Page 14 of Claim Me (Dmitriyev Bratva #2)

I threw my hand out. “I’m partially deaf, Kazimir.

If you’re wondering why my voice sounds almost normal, the loss came when I was nine.

I had a very serious illness and the doctors thought I’d become totally deaf from a severe infection.

I was lucky, although certain frequencies are impossible to hear.

Even so, that doesn’t mean I don’t have the capacity to understand what you’re saying and I’m pretty damn good at reading lips.

My hearing is about thirty percent, although the doctors fear it’s getting worse.

I should wear my hearing aid, but I try and push myself.

I don’t know if this is crazy, but I’ve always thought if you don’t exercise a muscle then you will definitely lose it.

It’s just when I’m tired or overwrought, then the words seem to muddle together. ”

The ache behind my eyes was more pronounced.

“And the music? How can you play so beautifully if you can’t hear the nuances, the quiet notes played by the violins or cellos?”

Kazimir hadn’t lied to me. He had heard me perform. I wasn’t certain if that should frighten or thrill me. “I can feel the music. You know when you place your hand on a speaker in your car when you have the bass higher than the treble?”

His eyes flashed again. “I get it.”

“I can feel the vibrations right here.” I pointed to my heart. We were stuck staring at each other. Finally, I think we both felt uncomfortable. “Where did you hear me play?”

The strange look in his eyes indicated he was uncomfortable with telling me. “The CD for one.”

I laughed. “We didn’t even know we were being recorded. Where else?”

“I’ve been to a concert.”

There was a moment shared between us, a strange series of emotions I couldn’t put my finger on. He wasn’t ready to admit he’d been my mystery admirer and I wasn’t ready to ask. “What did you think?”

“That you’re a shining star.”

“Thank you. Music is my entire life and Charlie knew that.”

He cleared his throat, which brought my waning attention back to him. “You sign. Yes?”

“Yes. Fluent at least in one language.” The strangled laugh I issued was entirely inappropriate, but my nerves continued to crawl. When I snorted, I pressed my hand across my mouth.

While he didn’t laugh with me, his eyes did twinkle and the tiny creases in the corners of both deepened. As I kept laughing, he finally smiled.

“Did anyone ever tell you that you’re very handsome when you smile instead of scowling?”

“I don’t scowl.”

“You scowl with the best of them. An award-winning scowler.” I laughed again until I hiccupped.

He rubbed his jaw. “I guess I’ll need to work on that. Is learning to sign difficult?”

I shook my head. When he looked away as if contemplating whether he could learn, I shifted onto the edge of the couch, leaning over and taking one hand into mine. The look of shock on his face was startling.

Now he chose to laugh. “Sorry. Just a reaction.”

“It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you,” I told him and my words brought a more genuine smile.

“Let me show you. Try and relax. Letters first.” As I went through a portion of the alphabet, guiding his fingers to make the signs, he watched me so intently I was shocked.

I repeated the letter as I moved his hand into the various positions.

“G. H. I. J. See how that’s done? Now you try. ”

He shrank back as if I’d hit him, the sheepish look on his face something likely very few people had ever seen. My God, the man was handsome. With his tie loosened, and his hair showing how many times he’d run his fingers through his thick strands, he was GQ material all the way.

“Okay, but don’t make fun of me,” he said while placing his drink on the table, immediately rubbing the scruff on his jaw. I liked that it seemed he hadn’t shaved in a couple of days. That gave him an unruly, rugged look.

I threw up my arms. “I will never make fun of anyone who tries to learn something new.”

“O-kay. A. B.” As soon as he managed to mimic exactly how I’d created the letters and I nodded, his grin was huge.

“Keep going.”

“C. D. E.” He stopped, wiping his hands on his trousers. “There are full words too. Right?”

There was such tenderness in his voice that I was able to hear that I was thrown by a strange but pleasant sense of knowing. And that maybe he was right in that he’d keep me safe. When I drew a circle on my chest and formed a heart, he seemed to know what I was saying.

He sat back, bringing his glass to his lips.

I signed baby steps, speaking the words as well.

I’d seen dozens of reactions over the years when people successfully learned at least a few words in sign, but the genuine pleasure in his expression created little prickling sensations.

“Come on. Keep practicing. If you’re really interested, which I can’t imagine a man of such obvious power would be, then I’ll teach you the rest of the alphabet.

If you’re a good boy.” I leaned back against the seat, folding my legs even more tightly under me, just like I’d done as a child when I’d been robbed of my hearing.

There was nothing worse than a world of silence.

Charlie had made certain I’d had my music. My mother had read to me constantly. God, I missed my family. I wiped a single tear away. Fate had been so cruel.

He grunted, regaining my attention.

Another surprise. He was really trying. I leaned my head against the pillow, yawning as I studied every incredible inflection in his face. Such a strong jawline. Such high cheekbones.

Gorgeous eyes.

An incredible… physique and… His face was… so handsome.

I closed my eyes, immediately opening them again. Kazimir remained in front of me, fulfilling his promise to protect me. Maybe everything… would be… okay.