Page 111 of Imperfect Desires

He closes his eyes like the words cut and soothe him all at once.

The wind rattles the trees outside. A bird calls faintly somewhere in the distance. The world keeps spinning. But in this car, in this moment, we are weightless.

“You didn’t ruin me,” I say quietly.

He opens his eyes.

“You gave me something worth fighting for.”

He exhales shakily. “I’m not going anywhere.”

I nod.

“Then let’s build something neither of us ever had.”

His gaze burns into mine. “A family of our own.”

“A future,” I whisper.

And then, slowly, he leans in and kisses me. The kind of kiss that says we made it.

37

Alina

With each step I take, the world gently fades away, as I'm lovingly guided by Lev’s strong and steady hand, a soft silk blindfold resting over my eyes.

"Are we close?" I whisper, laughing nervously, eager to peek.

He squeezes my fingers. "Almost there,kotyonok.Just trust me a little longer."

Absolutely! I trust him more than anyone else. Even so, I can't help but feel my stomach flutter with nervous excitement. The cool breeze gently wraps around my shoulders, bringing with it the delightful scents of pine, lake water, and a hint of something sweet that I can’t quite name—perhaps it's the essence offreedom. The freedom to finally love him without hiding behind a mask.

He finally stops, and I feel his fingers brush against the knot at the back of my head. "Are you ready?"

“Yes.”

The blindfold slips away, and I forget how to breathe because this place is unreal.

The cabin is tucked between tall evergreens and set just above the edge of a glittering lake. It looks like something plucked from a luxury travel magazine and kissed by a fairytale. The structure itself is glass and cedar, all clean lines and earthy tones, with a private dock stretching into the mirror-still water.

The sky overhead is endless—cloudless and pale blue, with soft sun glinting off the lake. Everything smells clean, quiet, and untouched.

I spin slowly in place, lips parted, eyes wide. “It’s beautiful…” I breathe. “ I’m in love with this place.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“I don’t just like it,” I say, turning to face him fully. “I love it.”

And then the awe is chased by something more human. I bite my lip. My brows pull together as I glance between him and the luxury surrounding us.

“Lev… how can you afford to bring us to a place like this?” I ask softly. “I don’t want you to go broke trying to impress me. I’m not that girl. I’d sleep in a tent with you and be happy.”

He just stares at me for a second, then laughs—a deep, rich sound that dances through the trees.

“Do you think I’m poor,kotyonok?”

I blink. “I didn’t mean it like that—I”

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