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Irina flashes me a wide-eyed look. Is she wary of having kids after her loss? Or am I not father material? Once I introduce her to my likable niece and nephews, she’ll see my potential to be a good dad.
“Stop trying to distract me from crushing you,” Irina warns, offering a silly smile that ruins her intimidation attempt.
We race only twice. Irina gives up halfway through the second one and ends up floating. I admire how relaxed she is in the water.
Suddenly, she goes still and stands up. Her gaze meets mine, and I spot panic.
“I shouldn’t have stayed in here so long.”
Looking around, I wonder what set her off. Is she worried about people watching? Or is she feeling guilty over leaving Fiona?
“I’m nauseous again,” Irina explains before walking toward the shallow end. “I should have been more careful.”
Irina glances back at me as I follow her. Her gaze feasts on my body, and she smiles.
“You bring out my less sensible side.”
“Is that good or bad?”
Irina waits for me to step up on the concrete before she answers. “Always good.”
“But you feel sick.”
“I’ll be fine soon. Dinner was too heavy. I ate too much popcorn. I bounced too much in the pool. I couldn’t control myself, but a sick stomach is a small price to pay for so much fun.”
Reassured by her words, I find towels. Irina wraps one under her armpits and around her body. Feeling like she’s still too exposed, I add one across her shoulders.
“You look cold,” I tell her when she smirks at how I’m trying to cover her up.
“Can we play in the shower now?”
Admiring her naughty grin, I grab our clothes and guide her out of the pool room. We walk past Walla Walla, Goose, and Tomcat playing “Halo.”
Goose grunts. “Damn, Eagle, have you been working out?”
I narrow my eyes while she chuckles at my irritation. Irina whispers how I probably should wrap myself up more next time. I like how she’s already imagining another trip to the pool.
That’s what I need next. Tonight, we enjoyed our first date. We even said the magic words. Yet, I want more.
Irina needs to be at my place as often as possible until she can be with me permanently. Even if she needs to train a small army to take care of Fiona, Irina belongs at my side. I want to take her riding, show her every inch of McMurdo Valley, and introduce her to everyone important in my life.
I need people to see her and know she’s mine. Like how no one gossips anymore about Armor and Yazmin being together. At first, everyone acted as if sightings of them were a big deal. But, now, they’re expected to be attached at the hip. One day, people will feel the same way about Irina and me.
Once in my room, we play in the shower, finishing off in bed when I sense she’s tired. Around ten, I go out to the open hallway and call down to see if someone will bring us drinks and snacks.
Smokey runs up iced tea and fresh pretzels. Irina coos over the service and promises to leave a good Yelp review. She’s in a relaxed mood all evening despite often checking her phone. Fiona sends regular updates. The new caregiver does, too. Irina reads them without seeming worried.
Around midnight, she dozes off. I remain awake for another hour and mentally summarize our first date. My brain picks apart every awkward moment, trying to stir up doubts.
Everything with Irina is brand new for me. I’m not sure if I’m handling our relationship correctly. Is there a blueprint other men follow? Do they just wing shit and hope for the best?
Finally, I remind myself how happy Irina seemed most of the night. We’re strangers in love. Tonight, we learned more about each other. Irina shared with me, both fun details and her worries. That takes trust. Irina isn’t a woman who naturally warms up to people. With me, she’s wild and silly. Holding on to this fact, I drop into sleep.
However, more than once, I wake up to a dark room and wonder if Irina’s snuck off. I can still feel her on my dick. My nipples are sensitive from the teasing she did. My body remembers every moment we spent together, but my mind is certain she’s gone again.
Each time, my hand finds her warm body nearby. A sleeping Irina whispers my name and scoots closer. Reassured, I return to sleep.
We rest until late, well past when Irina usually gets up. I don’t want to leave the bed. Outside the door is a world waiting to reclaim my woman.
