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Finding her courage, she imitated her mama’s stern look. “That’s not good of you, Konstantin. And you from a good Orthodox family! What would your baba say?”
He froze in place, narrowing his eyes at her, and for a moment, she wondered if she’d gone too far. Before she could apologize, he barked a loud laugh. “You sound just like her, malish.”
Malish? The intimacy of the pet name surprised her. Couples called each other malish. Did he think of her as . . . his?
A warm flutter started in her belly.
Then he rose up from the bed. “We will go to church.”
Before she could see anything, she snapped her head around the other way. Was he naked? Would she see his . . . privates up close? Her palms started to sweat as she thought through ways to make a polite exit.
“We’ll go later this evening.” The closet door creaked open and it sounded like he was riffling through it. “But I have to get some work done first.”
“Work?”
“There is no rest day in America. And I have to leave for business on Tuesday.”
She turned her head to look at him. “You’re leaving me?”
He smiled kindly, then pulled his shirt over his head. It took a moment to remember he was scantily clad. But when she grew brave enough to look down, she saw he was already wearing a pair of jeans. In her head, she scolded herself for being disappointed.
“Only for a few days,” he said, walking toward where she still sat on the bed. “You’ll have to amuse yourself though. I’ll leave money for you to go shopping or go to the movies. And I’ll send Everly and Kate to check on you.”
She thought about staying here in this big house by herself and shuddered. There were always people in her parents’ house—brothers, extended family, neighbors. She’d spent most of her life wishing for privacy, and now she yearned for the commotion. People jammed into small rooms, Papa’s
boisterous laugh, her brothers tackling one another and knocking over furniture was normal for her, not all the openness and silence of Konstantin’s big house.
But she had to find courage. If this was to be her new life, she would have to adjust. Kon was a busy man. He didn’t have time to babysit her. Straightening her shoulders, she nodded stiffly. “I will be fine.”
He stared down at her a moment, then patted her cheek. “Good girl.”
For the rest of the day, she read books from his library, found obscure spots to clean the maid had missed, cooked them lunch, then peeled potatoes for dinner. She’d expected Konstantin to disappear into his office all day. He had for a while, but he kept coming out, as though he was checking on her. He’d get a snack or drink from the kitchen, but sometimes he just watched her.
At dinner, they made small talk as they ate.
“Do you have something nice to wear to church?” she asked him.
“Of course.” He rolled his eyes. “Don’t make a habit out of treating me like a small child, Varushka.”
She ducked her head. “I’m not. But it seems like you’ve forgotten—”
“I haven’t forgotten my roots,” he said firmly. “I attend mass when I can but when I can’t, I’m sure God forgives me.”
After that, she dressed in her most modest new dress, then found Konstantin in the foyer. His button-down shirt and tie made him look sinfully handsome.
She smiled at him.
He put his hands out to the side. “Is this good enough for God?” His lips curved in amusement so she knew he was teasing.
“Very handsome.”
His gaze roved over her and he licked his lips.
She smoothed down her plain dress. It wasn’t necessary to show off for God but He appreciated the effort to look your best. But Konstantin was making her nervous. Did Americans dress different for church too? “Do I look okay?”
“Good enough to eat,” he rumbled. “I’m tempted to—”
Panic flooded her. He couldn’t sway her to do more dirty things. Not today. “Come,” she said sharply, moving toward the door. “It’s already late.”
