Andrei

 

As much as I wanted to stay outside, under the stars and a rising moon, the air was getting colder and our hair was getting frosty at the tips. Faye didn’t want to leave, however, using all her feminine wiles to try to convince me. It worked until the moon was almost at its apex, but I didn’t want her to get sick and that’s what decided me.

“I’ll carry you, if that’s what you’re worried about,” I murmured in her ear.

“Ugh, it’s more the cold air hitting my entire naked body at once,” she replied, shivering against me and squirming on my lap. A hiss of air escaped me. “But I guess we should go to sleep.”

“Sleep, right…” I said, trying to act like that’s what I’d been thinking instead of continuing this upstairs. Then I grit my teeth and stood up, swinging myself out of the tub in one motion. “Shit!”

It was freezing and the air was like knives on my skin. Faye followed and I threw her over my shoulder as I ran across the deck, to the door. She was laughing as I put her down inside and made sure to lock it behind us. We ran upstairs and into the bathroom, where Faye grabbed a towel.

“Screw that,” I said, moving towards the shower and turning it on blasting hot. She came over and I tossed the towel away, yanking her in with me. “Warm up with me. Or better yet, warm me up.” Faye laughed as I pressed her up against the wall.

“You’re the one who wanted to go outside,” she murmured and I grinned. In another second, I had Faye melting under my touch. My fingers drifted down her stomach, up to her breasts and down her arms. Our fingers linked and I pulled them up over her head as I kissed her.

“God, you’re beautiful,” I murmured when I pulled away. Her hair was a dark gold wet, her eyes a limpid amber and cheeks pink. She looked like a sea nymph and when I told her so, she flushed even brighter.

“You’re the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen,” she said shyly. “You’re so strong.”

“Thanks, but I knew that,” I teased, even as my heart throbbed.

“You know, Andrei, I’m not that tired…” Faye whispered as I leaned over her, watching the water track down her tanned skin and gem her eyelashes.

“Me either,” I murmured, dropping her hands and swinging her up into my arms. Faye let out a squeak of surprise and I laughed. In response, her legs went around my waist.

Pressing closer, I kissed her, my length already hard and ready.

But I didn’t want to rush this.

We kissed until the water grew lukewarm and I had to reach back to turn it up. Then I rocked my hips forward, finding her warmth and sliding in slowly.

A blissful smile was on her face as a sexy moan fluttered between her lips. Something about that made me almost forget my own desires. I wanted to solely focus on Faye.

Although part of it was wanting to hear her call out my name again. And beg a little.

“Oh, Andrei,” she gasped, eyes opening and find mine. “Oh, yes, yes. Mmm.” She bit her lips.

Grabbing her waist, I lifted her higher and she gripped my shoulders as I hit that pearl of pleasure. Moving her hips, I thrust forward faster and faster. Familiar waves of heat were building up in me and Faye was quivering all over, biting her lips and rolling her hips.

She came and I watched with satisfaction at the look on her face. Listened in triumph to her crying out my name. Only then, did I let the same wave hit me.

After, when I’d reluctantly put Faye down and we were standing together in the hot water, I was conscious of a kind of shakiness in my limbs. Not of fatigue, but of happiness.

I wasn't tired, but the water was starting to get cool again and we both scrubbed off. It took longer as we kept soaping up the other one. Faye's hands finding my biceps, my back, and my thighs more than once. My own roaming everywhere and making her laugh in a sexy way.

Eventually, though, we were in bed and I glanced at the time. Only a few hours till dawn. Faye was lying half on top of me, her head on my heart and then I felt her lips press into my sternum. She lifted her head and looked down at me.

“I’m almost afraid to go to sleep,” she whispered.

“Why?” I asked, pushing a hand into her wet hair.

“I don’t want this night to end.”

“Oh,” I murmured as I nodded. “I know what you’re saying. But this only the first of many, many spectacular nights.” I smirked at her. “You have no idea what I’ve got in store for you.”

“You won’t tell me?” Faye asked, eyes sparkling.

“You’ll have to wait and see,” I said, smiling. “You will love it, though, dushechka.”

Faye moved up closer so that we were sharing the same pillow and kissed my cheek. “You know I did promise I’d do anything for you.” Her fingers drifted across my bare chest. “I meant it.”

“Faye,” I said with a nervous laugh as heat hit my bloodstream. “We do need to sleep.”

“Oh!” Faye pulled away. “I didn’t mean it like that – well I didn’t not mean it like that…” Her face was burning. “I only was trying to say, I want to do something for you, too.”

“Will you go to Russia?” I asked. “Be safe for me?”

“Andrei,” Faye said in a soft voice, her face becoming pained. “We talked about this…”

“If something were to happen to you…” I said, pressing a hand to her cheek.

“You can’t think like that,” she said, her eyes bright and fierce.

I let out a grumbling sigh. She had me there. “How about this, then – until we secure HQ, you will promise me to stay away from there.” Faye opened her mouth and I shook my head. “I only mean stay away, with friends we trust to keep you safe. Hm? Yes?”

Faye made a face. “I’ll think about it.”

“I suppose that is all I can ask,” I grumbled, pulling her closer and kissing her forehead. “I would have to fall for someone as dedicated as I am.”

Faye laughed and snuggled closer. “You mean as brave as you are, Andrei Zima.”

I did not answer that and Faye soon fell asleep. But I held her, wondering why if I was so brave as she said, my entire body was filled with fear at the thought of her returning to LA.

 

The next day we both got up late. In fact, I woke up almost an hour after Faye and wanted nothing more than to lay back down. My sleep schedule was beyond messed up.

When I said as much to Faye, she gave me a guilty look. “Sorry.”

I grinned. “Worth every last minute of lost sleep, sunshine, do not trouble yourself.”

After some consultation with Hubert and Ulma, I decided to fly to San Francisco on a major airline instead of taking my plane. They would head to LA and await instructions. I wanted them there in case we needed to get Faye out of the country.

Early that afternoon, we left to catch our flight and I glanced over to see Faye wistfully watching the house vanish among the trees. Reaching over, I gripped her knee. I wanted to tell her we would be back in no time. I wanted to tell her to go to Russia again.

I wanted to tell her so many damn things and it felt like we were running out of time.

But neither of us said a word until we go to the airport.

Once there, I bid farewell to Imogen, who’d driven us and we walked inside.

It was strange being back in the hustle and noise of a loud city airport. I wanted nothing more to turn and walk right back out the doors. I did not want to share Faye.

“I can’t believe I’m going home,” Faye murmured and that snapped me out of it.

Gripping her elbow, I got us into the security line and bent my head, whispering, “When did you move to California?”

“Fifteen,” she said. “It was a big change, but my parents were tired of doing so much travel. They thought it would be easier…” She trailed off. “I love Australia, but California is special.”

Leaning in closer, I whispered in her ear, “You know, I have an apartment in San Fran.”

“You do?” Faye asked, looking up at me with a smile.

“It hasn’t been furnished yet, I think it has maybe a futon and a table… I bought it a few years ago when a lot of my business was in Northern Cali.”

“How many houses do you own, Zima?” Faye asked, shaking her head. “Ten? Twenty?”

“A few apartments and one house,” I said. “So only the one, smartass.”

Faye laughed and wrapped her arms around my waist, looking up at me. “Mhm. Well, I want to see them all.” Today she was wearing a short black wig and it made her eyes brighter than usual.

“You will,” I said with a laugh and someone cleared their throat.

Looking up, I saw an impatient security guard waving us forward, but then his face relaxed into a smile as we got closer. “Ah, I see. Newlyweds, right?”

Faye was about to say something, but I cut her off. “Yes. Sorry to be so obvious, Sir.”

The man shook his head as he peered at our passports and then waved us through. “Have a nice trip, lovebirds,” he called after us.

Faye was pink until we got on the plane. I gave her the window seat, knowing full well I’d probably fall asleep on the two-hour flight. She sat up straight, gazing out the window and I twisted my fingers idly through her hair. Her hands were clasped at her chin as we took off.

“Everything will be okay,” I whispered and Faye nodded.

I tried to stay awake, rubbing her hands and reassuring her, but suddenly Faye was gently shaking me and I blinked as I woke up.

“We’re landing soon,” she whispered, her eyes huge.

Sitting up straighter, I wrapped my arms around Faye until the wheels bounced onto the tarmac. She was pale when I let her go and forced a smile as she followed me off the plane. Her eyes swept the terminal as we walked through. I did as well and breathed a sigh of relief once we got into the rental car.

Once again, we were safe.

For now, I thought grimly.

It was around seven now and I glanced over at Faye as I started the car. “I think we should go see Soraya and Dez.”

Faye jumped and stared at me. “Now?!”

“Yes. They’re home. I just texted Dez. They’re having a quiet dinner in. I told him it was important and he said it was fine to swing by whenever…” I trailed off at the look on her face. A bubble of joy pushed into my chest and I tried not to puff it out.

Eyes shining, Faye nodded at me with a smile and clasped hands at her heart. “Can we? I thought it would be hard and I mean it was, with Roy and Finni, but it also felt like I was recouping a piece of that lost time. It made me remember I have a lot to live for.”

Oh, Faye, I thought, but out loud I said, “Let’s go.” Reversing the big SUV, we drove off into the city. It was black, with tinted windows and hefty tires. While it might be obtrusive in some ways, I wanted something that would protect Faye from being identified and be able to off-road if necessary. As we got closer to Soraya and Dez’s apartment, I wished it could calm her down.

Faye had begun to fret and nothing I said would make her stop.

First, she was worried about interrupting their romantic evening in, then she wondered if showing up on the doorstep was okay and then she was worried Soraya would be furious with her.

“Soraya will not be angry with you,” I said. With me, that’s another matter. I was already mentally preparing myself for having to fend her off when Soraya came at me swinging.

When we pulled up, Faye gazed up at the loft and let out a long breath. “I can’t believe this.” She turned and looked at me. “None of this could have happened without you. If Soraya freaks out on you, I’ll defend you, okay? Don’t worry about that.”

“Thanks,” I said wryly. “But I’m still a bit worried. I’ve learned it’s safer that way with her.”

I hopped out of the car and surveyed the neighborhood. Ears pricked for the faintest sound, I heard nothing but the scrape of wind and splash of distant waves. The loft was down the street on the waterfront. Still, I was careful and quiet as I went around to Faye’s side.

Opening the door, I reached in and pulled up her hood. She’d taken off her wig in the car and now blonde tendrils were escaping, so I carefully tucked them back in.

An arm around her shoulders, we quickly went inside and buzzed Lafi & Devoy, on the top floor. Dez’s laughing voice came over the line and Faye sniffled. I rubbed her back.

“I told you, Dez is fine,” I said, as we walked to the elevator.

“I know, I know. It’s just – he sounds so happy,” Faye said, sounding like she had a head cold. “I wish I could have been there to see it happen.” She gave me an accusing look. “You know, you never told me how it did. And I asked you more than once.”

“Because Soraya would have more of a reason to kill me,” I said, bouncing on my feet. “Keep your face down,” I murmured. “Cameras.”

Faye nodded and didn’t say another word until we got to their door. Then she grabbed my hand and shook her head. “Andrei, I don’t know if this is a good idea…”

But it was too late, Dez had opened the door and light fell into the hallway.