Page 155 of Porcelain Lies

A swell of pride rises within me, but it’s entwined with worry. Bobik doesn’t connect easily with others, and his world is small by necessity. The fact that he opened up to Stella is… unexpected. It could lead to problems.

“I see.” I pace toward the window, staring out at the gardens without really seeing them. This new development is unsettling. Bobik and Stella bonding without my knowledge, outside of my control. Yet, a part of me is… pleased.

“I hope it’s alright,” she continues softly. “I didn’t mean to overstep.”

I turn back to her. “It’s not a matter of permission. It’s about his safety. He is vulnerable.” The words are clipped, but I soften them with a sigh. “I’m glad he had a good time.”

Her shoulders relax slightly. “Maybe, if it’s okay with you, I could visit him again? He mentioned wanting to discuss some ideas.”

I study her for a moment. There’s sincerity in her request, an earnestness that’s hard to deny. “Fine,” I concede. “But you tell me first.”

“Of course.” She smiles again, and this time, I allow myself a small smile in return.

Internally, my thoughts churn. Diana’s actions were irresponsible —s umom poshyol, out of her mind — but perhaps this is a beneficial turn. Bobik could use a friend, and Stella… there’s a warmth she brings that I hadn’t anticipated.

I make a mental note to speak with Diana about boundaries, but I can’t ignore the subtle sense of rightness that settles in my chest. For once, things seem to align.

“Thank you, Aleksei,” Stella says softly. “It means a lot.”

Her gratitude stirs something unexpected within me. Protective feelings I recognize, but there’s more — a growing affection that complicates everything.

“It’s nothing,” I reply gruffly, dismissing the emotion threatening to surface. “Let me know if you need anything.”

She nods, and I turn to look at her, the emotional tension lingering between us. As I stand silently for a moment, I can’t shake the feeling that the walls I’ve built are starting to crack, and I’m not sure if that’s acceptable oropasno— dangerous.

Impulsively, I step closer to her, the space between us narrowing until I can feel the warmth radiating from her skin. “I want you to be comfortable here, Stella,” I say softly.

Stella’s gaze meets mine, those green eyes searching. “I… I’m adjusting,” she says, her voice husky.

“Good,” I murmur, although I can’t be sure that she’s saying she’s happy to be in this place. Likely not… and until now, that hadn’t bothered me. But suddenly, there’s a tension building in the air, a magnetic pull that’s hard to ignore. The soft glow of the lamp casts gentle shadows across her face, highlighting the curve of her cheek, the subtle parting of her lips.

Without thinking, I reach out and brush a strand of hair away from her face. Her breath catches, and for a moment, time seems to pause.

“Stella…” Her name rolls off my tongue, laden with meanings I haven’t allowed myself to explore.

She leans into my touch ever so slightly. “Aleksei,” she whispers.

The sound of my name on her lips undoes something inside me. Before I can second-guess it, I close the remaining distance between us and press my lips to hers. The kiss is tentative at first — until she responds, her mouth soft against mine, and the world outside fades away.

Her hands grip the front of my shirt, pulling me closer as the kiss deepens. I can taste the hint of tea on her lips, feel the rapid beat of her heart mirroring my own.

“Blyad,” I moan against her mouth; she’s warm, pliant, soft in the places where I am growing hard. My cock is throbbing.

I slide my arms around her waist, drawing her flush against me. Her fingers move to the back of my neck, touching the short hairs there.

“We shouldn’t…” she starts, but the hesitation in her voice tells me she doesn’t believe her own words.

“Tell me to stop,” I say, my forehead resting against hers.

The fuck?

When did I let a woman call the shots?

She closes her eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips. “I don’t want you to.”

Thank fuck. Because I had no intention of ending this. I lift her smoothly, and she wraps her legs around my waist as I carry her to the couch. The world narrows to the sensation of her — the way her hands explore, the soft gasps that escape her lips.

I’m growing aware of a blurring of lines I’ve rigidly kept in place but I can’t bring myself to care.

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