to be happy that one’s already dead. He’ll probably skin it and use that for target practice.”
Ania shuddered. “I’d rather he not do that.”
The two men grinned at each other and then Zinoviy leapt to the ground and looked up, holding out his hands.
“Don’t you dare drop me,” she commanded, grasping at Vikenti’s shirt.
Vikenti laughed and made the leap with her in his arms.
20
“COME here, kotyonok,” Mitya said, his voice gentle.
Ania turned from where she was staring out the window of their bedroom to look at him. He sat on the edge of the bed, his hand held out to her. Just looking at him sent butterflies winging like mad in her stomach. He was handsome in his rough way, and that appealed to her. There was never going to be a boyish quality to Mitya. He was a man, and one who was always in control of what was happening around him.
She loved him. Really loved him. The last couple of weeks had really made her see there was far more to Mitya than the wild lover she knew. He was gentle and sweet, caring for her while the injury from the leopard healed. He waited on her, bringing her meals himself. He spent time with her, playing chess and watching movies that made her cry. Well, he watched her, and she watched the movies.
Mostly he pored over her plans to redesign the garage for her work. He made suggestions when he thought they would help, and it surprised her that almost every suggestion was an excellent one. She loved that and loved that he seemed every bit as enthusiastic about her new venture as she was.
It was amazing to be able to sketch ideas and show them to him, watch his face light up as if he really appreciated each drawing. Sometimes he liked them so much he wanted to frame them. She already had several ideas for cars, but they had to get the garage pulled together first, so she’d tried to keep her mind on all the details needed to get her business up and running. Mitya helped her with staying on task. Even Sevastyan was on board, although he mostly thought in terms of security and how best to protect her when she worked in the huge, temperature-controlled garage.
Ania crossed the room to take Mitya’s hand. He pulled her onto his lap, smoothing back her hair and wrapping his arms around her. She was learning all kinds of things about him. He liked her close to him when they talked. He listened when she had something to say. He laughed more without Dymka’s constant raging. The male leopard was calmer, which gave Mitya more time to relax.
“I know it’s been difficult to stay cooped up, Ania,” Mitya said. “Doc said it was necessary until that rake mark closed and there was no chance of infection.”
She leaned into him, inhaling his scent. She loved the way he smelled. “I didn’t mind, I caught up on my reading and managed to sketch and design and lay out the garage the way I think will work best. It worked out.”
He nuzzled her shoulder, then his teeth tugged at her earlobe. “Did you learn anything I might need to try on you from those romance novels of yours?”
She laughed and turned her face up to look at him. “I think you know more than enough to keep me satisfied for the next hundred years.”
He kissed her chin and nibbled his way up to her lower lip, teeth catching and tugging gently before letting her go. “I’m always willing to learn more.”
“If you know any more, honey, you might kill me.”
Mitya laughed. She loved it when he laughed. It was still so rare that when he did, she felt like he was giving her a gift. She touched his lips. Traced them with her fingertips. Lightly. Barely there. Just touching him sent a tremor through her body.
He had added privacy screens to the windows of the garage, because he’d already planned out, very vocally, that he should be able to visit often and who knew what would happen? If there were cars and back seats lying around . . . He made her laugh so often with his outrageous suggestions she found herself smiling most of the time.
“I just want you to know, Mitya, that I’m so thankful I’m with you. I look at you and melt inside. I can’t possibly ever tell you how much you mean to me.