Chapter 6

“You’re home early,” Anatoli stated as she shut the front door.

“I realized I prefer to stay home. I’m not much of a social person.”

“Did you have fun?” he asked.

“Yeah. I’m going to go upstairs and shower.”

Anatoli realized something was off with Violet. She wasn’t normally dismissive.

He waited until he heard the shower turn on before he slowly made his way to the bathroom. He gave it a few seconds before he opened the door.

He stripped his clothes off and got into the shower, wrapping his arms around Violet.

“Something is bothering you,” he stated.

“It’s nothing. I’m just tired.”

“Don’t lie to me. I can tell something happened.”

He felt her body relax, and she took a deep breath before turning around and wrapping her arms around him and resting her head on his chest.

“I kissed Varina,” she mumbled.

Anatoli let out a chuckle.

“Is that what’s bothering you?”

She nodded yes.

“I’m not upset at all. I’m curious how that happened, though. Turn around and let me wash your hair while you tell me.”

“A guy was hitting on me and wouldn’t leave me alone. Varina was telling him I was with her. She told him I didn’t like men to get him to go away. He didn’t believe us, so I kissed her.”

“You have nothing to worry about. The circumstances called for it.”

“But I liked it,” she whispered softly.

“There is nothing wrong with a kiss, Violet, and I’m not mad. If it was another man, I would be angry with you.”

He continued to wash her hair in silence, enjoying the time with her. He had been struggling with his emotions lately.

He knew Violet was the girl for him, but he was having a hard time admitting that he loved her and could see having a family with her.

But she understood him and hadn’t asked him to change.

“Are you sure you’re not angry with me?” she asked.

“I’m sure,” he said, pressing a kiss to her shoulder. “Close your eyes so I can rinse your hair.”

When he was done rinsing her hair, he turned her toward him and grabbed her chin so she would look up. Water ran down her face, making it hard for her to look at him, but he didn’t care.

He needed to force himself to be honest with Violet, and if he didn’t do it now, he probably never would. He was afraid of saying something and not meaning it later, like his parents did.

“I’m not mad, because I love you and I understand you.”

Violet let out a small gasp, her lip quivering.

“You mean it?” she asked.

“I do, and I’m sorry for not telling you sooner. You deserve to hear it.”

Violet threw her arms around his neck and pulled him to her for a kiss.

He picked her up, pressing her back against the tiled wall. The coldness against her back made her shiver against him, and he thrust his hips into her. She moaned as her body stretched for him.

Anatoli wasn’t being gentle. He pounded into her with force, and Violet welcomed it. Sex was her escape.

The high from pleasure always calmed her mind for a while, but right now she didn’t need it as an escape.

It was not just a way for them to express their feelings, and Anatoli understood that. He knew that this was different for Violet, and he was savoring it all.

He paid attention to each moan and gasp that left her as his body pushed her against the wall.

“More, Toli.”

Anatoli smiled at the name. She hadn’t called him Toli in a while.

She was the only one allowed to use that name. Sometimes Dimitri called him Tolik, but nothing compared to “Toli” when Violet called him that.

“Play with yourself, lyubov. I want you to come again before I finish deep inside your tight cunt.”

Violet obeyed without hesitation, placing her hand between them and putting pressure on her clit.

She didn’t have to do much work because each time Anatoli thrust his body, her hand hit the perfect spot.

Violet only lasted a few more thrusts before the climax washed over her, leaving her body tingling.

“Fuck,” Anatoli grunted as he spilled into her.

He held her against the wall with his face next to hers for a few seconds before gently placing her on her feet.

It overwhelmed him with emotion, and he didn’t know how to handle that. He wasn’t good with emotions; he preferred to push them aside. That was what made him good at his job.

Violet brought her hand up to his face, forcing him to look at her.

“I love you, and I know it’s hard for you to say it back. And that’s why I’ll cherish this moment. I don’t expect you to tell me you love me all the time.

“Once is enough. And if you decide to say it again, I’ll cherish that moment, too.”

“You’re getting cold. How about we get you dressed?” Anatoli asked.

Violet nodded before kissing his lips again.

He let out a sigh, mentally thanking the universe for giving him an understanding woman. He knew most females wouldn’t put up with his shit, but Violet wasn’t most people.

Violet was his person; she was made for him. And he’d do whatever he could to protect her.