I thread my fingers into the silky waves framing her face and push them back, pulling her closer with my fingertips pressed into her scalp.
This time I kiss her slowly, savoring the sweetness of her mouth, memorizing how her lips move against mine and how her tongue trembles when it meets my own. I pull her closer, and her ass presses more firmly against my hard cock. My hand moves from her waist to her ass, squeezing the soft flesh.
Her phone rings from the kitchen, breaking us apart. She rises from my lap, my aching dick twitches visibly, even through my jeans, the moment her weight lifts.
“Oh, shit, I forgot about my flight.”
I get up and follow her out of the room.
“Flight to where?”
She takes her coat and bag from the kitchen, then turns to me. “I’m going to San Diego for a week.”
I frown. “Why?”
“My cousin Avira is giving birth.”
The frown doesn't leave. “So?” It doesn’t sound like a good enough reason for me to be away from her.
She chuckles, coming closer to me. “I need to be there when she gives birth to support her. Also, I can’t wait to see my nephew.”
She takes my hand. “Will you take care of Bruno and Rosie?”
I nod.
She wraps her arms around my torso, resting her head on my chest. I fold my arms around her, pulling her tight.
“Take care of yourself as well.”
I hum, drawing in her rosy scent like smoke, holding it in my lungs until it stains me from within.
Chapter 16
Elowen
Avi gave birth to a healthy boy and now looks like she might die any moment.
She was energetic and talkative when the painkillers were still in her system, now she’s whimpering in pain. Zo is glued to her side. Their boy is being looked after by his nanny and Aunt Abi.
She was discharged yesterday; today everyone is gathered at Zo’s mansion in San Diego. We’re all having a dinner party in the garden, except for the two of them.
“Are you drinking alcohol?” Mom asks, shocked to see me drinking poison.
I nod, grinning. “You should also try.”
She scrunches her nose. She hates the smell of alcohol, because of that, Dad never touches the stuff. We can’t expect less from my father when it comes to anything involving my mother.
Lyn takes the glass of wine from me and replaces it with a mocktail. “There are thousands of side effects of consuming alcohol. If you want, I can list them for you right now.”
“It’s unfair. Why aren’t you stopping your husband?”
She glances at Leo, who’s standing with Uncle Maksim and Uncle Damir, a glass of what looks like vodka in his hand. Uncle Maksim has the same. Uncle Damir, like my dad, stopped touching alcohol after he found his wife.
“He’s a bull. He won’t feel the effect unless it’s a whole bottle.”
“I won’t feel it either,” I say with a long shake of my head, it wasn’t long on purpose.
She chuckles. “You’re already showing plenty of effect.”
