She snorts. “Hahahaha, you're such a hater. Only you would think something is coming to attack me.”
She wobbles slightly on the wedge heels she insisted would look good in pictures. I help her steady herself, then spread the blanket and start to unpack. She takes a seat immediately and starts pulling off her shoes. Then she removes her cover-up and… Holy shit! She looks too good. I whistle as she shows off that red bikini. My throat bobs, trying to swallow dry saliva.
“Stop staring and come join me in the water.”
Zoya runs off toward the ocean, her cheeks jiggling as she goes. God, I need the patience of a priest today. I don’t think killing someone on my honeymoon will bode well for us when we’re finally alone.
I abandon the supplies - my men can handle the rest - and join her in the surf.
“Hahaha, it’s so cold and salty!” Her voice is boisterous with laughter as she dips her whole body in.
“Don’t go too deep,” I warn her. “There might be sharks.”
She giggles. “Were you reading up on sea creatures around here?”
My wife turns her body over, floating on the water. I don’t look at the fish. I survey the area for danger. “Yes. In case you’ve forgotten, I’m not Superman. A shark can kill me in the water. Though I’d love to be him right now - his eyesight could probably kill off all these unfortunate extras taking a look at you.”
“Stop sulking, Alex.”
She rises from the water, swimming closer. The nickname still catches me off guard. A month ago, the first time she called me that, I was worried I’d done something wrong. But she just said calling me Alexei was too much work.
I pull her close. The "unfortunate extras" are still staring, but for now, she’s looking at me. That’s enough to keep me from starting a massacre. For now.
After an hour in the water, Zoya is completely exhausted. She flops onto the beach chair and closes her eyes. “I’m taking a nap,” she announces. “Wake me when you’re done packing.”
“Got it,” I tell her, and I start gathering our stuff.
I’m working my way through the towels and the sunscreen, marveling at the ridiculous amount of things women feel the need to bring to a beach, when I hear a voice.
“Hey there.”
I look up to see a young blonde woman smiling at me with a familiar expression, as if we’ve already met somewhere. I ignore her and continue packing, but she’s a persistent bitch.
“I said hey,” she says, stepping closer. “I’m Lucia. I saw you down at the beach and thought I’d come say hi. I wanted to see if you want to come to my party later today.”
I keep ignoring her, focusing on packing up our things so my wife and I can go enjoy the rest of our day.
“It’s rude not to answer when someone’s talking to you,” she snaps.
Zoya turns onto her side and cracks one eye open to look at the woman. “If he’s not answering you, then take the hint and fuck off. I’m trying to nap before we go shopping.”
The blonde snorts, as if she’s finally noticed Zoya is even there. “Mind your business, bitch. I wasn’t talking to you. I was talking to him.”
She turns back to me with a look that’s meant to be alluring. “Enough about her. Did you hear what I said? You’re super handsome, and my friends and I would really like you at the party. Especially me.”
She reaches out to touch my arm, but I use the towel I’m holding as a barrier and push her back without making contact with her skin. She stumbles but doesn’t fall.
“Oh, come on. Stop playing hard to get,” she says, her voice rising.
“He’s not playing,” Zoya says, sitting up now. “He doesn’t want you. Fuck off.”
“I wasn’t fucking talking to you! Mind your business and eat your snacks,” the woman screams. She looks at me and asks, “Is this bitch okay?”
I don’t even look up from my packing. “Just go back to sleep,Vedma. There are flies around. If you need me to spray something, I will.”
The woman is furious now, but she’s directing it all at Zoya. “And who the fuck are you even to him? You’re just trying to get his attention as much as I am.”
“I don’t need to get his attention because he’s my husband,” Zoya informs her. “You’re the one causing a nuisance. If you don’t leave right now, I will throw some hands.”