I blinked down at the hanger. “There’s nothing on it.”
He smirked. “I know.”
Nas groaned painfully at the stupid joke. When I picked up a folded towel and threw it at him, he burst into laughter. Nas shook her head. “I don’t even know why I waste my time with you.”
Vik sauntered over to her slowly, as if he were on the prowl. “Because I’m the best you’ve ever had.” He dipped his head to kiss her lips, nipping them gently. He spoke quieter, “And because you love me.”
Nas closed her eyes and slumped into him, kissing him back with all that she had. The display was so brash, so hot, that I had to turn around to hide my blush. They looked good together.
I looked at some of the bikinis when, from behind me, came, “I think you’re better off going for a one piece, darlin’.” I spun around to see a young woman around my height, perhaps a smidge taller, with long blonde hair and bright pink lips smiling at me.
She didn’t work at the store. She seemed to be browsing.
I cocked a brow. “You think?”
Her blue eyes popped. “Oh, I know. Look, we short women need to stick together, and I’m being honest here…we look like children when we wear bikinis.”
She was kind of funny. I chuckled. “Yeah, I guess so.”
Without permission, she took my arm and led me to the rack behind. “This here is the petite section. There are some sexy one-pieces you can try, or even a tank/bikini bottom combo. Maybe a sarong or kaftan.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I get so caught up.” She put her hand out. “I’m Cora.”
“Mina,” I said as I took her hand. “Nice to meet you.” I admitted, “I’m grateful for the help. I’m not much of a fashionista.”
Nas approached from behind. “Those are hot,” she said, keeping a close eye on my new friend.
I made introductions. “Nas, this is Cora.”
Nas stared, unblinking at the girl, and spoke in deathly calm. “I know who she is.”
Cora was no longer sweet, not to Nas anyway, and her lip curled unkindly. “Just helping out.”
“Corinna.” Nas stepped forward. “You’re not following us, are you?” She looked down her nose at the woman. “You know I don’t have issues with beating your ass into the ground. And on that note,” Nas smiled cruelly, “I see your nose healed fine.”
Uh oh.
What was happening here?
Cora shrugged. “Okay, so maybe I heard about the gypsy and wanted to see her for myself.” She glanced at me and her lips pursed in thought. “She’s cute.”
I didn’t see Vik approach, but I most definitely heard him when he growled, “You out of your fucking mind, Corinna? What don’t you understand about ‘stay the fuck away from us’? Do you know what Lev will do if he finds out you’ve even looked at Mina?”
She crossed her arms over her chest and smirked, looking full of herself. “What? It’s not like I haven’t been playing nicely.” Cora…or Corinna…or whoever the frick she was, spoke directly to me and quietly. “No hard feelings, whatever happens.” She lifted a swimsuit off the rack and handed it to me. “Try this one.” She smiled kindly. “It’ll look good on you.”
Then she walked away and out of the store.
Still watching the spot she’d exited from, I asked, “Who was that?”
Vik muttered, “Corinna Alkaev.”
“Yeah,” I started. “I don’t know who that is, guys.”
“Irina’s sister,” Nas stated then added reluctantly, “Cora was my best friend.”
Oh my.
Drama, drama everywhere.
Our shopping trip came to an unexpected end and I bought the swimsuit Cora had chosen for me. We went home, and I was told not to leave the house until Lev got there. That was okay with me. I wasn’t planning on leaving.
It was time I found out exactly who the Alkaev family was.
While waiting for Lev to come home, I sat in the living area and watched a rerun of Oprah. The episode was about women who preyed on men that were already in relationships. It made my lip curl in disgust. How women could do that was beyond me. I mean, I understood that it took two to tango, but actively tempting a man, knowing he was with someone…yeah. No.
It seemed like fate had forced me to watch that episode, because when I heard the front door open and I rushed out into the foyer to greet my handsome man, I was accosted by another sight.
Anika walked in beside Lev, her elbow laced through his and her other hand resting on his chest, leaning her head on his shoulder.
Anika looked like she was in heaven.
Lev looked indifferent, as always.
Curse words sat on the edge of my tongue, flipping her the bird, but when Lev turned to face me and his eyes smiled in that way that made me near-swoon, my heart reminded me that Lev was mine. Fortunately enough, my mind agreed.
I smiled up at him. “Hey, you. I was wondering when you’d get home.” I glanced over at Anika, my brow raised. “I didn’t realize you had plans.”
He stepped toward me, forcing Anika to dislodge herself from him. When the tips of his toes touched mine, he enveloped me in a warm, secure embrace, reaching up to stroke my hair. “I didn’t have plans.” He kissed my temple and my skin burned from the contact. “Anika locked herself out of her apartment. She called me to pick her up. Nas has a spare key and she’s on her way.”
“Oh,” I muttered, staring at the actress over Lev’s shoulder. “Isn’t that just…” Convenient. “…the luck.”
Nas opened the front door and let herself in with a singsonged, “Knock, knock.” She gave Anika a smile. “That’s twice this month, Ani. Lucky for you I was home this time.”
Anika looked slightly crestfallen. “Yeah. Lucky.” She was digging herself into a hole. “I thought you guys were at the mall.”
It sounded like an accusation, and luckily for me, I wasn’t the only one who picked up on it.
Nas’s eyes narrowed at her friend. “We were. Something happened. We came home.” Her tone implied that she did not like explaining herself, especially not to her friend.
Lev pulled back to look down at me. “What happened?” At my light shrug, he looked to Nas, eyes flashing. “What happened?”
Nas leaned against the wall, crossing her legs. “Corinna wanted to meet Mina.”
“What?” he hissed, his arms tightening around me to the point of pain, then he did something stupid. He aimed his anger at the situation on Nas. “Where were you?”
That didn’t sound like an accusation. That was an accusation, plain and simple.
The air in the room grew thick around us.
“Hey,” I soothed, placing a hand on his chest.
Nas straightened, looking furious, then spoke on a hush. “I know you’re upset because I am too, so I’m gonna let the way you spoke to me just now fly. But do it again, Lev, and see what happens.” She spoke through gritted teeth. “You’re not the only one who cares about Mina.”
I was surprised at what happened next.
Lev released me and went to his sister. He stood in front of her and, seeming lost, awaited her next move. When she looked up into his eyes, her anger faded as quickly as it came. She put her hand on his arm and spoke quietly, not a reprimand, but a reminder. “Watch your temper, moj brat.”
He nodded, looking relieved that she was no longer upset at him, and pulled her in for a quick one-armed hug. Lev truly loved his sister. She was the one person he sincerely wanted on his side. I didn’t blame him. Nas was a good person to have on your side.
He dipped his head and spoke directly into her ear. I didn’t hear what he said, but at her response of “It’s okay,” I guessed he had apologized.
Anika decided then was the best time to speak. “Well, I’d better be going now.” She looked to Lev, eyes wide. “Can you take me home?”
Lev looked from Anika to me, deciding where his priorities lay, and I liked that he didn’t give her a straight yes. But Nas, she was on to Anika. “Vik is showering at my place. He can take you home.”