by Lylah James
“She needs to get laid,” Evaline announced.
“She does,” Maddie agreed. “We’ll figure it out.”
“Yeah.”
I was standing right there, yet they spoke like I wasn’t. They were discussing my sex life.
They were crazy…insane. Both of them!
Evaline winked and started to pull me toward the kitchen. Maddie was on my right side, her arm linked with mine.
When we got to the kitchen, Evaline was on Lena in seconds. “Mama Lena!”
“Oh, dear. Look at you! I have missed you, my little girl,” Lena gushed, hugging her tight.
“I missed you too,” she pouted, pulling away.
“Then why did you move?” Lena sent her a mock glare.
“Exactly. Tell her, Mom,” Maddie added. I smiled, watching the interaction between the three. Maddie was right. They really were close.
“I had to. It was the only way,” Evaline replied softly.
Lena looked confused. “What do you mean?”
Maddie looked pissed and mumbled something under her breath.
“Don’t worry, Mama Lena. I love it up north. Canada is like my home now. But I do miss you guys. Everyone. Sometimes I wish I was back here.” Evaline gave us a sad smile. “Just like before.”
She took the champagne out of the fridge, her back turned to us. There was a hint of sadness and pain in her words. I knew Maddie heard it too.
Maddie shook her head and looked down at her lap.
“Forget about it. Do you know where the guys are?” she asked, quickly changing the topic.
“Like they ever tell me where they go,” Lena replied, with a hint of amusement. She smiled and kissed Evaline on the cheek.
“I’ll see you girls later. I’m sure you have lots of catching up to do.”
Lena walked away, and we settled around the table. Evaline was a chatterbox. She talked a lot. Maddie and her were so much alike.
But I was already in love. Evaline wasn’t the type of person who made you feel awkward. No, she pulled you in like you were a long-lost family member.
We talked for what felt like hours until we got interrupted by Viktor.
He walked in, and Evaline jumped up, going straight in his arms. They hugged and muttered something quietly to each other.
I sat back and smiled, watching the two. When they pulled away, Viktor ruffled her hair and turned his gaze to mine.
“I see you have already met my little hedgehog.”
Evaline growled, patting her hair down. “Don’t do that.”
“We are half brother and sister.” Evaline repeated what she said earlier.
I already knew that. Maddie had filled me in. I just stared at the two siblings. They were so similar, and I could see how much Viktor loved her sister.
They talked and joked, both of them fighting each other. When Viktor left, Evaline took her seat beside me again.
“Same father, different mother. Actually, our moms were sisters,” she said. “It appeared that dad had no control. He was the true definition of a playboy when he was younger.”
Isaak a playboy?
In that moment, I realized that Evaline was my sister. My eyes widened, and I stared at her. This was my chance. To know more about Isaak. Did she know who I was?
“Was he always like that?” I asked curiously, trying hard to act nonchalant.
Evaline shrugged. “Pretty mu—” Her words caught in her throat.
I saw her eyes widen, and then her expression changed. Her eyes held so much pain.
It looked like her heart had shattered in that moment.
“Yeah. Okay.”
Another voice pulled my head the other way.
Nikolay walked into the kitchen.
“I will let Boss kn—”
He stopped mid-sentence too.
Actually, he froze, standing still in the doorway. His eyes widened, and I looked back toward Evaline.
Both of them stared at each other, their eyes drawn to each other, like they were the only two people there.
I looked back at Nikolay. He looked like he was in pain too. He swallowed hard several times, his eyes moving over Evaline’s face.
“Nikolay,” I heard Evaline say. Her voice was soft. So soft and gentle. She said his name like she was whispering a prayer.
And then anger. So much anger. Nikolay’s face turned thunderous. He sent Evaline a piercing glare before stalking away.
I sat still.
Nikolay and Evaline?
She choked back a sob. “I’m sorry. Excuse me.”
Before I could say anything, Evaline got up and ran toward the back. The door to the back garden banged closed as she ran outside.
“That fucking asshole,” Maddie hissed. “I swear to God, I am so done with his bullshit.”
“What just happened?” I asked.
“Long story, babe. Long story. Let me get the drink—juice for you, though—and I’ll tell you.”
Chapter 29
One week later
“Are you done?” Maddie knocked at the door loudly.
I quickly wrapped the towel around me and opened the door. “Yes, I’m done.”
“Did you shave?” Evaline asked.
“Yes.”
“Everywhere?” Maddie added.
I glared at her. “Yes. I’m only going to the creek anyway. Why do I have to shave?”
Without answering, Maddie shoved a dress in my hand. “Here. Go change.”
I stared at the dress, confused. “That’s not the dress I picked.”
I looked over her shoulder, searching for my purple dress, but it was nowhere to be found.
“We thought this would look nicer,” Evaline said. “Hurry, go change. Alessio is waiting.”
“But—” I started to refuse. Maddie glared, and I shut up immediately.
With a sigh, I walked back into the bathroom and shrugged on the dress.
It was a long flowy white dress, coming down below my ankle. It was backless and sleeveless but very simple and elegant. It fit perfectly over my baby bump.
I stared at my reflection and smiled. I felt…beautiful.
I fixed the strings of the dress properly over my shoulders and then quickly combed my hair. It fell in waves down my back, and when I was satisfied with my appearance, I walked out.
Maddie and Evaline attacked me before I could say anything. After a little make-up, they finally let me breathe.
“Why?” I simply asked, looking at my glossy pink lips and coated eyelashes. I even had a light eyeshadow on.
“We just felt like dolling you up,” Evaline answered. I shook my head, feeling quite suspicious.
But then again, they were crazy. I stopped guessing a long time ago. It was best to just go with the flow.
Maddie placed a single peony above my ear. She made sure it was attached to my hair without having it fall out or hurting me.
“There. You look breathtaking, babe. You’re ready to go now,” Maddie announced. I smiled up at her.
“Alessio hates waiting,” I replied, standing up. Evaline handed me a pretty pair of black sandals, and I quickly put them on.
Maddie muttered something under her breath that I couldn’t quite catch, but I didn’t care. My whole attention was on getting to Alessio.
I hadn’t seen him since the morning, and I was a little disappointed that he didn’t even wake me up before he left. He wasn’t at breakfast either.
“Okay. You can go now, pretty girl!” Evaline said. I sighed and rolled my eyes.
“Thank you.”
Before leaving the room, I turned around. “Really. I mean it. Thank you.”
They both smiled. “You’ll thank us more later. Go, go, go!” Evaline said with a laugh.
Shaking my head, I left the room. Maddie was still beside me, helping me down the stairs.
Alessio would get really angry if he saw me walking down the stairs alone. I always had someone accompany me.
When we
reached the bottom, Maddie let go of me and winked before running back upstairs again. She seemed a little too excited today.
I walked out through the doors to see Viktor waiting for me at the entrance. He wasn’t alone. Nikolay and Phoenix were there too.
“We are to escort you to the creek,” Phoenix explained.
My mouth formed an O, and I nodded. Smiling kindly at them, I replied, “Okay. Thank you.”
Viktor stood to my left while Nikolay took my right. I walked forward, but they stayed where they were. I glanced back, confused.
Viktor sighed and came back to my side. Nikolay followed. I stood there, waiting.
And then both of them presented me their elbows. I stared at them, my mouth falling open. What?
They waited, and I stood still. Nikolay coughed. It was fake, but it was probably to bring me out of my sudden daze.
“You want me…to take your arms?” I asked slowly.
“Yes,” Viktor simply replied.
“Oh.” I bit on my lips and took their elbows. It felt weird but strangely comfortable.
Phoenix took the front, leading us. We walked slowly, making sure I didn’t trip on anything. The walk was silent but comfortable.
I couldn’t wait to see Alessio.
When we reached the clearing, my steps faltered.
Alessio was standing there. His back was to me; one of his legs was placed on a rock as he leaned against it.
I instinctively moved toward him, but Viktor and Nikolay held me back. I gave them an impatient look.
Viktor was the first to move. He leaned forward and surprised me with a kiss on my forehead. I stilled, my heart fluttered.
“You both deserve each other,” he whispered before pulling away.
And then Nikolay took his place. Another kiss on my forehead.
He too whispered in my ears. “Be happy.”
When he stepped back, Phoenix moved forward. Placing a kiss on my forehead, he smiled. “Make him a happy man.”
And then they were walking away, leaving me in shock. I blinked several times, trying to wrap my mind around what just happened.
But I was just drawing blanks.
I turned back toward Alessio to see him staring at me. He had a small smile on his face. And in his hands, he held a large bouquet of white peonies.
I could feel my lips moving, spreading in a loving smile. Slowly, I made my way to him. Alessio held out his hand for me, and I immediately took it.
His hand was warm and gentle as he wrapped his fingers around mine. Pulling me closer, he held me against him.
“Angel,” he whispered softly before claiming my lips.
His kiss was tentative at first, but then he kissed me harder, kissing me like he owned me. I loved it when he did that.
He kissed me like he’d never have enough. When we pulled apart, we were both breathless. I didn’t mind though. I wanted him to kiss me more.
His hand found its way to my neck, his fingers softly caressing my veins there. His soft touch sent shivers through me.
The way he stroked my skin, his touch, everything about him…it warmed me. My heart fluttered like crazy. My stomach flipped with nervous butterflies.
“Ayla,” he rasped, his voice suddenly rougher.
“Alessio,” I whispered in response, moving even closer. As close as I could get.
“You look so beautiful right now. Like a true Angel,” he said, his eyes smiling down at me. “I love you in white. It’s the best color on you.”
I felt my cheeks flush under his compliment and looked shyly at his chest. “And this,” Alessio continued, placing a finger under my chin and tipping my head back. “I find it so endearing that you are still shy around me.”
That made me blush even more. I couldn’t help the smile. I felt so at peace. So loved and treasured. Alessio did this to me.
He pulled away slightly and presented me the flowers. “These are for you.”
I took the flowers with a soft thank you. “I love these flowers. They’re my favorite.”
“I know,” he replied ever so arrogantly.
I looked around the creek. Next to the tree, I found some pillows, a basket, and a large blanket laid down. My eyes moved back to Alessio’s, and I pointed at the tree.
“What is this?”
He shrugged and cleared his throat.
Alessio swore under his breath, and he avoided my eyes for a few seconds. He took a deep breath before meeting my gaze again.
I waited for him to speak.
He opened his mouth but then snapped it shut again.
He hissed, running his fingers through his hair agitatedly.
“I had this planned. I even fucking practiced,” he growled under his breath.
“O-kay?”
I held the flowers closer to my chest, waiting for him to continue.
“Right,” he said, clearing his throat again. “You deserve everything, you know that, right? Even a romantic proposal. I want to do this right.”
Oh. Oh. OH!
I gaped at him. He was proposing?
Was it possible for my heart to beat faster? I didn’t know, but it sure felt like it.
“Flowers…” he said suddenly. Alessio pointed at the flowers, and I nodded slowly.
Okay. Flowers.
“It’s you…I mean, flowers represent beauty. That’s you. The most beautiful.”
That was really sweet. Like really, really sweet. So I told him. “Thank you. That’s really thoughtful and sweet.”
“The pink peonies are supposed to be romantic,” he continued.
I looked down to see two light pink peonies in the middle of the white bouquet. Awww.
“But I’m giving you the white because that’s the first flower I ever gave you. It was the start of us,” Alessio broke off at the end and paused. “Why the fuck am I talking about flowers?” he asked suddenly.
“I think it’s sweet. The meaning behind why you gave me the flowers. I love it,” I replied honestly. He really did think this through, even if he was being a little funny at the moment.
He looked so lost and bashful, confused but really determined.
“Okay.” He nodded. Alessio took a deep breath again.
I saw him jerk at his tie in frustration. Unable to see him like this, I moved closer and laid a hand over his wildly racing heart.
“It’s okay, Alessio. Stop trying so hard,” I soothed gently. “Just be yourself. I need only you.”
“I ruined the proposal, didn’t I?” he asked, a frown on his face.
I leaned up and gave him a quick peck on the lips. “Nope. So far it’s perfect. Just say what you want to say. From your heart. That’s all I want.”
He nodded and took a step away from me.
Only to kneel on one knee.
I brought a shaking hand to my mouth and held back the tears.
Alessio took my hand in his. He placed a soft kiss at the back of my hand, letting his lips linger there. “I love you, Angel.”
With his lips still against my skin, he continued. “I was such an asshole when we first met.”
He paused and let out a low chuckle. “Okay. Maybe sometimes I still am. But you changed me, Ayla. You made me feel when I didn’t want to. When I didn’t think I was capable of feeling.”
A tear slid down my cheek. He brought his head up and kept holding my hand.
“You taught me how to love when I didn’t even believe in love. I thought no Angel existed. I had lost hope a long time ago, but then you came into my life and proved me wrong,” Alessio said, his voice a little scratchy with emotions.
“I know I’m not the perfect man. But I know I can be the perfect man for you. I will be the one who holds you at night, wipes your tears away. Makes you smile and laugh. I will be the man that makes your heart flutter. I will make sweet love to you.” He paused, and his gaze moved over my face.
I saw a small smirk. I should have guessed what was coming next, but I didn’t because I was so lost
in his sweet words and captivating blue eyes.
“I will be the man who fucks you too. Slow. Fast. Deep. Rough.”
I shook my head, a small laugh bubbling from my chest. “You are impossible.”
He shrugged before swallowing hard. Alessio was silent for a few seconds before speaking again.
“Give me a chance to love you, Angel. Let me love you the way you deserve. Let me be the man for you. Will you marry me, Angel?”
I couldn’t do anything except nod. My voice…my words were robbed from me.
My throat was closed up with emotion, and I swallowed back my sob. Alessio continued to break and mend my heart with his words.
He reached behind him, removing something from his pocket. And then he was presenting me with a box. A small red box. He opened the lid, and a small gasp escaped past my lips.
The ring that lay in the middle was beautiful. It was simple, small, but oh so beautiful. So elegant. There was a round diamond in the middle. On either side of the bigger diamond were several smaller ones.
“Will you do me the honor of being my wife? Will you be Ayla Ivanshov? Will you lead with me…rule with me…by my side as my queen?”
“Yes,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Alessio smiled and took the ring out of the box. He placed it on my ring finger. It shone in the sunlight.
He stood up, towering over my smaller height. “Alessio, you make me the happiest woman. I don’t think I can ever be happier than this.”
“I know neither of us wants a big wedding. We have already made vows to each other before. So I wanted this to be our small wedding. Just us. We don’t need anyone else,” Alessio explained.
And it was absolutely perfect. I loved it.
He was right. We didn’t need a big wedding. This was much better. Just us. Only us.
I looked down at Alessio’s hand. “But you don’t have a ring.”
He gave me a sheepish look. “I got everything planned. Well, I did get a little help from the others.”
“The dress. It’s white. Like a wedding dress. The bouquet,” I said thoughtfully, finally understanding what went on.
Alessio nodded.
A sudden realization dawned on me, and my eyes widened. “The guys,” I exclaimed.
