Crave (Beneath The Secrets #3)

43. Lara

CHAPTER 43

LARA

With a groan I roll over and see the onslaught of text messages from my family wishing me a happy birthday.

Even Nikolai sent a cute picture of the three of us as kids.

I open up the one message that has my heart racing.

Alexei- Happy Birthday pchelka. This one will be even more special than the other 28, because this time you are mine. Be ready at 7pm. Wear anything, because you look beautiful always.

Love, your Alexei.

Sitting up, my smile burns my cheeks and excitement runs through me. Alexei never fails to make my birthday amazing. Every year I’m showered with gifts, trips out, and parties. But he’s right, this year is different. Being with him is my gift. Finally, having the man I’ve wished for.

As I slide on my robe and make my way downstairs, tears well up in my eyes at the sight of the living room ceiling covered in a sea of pink and red foiled balloons. When I catch sight of the helium flamingo in the middle, a hiccup interrupts my breath.

Me

you really are exceeding yourself already, sladkiy. Thank you for always making me feel special. I don’t deserve you sometimes.

Wiping away the stray tear with the back of my hand, I find a mug under my coffee machine with a selfie of me and him plastered on the front. That was taken on my birthday three years ago when we took a trip to New York because I once told him I wanted to go to the Empire State Building.

Opening up the top of the machine to drop in a pod, I can’t help but laugh when I see he’s already put one in there for me.

This man.

As the machine pours my energy for the day, I spin myself around and rest on the counter.

“Jesus,” I mutter, staring at the enormous bouquet of red roses sprinkled with every shade in a crystal glass vase on my dining table.

Next to it is a card in a pink envelope. Ripping it open, I find a picture of a donkey that looks like he’s grinning. Typical Alexei.

Lara,

This is just the start of the last year of your twenties.

And this is just the beginning of our new chapter.

I’ll see you later for the rest of your gifts.

If you thought you were spoiled as my friend, wait until you see what happens when you’re mine completely.

You make me so happy, baby.

Love,

Alexei, Sheila, and Bruce.

(Shelia is still warming up to you)

Despite the burning sensation of my tears, uncontrollable laughter escapes from my lips.

Maybe this will be the best birthday of all time.

Zipping up the last outfit I tried on, I look at the pile of discarded ones on the bed. I need to work out in the morning. Nothing is fitting right again.

I finally settle on a black dress that sits just above the knee, with lace sleeves and a plunging neckline. It hugs me in just about the right places, enough to make it look like I actually have an ass rather than a pancake.

I smooth the sides and twist in the mirror. I wish my hips didn’t stick out so much. It would look much sleeker.

I almost jump when the unmistakable sound of Nikolai thudding on the front door echoes through the walls. Grabbing my purse from the table, I straighten the heart diamond necklace Alexei bought me last year, and then I’m ready to go.

Opening up before he beats it down, I find Nikolai with his stunning wife on his arm, smiling at me.

Mikhail is just behind them. I know from the wrinkles near his eyes he’s grinning under the black balaclava.

God, I wish I could see his full face again.

“Happy birthday little sis,” Mikhail says from beneath his mask.

I run into his arms for one of his bear hugs. He might be cold to everyone else, but to me, he is always my funny big brother.

Even if what happened to him made his heart full of ice, I know beneath the veil and wall of stone, the real Mikhail is in there.

The sound of frantic beeping has us all looking at each other quizzically. Alexei is missing and I bet that the commotion is his doing.

Which makes my stomach flutter with butterflies.

He strolls into my house twirling a key around his finger with a lollipop stick in his mouth.

“Alexei!” I squeal as he spots me and zooms towards me like a stalker hunting his prey. Before I know it, he picks me up and spins me in the air. I’m almost dizzy when he sets me down on my feet and wraps his muscular arms around me.

“Happy birthday, pchelka.”

The moment he releases me and steps away, I feel a fuzzy, tingling sensation wash over me.

Friends. That’s what we are right now, even if I want to slam my lips over his.

And I’m sure by the way his gaze is locked on mine, he is thinking the same thing.

“So, where is my present?” I bite back a grin and he raises his eyebrows.

I scan the room. Everyone is mingling amongst themselves while Mikhail pours the champagne. I sense his dark gaze on me from my left. He holds his glass up and nods. I return a sweet smile and return my attention back to Alexei.

“I have many for you tonight, pchelka.” He leans in, making a shiver run down my spine.

“Alexei!” Jax shouts and immediately Alexei straightens and moves away from me.

“Yes, wise one?”

“Where is your date tonight, Shelia isn’t it?”

Nikolai chuckles, his laughter echoing through the room.

Alexei shoots him a sharp glare. “A flamingo is not my date.”

Jax grins and clicks his tongue piercing against his teeth. “You sure she isn’t your girlfriend? You got trouble picking up women?”

Frowning, Alexei’s disapproval is evident. I quickly bite the inside of my mouth to suppress my giggle.

Alexei gestures at me. “I just picked up Lara? You all saw?”

My eyes go wide and I tap his bicep. “Picking up women means like, hooking up, dating, fucking, one of the above,” I whisper.

“Oh.” He scratches his stubble on his chiseled jaw. “I have no issues collecting the women I want.”

My cheeks heat, but a little wave of jealousy runs through me. Even though I know there hasn’t been others, the thought still makes me feel like I’m not good enough for him.

Maybe there is someone out there better for him than me.

Mikhail shoves a glass in Jax’s hand and whispers something to him, which gets Jax’s attention away from Alexei, while Nikolai and Mila dance tongues in the living room. I want to roll my eyes, but I get it. He’s in love and the more I see them together, the more I can look past her hurting him and see they truly care about each other.

Alexei clears his throat and leans in, touching my arm. I sneak a glance at him.

“Any women you want, hey, big shot?” I nudge him and his jaw clenches before his mischievous smirk appears.

He bends down a little and discreetly brushes my hand.

“Yep. I caught the one woman I’ve always wanted, didn’t I?”

I swallow. He laces our fingers together and my arm tingles with electricity.

“Fair point, sladkiy,” I whisper back.

“Nice dress.” He pauses. “It will look even better on my floor later.”

Fuck, I am internally on fire and he knows it. “Don’t rip this one. It’s my favorite.”

“I like you bossy. Depends how much you want my dick tonight, doesn’t it? Whatever the birthday girl wants, she gets.”

“Alexei, stop.” My cheeks are burning. I’m sure someone is going to notice the change between us.

He’s circling his finger on my wrist, his touch so soft it’s making me clench my thighs. I know what he can do with those fingers and I want it right this second.

“I bet you’re soaking for me.” He moves his touch up my forearm. I take a deep breath, staring at the happy faces in the room.

“Fuck. You are, aren’t you?” He coughs and fixes his zipper on the sly.

“Looks like this became an issue for both of us.” I tease.

“I need you, Lara. Really fucking bad. It’s becoming a problem.”

“I can’t, not today, I’m on my period.” I am irregular at best, that’s if I have one at all. Not that it will be heavy, it never is. Mine only last a day or two.

“I don’t care. You think a bit of blood bothers me? I’m so damn desperate for you I can’t see straight.” His fingers tremble as they slide along my hip and circle my waist.

My heart’s pounding, his hand glides on my lower back, just above my ass and damn, I almost moan.

“I could say I’m sick?”

He shakes his head. “I’ll think of something. You can’t miss out on the surprise I have planned.”