Today had reminded me of what Ivan and Andrei had gotten me away from, and that was my family. My parents and sister were horrible. Being near them could poison the best of people.
“I won’t do it,” I said. “I didn’t mean it.”
Andrei searched my gaze and nodded his head. “I know.”
He lifted up, and helped me to sit up as well. Andrei moved in behind me. The warmth of his body surrounded me. I watched as he reached past my shoulder, grabbing a bar of soap and lathering up his hands.
No words were spoken.
His hands went to my body, and I held my breath as he started to wash me. I expected pain. After the way I’d just spoken and treated him, I should have gotten it. Other men would have beaten me.
“I’ve spoken with Slavik,” Andrei said. “We’re going to visit them soon. You can spend some time with Aurora.”
“Thank you.”
“I know you’ve not seen much of each other, but you seemed to hit it off at the wedding.”
Anyone would have been a welcome relief at our wedding, other than Bethany and my mother. Aurora had been a breath of fresh air. She looked so out of place next to her husband. Sweet and innocent. I felt like she didn’t deserve to be part of this Bratva world.
“Do you like Slavik?” I asked.
“He’s got good business sense.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“I never like anyone, Adelaide.”
He used his hands soaked in water to rinse my body. Andrei reached for the soap and I didn’t deny him as he washed my hair, taking care as he used shampoo then conditioner.
I wanted to do the same for him, but I shouldn’t have been surprised. He wouldn’t want me touching him, and I understood why. After my outburst, why would he want me to touch him?
Andrei got out of the bath first and wrapped a towel around his waist. I couldn’t help but admire the tattoos covering his body. I’d not gotten the chance to properly look, but they were sexy. Heat filled my cheeks.
Andrei helped me out of the bath, wrapping me in a towel. We walked into the bedroom together and I looked toward the bed, to see clean, crisp sheets were already on. I wanted to know what happened to the other sheets, but to speak of what happened made me a little uncomfortable. There had been blood and his release combined. When I’d walked into the bathroom, I’d felt it spilling down my leg with each step I took. I was grateful none ended up on the carpet. There was only so much embarrassment I could deal with.
Andrei wasn’t finished with his caring routine. He had a second towel within his grip, and he used it across my shoulders. He gave me the towel to dry my hair, but he wasn’t finished drying the rest of my body. I was about to head into the closet after he took the towels back to the bathroom, but he grabbed my arm and moved me toward the bed.
It was warm in the room.
Both of us still completely naked. He moved me so I sat in front of him.
I waited.
He slowly ran the brush through my hair, and the kind gesture surprised me. I wasn’t expecting it. Andrei was a cold man, why was he being so nice to me? It made no sense.
I didn’t say a word as he continued brushing my hair. Whenever he got to a knot, he held my hair and worked it out so that it didn’t hurt. Was he treating me like a child? I felt not. This was something new, intimate. I pressed my lips together not wishing to spoil the moment as I enjoyed his hands on me. They were so tender.
Once he finished, he helped me into bed, and I lay down. At first, I faced away from him, sensing him at my back. It was late and I’d not eaten anything all day. Rolling back over, I looked at him. Andrei stared at me. Neither of us spoke.
I didn’t want to break this … whatever the hell this was. He kept looking at me. What did he see? What did he feel? I had so many questions I wanted to ask him, but I stayed silent.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he reached out, putting his hand against my cheek, leaning in close, and kissing my head. I waited with bated breath as his arms surrounded me, and then his warmth flooded my body. I wrapped my arms around him, afraid I would make a wrong move or completely mess this up.
He kissed my head again and hummed against me. This was nice. I liked how he smelled and I loved how comfortable I felt in his arms. I never wanted this to end. I smiled against his chest and closed my eyes.
Of course, my body had other ideas. The lack of food made itself known as my stomach chose that moment to growl. I didn’t know what embarrassed me more-the evidence of my virginity, my jealous outburst, or my crazy hungry stomach.
Andrei chuckled. “I knew we’d forgotten to do something.” He kissed her head. “I’ll feed you.”
The moment was lost, all because my stomach couldn’t stay quiet. Stupid hunger.
Andrei
I don’t know what Bethany’s agenda is, and I don’t like it.
Adelaide was staying by my side so I got Leo following Bethany around. If she hoped upsetting her sister would have me reacting, she was very much mistaken. I didn’t play the games of that woman. Adelaide was my number one priority, and now that she was my wife completely, there was no going back. Divorce and annulment were off the table.
“You don’t have to stay in because of me,” Adelaide said. She came toward the dining room table where I’d just read the text from my informant in the Evil Savages MC, that the plans had changed.
I was still waiting for more details on this Nathan person who’d made a sudden appearance in her life. Adelaide was an amazing person, far too trusting for her own good. A man like Nathan, who’d appeared out of the blue some time ago, and just befriended her … I didn’t believe it and I was going to get to the bottom of it. Especially because I couldn’t find any details about the man. No records. It was like he didn’t exist. That raised alarm bells, which was why I’d also traded places with Leo. There was no way my wife would go to see this Nathan without me.
Closing my phone, I looked up. Adelaide wouldn’t meet my gaze. Was she still sore? It had been two days since I’d taken her virginity and I wasn’t going to wait too long. Seeing her virgin blood on my dick had given me deep pleasure. No other man would ever know just how fucking perfect she was.
“Work can wait.” I pointed out the cinnamon bun and coffee I’d had Terrance get for her.
Her eyes went wide. “Why do I feel you buy me these to shut me up?”
“I buy them because you love them.” I happened to enjoy the sweet treat as well.