Page 75 of Cruel Russian Monster
“Yes, Katya! I’m coming!” I shouted suddenly, hopping out of the car. If Jaroslav continued to talk like that, I'd take him right there in the car if he'd let me.
I closed the car door, but before I could take a step, my head swam slightly. I leaned against the car door for a moment and closed my eyes. I heard Jaroslav’s door slam, and then he was in front of me.
“Vera, you okay?” He pulled me into his arms.
I looked up and smiled. “Yeah, I’m okay. But you can’t say shit like that before I go meet my sister. Now I’m hot and bothered.”
He smirked. “Fine. I’ll save those conversations for when we’re home or on our way back. Although knowing I can make you blush in public makes me feel like I’m doing something right.”
His phone rang. He checked the screen.
“It’s Lev. I have to go. When you’re ready to head back, call Tomas. He’ll come get you.”
I expected Jaroslav to hop into the car and drive away. Instead, he wrapped an arm around my waist. Once at the bottom of the stairs, he kissed me.
“Have fun, malishka.”
“Okay. See you later.”
I turned and headed up the stairs. The front door opened, and Katya stepped out.
“Vera! It's about time!” Katya grinned as she pulled me into a hug. “Hey Jaroslav, thanks for bringing her.”
He smiled. “Anytime.”
He flashed me a smile before he made his way to the car. Katya ushered me inside. I had barely stepped into the house when I heard Kira's shriek.
“Vera!”
She barreled into me and wrapped her arms around me.
“Kira, I missed you.”
We stood there for a few minutes just holding each other. Then she pulled away slightly.
“So…Jaroslav, huh? Can't blame you, though,” she grinned, and I swatted her arm playfully.
“Mariya and Ninel are also here,” Katya said. “They're in the lounge.”
Katya walked ahead while Kira and I trailed behind hand in hand.
“How were exams?” I asked Kira.
“Thankfully over! I have a few weeks till the new semester starts. I'm here to relax and not think, but drink.”
I laughed.
We stepped into the lounge, where I greeted Ninel and Mariya. Once I was settled next to Kira with a glass of wine, she grinned and said, “So, spill about Jaroslav.”
“Kira!” Katya said, “You can't just ask a woman to spill details about her husband bluntly like that. You have to ease into it, like…so, Vera, when did you and Jaroslav realize you had the hots for each other?”
I laughed along with the other women. Then Kira shot up from her seat next to me.
“Vera…is Jaroslav the man you had a crush on? The one you told us that you'd never really spoken to?”
My face went bright red.
Katya squealed. “O.M.G.! It was him! The one you admired from afar?”
