“Why not?”
“You know why.” I pound the roof of the car and grit my teeth. “Get back in your seat. I’m taking you home.”
She scoots into the passenger seat without another word, and I peel out of the parking lot with tires screeching against the pavement.
CHAPTER 2
LEAH
The loud bass reaches beyond the gates of my parents’ home, matching the pounding inside my chest as I recover from the adrenaline dump of what happened between us in the lot. My gaze slides over to Mikhail, then down to the gear shift where his knuckles are white and his skin is taut.
I turn away, eyes on the glass as we pull into my drive, suddenly feeling cheap and used, and every bit that stupid girl pining for a man who will only ever see me as his best friend’s little sister.
But I’ve loved Mikhail since I was eleven. And maybe it’s a foolish thought since I was just a kid, but every day and every damn year, my feelings for him have grown. This isn’t just a crush or some fantasy I need to fulfill. Mikhail Petrov was born to be mine. I know the risks and possible repercussions, but I don’t care. Not anymore.
“Thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me.”
“You saved today. Of course, I do.”
The car comes to a stop, and he finally stretches and flexes his fingers. “Leah, what
happened back there... I shouldn’t have lost control like that.”
“Stop. It wasn’t just you. And have you stopped to think that maybe it wasn’t us losing ontrol? Maybe we were just giving in.”
“No, I’m not the man for you, Leah. I’m sure your family wants something different for their youngest daughter. Not me. This life isn’t what I want for you either.”
I slide into his lap before he can stop me. “It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks. This is my life. I know what I want,” I say in a hushed voice, lips coasting along his. “And I think you want the same thing.”
Mikhail’s fingers dig into my hips. “Your father and Rod would try to kill me if they knew —” “Knew what? That I’m in your lap and that you can feel how wet I am for you.” I undulate my hips, and his cock hits at the perfect angle as he groans into my neck. “Look at me, Mikhail. I want you to see me.”
“Leah...” He presses me against his erection.
Yes, yes...
“Mikhail!” Rodrigo’s voice booms from the front door. “’Bout fucking time you show up.” No. No.
Mikhail tosses me back into the passenger seat, adjusting his shirt and the bulge in his pants. “Fuck.”
“Your tints are too dark. He didn’t see anything.” “Needs to stay that way.”
His tone is harsh, and I have to admit, it stings. The car’s cabin is suddenly suffocating, so I push the door open and gaze up in time to see my brother’s shocked and confused look as I emerge.
“What the fuck?”
“Found her broke down on the side of the road,” Mikhail says, exiting the car a moment later.
“Broke down? What damn car? Leah, what the hell? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
I plaster on my innocent little sister smile and spring into his arms. “Rodri, I wanted to surprise you and Papá. But I ended up renting a beater.” I twist toward Mikhail and wrap my arms around his middle in a tight hug. He tenses, but fuck that. I hold him tighter. “Mikhail, here, rescued me.”
A wave of uncertainty seems to pass over my brother’s face as he glances between me and his friend for a beat, then shrugs with a sigh. “Well, fuck. That was lucky.”
“Perfect timing,” I say, taking deliberately slow steps toward the door. Somehow, I can feel Mikhail’s eyes on me.
“What the fuck, Leah? Are those shorts or goddamn denim underwear?”
I release an aggravated groan as I pass through the open door. My agitation is short-lived when I’m bombarded with squeals and hugs from my mom and sister. I wait until my dad is in the room to explain the last several hours so I won’t have to tell the same damn story twice.
I twist my wet hair into a bun as the steam from my shower swirls around me and condenses on the mirror. Swiping it with the palm of my hand, I stare at my distorted reflection.
“What am I doing?” I whisper to myself, brushing a finger over my lip where Mikhail’s phantom kisses still linger. Pride swells in my chest despite the doubts and slight regret because our friendship will never be the same. I was bold tonight. I went for what I’ve always wanted. And maybe things didn’t turn out exactly as I envisioned, but at least now I know I affected him, and he sees me as a woman and not just that naive little girl from years ago.
A soft knock on the door makes my heart accelerate with excitement until my sister’s voice calls for me on the other side. Disappointment has me sulking, but what do I expect? Mikhail?
“Hey. You calling it a night so soon?” my sister asks, letting herself inside.
“It’s been a long day.”
She plops down on my bed. “Or you bailed when the love of your life walked out the door.” Ann has known about my crush on Mikhail since the night of my Quince when he showed up with some whore on his arm who couldn’t keep her hands to herself. She found me crying my eyes out under a dark stairwell and refused to leave until I told her why I was upset. I remember being ready to lash out, expecting her to laugh and call me foolish, but I should have known Ann would never. She’s different from me and Rodrigo. Such an empath with a tender heart. While her loyalties will always be with her family, regardless of the darkness that shrouds us, I know she craves more out of life.
Better.
