Time Stood Still (Volkov Bratva #3.5)(19)

Mishca pulled the chair out for her before removing his jacket and claiming his own seat. When their waiter appeared, greeting them warmly in Italian, he ordered for the both of them, most of it lost on Lauren as she continued to smile, captivated by the way he spoke.

After thanking the man, and handing over their menus, Mishca reached across the table for her hand, tracing the delicate skin of her wrist with his finger.

“Are you happy?”

Could her heart beat any harder for him? “I’m always happy with you.”

His dimple showed as a corner of his mouth tilted up. “You’re sweet.”

“I’m being honest.”

Their wine came first, poured expertly into crystal glasses. The local wine smelled pungent, and tasted rich in a way only red wine could. Before long, Lauren had finished her first glass, and had another.

“Tonight is going to be interesting,” Mishca commented absently, smiling over at her as he took a swallow of his own drink.

“I don’t know what you mean, Mish. I’m completely sober.” Though she was, at this point, feeling the effects of the alcohol, and because of that, she was more aware of his touch as he continued to rub circles along her arm.

“Is everything going to be okay with us staying gone for so long?”

He shook his head. “You don’t need to worry about that. Just enjoy yourself. That’s why we’re here, no?”

Their food arrived, and Lauren’s eyes widened as she saw the fish on her plate, head and all. It was cut down the middle, slices of lemon and herbs inside, and while it looked intimidating, it smelled amazing.

She took small bites, tasting it first before she really dug in.

Apparently, that was just the appetizer. Gradually, over the next couple of hours, several dishes were brought out to them one by one, and by the time dessert came around, Lauren was stuffed, but she couldn’t bring himself to turn down the tiramisu.

Mishca paid their bill, keeping his arm around her waist as they walked down the dock to the water. Toeing off her shoes, she picked them up, dipping her feet into the water as she sat. He was more content watching her enjoy the night, leaning against one of the wooden beams as she kicked her feet in the water.

“It’s beautiful here,” she said absently, staring out at the reflection of the moon in the water. “Thank you for bringing me.”

“I can’t count the number of times you thanked me since we arrived. You don’t have to thank me at all. All of this, everything I do, is for you.”

“But still,” she said getting back up, shaking her feet to sling some of the water on him, making her laugh as he glowered. “I’m grateful for this, for everything. I know it isn’t easy for you, and I know that it could be potentially dangerous for you to walk around without your guys, so I need you to know that I appreciate it. I appreciate you.”

“Maybe you can show me how appreciative you are when we get back? I know I’ll enjoy that.”

She smiled, trailing her nail down his chest, feeling the hard muscle beneath his clothes. “Sure…I think you’ll like the surprise I have for you.”





CHAPTER SEVEN





For the second time in only a week, Lauren was up before Mishca. At first, she’d sat on the balcony with the doors open, just breathing in the cool sea air before she began combing through the travel book she’d gotten—along with a few suggestions from one of the workers at the hotels—trying to decide on the first beach they would visit.

One thing she definitely wanted to do, though she hadn’t bothered to mention this to Mishca yet, cliff diving. Undoubtedly, she knew he wouldn’t agree and would more than likely try to stop her from doing this, but with the element of surprise on her hands, she doubted there would be much he could do.

With a pen, she circled a few of her favorites, trying to work out in her head how they would be able to visit every one of her selections by the time they left.

Vaguely, she thought she heard a chiming bell within the house, but as she ventured in, she caught sight of Mishca closing the front door, two bags in hand.

“Who was that?”

He glanced up at her and the sight of him, wearing nothing more than his pajama pants that rode low on his hips, and his messy hair made her smile down at him.

“I ordered breakfast.”

Her brow knitting n confusion, she shook her head. “When?”

Mishca’s answer was a smile. After making a quick stop in the kitchen, he headed in her direction, walking her back onto the balcony, his free hand at her waist. With the waves crashing against the rocks down below, and the occasional bird soaring through the air, there was no better way to enjoy the morning.

He plated all of it, setting each one in the middle of the table. When he finished, Lauren spread some Brie on a croissant, taking a small bite.

“What do you want to do today?” He asked, reaching over to play with her hair. “This island is your playground.”

She was silent for a while, thinking over all the possibilities until she made her final decision. “Rent a boat.”

***

Lauren was laying on a towel on the bow, sunglasses on as the sun beamed down on her. She’d already rubbed on a coconut scented tanning oil, and now was enjoying the slight rocking of the boat as the water moved around her. It had been a relatively quick process, renting the boat, and since Mishca already knew how to drive one, they had taken it out onto the water in no time.