Page 17 of Announcing Love
“I see someone is into erotic asphyxiation.”
Artem’s eyes fell closed for a moment at the comment.
Sacha and Bandit grabbed their plates and ran.
Baba gave a sharp nod. “Good. We’re alone now.” She took Artem’s hand, pulling his full attention her way. Baba rarely looked serious. She did now. “I’ve always thought you were the most like me.”
God help him. It was true. “I know.”
She patted his hand. “That’s good. You’ll listen. It’s important. I’m all for some good choking during sex.”
“Baba—”
“I’m serious.” She sounded like it, so Artem snapped his teeth closed. He loved her, so he would endure. “You see the good and beauty in everyone. That’s an amazing gift. A man who is violent in the bedroom is that way for a reason.”
“I would never let anyone hurt me or stay with anyone if I thought I was in danger.” His exasperation peeked through. He didn’t want to be seen as abused. That was ridiculous. He would die if anyone knew how he begged for it.
Her grip tightened. “That’s not my point. That type of relationship is all about control. There’s always some kind oftrauma behind the need to own someone on every level. You know I know about these things. I’ve always had a second sight and high intuition.” She did, and no one really believed other than Artem. Baba had said his parents would never come home, and she had been right. That wasn’t the only time, but it was the premonition that burned into his memory. “This man, he has something he’s using you as glue to hold together. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. Sometimes being used is a very good thing.” She flashed him a wicked smile. It immediately fell. “But if that glue comes apart, I fear something will spill from him that’s more than you can handle. I just want you to be prepared. He’ll love you intensely. I feel that. I see it for you, but he can cut you every bit as deeply. You will be the one who chooses. When that fork in the road hits, you have to pick him. You’ll know it when you see it. Just remember what I’ve told you.” She patted his hand again. “You’re a good boy. Your love will save him.”
Artem hung on every word. Even if he didn’t believe she possessed some sort of second sight, she had age and wisdom on her side. While Baba enjoyed misbehaving, she had seen and done more things than he could imagine. Plus, he had felt exactly what she claimed. There was something inside Tip. Artem was a little scared of what it might be.
“Look who I found at the door.” Sacha appeared in the kitchen with Tip at his side.
Artem bit his bottom lip, trying to squelch the huge grin that wanted to explode.
Tip ignored Artem for Baba. “I was downtown today, and I saw this in the window of a crystal shop. It had your name on it, soI had to get it.” He passed a gorgeous multicolored tree made of crystals and golden wire. It was close to a foot tall and captured the light, making it twinkle. Its sparkle didn’t compare to the light it brought to Baba’s eyes.
“Oh my. It’s a tree of life. How beautiful. Thank you. I was just telling Artem how any man who left erotic bruises on his neck was a good boy.”
Artem covered his eyes.
Tip’s sexy chuckle only made his blush worse. “He’s always safe with me.”
Artem wondered if the floor would swallow him if he asked nicely enough.
“I know exactly where to put this. Help an old lady to her feet, Sacha. Let’s leave these two alone. Thank you for my gift. It’s lovely.”
Artem couldn’t tear his hand from his eyes. He wasn’t sure if a person could actually die of embarrassment, but he wanted to try just to get away from the situation.
Warm lips caressed his nape.
A shaky breath escaped him.
Those amazing lips moved to his ear. “It’s okay. We’re alone.”
“I don’t know if that’s better. We should probably call your mom and talk to her about things too. I may as well be humiliated all around.”
He claimed Baba’s chair but faced him. Tip took his hand. To Artem’s surprise, he looked slightly hurt. “Are you embarrassed?”
Baba had him questioning every exchange, searching for where Tip needed to be shored up. “Of you? No. I’m just not… I guess I’m…” Fuck. He didn’t know how to explain.
“You’re a private person who doesn’t like discussing their personal life at the dinner table.”
“Thank you!” Artem threw his hands up. “Most adults have learned that by now. Not Baba.”
Tip’s sexy smile eased the pressure on Artem’s chest. “Have you ever doubted that you could take a single problem to her, no matter how personal?”
“No.” Artem didn’t even have to think about it.
