Page 26

And that’s it. The puke spewing out of my mouth and all over the floor pretty much sums up what I needed to do.

I wince, wishing I had the energy to run out of this room.

Spewing my dinner at the feet of an incredibly hot goalie on vacation is a new low point for me.

But as I fight to stay standing, warm arms scoop me up, cradling me against a surprisingly gentle body, carrying me toward the bathroom.

Everything is fuzzy, but as I lean over the toilet to lose more of my dinner and the alcohol, Vladi’s down on the floor holding my hair back.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see him reaching over the vanity looking for something.

Between heaves, I feel him tie my hair back in a ponytail, one of his rough hands softly gripping my arm while the other rubs my back in slow, soothing motions.

My stomach churns, but I can’t tell if it’s the booze or the boy. What the hell is happening?

Feeling like this round of hurling is over, I lean back from hunching over the toilet, sitting on my knees as I breathe slowly through my nose.

But only for a moment. Vladi, once again, pulls me into his arms, cradling me against his chest. The touch of his calloused hands on my skin soothes the ache I’ve tried to hide.

But I can’t help it. The tears flood my eyes once more, the ones I’ve been fighting so hard to keep hidden this whole week, shit these past several months , spilling down my cheeks before I even have a chance to try and stop them.

“Shhhhhh, it’s okay lisichka,” he whispers as he strokes my hair, making me feel so safe, so cared for.

I shake my head into his chest, my mind insisting I pull away, but my heart never wanting to let go. “Why are you being nice to me, Wolfie? You hate me.”

He lets out a deep sigh I can feel as he pulls me tighter. “Magdalina, I could never hate you.”

His words sit heavy on my heart. On my mind. My currently very fuzzy mind.

He doesn’t mean that. Because if he meant that, I would’ve been enough for him to stay.

“You don’t hate me, but you don’t want me either.”

He places a gentle kiss on the top of my head. “I’ve never wanted anything more in my life.”

The tears fall even harder now. His hand still holds me so close I can hear the rapid pounding of his heart. So tight it’s like he’s scared he’s going to lose me. Like he doesn’t want to let go either.

“I don’t understand,” I say between sniffles and ugly crying, “Liv says you have issues , but I just…I don’t understand. Please, Vladi, please help me understand you.”

He pulls back, searching my face. I’m not sure if it’s the rum, but I swear he has the slightest hint of tears in his eye as well. Is he…crying?

“Are you feeling well enough to lie in bed? Let’s get you out of the bathroom and out of these clothes covered in…” he pauses as he looks me up and down, “your dinner. ”

“Great,” I spit out, lowering my gaze to the floor. “You’re just going to avoid my question. Avoid me. I don’t know why I assumed anything changed.”

His hand grips my chin, pulling my focus back to him. “I am not avoiding your question. I would rather not talk to you on the floor with you covered in vomit. Now, let’s try to stand up, lisichka .”

I let out a slight little chuckle, the only type I have the strength for, and give him a nod as he helps me up. I am so wobbly, I throw my arms out for balance, but his calming hand steadies me.

“Arms up,” he says as he pulls my dress away from my body.

I comply without argument. “Are you trying to seduce me, Wolfie?”

This time, he lets out a snort. “While you are the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen, seducing a woman who just threw up on my hotel room floor is surprisingly not a turn-on for me.

” He scoops me into his arms again, my body shivering against his, my bra and panties doing nothing to ward off the chill.

Lying me down so carefully, it’s as if he cherishes me, a calmness settles in my chest as he pulls the sheets up over me, fluffing the pillow behind my head, and leaning down to place a kiss on my forehead. “I’ll be right back.”

He comes back a few moments later with a bottle of water, the trash bin from the room, and a cold washcloth he places on my forehead. “Here’s something to drink, but just tiny sips. Get some rest,” he says as he turns to walk away.

I reach an arm toward his back. “Wait!” My mind races as fast as the room spins. “Are you leaving? Are you going to stay in another room tonight? Do you not want to be around me because I puked?”

He turns to face me again, this time rubbing his thumb along my jawline. Warmth overtakes me, and sleep begs for me to join it, but he’s right here. Taking care of me. And now he’s leaving .

“ Lisichka, I’m not going to leave you. I’m going to go clean up. I promise I’ll be right back. I promise we’ll talk.” He moves his hand to adjust the washcloth on my forehead, pushing another strand of hair behind my ear. “Right now, I need you to rest for a few minutes. Can you do that for me?”

“Yes.” Shit, these fucking tears just keep falling out of my eyes.

I know I’m drunk. But… is this a dream? What is he doing to me?

He just said, I think , he’s never wanted anything more in his life.

I can’t say I don’t feel the same way, but how do I know what exactly he means by that?

Is he capable of finally taking what he wants?

And does he really want me?