Page 35 of Sheltering Hollis

“Tell me what’s worrying you. Then I’ll tell you what’s worrying me. I think that’s how this goes,” he said. Tipping my face to his, I tried to read everything I needed to. I ran my hand over his face, the bristles of his five o’clock shadow, the bridge of his nose. How was he so sweet? I was a mess.

“I lost my jobs while I was gone. The rent is going to be due. I don’t know where my car is.” With a sigh, I rested my forehead against his, trying not to let everything overwhelm me. It just seemed impossible right now. Things had been tight before I got kidnapped. Money was always rough, but after a week with no pay … I was spiraling and didn’t realize that Dimitri was speaking.

“Hollis— malysh. I can fix this. Let me fix this.” He’d been rubbing circles on my back, cradling me against his pelvis where he was unmistakably he was hard against me. Could I accept his help?

“I’m not sure, Dimitri,” I hedged. “I don’t want to be that girl.” Of course, I knew that Dimitri had money, but I didn’t want to be the person who took advantage. “I’ve always worked hard for what we had. “I’m not here for a handout.”

“Look, baby. Let me tell you what I’m worried about, okay? Maybe that’ll help? Some things come with me. Like a package deal, baggage.”

This was something I understood—a package deal. While Olive wasn’t what I considered baggage, she and I came together. I also came with my share of baggage, especially now. There was no way that I would be interested in giving a blowjob anytime soon, even to Dimitri.

“My brother is the pakhan of the Volkov Bratva; you know this. While I may not be actively involved, there may be times he could call on me to do something. My life is in Arizona with the Brotherhood. I would prefer to live there and continue my work there with them. I think you and Olive would like it there if you’d be willing to try it,” he looked at me hesitantly. “That’s part of the package. But with that, I have plenty of money, lots and lots of it. More than I could ever spend. More than you could spend. You don’t have to work if you don’t want to. If you wanted to stay home, you could. Pop out babies for me.” He rocked against me, pushed a palm against my clit. “I’d love to make your belly round and full. I’m convinced that you and Olive are my future. And I'm committed to making that future as bright as possible. I would, as part of this package deal, give you plenty of orgasms.” He kissed me lightly, licking at the seam of my lips. “Worship you. Protect you. Provide for you.”

The thought of a future together in Arizona began to seem less daunting and more like an exciting new chapter. What was keeping me here? I’d only picked this location at random. I’d wanted to live in San Diego, but it was too expensive. What would I lose? It seemed like I had so much to gain. I gave myself over to the moment of his mouth and his fingers.

TWENTY

Dimitri

I wanted her with every fiber of my being. I just needed to convince her to take the leap. Her eyes were fixed on my face, searching, but I wasn’t sure what it was she was expecting to see. If I knew what it was, I would make sure I would show it to her, rip my chest open, and show her my heart and soul — hand it to her on a platter.

“Just pack up and move to Arizona?” She looked around the small living room uncertainly.

“We could store some stuff for now. You only need to bring what you’re attached to. I can arrange for someone to collect the rest later,” I said quickly. She was almost ready to agree; I could sense it. “Maybe you’ll let me put a ring on your finger someday soon?” Her breath caught. “I want everything, malysh.” Leaning closer, I kissed her, pouring my heart and soul into it.

“Was that supposed to have been a proposal?” she asked, pulling away from me, frowning.

Wait, girls wanted more than some half-hearted proposals on a couch. I hadn’t even bought a ring yet. That had just popped out of my mouth, but I wanted that too. Thinking quickly, I said, “It absolutely will be when I can make a proper one with a stunning ring. Don’t worry. I won’t fuck it up.”

“I’m just … my head is spinning a little. You don’t think this is a little fast? Moving to another state? We did just meet. Don’t you think your friends will wonder if you’re crazy just to pick up some woman and her little girl and bring them with you?” she said.

“The only thing we need to worry about is what feels right to us. This feels right to me. You’re right for me. You and Olive. That’s what I care about—our family. My friends will approve just fine.”

Hollis looked at me, her eyes softening but still holding a trace of doubt. “You mean that, don’t you?”

“With all my heart,” I replied. “I’ve seen enough of the world to know when something is worth fighting for. And you, Hollis, you’re worth everything.”

She sighed, leaning against my chest and closing her eyes momentarily. “It’s just... a lot to take in. But I can’t deny that I feel the same way. I want to build something with you, too.”

I felt a rush of relief and joy. “Then let’s do it—one step at a time. We can visit Arizona first and see how you and Olive like it. We don’t have to decide everything right now.”

Hollis nodded slowly, a small smile forming on her lips. “Okay. One step at a time. But promise me you’ll be patient.”

I took her hand, bringing it to my lips. “I promise. Whatever it takes.”

The sound of Olive stirring in her room broke the moment, and Hollis slid off my lap. “She’s going to be excited. We aren’t exactly well traveled.” If I had anything to say about that, we would change that.

Olive was waking up, rubbing her eyes and looking adorably disoriented. “Mommy?” she mumbled from the hallway, her voice thick with sleep. “Dimitri didn’t leave, did he?”

“No, I’m here, moya milaya.”

“Hey, sweetie,” Hollis said, sitting on the edge of the bed and brushing a strand of hair from Olive’s face.

“What does that mean?” Olive asked, peering at Dimitri with curiosity. “What language is that?”

“That’s Russian, a language I grew up knowing. It means my darling.”

“I like it,” Olive nodded and scooted onto the couch with us, settling against Hollis, her golden hair around her like a halo. She looked like a sleepy angel.

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