Wings

8. Him

Isabella's pov:

The unmistakable sound of loud grunts and thuds were heard as I walked inside Ethan's old gym to find a very shirtless and sweaty Yuri letting out all on the poor punching bag.

I stood frozen as I watched his back muscles move enticingly over his broad frame and his pale skin reddening from the exertion. Right now, this Yuri was nowhere near the one from last night, the one who kissed me with so much passion and care, whose minty taste still hast left my mouth yet. Right now, he was a different Yuri, the one who spent 5 years in jail, all alone with no one but enemies to keep him company. His confession had left me dumbstruck, but we all have demons. A sudden urge to wrap my arms around his tattooed back consumed me as my feet walked in autopilot and stood right behind his heaving form.

I gently traced my finger on one of his many tattoos, which caused him to stiffen mid punch. "You really do have a habit of spying on me, dont you tsvetok?"he rasped out before leaning back into my touch as he took off his boxing gloves. I smiled, his witty sense of humor in one of the many qualities that make him one of the most attractive men I've ever seen. His skin was smooth yet hard around his healed skars and wounds. He turned around, leaving me to gape at his wide, strong, muscled chest and his narrow ripped abdomen. This site alone was a work of art. Dark ink was scattered all over his body as sweat dripped down his strong neck. "Hm?", he nudged his nose to mine and pulled me tightly against him. His strong aftershave invaded my senses as I held on to his huge biceps. "Im, uh, im sorry. i didn't mean to disturb you. I just couldn't sleep", I whispered and sure enough caught his dark yet soft gaze on mine.

"Dont ever apologize for coming to me, I need you to come to me whenever anything bothers you, my Isabella," he replied and leaned down to place a soft kiss on my jaw. "Do you want to watch the skyline with me? Or are u tired?", I asked. Hoping for him to agree and stay with me. "Sleep doesn't come easily to me too tsvetok, if you dont mind, id like to stay with you", he squeezed my hands before grabbing his signature black full sleeves shirt and pulling it over his huge frame.

As always, I marveled at how amazing he looked, in just a simple black v-neck and his trousers. His sharp cheekbones were even more prominent as a healthy shade of red covered his cheeks, making him look more human and a little less lethal. "You are very handsome," I muttered, and my heart stopped as I realized what I had just said. He stopped adjusting his shirt and looked down at me, a small smirk masking his initial shock. "Yeah? You dont find my tattoos and scars disgusting?", he asked as I shook my head, looking at him straight in the eyes as I answered truthfully, "They make you look even more handsome". He shook his head as a small smile played on his pink lips and his ears started to redden, "you are not normal woman", he muttered and grabbed my hand as he led us to the ring.

I shrugged as I followed his towering frame, “Normal is over rated”, I replied and grasped on to his hand as he helped me up. He chuckled at my response and shook his head before sitting down on the floor and looking up at me. His obsidian eyes took in my light blue pajamas and pink fluffy slippers, I had completely forgot to check the mirror before leaving my apartment after putting the little munchkin to bed, I hope my hair isn’t that much of a mess. I sighed and spread out the blanket on the floor, and patted next to me, motioning him to sit on it too. He smiled lightly and shifted closer to me, instantly heating me up. “how is the little human? Didn’t see her at the café today”, asked Yuri as his arm snaked around my waist and pulled me closer to him before he laid us both down and made sure my head was comfortable rested on his bicep. I smiled at his thoughtfulness and moved to eliminate any remaining distance between us completely. He pressed his lips to my forehead, his beard pricked my skin as he kissed me softly before inhaling deeply. I trued and threw my arm over his chest as I looked up at the skyline,”Shes great Yuri, and she absolutely loves you by the way. Ethan took her straight to the apartment after school because she was really tired. They had sports day today at school.” “Hmm, i have adapted to her as well”.  I barked out a laugh before covering my mouth and slapped his chest lightly, “hey, you need to be a little bit more than just to adapt to her.  Speaking of, her birthday is in two days and she specifically asked me to invite you, no excuses”. I craned my neck to watch his expression as he stared blankly above, any remaining traces of humor were long gone. Shit, did I push it? Am I crowding him? Is it too soon?

Almost as though my rambling thoughts reached his head he turned to look at me, his once blank face now holding an uncertain expression. “tell me”, I whispered carefully and reached to caress his sharp jaw, his beard pricked my fingertips as he cleared his throat. “tsvetok, I am not good at these type of social gatherings, and the last thing I want is to ruin the little human’s birthday. I know it means a lot to the both of you”, he spoke as his eyes drifted to every feature on my face but my eyes, clearly avoiding it. “Is that the only reason? Or am I pushing you too much and soon? Am I crowding you? ”, I asked as pushed up from my position and faced him completely. He sat up and ran his long fingers through his short black hair before meeting my eyes. A few seconds passed as he stared at me before replying, “I never really had the luxury of having someone who just wants me to be present for them. I was always needed for getting work done , or making money, and providing it to the family, never just for me. That is why I never bothered with learning the manners or whatever required to be at social events. I always avoided them. When you ask me if you are pushing me or overcrowding me, my answer is no, youre not. You needing me, more than just work, for company, for watching the skyline with you, still surprises the shit out of me, when I know how easily you can have anyone else, but you chose me. I just don’t want to fuck things up between us and your niece.” I stared shell shocked at him, this is the most hes ever spoken to me, or anyone else for the matter. Relief and happiness washed over me, immediately being replaced by sadness at his confession, his insecurity.

I carefully climbed his strong thighs and wrapped my arms around his wide shoulders as I leaned down and pressed my lips to his smooth forehead. He froze before pulling me flush to his chest, banding his thick arms around me. “Baby”, I whisper as l see his eyes close and his breathing slowing down. His large palm running all over my back, spreading wildfire everywhere he touched. I leaned down to kiss his closed eyes, his crooked nose, his prickely cheeks, his sharp jaw and chin before hovering over his pink lips. “I want you to listen to me Yuri, baby you can never ever think of yourself as someone who will be the reason for destruction or chaos in Anna’s or my life. You’re actually the opposite, you make me happy Yuri. I have never felt this way with anyone else but you, and I trust you completely around us. If you’re wondering why, then all I can say is that I feel it in my heart, that we are always safe with you baby, no matter what you think.” I said and kissed his intoxicating lips before he could say anything, he let out a deep groan and grasped on to my waist, his fingers digging into my skin, making me feel alive. His hot mouth moved relentlessly as he deepened our kiss and pushed his thick tongue into my mouth, I gasped as I felt a jolt of throb between my legs as I felt him hardening and pushing right into me ,and my lungs filled with his addicting scent. I pulled him even closer, if it was possible, by his shirt and sucked on his tongue, tasting his mouth and committing all these senses to my memory. He pulled away suddenly and held my face in his hand, forcing me to look into his dilated pupils as we both caught our breath. “If we don’t stop now tsvetok, I don’t think anything will stop me from taking you right here and now, under this skyline that you love soo much”, he rasped out, caressing my face with his long fingers. My heart stopped as I registred his words, and I swallowed my dry throat at the thought of us doing the deed right here, with him all over me and, inside me.

 I nodded as I felt moisture between my legs. “I know youre not ready yet Isabella, and I will wait , there is no rush at all”. “You don’t have to worry about ruining her party, I see you interact with our customers everyday, and they all like you. So the only question remaining is that, will you come to my niece’s party and make us even more happier?”, I asked as I gingerly climbed off his lap, making sure not to touch him where he is hard right below his lean waist. His leg muscles contracted under me as he helped me then nodded, “Yes, I would love to come”, he muttered as his eyes looked darkly into mine, clearly holding the double meaning that he thought I wouldn’t understand. I smiled shakenly and nodded, my chest feeling lighter at his confirmation, “great, thank you soo much Yuri, it means a lot to us”. His strong arms wrapped around me once again as he pulled me to his chest, “It means a lot to me too, tsvetok. Thank you”. He leaned down to kiss my neck, making my instantly close my eyes, and tighten my hold on him palm. This man will literally be death of me.