“Why don’t you order the food? We can eat and drink and you can help me get lucky. On the couch of course.” He smirked her way when she came back into the kitchen.
“Because it would be bad manners to have sex in your cousin’s bed?”
Not that Gregori would care as long as they changed the sheets afterward. And it was, after all, Alexsei’s bed until his cousin returned anyway. “I’m very attentive to manners,” he said as he popped the cork.
She made an adorable grunt that said she was only partially convinced of that statement before she called in an order for Thai food delivery.
“What are you going to do when you run out of houses to live in while people go on vacation?” she asked as he handed her a glass and settled on the big couch next to her.
The main studio area lay off to their right, overlooking floor-to-ceiling windows with views of Pioneer Square. Gregori’s pieces, be they paintings or sculpture, tended to be very large so the open space was often filled with something in progress.
Alexsei looked to the half-finished canvas in one corner before he turned his attention back to Maybe.
“At some point I’ll need to find a place. Not until after the New Year though, as Gregori and Wren won’t be back until then.”
“If I’m not being too nosy, weren’t you and Rada buying the place she lives in now? What did you do about that?”
For whatever reason, he liked it when she got nosy. “I’d been living there already when she moved in. We’d been about to buy it from the owner. We were fortunate enough to be able to get out of the contract and get most of our money back. Yes, she’s buying it now.” Thank God he’d finally put a stop to everything even if he had to give up his town house.
“That’s a relief.” He heard all the unspoken things in Maybe’s tone.
“You don’t have to look like you sucked on a lemon when you talk about my life before we were together.”
“Don’t be so smirky. Jeez.” She gave him a narrow-eyed glare. “You like it, don’t you? That I get jealous?”
He shrugged but didn’t lose the smirk. “I like it that you’re interested enough to get stirred up about it. Even though you understand there’s nothing there anymore. I’m totally right here. With you.” And he’d known her long enough to understand this reaction from her was unique. Which also pleased him.
“Hmpf. What if my ex still hung around?”
“You never have anyone long-term. As I am, what do I have to worry over?” He leaned in to kiss her quickly. “Just as you have nothing to worry about and you know it. Deep down you do or you wouldn’t be here.”
That frown line between her eyes deepened.
He snarled. “What? Why are you frowning? You do know that, yes?”
“It’s not that.” She shook her head and then took several swallows of champagne.
“Then what?”
“Nothing. You’re here with me alone with booze in a swanky artist loft and you want to keep this up or get naked and sweaty with me?”
He’d been about to pursue her mood, despite her sneaky reference to sex. Until she finished her drink, set the glass down and whipped her shirt off before straddling his lap.
“Oh so you think this will distract me?” His cock was so hard it throbbed in time with his thundering pulse.
It was she who smirked this time. Then she slid to her knees to kneel on the floor in front of him.
As she unzipped his jeans and pulled his dick out, she looked back up into his face. “Is it working?” She licked over the head and he had to bite back a whimper. “I’d much rather suck your cock than have this discussion.”
How was he supposed to argue with that?
She took him into her mouth slowly, so wet inside. The hand at the base of his cock held him firm and the other took his balls in her palm before drawing her nails over them. Gently, but not too gently.
Waves of shivers ribboned through him as she dug the tip of her tongue against the sweet spot just beneath the crown.
He groaned, sliding his fingers through her hair, following the shape of her skull, torn between letting his head fall back and watching her.
He went with watching her as she licked and sucked, working to keep his eyes open each time she did something else that dug nails into him as she dragged him closer and closer to coming.
She took him so deep he tapped the back of her throat and by the third time, he was rushing headlong into climax with her name on his lips.
* * *
AS HE WALKED her up to her front door, she turned and kissed him, wrapping her arms around his neck, holding on and enjoying the way he felt.
The way they felt.
“I’d ask you to spend the night, but you have a cool artist loft now, so.” She shrugged as she pulled away from the hug. She shook her head then. “Okay that’s bullshit. Would you like to sleep over?”
“We watered the plants. I’ll be back there tomorrow as it’s right upstairs from the shop.” Then he took the keys, unlocked the door and held it for her. “I’m staying with you. And I did my laundry next door earlier today before I picked you up to go out so I have clean things.”
“Oh. Okay.” She tried not to show how thrilled she was. But she’d been thinking, a lot, about what it would be like to wake up next to him. She wasn’t normally excited about that stuff. She could get sex whenever, pretty much. But this was different.
He was different.
And it made her a little scared. Ha. A little.
“Now you won’t have to do the walk of shame.”
He snorted. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to run next door to grab my clothes.”
Maybe handed him the keys and he headed out once more.
Rachel sat in the living room watching a movie with Cora. Rachel paused the screen as she came in.
“Whatcha watching?” Maybe asked as she hung her coat up in the hall closet.
“We just started Cool Hand Luke. There’s soda, beer and popcorn if you want to join us. Didn’t I just hear the wild bearded Russian?”
* * *
“YOU DID. HE’S staying over tonight. Cool?”
Rachel gave her the double thumbs-up. “Just don’t embarrass everyone with super loud sex sounds. Also, wear your pants when you’re out of the bedroom,” Rachel said and corrected a moment later. “Well certainly you. I’m totally fine with his cute ass going around pantsless.” Rachel shrugged.
“She does have a point,” Cora agreed.
“I can’t spot a lie there. He’s pretty freaking spectacular without pants. Anyhoodle. Everyone will wear pants in common areas. That’s just manners. And keep your objectification to yourself.” Maybe reached over and tossed a piece of popcorn at Rachel.
“I’m just pleased he’s still around. They don’t tend to last more than two weeks,” Cora said as she cracked open her soda.
The sound of the locks on the front door clicking saved Maybe from more teasing, though she knew it was only a matter of time before it started up again.
Alexsei came in looking good and carrying the smoky scent of a cold night and the wood fires people still used to heat their homes in nearby neighborhoods. His attention went straight to Maybe as he handed over the keys. “Locked up again. And, I have some cookies. My aunt says they’re fresh.”
“As if they’d last more than ten minutes in that house anyway.” Maybe shoved one into her mouth before letting Rachel take the bag. “Handy having you around.” She looked over to her sister. “We’re changing into movie-watching gear and we’ll be right back.
“We’re going to watch a movie with them, okay with you?” Maybe rooted through her dresser before finding a pair of flannel PJ pants and a long-sleeved henley to change into.
“Sounds good.”
“You’re being very accommodating.”
He unbuttoned his shirt, exposing all that gorgeous skin and ink before he slid into a T-shirt and Maybe sighed, sadly. “Now I’m sorry I said we’d hang out with them. I think you should come over here instead.” Maybe patted the bed beside her.
“This is how you got me to let you win an argument an hour ago.” He stepped out of his trousers and she hummed her delight. He had great thighs.
She laughed. “Three hours and three orgasms—for me anyway—ago. It’s a time-honored move for a reason. Come on. You know you want to.”
He opened the door and made her groan. “I’ll collect later. I want to get to know your sister and Cora better. They’re the people you’re closest to.”
How could she argue with that?
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
MAYBE HAD JUST tied her running shoes when she caught sight of Rada’s car pulling up next door.
As no one was watching, she curled her lip, needing to get it all out of the way before she went outside. If they saw her, she’d have to say hello, even though Rada must have known how Maybe felt.
They did it for Irena, she supposed. But it still agitated her.
So she took a deep breath and waited like a coward for Alexsei’s ex to go inside before she headed out.
It took that dumbo another five minutes to gather up all her crap and finally get herself into the house, but Maybe breathed a sigh of relief, prepared to wait another minute or two, just to be certain.
“Why are we peeking out the window like old ladies?” Rachel asked as she entered the front hall.
“Rada just pulled up. I’m waiting for her to be gone before I go out.”
“Fuck her. This is our house in our neighborhood. You go wherever you want, whenever you want. Alexsei is all about you, so don’t even think she’s got a chance.”
“I don’t. Not really. It’s just. She’s always around. And no, I’m not jealous of that part. I do believe he’s all about me. But she takes him for granted and he automatically responds when she tells him she needs something. I don’t even do that. Who does that?”
“They were together for a few years. She’s been besties with Vic’s baby sister since they were both kids. There’s little chance she’s just going to disappear from his life. And that means from your life. You should say something to her,” Rachel told her with a shrug.
“It’s not her though. I mean, yes, she’s annoying and pretend-helpless and that makes me livid. But he’s the one who has to deal with this. Not me. I just have to pull up my big girl panties and find a way to get used to it. At least while he and I are dating.”
“Stop talking about this relationship like it’s anything akin to what you’ve had before. It’s not. You know that. I know that. Hell, Alexsei knows that. Chances are Rada does too and that’s why she’s being clingy in front of you.”
“I’ve only been dating him a month. It’s not like we’re working on a two-year anniversary or anything.”
“You’ve known him and been into him for two years. I mean, like, you really know him and from what I can see, he seems to know you too. So. Stop with this nonsense, or at the very least, save it for someone who isn’t me. I’m not blind and I’m not incapable of seeing what’s so totally true. Now, go work out. Be careful and don’t play your music so loud you can’t hear what’s going on around you.” Rachel tried to say the last with nonchalance. It nearly rang true.
Maybe knew her sister struggled with wanting the people she loved to be careful and safe and knowing it wasn’t totally possible to always be. That there were predators out there who would strike if and when they could. So she’d made Maybe take a self-defense class and because of all the baked goods they constantly consumed being in the Orlovs’ orbit, running had become Maybe’s exercise of choice. It kept her busy and in shape. It didn’t cost a lot other than good shoes and she could do it in a lot of places, weather situations and times of day.
“Gotcha.” She couldn’t ask Rachel to come with. Her sister only ran on a track at the health club she was a member of. It was an issue of comfort and neither sister messed with that.
Satisfied that she was safe to escape the neighborhood without any Rada interaction, Maybe listened to her sister lock up after her and put her head into exercise, leaving the house and Alexsei’s ex at her back.
* * *
A FEW DAYS LATER, Alexsei was surprised to see his mother’s number on the display of his ringing phone.
“I don’t know why I need to hear from my sister that you have a serious girlfriend,” his mother started in with rapid-fire Russian the moment he answered.
“I told you a little about her when you were visiting last. It was very new then.”
“It’s new now! You break up with a nice Russian girl to be with this, what is her name? It’s not a real name, it’s whatever it is. Artistic probably.” His mother said the last as if she’d stepped in something smelly.
“Her name is Maybe. And I didn’t break up with Rada to be with anyone. I’ve been broken up with her for nine months now.”
“Maybe? What kind of name is that?”
“It’s a nickname. It’s not as if Russians don’t constantly use nicknames, Mom.”
“You don’t even know this girl’s given name?”
He sighed, but kept it as silent as he could. “I do know her given name.” He’d seen it on her application and over the years, she’d told him the story of how she’d come by Maybe as a nickname.
“What is her name that she’s so ashamed of it? That she would dishonor her parents?”
“You don’t know anything about that,” he replied, aware that his tone was sharp. No matter. He wouldn’t let anyone talk about Maybe’s parents like they were the victims.
She clucked her tongue. “If I don’t it’s because you didn’t tell me. So tell me.”
Damn it. She had him.
Chastened, he went on, “Her given name is one she hates. It’s an old-lady name. When she was a toddler, someone asked her, Is your name Gladys? and she replied with Maybe. And her older sister started calling her Maybe from then on and it stuck. Now you know.” He wanted his mother to understand Maybe was special.
“I don’t know why you’re taking that tone with me though.”
This time his sigh was audible. “She does not disrespect her parents. They are awful human beings. They disrespect her at every turn and she takes it because she loves them in her own way and because she wants to be sure her sister still sees them and never has to choose.”
His mother was quiet for a few moments. “I’m sorry to hear that. I’m not sorry that you finally got mad with me because of this girl. I’ve waited a long time to see this.”
“See what?”
“You! Worked up with your mother to defend the woman you’re in love with. You never did so with Rada. I never thought she was good enough for you anyway. I suppose this Maybe isn’t either, but the heart wants what it wants.”
Love?
He started to argue and realized it was futile. Because he was absolutely in love with Maybe Dolan and because his mother didn’t want to be argued with. She knew she was right. And so did he.
“You will not ask her to marry you without talking to me first. I want to meet her and judge her myself.”
“I’m not asking her to marry me any time soon and the next time you visit you can meet her then.” He’d have years to prepare for that eventuality, thank goodness.
“I’ll come in the spring. You shouldn’t be old when you have children. You’re already thirty. How old is she?”
Wait, what?
“Spring?”
“Yes. I promised Cristian and this time I’ll bring your sisters too. You didn’t tell me how old she was.”
“Twenty-seven. There’s plenty of time for all that. But not right now. We’re dating. No marriage. No babies.” Not yet
. One day, he could see making a life and a family with Maybe. But there was time and he’d need it to seduce his little rabbit into admitting she loved him too.
“I realize I’ve not called as much as I should. Your aunt reminded me of this fact. You know how much I hate it when she’s right and can chastise me fairly.” His mother made a dismissive sound. “So the call works both ways. I expect you to check in with me more often. And then you can introduce us over the phone. Your Maybe, I mean. Then it will be easier when we meet in person.”
With that delivered, she chatted about his sisters, her new furniture and some traveling she did with her husband. She didn’t invite him for Christmas because he couldn’t risk a trip back to Russia and neither could Cris. Their biological father had been political. His death and their subsequent emigration to the United States made them far too political to risk it.
Until that point, he hadn’t really wanted to anyway. Not since he was eighteen or so. But he found himself missing his mother in a way he hadn’t in years.
And he knew he had his aunt to thank. His aunt who was far more a mother than the one he spoke to over the phone. She liked Maybe. That much was clear or she wouldn’t have mentioned her to his mother.
All that brought a smile to his face all morning long at the shop as clients came and went.
At ten, she came in like a brilliant sunset. He couldn’t help but smile as she bustled through, hanging things up, greeting everyone, accepting hugs as she dropped things off with various folk until she got to his station.
“You changed your hair.”
She grinned and worried the piercing in her lip a little. “I was feeling up for something new. What do you think?”
Reds from brilliant to orangey layered all through. She’d used product to create a pomp with a rocker edge. The reds mixed with pinks, giving it texture.
“I like it. Did you do this yourself?” He made a slow circle, pretending to look only at her hair but also taking in the whole of her. Letting himself soak in the vibrance and warm energy she always carried with her.
“Yeah.” She ran a hand up the back of her head.