He laughed, setting her back on the couch beside him. I plan to spend a great deal of time on you, Rachel Dolan, with your wary eyes and that mouth that makes me weep.
I dont want to make you weep, she said, her lips quirking up into a smile. Well, maybe Id like to make you beg.
He leaned in and stole a kiss that left her mouth swollen and tingly. Ill be sure to keep that in mind. Im going to walk you home now.
Wait. What? She looked at the clock, noticing it was already after eleven thirty. He had to get up early and shed gotten all caught up in her hormones. Later than I thought.
He pushed his hair away from his face. Its not that. The occasional night where I dont get at least six hours is fine. Youre worth it and I can always nap after work. I just want to take some time. I want you to crave me the way I crave you. And when we finally end up in bedand we both know we willits going to be mind-blowing. I like this stage. Full of anticipation. Discovery. I know your favorite color, but I didnt know youd like heart shaped pastry.
Who doesnt like pastry in any shape? What are they? Monsters?
I like to sip and savor. He stood and held a hand out. Youre complex and layered, Im going to enjoy you.
She allowed him to pull her to her feet and then he helped her into her coat, again pausing on the porch to zip her up.
I liked our second date, she told him as they walked up her front steps.
I did too. I think the third will be awesome as well.
I have high hopes, she told him, deadpan.
Once theyd gotten inside it was to find Maybe and Alexsei were sprawled on the couch, all snuggled up and looking adorable.
You get points for walking her in, Maybe told Vic.
He bowed to her and then turned back to Rachel. Im sure Ill see you before Saturday.
Chances are, yes.
He bent and kissed her right there in her house and even though theyd just kissed for like forty-five minutes, it got her all starry-eyed again.
He and Alexsei blabbered on about something or other before he headed out and she pretended not to watch his progress from her bedroom window. Which worked until he turned, looked right up at her bedroom window and waved.
CHAPTER FIVE
MAYBE SHOWED UP before Rachel had even finished taking off her makeup.
No, we didnt have sex. Yes, we kissed. A lot. Like, hes a tasting menu of kissing and its mind-blowing. I think I might combust when we finally fuck.
Maybe closed her mouth and just watched Rachel finish up before following her out to the bedroom.
Finally her sister broke with an excited little dance. So this is really good and Im trying hard not to show just how excited I am so as not to spook you but I need details.
After she got changed into warm pajamas, she and her sister got under the blankets. It was a nice date. He took me to that little French bistro at Pike Place. He asked me questions about who I was as a person, as an artist. She fell silent for a bit. Perhaps thats why I react to him so strongly.
That or the fact that youve known him for a few years and over the last six months especially you two have been circling one another slowly. Thats like foreplay.
He just clicks all my buttons. It feels like a lot. And the old Rachel would have been suspicious of it and avoided him until it went away.
As I happen to be feeling pretty intensely about Alexsei right now I can relate. Its a loss of control to be that into someone. To be feeling all those chemicals bubbling around. The attraction, the sense that this person is unlike anyone else youve come across.
It did feel a little like the way she did just after riding a roller coaster.
And, Maybe continued, youre not that Rachel anymore. So theres a thing. An important thing. And its not like youve been choosing one terrible dude after the next. You just havent really been choosing at all. Past the scratching that itch stage.
Its intense.
Totally. Maybe rested her head on Rachels shoulder a little while. Tell me the rest.
We had dinner. Hes a door opener and a chair puller outer. You know? Hes gentlemanly without being controlling. Bossy and used to getting his way probably through charm alone. And, Maybe, his face! How the hell can I resist? Which is rhetorical because Im not resisting. I havent made out with a dude in a long time. Probably since college. Its a simple pleasure. I could do it every day, much like eating bread and drinking coffee. Funny how hes related to two of those things. I just...when Im with him I dont feel broken.
Or maybe that the way she was broken was okay. And beautiful.
Were going on a hike this weekend.
Maybe turned to give Rachel a face. Ew. Well, you two kids have fun while I wont be hiking. Or outside in the cold when I dont have to be. Weirdo.
Its nice to be able to go on a hike. Its been a while. She loved hiking but after the kidnapping it had taken her two years before shed drummed up the courage to go into the woods again.
You do look super cute in your hiking gear. Wear those spandex pants that make you look like youre training to be in the next dystopian action movie I cant wait to watch.
Rachel laughed even as she knew the exact pair of pants her sister meant and put them into a contender spot. They were great in wet weather, kept her warm and made her butt look fantastic.
I have heart-shaped vatrushka with strawberry. I was going to have a cup of tea. Ill share with you and your wild bearded Russian.
Score. He brought gelato home and I think it should go with all that.
Hes a super useful new roommate. Im just going to get that out there, Rachel said.
I agree. Hes even more useful to me. And I mean that in a totally sexual way, Maybe told her as they got out of her bed.
I figured that out.
Just wanted to be sure you understood.
Rachel flipped her off.
* * *
FRIDAY EVENING WHEN she and Maybe walked up the street from the bus stop, Irena came out to the front porch and called to them.
Come have tea. I made golubtsi, you can have some too.
Well be over after we drop our things off, Rachel told her as they hurried up to their front door.
Looks like a full house over there. I cant believe Alexsei didnt mention that. Maybe dumped her backpack into the closet. I need to change. Ill meet you back here ASAP.
Naturally, she freshened up and brushed her teeth. If Vic was there, she might kiss him. But she did it quickly because neither Dolan sister wanted to make Irena wait.
Come over for tea, Maybe muttered as they approached the front door. Theres a full-on family dinner situation going on in there.
Rachel really liked the big family events at the Orlovs. Loved not just the volume of food, but the people, the easy back-and-forth between them as they teased, lectured and shared news.
Sometimes it got heatedwell, oftenbut it wasnt mean. Lots of passion. Rachel hadnt known how to handle it at first. Theyd grown up with quiet judgment from their mother and reprimand from one source only, their father.