“Sort of. Yulia got the project photos uploaded, finally.”
“Right. The one that nearly cost me my wife.” His jaw tightens.
He steps in behind me, close enough that I feel his body heat, and his palms come to rest on my hips. “These are incredible,Vedma.” His voice drops lower, his chin nearly touching my shoulder. “You have serious talent.”
“You think so?” I whisper, leaning back slightly into him.
“I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it.” He kisses the side of my head gently. “This is museum-quality work. You could exhibit these.”
My chest feels lighter suddenly, like I can breathe properly for the first time today. “Marriage vows include lying about my photography skills?”
“I wouldn’t lie about your work.” His arms wrap around my middle, drawing me into him. “My talented, stubborn, beautiful wife.”
I lean into him, letting my eyes close. This. This is what I’ve been missing. “Meetings go okay?” I ask, trying to keep him here like this.
“Tedious. Yakov wanted to discuss every minor detail of the new contract.” He presses a kiss below my ear. “Tell me you had more fun than I did.”
I tense slightly, my shoulders going rigid. “Fine.”
“How’s your mom doing?” He sounds genuinely curious.
“She’s fine,” I say with exhaustion.
“That’s good. She came all the way from Kyiv to help you through your first pregnancy. It must be nice having her around.”
I press my lips together and say nothing. His hands shift to my arms, turning me. “Talk to me. What is it?”
“Forget it.” I stare at the third button down on his shirt.
“Vedma.” He tilts my face up. “Look at me. I can tell when you’re upset.”
“I can’t do this anymore.” I pull away from him. “I want her out of this house.”
He blinks, clearly surprised. “Did something happen? Did she say something?”
“Nothing worth repeating.” I busy myself with the photos.
“Zoya, if she said something inappropriate…” His hands tighten on me.
“Alexei, no.” I push lightly against his chest. “Stay out of it. Please.”
He doesn’t look happy about it, but he stops. “Alright. But if she crosses a line…”
“I appreciate it.” My hands relax against his chest. I pull him down to me, kissing him hard. He responds immediately, his mouth opening against mine, one hand sliding into my hair. His hands dig into my hips, and I tug at his hair, wanting him closer. I pull away first, both of us gulping air. “I missed this,” I whisper against his mouth.
“Tell me. What did you miss?” His thumb traces my bottom lip.
“You touching me without pulling away.” My fingers work on his tie.
“Don’t.” He stills my hands. “You know we can’t.”
“Stop talking.” I work at his belt. “I know what the doctor said. I know I’m okay. So fuck me already.”
“Vedma, listen…” His hands grip my arms, but don’t push me away.
“Touch me.” I stroke him through the fabric. “It’s been almost a month.”
“You think this is easy for me?” He grits out.