Love and Sin (2022)

Chapter 30

The warm sunrays and shadows of the trees from outside the window played on his skin and the bedroom walls. He woke up tangled up in Tai's hair and her face in his neck, breathing soundly as she slept.

He ran his fingers over her neck and brushed her hair back. His thumb caressed her peaceful face until she fluttered her eyes open and gave him a shy smile. A childish grin spread over his face and he tried to hide it, leaning over and pressing a kiss on her neck.

"Good morning." He whispered with a chirpy note in his voice.

"Mm, it is a good morning." She lazily cuddled closer to him.

"Mhmm." His lips traveled to her shoulder and then he brought his head up. "Crap, it's morning."

Tai opened her eyes wide. "Oh time..What's the time?"

Fussing, they both got up in a hurry looking for their phones. Tai grabbed her phone from the charger next to the nightstand and sighed in relief. "It's around 9. I'm sure everyone is still asleep."

Aleksei reached for his clothes. "Not my grandpa. He is an early bird. It's only a matter of time before he sends the housekeepers to wake everyone up for breakfast. I have to go back to my room before ..more importantly..your father realizes I'm here."

Tai chuckled. "I think he was impressed by you, yesterday."

Aleksei paused confused. "What did I do yesterday?"

"Troubled me." Tai grinned. "I almost never get troubled over a guy. Certainly not fly to another country and sneak into his birthday party without an invitation. Though for my father, that was probably adventure on its own."

Aleksei shook his head. "That has to be fixed. I will properly introduce myself to your father."

Tai got dressed and walked over to him, helping him with the collar of his shirt. "I'm leaving that matter to you then."

He smirked and caught her chin playfully. "You bet little one."

They opened the door carefully peeking into the hallway. Luckily no one was there.

"See you later." Aleksei leaned over for a short kiss.

"See you." She accepted the kiss.

Once they broke the kiss, Aleksei turned to leave and saw Kasimir leaving his room calmly. He was so silent, that they didn't even hear him open the door. He looked at them with a smirk, then he just closed the door and headed downstairs.

Tai grabbed Aleksei's sleeve. "You and your brother are cool now, right?"

"Yeah." Aleksei smiled. "We're cool."

At the breakfast table, Tai was the last one to arrive, and she took a seat next to her father. There was a small chatter on the table as everyone was in a good mood.

Happy there was a large happy gathering on the table, Alekei's grandfather had a bit more appetite than usual and he ordered all sorts of things cooked for breakfast.

After the meal was over, everyone stayed in their chairs immersed into the conversation, finishing their coffee. Aleksei pushed his chair back and rose to look at everyone earnestly.

"Thank you everyone for coming to my birthday party." He glanced at his grandfather. "Thank you grandpa for throwing me such an amazing party, thank you Zakhar for organizing so that everyone is here and.." he turned towards Tai's father. "Thank you sir for letting your daughter fly you over here for me and accompanying her today as well."

Tai's father nodded and then glanced at her while Tai proudly smiled at Aleksei.

"I love you Tai." Aleksei proclaimed at the table and after a small silence, Nikita clapped his hands saving the awkward tension. Everyone joined the clapping.