Page 10 of All or Something

He kicks off his shoes and socks, sits on the edge, even though his ass is totally getting soaked from the splash I just made, and wiggles his finger for me to come over. “Why won't you get out?”

“Because being in this pool relatively alone is the best part of this party,” I admit.

Sergey frowns. He shocks the hell out of me by then sliding into the pool. Neither of us have a change of clothes, so this is perfect. Grabbing my hips, he pulls me close.

Quietly and in Russian, he talks to me. “Let me guess. Sylvia said something probably not nice, but something that was looking out for me. People are giving you entirely too much space and not talking to you. That's probably my fault since I'm not overly talkative. And lastly, you feel out of place here.”

“She's that predictable?” I can't help but ask.

Sergey laughs. It's kind of nice to see him laugh. He's relaxed around these people. “Yes. Do you want me to tell her off? She won't listen, but I can do it.”

I shake my head.

“I'm so sorry!” We look up to see Sylvia, who has come to apologize on behalf of her daughter. “Stella told me what happened.”

A couple walks up. “How can I help?” the woman asks. The man just chuckles while looking at Sergey.

“We're okay, Julie,” Sergey says. “Stop laughing, Collin. She's fine,” he adds. “We're going to head home to change.”

I guess that means we're coming back? Great.

Sergey lifts himself out of the pool and then turns to hold a hand out for me. He pulls me out and Julie offers us towels before scurrying inside to get us some. I tune out while Sergey and Sylvia smooth the incident over with one another. Julie quickly returns with a set of towels, handing them both to Sergey. He wraps one around my shoulders. I shiver as he runs his hands up and down my arms for a few seconds. He then wraps a towel around himself.

Finally, he excuses us and we're on our way.

“Are you sure you're not upset?” he asks once we're in the car.

“Yes. I'm okay.”

We ride in silence until we return to his apartment. Sergey takes my hand before I can step too far away from him.

“Galina.” I turn to face him, wondering why he's seemingly more attractive right now. His hair is a little wacky. Strands moving all kinds of ways. His shirt hugs his skin. Physical attraction means nothing. I’ve been attracted to plenty of people over the years; nothing ever come of that either. “Galina?”

I snap out of my ogling. “Yes?”

He grins. “I asked you a question.”

“What was it?”

Instead of answering, he asks, “What are you thinking? What were you looking at?”

I narrow my eyes. “What was your actual question?”

“Are you finding me attractive right now, Galina?” The teasing in his tone is slightly annoying.

“Why would I do that?”

He takes a step closer to me. “Because I'm naturally handsome.”

I can't help but laugh. I didn’t expect that kind of response from him. He runs his hands up my arms, causing an involuntary shiver. “We should change. You told them we would go back.” And this suddenly feels like a dangerous situation. He stands entirely too close and looks entirely too attractive. Which, he's always been attractive, but we never crossed that line, even after we married. Yes, that's right. I've never had sex with my husband. Our parents fully expected us to, but Sergey didn't pressure me or even mention it once. I took full advantage of that.

“Galina.” His voice is low and sultry. Why does he keep saying my name? Why is it so hot? He tilts his head down just a little. My breathing shallows. He's so close. “If I kissed you, would you let me? Or would you slap me?”

Is he asking for permission? I can't even believe he's mentioning it. Is this something I actually want to do?

Before I can contemplate it any longer, he kisses me. He actually kisses me! His lips press to mine. At first, softly. Tentatively. Then harder with more conviction. And it's...it's heavenly. My body comes alive as if it's been dormant all this time. My hands turn into fists, clutching his shirt. My back slams against a wall, but what distracts me is that Sergey's body then presses against mine.

I nearly moan when I feel his hands slip underneath my shirt.

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