Page 136 of Velvet Chains
A couple of maids see us in the hallway and titter behind their hands. Laura flushes, smacking my chest.
“Put me down, you caveman,” she hisses. “I can walk, you know.”
I grin, completely unrepentant. “Nope. Precious cargo gets the VIP treatment.”
She rolls her eyes, but I can feel her smiling against my neck as I carry her to the kitchen.
I set Laura gently down on a stool by the kitchen island. “Sit,” I command in a mock-stern tone, drawing a quick, playful glare from her.
“I can’t believe how quiet the house is,” she remarks. “It’s never this empty.”
I nod, opening the fridge to scan the contents. “Ksenia took the kids on that safari trip, remember? Tanzania, I think. After they enrolled Yuri in the zoology program in California.”
Laura’s smile widens. “I still can’t believe she’s doing that. A whole month, just her and Eli and Yuri. It’s so unlike her.”
I shrug, pulling out eggs, cheese, veggies. “A lot’s changed, lyubov moya. Ksenia most of all.” I glance at her, my expression serious. “She loves you, you know. In her own way. Taking that bullet for Eli… it meant everything to her.”
Laura ducks her head, her cheeks pinking. “I was just doing what I had to. What anyone would have done.”
I cross to her, tipping her chin up to meet my gaze. “No, Laura. Not anyone. You’re special. Ksenia sees that now.” I brush a thumb over her cheekbone. “Just like I always have.”
She turns her face into my palm, kissing the center. “She’s not the only one who’s changed,” she murmurs. “Yuri’s like a different kid. So excited about college, about the future. And your father… I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile so much.”
I nod, warmth blooming in my chest. “It’s because of you, solnyshko. You brought light back into this family.”
Her stomach chooses that moment to let out another ferocious growl. She laughs, patting her belly. “Apparently, your son would like some of that light in the form of food, please.”
I grin, stepping back and whipping a dish towel over my shoulder with a flourish. “One gourmet brunch coming right up.”
She props her elbows on the counter, resting her chin in her hands. “Gourmet, huh? Color me intrigued.”
I wink at her, pulling a pan out of the cupboard. “Prepare to be dazzled, zhena.”
I set to work, chopping and whisking and sautéing. Laura watches me, her gaze warm and appreciative.
“It smells amazing,” she says after a few minutes, sniffing the air. “What is it?”
“Frittata,” I answer, sliding the egg mixture into the hot pan. “With spinach, mushrooms, and goat cheese.”
Her eyes widen. “Wow. I’m impressed.”
I shrug, trying to play it cool even as I preen a little under her praise. “It’s not that fancy. Just something I picked up from the chef.”
She shakes her head, smiling. “Don’t do that. Don’t downplay it.” She reaches across the island, catching my hand and squeezing. “I love seeing this side of you. The side that takes care of me, of us.”
I raise her hand to my lips, kissing her knuckles. “Get used to it, lyubov. You’re going to be seeing a lot more of it.”
I slide the frittata onto a plate, adding a sprinkle of fresh herbs and a drizzle of truffle oil. I set it in front of Laura with a flourish, along with a fork and napkin.
“Madam,” I say grandly. “Your brunch awaits.”
She giggles, picking up the fork. “Why, thank you, kind sir.”
She takes a bite, her eyes fluttering closed as she moans around the mouthful. I shift on my feet, my jeans suddenly a little too tight.
“Good?” I ask, my voice coming out a little rough.
Her eyes blink open, dark and heated as they lock with mine. “Very,” she purrs, licking a stray bit of cheese from her lip.
