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I let out a long relaxed sigh as I stood under the flowing hot water of the shower, allowing more of the thick steam to gather around me.

But no matter how hard I tried to decompress under the hot water, she was still in the back of my thoughts.

Her face.

Her voice.

The way she touched me.

Firmly.

Roughly.

It had only been a couple of hours since we parted ways—with me going to the guest room and Sevan going god knows where.

I feel like she's waiting for me to cave.

Especially with us alone in this giant fucking house.

But I'm not.

I didn't lay in bed for the last two hours fighting my own thoughts to cave in now.

Which is exactly why I'm in this fucking shower.

But even that's not helping.

I let out another deep sigh, this one more tighter than my last one as I turned the shower off and stepped out.

The bathroom was foggy with steam, the mirror clouded over, and the warm air clinging to my already hot body.

It feels like I'm fucking burning.

But it's a different kind of heat striking down my skin.

One that I can't fight off even with a bucket of ice water.

It was a feeling that lingered even as I got dressed, brushing my damp hair as I pulled on the silky black pajama tank top and matching shorts.

I rubbed lotion into my smooth skin, glancing at myself one last time in the foggy mirror and immediately pinpointing the flush coating my cheeks.

Which naturally made me roll my eyes, leaning away from the sink with nothing but frustration.

And as I walked into the familiar guest bedroom illuminated by the dim moonlight, I found my steps slowly trailing off as I approached the bed.

Until suddenly—

I walked past it.

I fucking walked past the bed toward the door, screaming at myself in the process.

Especially when my hand wrapped around the cold doorknob, clenching my jaw as I internally fought myself not to turn it.

Until I had twisted the doorknob open, fighting myself not to pull the door open instead.

But it felt as if my body had made the decision before my thoughts could catch up.

I could barely process the empty dark hallway—or the flight of stairs I descended toward the familiar foyer.

Sevan was nowhere to be found.

Fucking luckily.

I don't know what the fuck is wrong with me, but I need to get it the fuck together.

So instead of wandering around the eerily quiet house, I walked over to the kitchen—specifically the fridge.

Which I opened, hoping to find some sort of water.

Luckily there wasn't just a pitcher of purified water, but bottles of water too.

I settled for the bottled water, immediately grabbing it and twisting the cap off.

And as I took a long sip, I leaned back against the kitchen island, weirdly appreciating the silence that wrapped around me.

At my compound there always seems to be someone around, whether it's my men or a grounds worker.

But here it was entirely different.

There was no one.

Except me and—

"Zinovia."

I didn't bother to flinch.

Even if her familiar raspy voice touched every edge of the once quiet air.

It made my heart race, but not out of surprise.

It was just her fucking presence in general.

"Why are you still up?" I heard her say from behind me, hearing one of the back doors slide close.

She must have been out back the whole time.

"Why are you still up?" I repeated her question back to her, twisting the lid back onto my water.

The air was silent for a moment.

Until I felt the softness of her fingertips run down my arm, easily coating my body with goosebumps as she grabbed the water from my hand.

"Why can't you sleep, Zinovia?" Sevan repeated herself more firmly, setting the bottle of water off on the counter.

"Time zones," I mumbled the lie, staring ahead at the large window above the sink.

Until Sevan stepped in front of me, blocking my view entirely.

"What can I do to help?" Sevan asked, grabbing my chin to align my eyes with hers.

I narrowed my stare at her, "Neecheevo," I said the word nothing in Russian.

Which Sevan immediately registered, nodding once as she glanced between my eyes for a moment.

Until she openly glanced down to my body—naturally making me roll my eyes.

"You stare very much," I said in irritation.

Sevan only slid her hand down from my chin, gripping my neck in response, "Sleep with me tonight," she said, not bothering to acknowledge my previous words.

"I don't sleep with people," I told her, narrowing my eyes at her as soon as she glanced up from my body to meet my stare.

"I'm not people," Sevan quickly corrected me, pulling me closer to her by my neck.

I lazily raised my brows, "Da," I mumbled, openly holding her stare, "You are worse than people," I emphasized.

Sevan's lips twitched up, "All the more reason to be in bed with me," she murmured, tilting her head slightly, "Keep your enemies close."

I hummed almost tightly, "You are already too close for my liking," I purposely said, eyeing the space between us.

Which was barely even a few centimeters.

Sevan raised a brow, eyeing my face for a moment—

Before she took a purposeful step closer to me.

And closed the gap between us.

I let out a long tight sigh, "Sevan—"

"I don't see you pushing me away," Sevan quickly cut me short, applying a firmer pressure around my throat.

I felt my jaw naturally clench, "There is no point—you don't listen," I said, hating the fact that it was a partial lie.

Or maybe a full lie.

I narrowed my eyes as soon as Sevan leaned down closer to my face, barely grazing her nose against mine as she held me so firmly against the counter.

Her eyes were as dark as ever—her expression nothing but serious as she stared down at me.

I drew in a wavered breath as soon as her hand closed around my neck entirely, cutting off any possible airflow—and immediately making my hands hit against her stomach for release.

But Sevan only held me tighter, watching carefully as I struggled under her hold.

"That's the last lie you'll tell me," Sevan said, gripping my waist in place as she continued choking me.

And I knew what she wanted.

She wanted a nod.

She wanted me to acknowledge her words.

Something I refused to do.

So I willingly struggled in her hold, quickly feeling my head grow heavier and heavier.

And Sevan calmly watched me as I let my lungs burn and my vision invade with stares until—

"Da," I forced out, hitting her stomach even harder.

Rough coughs shot up my throat as soon as she let me go, wheezing with each breath as I leaned against her.

Sevan pulled me in closer to her as my body visibly shook with each cough, still hitting and pushing at her stomach.

But she didn't budge.

Sevan only stood still as I continued to cough and wheeze—my breathing eventually falling steady.

Along with my hands that fell limp against her stomach, halting my directed hits and pushes.

"Grab your water, we're going to bed," Sevan said as she pulled away from me, motioning her head over to the counter behind me.

I rolled my eyes, reluctantly grabbing the water and walking past her with an annoyed sigh.

And as we walked up the stairs, I refused to say one word—ignoring her presence even as I made it to her room.

Which was directed almost neutrally.

Aside from the vibrant saltillo tile flooring and the high stone walls.

There was a furry rug under the large bed with a light headboard and white bedding.

The tall curtains behind the bed were drawn closed while an armchair sat off to the side.

It was a weird hesitancy that flowed through me.

Especially as I watched Sevan walk past the bed toward the small hallway off to the side, which I assume led to a bathroom.

"Make yourself comfortable," was all she said before leaving me alone in her bedroom.

I blinked almost awkwardly, eyeing the bed for a moment.

Before I took one step toward it.

And then another.

Until I finally walked over to the side of it, setting my bottle of water down on the nightstand.

But even still, I awkwardly stared at the bed—having so many thoughts cloud my head.

I let out a rough sigh, reaching down to the covers before I could think it through and tugging it back.

I blinked a few times as I awkwardly slid into the bed, immediately smelling the sweet detergent combined with her familiar cologne.

The pillows were softer compared to the guest bedroom, and the mattress practically sunk in around me to mold around my body.

It was irritatingly comfortable.

Really fucking comfortable.

Almost to a point that my eyes grew heavy on command.

At least until Sevan suddenly walked back into the room from the small side hallway, now wearing a t-shirt and sweatpants instead of her outfit from earlier.

I glanced away from her before I had a chance to stare, feeling her presence grow closer and closer.

Until she... sat down beside me?

"What are you doing?" I said, immediately glancing back over to her.

Sevan motioned her head over, "Slide over," she said, pulling the covers away from me slightly.

I narrowed my eyes at her, deciding to stay put against her demands.

Until she raised a brow, glancing down to my body.

And I knew it was a silent warning.

But I didn't care.

She can get into bed on the other side.

"Zinovia," Sevan sighed, standing up from beside me, "Why do you have to make shit so fucking complicated?" she said, reaching down to physically push me further into the bed.

Which earned an eye roll from me, laying almost stiffly as she slid into the bed beside me.

Especially with her warm body practically brushing mine.

I attempted to slide further away from her, but Sevan quickly grabbed my waist before I could.

"Tell me why you couldn't sleep," Sevan said as her arm settled around my waist.

I remained silent, hesitantly allowing my head to relax against her shoulder, and internally cringing at the intimacy of all this.

"Time zo—"

"What did I say about lying?" Sevan quickly cut me short, running her fingertips up and down the side of my body.

"I am tired, Sevan," I mumbled, and I could immediately sense her amusement.

"Oh I thought you couldn't sleep baby?" she purposely said, which naturally made me clench my jaw.

"Now I can," I said, closing my heavy eyes with hopes that she would just leave the topic alone.

And luckily she remained quiet for another moment.

And then another.

And another.

Until eventually I wasn't anticipating her to say anything.

Instead, I was able to calmly fall asleep, adjusting to the weirdness of another presence beside me in bed for once.

It was weird.

Her arms managed to mold around me better than the bed had previously done.

And for once I couldn't say that I hated the feeling.

Much less lie about hating it.

???????

I furrowed my brows as soon as I felt something smooth across my jawline.

It was soft.

Almost ticklish.

Which naturally made me nuzzle away from the touch, humming as I tried to fall back deeper into my sleep.

But then I felt it again.

Across the bareness of my neck.

Down my arm.

And across one of my bare thighs—something that made my eyes immediately flutter open.

I blinked a few times as my burning eyes adjusted to the bright room.

And Sevan.

I was nuzzled closer into her side with my legs wrapped around her one, immediately making an unfamiliar feeling of embarrassment grow around me.

I quickly untangled my legs from her before I could process it, glancing over to her dark eyes that were already on me.

"We're going to breakfast," Sevan said first, her voice as raspy as ever as she tucked any stray hairs away from my face.

I nodded before I could think it through, suddenly laying up from her body as I rubbed under my tired eyes.

Luckily, Sevan only remained silent as I desperately tried to get my shit together.

But I'm not a morning person.

And I think that's pretty clear.

"We leave in an hour," Sevan said as I went to crawl over her.

But I was quickly halted when she hooked her hand around one of my thighs, grabbing my other thigh in the process and holding me in place on top of her body that I straddled.

I groaned in annoyance—rubbing my eyes even more before resting my head in my hands.

It's too fucking early for her shit.

I let out a sigh as soon as Sevan gently pulled me down to her body by my shoulders.

And for once, I let her, settling my head on her chest as she ran her arms around my waist.

It was silent between us for a few unmeasured moments, especially as I willingly verged back toward a deep sleep.

Which wasn't hard with Sevan running her hands up and down my back, occasionally kneading her fingers into my lower back.

Until she suddenly tapped my waist—it was gentle but I also knew it was time to get up.

So I reluctantly laid up from her, tucking my hair behind my ears before running my hands over my face again with a huff.

"I like you better in the mornings baby," Sevan said as I slid off of her body and stumbled onto my feet.

And I didn't bother even acknowledging her words as I walked toward the door, rubbing my eyes yet again as I reached for the doorknob.

Soon, I was luckily on my own in the guest bedroom—allowed to slowly wake up as I began getting ready.

It felt like at least six in the morning, but it was actually already ten.

But I swear I could sleep so much fucking longer.

I swear after breakfast, I would be taking the best nap of my life.

So I decided not to do too much with my makeup—just something light and then briefly curling my hair into loose messy waves that I tucked behind my ears.

I wore a white button-down dress that ruffled at the end, slipping on matching stilettos and my usual jewelry.

After light perfume, I exited my room—heading down the stairs where Sevan for once wasn't already waiting.

She was in the kitchen instead, sipping on a glass of orange juice as she handled a phone call that she immediately concluded at my presence.

For once she wasn't in all black, wearing a white t-shirt with the short sleeves cuffed and baggy dark jeans hanging low on her waist.

Her dark hair was gelled back and her bare face had its usual glow under any form of lighting, especially the sunlight.

"Are we awake now?" Sevan asked me as she set her glass in the sink.

I lazily raised my brows, "Da," I mumbled with a sigh, watching as she turned around and walked over to me.

And for once I weirdly tilted my head back, expecting her to kiss me.

Which immediately made Sevan raise a brow, "Oh?" she murmured, staring between my eyes with a subtly amused look.

I rolled my eyes at her cockiness, "Nevermind," I said, naturally about to pull back from her—but she quickly grabbed my neck and gently pulled me back closer.

Only to lean down and press her lips to mine.

"Good morning," she whispered, briefly kissing my lips again.

I hummed in response, but didn't bother saying the two words back.

Instead, I kissed her again before she could pull back, weirdly craving to kiss her again and again.

I refrained.

Instead, I pulled away before I had the chance to think about it, meeting her dark eyes that fluttered back open.

"Breakfast," she reminded me, glancing down to openly eye my body.

I nodded once, walking past her before we found ourselves kissing again, probably unable to stop the second time around.

And just like last night, Sevan drove us—this time in one of her numerous SUVs, only this one was a Lamborghini.

The city was as busy as I expected it to be, especially at eleven in the morning.

There were a lot of vendors lining the streets—along with excited people ready to buy from them.

Unlike last night, today's restaurant was more of a formal environment, overlooking the water and mountains.

It was airy and bright, especially with the wooden tables and chairs—and then large fans overhead.

I couldn't help but glance around as our waitress led us to our table.

And da, I expected maybe drinks to already be waiting on us.

But I didn't expect an entire breakfast spread along with mimosas—

And a woman?

She had dark shiny hair that was styled and down, wearing a collared shirt and flowy pants with a pair of sunglasses shielding her eyes from me.

"Vani," the woman said, immediately standing from the table with a smile.

Vani?

I narrowed my eyes as I watched the woman pull Sevan into a hug.

When a handshake would've sufficed really.

"Miri," Sevan said, briefly hugging her back with a subtle smile.

I do not like this.

"And you must be Koslov?" the woman said, suddenly glancing over to me with a friendly smile.

I nodded once, not bothering to contribute a response.

Which naturally made Sevan raise an amused brow.

"Zi, this is Mireya," Sevan decided to say, pressing a respectful hand to my upper back.

Mostly because we're in public.

But I knew she was touching me for a reason.

She can sense something fuming behind my eyes.

And somehow the unfamiliar nickname she used managed to distract me from my intrusive thoughts—which contemplated the idea of killing this Mireya right here.

It wasn't even about touching Sevan.

I don't like how Sevan smiled.

Or the nicknames.

Still, I managed to nod stiffly, not bothering to say anything to either of them as they stared at me.

Sevan pursed her lips for a moment, briefly glancing back to Mireya, "Mimosas," she told her, removing her hand from my back to pull one of the chairs out for me.

And I reluctantly sat down, eyeing the woman yet again as I mentally prepared myself for what this breakfast could possibly consist of.