Page 83 of Plus-Sized Bratva Prisoner

“No. It’s too late. We’re staying in bed.” He holds me tighter, and now I’m trying to wiggle free so that I can get a good breath of air.

He laughs and releases me, then wraps his arms around me again, more gentle this time.

“I’m so happy,” he whispers, kissing the top of my head.

“Me too.”

***

I get dressed in some of the new things that Yefim bought for me. I do want him to know that I appreciate it, even thoughit’s not what I need from him. I am grateful that he wanted to do that for me.

I choose a tight pair of jeans, pink high-top sneakers and a matching pink hoodie to wear to the carnival. It’s perfect for our lowkey relaxed day together.

Yefim comes out wearing a pair of black jeans and a black hoodie. Immediately I want to tear it from his body. He looks way too sexy.

“You look cute. All you need is some pink cotton candy, and your outfit will be perfect.” He smiles, and the corners of his mouth curve to create dimples in his cheeks. His bright blue eyes tug at my heart.

He makes us each a coffee in a takeaway mug and we carry them out to the car so that we can drink them on the way there. He holds my door open for me, and then climbs in on the driver’s side. I feel like a little girl on Christmas morning, filled with excitement and wonder about what the day will bring.

***

The carnival is noisy and colorful and bright and filled with fun things.

Balloons float from long stings tied to hot dog booths and silly stands where you can shoot targets and win a teddy bear or some other childish prize.

Yefim proves himself a damn good shot when he takes down all the targets in the first try, and now I have to carry around a giant red fluffy octopus that is almost the same size as me.

“Let’s put it in the car,” he laughs, trying to find me beneath the eight squishy arms of the giant plushie toy.

“But I like cuddling it,” I grin from beneath it.

“You can cuddle me instead.”

After dropping it in the car, we wander through the stalls, playing games, laughing at how bad or how great we are at each of them. We eat cotton candy in the shapes of giant cartoon characters and sip bubble tea, which Yefim has never had before. The face he pulls when one of the ‘bubbles’ shoots through the giant straw into his mouth makes me laugh so hard I snort.

“What the hell is this?” Yefim says, glaring at the drink in his hand as though it’s from another planet.

“It’sbubbletea,” I answer, swirling mine above my head so I can see all the little purple grape-flavored balls floating in the bottom of my cup.

“I thought it was going to befizzy. You know—bubbles.I didn’t expect to be assaulted by a jello ball.”

The look of horror in his eyes makes me laugh harder, and soon tears are streaming down my face.

“Oh, it’s funny, is it?” he grabs me and pulls me against his chest.

“It’s funny,” I nod.

“We’ll see how funny it is when I pour this over your head, andyouget assaulted by jello balls.”

“No,” I squeal as he tilts the cup, pretending to pour it on me. But he stops before it splashes over the edge, and instead of jello balls, I feel his lips on mine. Around us people are laughing, kids are talking loudly, excited by the noise and adventure of the place.

It’s the perfect day, and in my heart, I know when we get home, I’m going to tell Yefim that I love him. I’m going toshowhim. With words and my body.

I’m going to make it so obvious that he won’t ever doubt it.

I lean my head against his shoulder as we walk around and enjoy the musical chaos of the carnival.

We are standing at another game next to a bright yellow booth. It’s my turn next. I want to try win the crocodile plushie for Yefim.

---