Page 100 of Born into Madness
I hear the soft laugh Sasha gives before he kisses my neck and murmurs, “My sweet little Cyn” against my skin.
Excited about the idea of my best friend with Sasha’s cousin, I watch as he leaves with his parents, already making plans inmy head to invite them both over for supper as soon as Niki gets back.
Since it’s already late, it’s not long before I start yawning, and as soon as I do, Sasha pulls me close and announces to everyone, “We’re leaving. She needs to get some sleep.”
Jolene laughs as she walks over to say goodbye. “I’d tell you he’ll learn to not be so domineering, but I’m afraid they’re all like that.”
“It’s in his blood,” his Aunt Alina says with a smile. Her husband Matvey looks at her like he never wants to let her out of his sight, so I’m guessing she has firsthand knowledge of just how domineering and possessive the Melnikov men can be.
“I don’t mind it,” I say while I look up at Sasha. “It took a little getting used to, but now I think it’s sweet.”
“You didn’t think it was sweet before?” he asks.
I laugh and say, “A hidden camera in my dorm room? Yeah,that’s sweetwasn’t my first thought when you told me about it.”
His mom shoots a horrified look to her son. “You didn’t. Please tell me you didn’t do that.”
Unfazed by her reaction, Sasha says, “How else was I supposed to know she was safe?”
“The phone?” she asks with a definiteduhtone to her words.
“I didn’t know her number yet,” Sasha says without elaborating and telling his mom the gory details of our meet cute.
Jolene gives me a sympathetic look and says, “I swear he means well, and I couldn’t be happier that he found you.”
She gives me a big hug while I try not to cry and make a fool of myself, and then we’re hugging and saying goodbye to everyone else. When we finally get to the hall by the elevator, I stop to look at the family photos that line the walls. I’d been too nervous to notice them on the way in, but now I take my timeand look at every image. I see Sasha at various ages, and I grin when I look over at him and say, “You were such a cute kid.”
He reaches out to drag a finger along my jaw. “I want to see pictures of you when you were little.”
I snort out a laugh and shake my head. “No way in hell. Unlike you, I had some serious ugly stages.”
“Impossible,” he says.
“And I’d love to keep you thinking that. The reality will just disappoint.”
“I want to see them,” he insists.
I straighten and follow him to the elevator while I say, “Well, we can’t always get what we want.”
The words have barely left my mouth when he’s fisting my hair, crowding my space, and walking me backwards into the elevator. Dipping lower, he keeps his eyes on mine when he says, “That applies to everything in my life but you,krovinka. When it comes to you, I will always get what I want.”
I think about arguing, but when his talented mouth presses against mine, I know he’s right. There’s no denying this man anything. By the time we get to the parking garage, he’s already got me so riled up all he’d have to do is pull me into a corner, and I’d happily follow him. Instead, I get a teasingly long ride on the back of his motorcycle, and then after we’ve given Chort enough loving to satisfy his cute furry butt, Sasha finally carries me to bed.
He’s worth the wait. He always is, and when I’m too exhausted to move, he wraps his body around mine while I fall asleep.
The next day is the usual mix of classes and a couple of hours volunteering at the shelter, but instead of our usual Friday night of hanging out together, Sasha texts to tell me he has to work and probably won’t get back until late. I quickly respond to let himknow it’s okay and that I’ll grab some takeout on the way home so he’ll have something to eat when he gets back.
His work schedule has been light, so it’s not like I have anything to complain about. I’ll just work on some homework and cuddle up with Chort. I’m all set to do just that when I get another text, this one from Sav.
SAV:
Are you busy tonight?
ME:
No. Sasha has to work, so I’m gonna hang with Chort and work on some homework.
SAV:
