Page 63 of Solemn Vow

“Maybe I should have Mrs. Ivankova pack food for you. Something you can eat between clients.”

She shakes her head. “No, don’t do that. I can bring my own food.” She points at the fries left on my plate. “You gonna eat those?”

I push it to her with a grin. “No, you have them.”

I grab our empty plates and bring them to the sink.

“The dishwasher’s not working right. Just leave these in the sink and I’ll wash them in the morning.” She brings the empty bowl to the sink and puts the ketchup away. “I think I ate too much.” She rubs her stomach over her t-shirt.

I chuckle.

“I think you ate too fast, too. Go. Find a movie for us in the living room and I’ll get you a glass of water.”

“What sort of movies do you like? Action stuff, murder mystery, historical fiction, romantic comedy?” She’s teasing me. It’s sweet, this look on her.

“Whatever you want is fine with me.” I turn her around by her shoulders and smack her ass. “Go relax, I’ll be right there.”

She shoots me a fake glare over her shoulder before shuffling into the living room.

Sergei texts me about meeting up at Kraze tonight, but I shoot down the idea. He can go on the prowl all by himself. He doesn’t need me to join his hunt.

Besides, I have all the prey I want in the next room.

It’s ten o’clock and I’d rather be on the couch with Marlena than in any club anywhere else in the world.

Maybe this is what domestic life is. Sergei gets on Andrei about being so domesticated now that he’s married, but I understand the appeal. There’s nothing I want outside of this apartment.

The only thing that would make this better is if she were wearing my ring and my son was growing in her belly.

She’s already under a blanket on the couch when I bring the glass of water to the table beside her. I take off my boots and put them on the mat by the front door before joining her.

When she moves over to lie on my chest, I stop her.

“Not yet, you lie there and give me your feet.” I lean on the other side of the couch and pick up her feet, putting them in my lap.

She eyes me cautiously while readjusting her position and bringing the blanket back over her legs.

As soon as my hands touch the arch of her foot, she throws her head back and moans.

“That feels so good.” She wiggles her toes beneath the fuzzy socks she’s put on to keep her feet warm.

“You shouldn’t be wearing those boots to work,” I say as I continue massaging the knots out of the heel of her foot.

“I know, but they looked perfect with those pants.” She rolls her head forward and grins at me. “I mean, they did, right?”

“You always look perfect,moy sladkiy voin. I’ve never met anyone with style like yours.” Her unique way of taking things others have tossed aside and making them completely new is only one of the things I admire about her.

“Are you trying to butter me up for something?” she asks with one eyebrow arched. I think she’s trying to mimic me, but all it does is make me chuckle.

“No. Your feet are practically throbbing in my hand. And I do like your style.”

“They why’d you have that personal shopper bring all those clothes to your apartment for me?” She wiggles a finger at me.

“Because you also like silk pajamas. And this Friday night we have a party to go to, and you needed something more formal to wear for that.” I put down one foot and pick up the other.

“A party?” She sits up. “I can’t.”

“Why?”

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