thank God he listened to me that time.
“You're right. We can always come back for the rest. The guys can help me.”
He pulls out his phone and sends out a text. I’m standing here with my mouth open not knowing what the hell’s going on. Titling my head I narrow my eyes and look at him.
“I think we should go back to the hospital. I think you have a head injury they overlooked. Because right now you're not making any sense to me. Why would you need to pack up my place and have the guys help you?”
He stalks over to me with a predatory look on his face making me backup which just makes him smile more. My back hits a wall and I’m trapped. He cages me in with his hands so I have no place to go. He looks from my lips to my eyes and back again before coming to a decision. Slamming his lips down on mine dominating me in the best way possible. Licking the seam of my lips I open up for him and the first swipe of his tongue has me moaning making him growl. The kiss seems to go on forever until we both pull apart breathing heavily. Touching my swollen lips. “What was that?”
