“That Isabella, was a long time coming I couldn’t hold myself back anymore. I told you, you were mine and I meant it. I want you in all ways: mind, body, and soul. As for packing up your shit, I want you with us always. You mean the world to both Katya and myself and to get the chance to wake up to you daily is what I want. What I want most is for you to love me and build a life together. Your stubbornness calls to my stubbornness.” He holds up his hand when I go to deny being stubborn, folding my arms. I glare at him. “Don’t even try to deny it Malen'kiy your stubborn as well. Now let’s pack what you need.”
“Fine but I’m telling you I’m not stubborn.” I totally am but he doesn’t always have to be right about it. “What does that even mean what you’ve been calling me.” I’ve been dying to ask him since he said it but he always leaves me tongue-tied.
“Malen'kiy? It means little one.” He shrugs his shoulders and walks away to pack up what I have left out.
“I’m not little, I'm fun size. Did you ever think that maybe I’m normal size and you're just overgrown.” I’m not, I'm short and I know it, I hardly reach his chest. He’s raising his eyebrow at me as if he knows I’m full of shit. So like the grown-up I am, I stick my tongue out at him. “Whatever, let’s just finish up here. I still have baking to do today before we get Katya at school.” Inside I’m dying of happiness. That kiss was everything I imagined it would be. It wasn’t soft and gentle, it was a claiming, hard and dominating. He basically admitted in not so many words that he loved me and he wants my love in return. What he doesn’t know is he already has it but I’m too scared to admit it first.
“This is everything I need. I want to at least get some of my baking in plus I have to stock the cafe as well. Victor put the bags down, you're not supposed to lift stuff.” He’s such a pain in the ass he doesn’t listen to anything.
“I have one good arm, you're not carrying everything on your own especially when I’m around.” This mother fluffer just shrugs his shoulders at me. I’m going to smother him in his sleep.
“Do you always have to be so stubborn? You must have driven your mom nuts as a kid.” He gets a smile on his face as if he’s remembering when he was little.
“Ya both my brother and I were stubborn it drove our mom nuts. We had some really good times.”
“Can I ask what exactly happened to Katya’s parents? You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.” He puts his stuff down and gathers me up and hugs me holding me tight.
“No, it’s okay I talk about them all the time with Kat. I want her to know who her parents were. I was watching Katya that day. She was only two at the time. They had a doctor's appointment and they had just found out they were pregnant. It was storming outside and visibility was shit that day. He lost control of the car and hit a tree. They both died on impact. They were going to take Katya with them but since I had a day off I wanted to spend some time with her.”
Tears are running down my face. What a tragic story. “I’m so sorry Victor. That’s awful.” He gently wipes the tears from my face. Giving me a light kiss on the lips. “I hurt for Katya. She shouldn’t have had to go through that at such a young age. I’m glad she had you.” He’s looking into my eyes searching for something.
“You love Katya don’t you?”
“ I do that precious girl has stolen my heart, Victor. I would do anything for her.”
“And me? Do you feel the same way?”
The moment of truth I can jump in with both feet or run scared like I have been since he told me I was his. Licking my too dry lips I give him his answer. “Yes Victor, I feel the same way about you.” He holds my face in his massive hands and looks deep into my eyes pouring his heart and soul out to me.
“You have captivated me from the beginning. My heart stopped and started that day. I couldn’t take my eyes off you. I felt if I did you would disappear on me and I can’t have that. I want you in my life. I love you, Isabella. So say you’ll stay with me and Katya, build a life together. I also promise not to be too stubborn all the time.”
I laugh at the last part because we both know it’s a load of shit. “I love you too Victor I have right from the start. So yes I’ll stay with you guys and build a life together. But I want to talk to Katya first to see how she feels about it. I know she thinks we are getting married already but I just want to make sure. Is that okay?”
“That’s more than okay but I already know she loves you too. Come on, let's get out of here.”
We gather what I packed and head for the door. I know in the end I won’t be returning here to live. I’m starting a new chapter in my life. One with a little girl who’s come to mean so much to me in such a short time. And the man standing next to me who consumes my soul. I can’t wait to see where this road leads.
Chapter 4
Once we got back to Victors, I kicked him out of the kitchen and got down to baking. I knew if he would have stayed I wouldn’t have gotten anything done. I pull the last of the cakes and cupcakes out of the oven waiting for them to cool. I’ve already got the frosting pre-made so it won’t be a lot to do once everything is cooled down. Looking at the clock, I see I’ve got over forty-five minutes left before I have to pick up Kat. I get to ask her if she’s really okay with me dating her uncle. It’s just been the two of them for a few years now and I don’t want her to feel I’m taking him away. Victor tells me I have nothing to worry about but I want to make sure either way. I can hear my phone vibrate on the counter. Picking it up I see it’s a text from the girls making me smile.
Lady Beans Group Chat:
Skylar- Hey girl how is Victor feeling?
Rhylie- Have you jumped his bones yet? Lol
Faith- The man was just shot. I don’t think he’s even thinking about that. (Facepalm)
Isabella- Let’s see. He’s been nothing but a stubborn man who won’t take the drugs while he’s in pain. Then he played me saying he will take it tonight only if I stayed in his bed. Add in the fact while at my place to pick up stuff he told me he loved me and wanted me to move in.
Rhylie- Squealing. I knew it! Happy dance.
Skylar- Did you say it back? I saw the way you two looked at each other that day.
Faith- What are you going to do?
Isabella- I gave him a hard time naturally lol but all jokes aside I told him I felt the same way. Apparently, he's already got the guy’s help with moving my stuff (rolling my eyes) but tonight I’ll be asking Katya if she’s okay with it first. I don’t want her to feel I’m taking Victor away from her.
