Page 86 of Scarlet Secrets

In the handful of days since seeing her again, even with the fury that fed a madness in me, Erin has a way of slipping under my skin, under my sinew. She opens things, makes them soft.

I want to explore her, spend time with her.

And not just because of Sasha.

He’s a bonus.

But this is like it was when we first met—that instant pull, a thing I didn’t understand but needed. A thing that could be passed off as simple lust, when there was nothing simple about it.

I want to do this.

Whatever this really is.

Marriage beyond name, marriage the way it’s meant to be.

Fuck me. I start pulling things out of the pantry and fridge to make breakfast. At first, I’m hesitant, but I start to grow in confidence and when Alina speaks, I nearly hit the roof.

I spin to face her.

“Magda’s going to kill you,” she says. There’s a tiny little spark in her eyes, one that tells me she’ll come out of this.

“No, she won’t; I’ll boil her for soup.”

“Too old and stringy, isn’t that what she said the last time you said that?”

I grin. “Maybe.”

“What are you doing?”

“Breakfast.” I wave a wooden spoon at her, dripping batter on the floor. “You seem a little better.”

Guilt crosses her features and I want to kick myself.

“It’s a good thing, Alina.”

“The grief comes in waves,” she says with a shrug. “Somedays I want to give up and others, I think I can get through this.” She pours a coffee. “I know you said breakfast. Are you feeding an army? And what is this?”

“Sasha likes to eat.”

“He’s two.”

“I’m not sure what he wants.”

A small smile crosses her face. “You’re going to spoil him.”

“I just felt like cooking,” I say defensively.

“Do you even know how?” She picks up a pancake that’s burned on one side and a little pale on the other. “Actually, I’m not sure you do.”

“Keep that up, Angel, and you won’t eat at all.”

“I’m not sure that’s actually punishment.” And she steals a soggy piece of bacon. Then she looks me in the eye. “Is this for Sasha’s benefit? Or Erin’s? I’ve seen how you look at her, Demyan. And she’s so pretty.”

“Does there have to be a reason?” I snap, moving the bacon away from her.

“Mama, I’m hungry!”

Those damn words are music to my ears and I turn, heart stuttering as I catch sight of Erin. She’s in jeans and a simple pink T-shirt, and maybe I should insist on a no underwear, dress only rule.

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