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RHETT
Everything I hopedfor with Irina happens on our first date. No doubt her crying freaked me out. I can’t tolerate her suffering.
However, Irina’s heart is what makes her addictive. I know her love will be better than anything I could find with anyone else.
Looking gorgeous in her burgundy sweater and black jeans, Irina classes up our local theater. Despite her earlier tears, she can’t stop smiling now. She takes pictures of everything to send to Fiona.
Irina feasts on the popcorn and gets a kick out of the stupid action movie. Her laugh during the dumber parts cracks me up. She is so unguarded during the movie. Every time I glance at her, she’s wearing a smile.
It's still on her face when we walk out to a dark parking lot. She doesn’t get in the SUV immediately, instead tugging me closer.
“I love my life with Fiona,” Irina says as her fingers skate around my chest. “But she has elevated tastes in music, movies, TV shows, books, everything. While I like that stuff, Ilovethat stuff,” she explains and gestures toward the theater. “I don’t know how to explain how free I feel right now.”
Devouring her smiling lips, I’m really fucking relieved by how easily we fit together. I wasn’t against embracing new things. For Irina, I’d listen to weird music or watch boring movies. I’m not looking to date myself, but I appreciate how big of a kick she gets out of doing my stuff.
Irina can’t take her eyes off me while I drive to the Valley Chophouse.
“A few decades ago, the club invested in a lot of places. Back then, there were only sleazy dives or fancy places, so people went to Canary Basin for steak. Now, they come here.”
“The only place I’ve eaten out at was the Valley Star Diner,” Irina replies and then smiles in a dreamy way. “The day I saw you.”
Smirking at her horny tone, I can’t even remember what I was talking to June about that day. She’s one of those people who bores people to death with her rants. Often, she’ll begin raging on one seemingly reasonable topic, only to end up screaming about a completely unrelated trivial issue.
“I still can’t believe you stalked me,” I say, enjoying her sweet grin. “If I knew you existed, I’d have stalked you first.”
“I’m not sure if you saw me on the street that I would have made the same impression. You’re like no one I’ve ever seen before.”
“But there are a bunch of people just like me at the Pigsty.”
“I won’t lie. I was very impressed by the many hot bikers I found at the party. You, though, are something else.”
“You’re making me blush,” I say, unaccustomed to praise.
Irina reaches over to stroke under my chin. “I’m sorry, but I like to dote on my favorite people.”
“Is that how you talk to Fiona?”
“Yes. I maybe dote on her too much. I also don’t push her enough. I just can’t stand when she’s unhappy.”
Frowning, I still can’t wrap my head around the women’s relationship. Irina sounds more like Fiona’s mom than her caretaker. I can’t even figure out what’s exactly wrong with Todd Rogers’s daughter.
As I pull into the restaurant parking lot, I spot one of the club’s SUV located near the front door. I also notice two familiar motorcycles. As I walk around to the passenger side, I recognize a four-door truck belonging to Ralph Nauls. If he’s here, his wife will be, too.
“A few of my people might be inside,” I tell Irina as she slides out of the passenger seat. “If they offer for us to join them, I’m saying no.”
Irina doesn’t respond to my bitchy tone. She cups my face and stares into my eyes.
“I think our first real date is going well. Don’t you?”
Kissing her is easier than finding the right words. I wrap Irina against me and consider heading somewhere else. I don’t like feeling on display, and I want to keep Irina to myself.
“How many kids do your sisters have?” she asks after I free her from my embrace, and she takes my hand.
