Page 30 of Unholy Matrimony

We sit in the center of our bed, feeding each other the fruit, and kissing the juices of the other's face. “Was yesterday and last night a dream?” I ask, still unable to believe that he’s my husband. “Net, moy prekrasnyy Tsvetok4. It's all real.” He pulls me onto his lap and begins kissing up my neck, “And as much as I want to continue to make love to you, here in this bed. We need to shower.”

I purse my lips at him, but my sore muscles remind me that a hot shower might be a great idea. He grabs my hand and leads me to the bathroom. He hits the switch on the wall for the floor and grabs towels for us. Stripped of our clothes, we get in the shower and I let the steaming hot water soothe the muscles I didn’t know I had. I let out a moan of relief. Lenya grabs my waist and pulls me to his chest. “Are you sore, malyshka5?” He reaches for the loofa, lathers it, and then washes me. I nod as his free hand travels down my stomach.

“Lenya…” I place my hand on his thigh.

“Da6,” as his hand continues down, “are you sore here as well?”

He knows full well that I was sore. The number of times he came inside me last night was probably one for the records. It brings me back to what he said to me when he came inside me the first time.

“You going to give me a baby, Lina?” “I will not stop filling you until I know I’ve put my baby in you.”

I turn around so that we are face to face. “Did you mean what you said last night?” I asked.

“You are going to have to be more specific, lyubov7. I said many things last night.” Kissing my forehead, then down to my neck, I pull his face back up.

“About a baby. Or was that just something men say when they are between a woman’s legs?”

He locked his eyes on mine. “I meant everything I said last night. If I didn’t want that, I wouldn’t have said it. Men rarely say that to women, most try to avoid being a father as much as humanly possible. I said it because the thought of you, pregnant with my child, brings my heart so much joy.”

I know he is telling me the truth. We finish the shower and head to the closet to get dressed for the day. I pull on some jeans, a shirt, and a cozy sweater. As I sit on the bench to pull on my socks, I look over and admire my husband getting dressed. He is tucking his crisp white undershirt into his slacks, then grabs his powder blue dress shirt. As he is buttoning it up, he catches me ogling him. “Why are you dressed in a suit?” I asked, now second-guessing my casual choice of clothing. He sits next to me to pull on his socks. He takes a deep breath.

“Unfortunately, Tsvetok8, you don’t get a vacation when you are the son of the Pakhan.”

Just as I want to voice my protest of Lenya leaving, I remember what the Pakhan said to me about not pulling Lenya away from his duties. Carefully, choosing what I will say next, “So, what should I do today?” I huff. Maybe I was fully expecting to spend another day in bed with Lenya. Now that I have had him, I can’t get enough of him.

His coy smile greets me, “Are you upset that I have to go to work instead of laying in bed, fucking you all day?”

“It’s possible.” My face shows my disappointment.

“What if I promise to get home as fast as I can?” His thumb grazes my lower lip, pulling it down.

“I suppose that will have to do.”

Lenya leans in and plants a kiss on my lips. “Would you like to spend time with Mila? I can take the bike and leave you the car.” Grabbing my hand, he trails kisses up to my elbow.

“I would like that very much,” I say. He takes the keys out of his pocket and leaves them on the little table by our bedroom door.

“Please be safe while out. I will text you the address to Mila’s.” I get up and walk with him to the door. He puts on his motorcycle jacket and gloves and grabs his helmet.

“Khoroshego dnya, lyubov' moya9.” I say as I press my lips to his.

“I will try. I would rather be here with you. Taking every opportunity to put my baby in your belly.” His declaration makes my face flush.

“Better go before you end up staying,” I tease.

I watch him go over to the garage, pull the door up, and walk inside. He brings his bike out and closes the door. He puts his helmet on and mounts the bike, firing it up. Looking back over at me, he blows me a kiss, revs the engine, and takes off. After standing in the wintry morning air for a few minutes, it registers that the weather outside is cold, and now that I am here pondering Lenya on the motorcycle. It’s much too cold for him to be out on it.

It’s been an hour since Lenya left. I am still sitting at the breakfast table, reading. Engrossed in the novel I am reading, I almost don’t hear my phone ping from our bedroom. My dishes, washed and put away, I head to our room. I grab it from its charger and see the messages.

Lenya: Here is the address to Mila and Oleg's house. She is looking forward to seeing you.

Lenya: Please drive safely, it's icy out on the roads. Ya lyublyu tebya, moy prekrasnyy tsvetok.10

Lina: Spasibo, Moy lev11. I will drive safely. You do the same. It isn't safe for you to ride the motorcycle in the winter.

Lenya: Already two steps ahead. I'll be dropping the bike back off, and I'll take a car home.

After reading his response, I get up to grab the keys from the side table and make my way to the door. On my way down the hall, I see Alina. “Good morning Alina,” my greeting is met with a smile.

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