Where the Snow Falls (Seasons of Betrayal #2)(14)

Violet glanced around for what he was talking about and found a multi-level, metal fruit basket in the shape of a tree sitting in the middle of the table across the kitchen. She went over to retrieve whatever it was he wanted inside. Several restaurant take-out menus rested on the top tier of the basket. Violet found the ones that served breakfast and brought them back to the island.

Kaz had her coffee waiting by the time she got there.

He had stolen her seat, though.

Instead of letting her pick another stool, he quickly wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her up onto his lap. Without saying a word, he rested his chin on her shoulder, tilting his head just enough so that his nose and mouth brushed her neck while his hand rested possessively high on her bare thigh.

“Find something you want,” he said, “before it gets too late and they won’t serve breakfast.”

“Call it brunch.”

“That word didn’t even exist until lazy, rich women made it up.”

Violet didn’t bother to argue the point because he was probably right. “What do you want to eat?”

She felt his smile grow sinful against her skin. “They won’t serve it, krasivaya.”

Heat pooled deep in the pit of her stomach at his suggestive words. “Stop that.”

Kaz’s fingers danced a little higher on her thigh, making a quick line to work between them. “I could, but—”

Loud voices, a slamming door, and the sounds of shoes hitting hardwood stopped Kaz’s fingers in their trek. Kaz lifted his head slightly, turning just enough to see the entryway of the kitchen. Nervousness settled deep in Violet.

He hadn't said people were coming over.

She wasn’t even properly dressed.

Still, his hand tightened to her leg as if he didn’t plan to let her leave, either.

“Kaz?”

The new voice stunned Violet for a second—it was female.

The second voice, gruffer and deeper, didn’t sound pleased at all. “Maya, goddamn, woman. You don’t need to be shouting in someone’s house, no? It’s not even noon yet. Ostanovit with that shit, huh?”

“Shut up, Kolya.”

Violet’s brow raised a little higher as a petite, dark-haired woman barreled into the kitchen with a grin firmly planted on her face. Her gaze quickly took in Violet, but just as fast, it moved to Kaz. She was almost pixie-like in appearance and small-framed like a dancer, maybe. The short, spiked style of her hair certainly added to her whole fairy aura.

“You are here,” Maya said. “And that * didn't tell me.”

“That * is right here, Maya.”

The man who strolled in behind Maya, a scowl etched onto his strong features, looked like he wanted to be just about anywhere but there at that moment. He stood a good foot and a half taller than the girl did and looked to be at least two-hundred pounds, if not more, of solid muscle. His size, mixed in with the dismissive attitude he sported, screamed ‘back off.’ Violet wasn’t quite sure what to make of that, but the man’s—Kolya, the girl had said—dark eyes barely passed Violet a glance.

In fact, he only looked at Kaz.

“I tried,” he offered, saying nothing else. “She’s nosy as shit.”

Maya’s hand swung out and smacked Kolya hard in the stomach. “Shut up, you.”

Kolya barely reacted. “Sorry, Kaz.”

Kaz shrugged. “All’s good.”

For him, maybe.

Violet still didn’t know who these people were. She put her hand over Kaz’s on her thigh and squeezed, trying to convey her questions without outright asking. She didn’t want to be rude to people she figured were probably his friends.

Even if the man across the room still didn’t look all that approachable or friendly.

She really wished she had put on some goddamn pants.

Kaz pressed a quick kiss to her cheek and helped her down from the stool. Standing, Violet was grateful the dress shirt fell to her mid-thigh and kept her decent enough. Kaz stood, too, taking his coffee with him.

“Couldn’t wait a couple of days, Maya?” Kaz asked.

Maya rocked on her heels. “Why should I? You didn’t even bother to tell me you were coming to the city.”

Kaz nodded in Violet’s direction. “Maybe I had a reason for that, no?”

“I didn’t know that, either!” Maya’s bright blue eyes swung back to Violet’s quiet form; she looked her over and grinned a little wider. “Hi. Maya”—she pointed at herself then at Kolya—“and Mr. Asshole here is Kolya. Don’t mind him; he didn’t get his hugs this morning.”

For a brief second, Kolya’s schooled, cold features cracked as surprise flitted over his face, and he glanced down at the woman. “Maya—”

“What’s your name?” she asked, ignoring him completely.

Kolya sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Maya, no.”

Kaz chuckled. “Be nice, yeah? She’s not hurting anyone.”

“Maya, sure, but—”

“I was talking about Violet,” Kaz interrupted smoothly, his smile gone as he passed Kolya an indecipherable look.

Even Maya quieted at that, and the girl seemed like a ball of energy that didn’t know how to be silent or still. Violet figured out that much in just the short time she’d spent in her presence. People like that were hard not to like.