by A. Marie
"Adrik," she moaned out.
A gasp came out of her as she felt herself cum all over his shaft. It didn't take much longer for her walls to milk him of everything they had. He gripped the headboard so tight that his knuckles turned white as he came so deep inside of the first woman he had ever loved.
"Wow," she breathed out.
Avelina’s eyes were on the ceiling as she found herself thinking about everything that just happened. Suddenly, it dawned on her. It just happened.
She looked down at Adrik before her eyes fell on the oozing blood from his stab wound. She had completely forgotten about it as her eyes grew wide.
"Adrik, you're bleeding," she said, sitting up while holding the blanket around her naked body.
He glanced down before touching his wound with his hand. Adrik acted as if it didn't matter, but it did matter. No matter what medicine they gave him not to feel the pain, she knew infections were still very possible.
Avelina got off of the bed and threw on Adrik’s shirt from the floor.
"Do you mind if I change your gauze for you?" She asked.
He shook his head in a way to indicate that he didn't mind at all. His eyes seemed to close as her fingers grazed his heated skin.
Her lower region was already in pain with every sharp movement she did. She wasn't prepared for how she would be hurting in the morning.
Avelina slowly took off the gauze and made sure not to hurt him as her eyes looked at the deep cut through his skin.
She glanced up at him to see his eyes closed. Avelina made sure to mark his beautiful face into the files of her brain.
With a smile, she bit down on her lip. Avelina headed over to the restroom, where she grabbed the first aid kit. When she returned, she bent down on the side of the bed and pulled the blanket low enough to reveal his muscular v-line.
Even though it only happened mere seconds ago, she kept getting flashbacks to the intimate moment they shared. Avelina bit down on her lip even harder as she thought about the pleasure she gained from Adrik. The sounds, the moans, the passion just wouldn't erase themselves from her mind no matter how hard she tried to put them away.
"Avelina.”
She didn't even realize she had been staring at her hands until he said her name. Slowly, her gaze lifted to look into his gray eyes.
"It's okay," he told her.
It held a deeper meaning than he may have thought it did. In Avelina’s mind, he was reassuring her insecurities. It was okay to feel and to think without worrying that it may hurt someone else. It was okay to be Avelina and not some caregiver. It was okay to be okay.
Shaking away the thoughts, she cleaned up his wound and rewrapped it with the new gauze. She then applied a bandage over it to keep it all in place. Once she finished, she found herself kissing right above the now clean bandage.
Adrik responded by grabbing her arm and pulling her back onto the bed. He then placed the blanket over her before delivering one more kiss to her neck.
Hours passed, and Avelina didn't know how long she had been staring at the wall. Adrik was sleeping peacefully behind her. He left Avelina and her mind wide awake, and they were busy conversing with one another.
She kept thinking about the way Adrik made her feel. It had been a while since someone had cared for her. Her dream was nothing without Adrik, and she knew that now. She could not imagine breathing without listening to Adrik's honest remarks and his wise words of wisdom.
Adrik was the missing piece to the puzzle of her life, and she knew that now. He meant everything to her.
She turned over so she could face Adrik. Her hand found his hair as she tucked it behind his ear. Avelina kissed his cheek, the corner of his upper lip, and then she kissed his lips.
Her eyes gazed at the most handsome man she had ever seen. Avelina found herself grazing his jawline just before she planted one last kiss on the top of his nose.
"I love you, Adrik," she whispered. "I will always choose you."
CHAPTER TWELVE
Care for Happiness
Avelina woke up to the sound of the shower running. She sat up in bed before running her hand through her hair. Her mind was continually replaying last night's events on repeat. All Avelina could do was pinch her lip as a smile formed on her face.
Just in time, the sound of running water suddenly came to a stop. Avelina turned to look up at the door just as Adrik opened it with a towel around his waist. She couldn't help but look at his wound to make sure it wasn't excessively bleeding.
"Are you okay?" She asked, moving the blanket from her body and attempting to stand. The moment she stood up, she allowed herself to sit back down due to the pain she felt deep down below. It was an intense feeling that stabbed her lower region, and her face made sure to grimace as evidence of it.
"I am okay. Well, my side is still in immense pain, which would result in my answer as bad. However, I am feeling more jubilant than normal, which is what I suppose is good. So, going based solely on averages of the two feelings, I am feeling okay," he explained.
Avelina nodded her head slowly in response.
She then watched as he walked off into the closet. A sigh moved past her lips while she found herself using her fingers to comb through her thick strands of hair.
"Avelina," Adrik called out to her from the closet.
"Yes?"
"May you come in here for a moment?"
She bit down on her lip and moved to stand up again, but the movement welcomed pain.
"Uh, is it important?" She asked, wincing slightly.
He stepped out of the closet with a tie in his hand. "I want to impress you.”
He began showing her the second tie he had in his other hand. One was blue, and the other was black. "Which one do you prefer on me?"
"Blue," she quickly let out.
He nodded his head and walked back into the closet. A smile thrust itself onto her features at the realization that he always wore black ties with his suits. It made her proud to see he was stepping out of his comfort zone, even if it was for something as small as a tie.
After just a few seconds, he walked right out of the closet and toward the bed. Avelina couldn't help but gaze at him until he was directly in front of her. She loved looking at him.
"I'm going to go take a shower," she spoke out randomly to fill the silence that was bouncing off the walls.
Adrik sat down beside her on the bed. Avelina placed her hand on top of Adrik's while never meeting his gaze. She could feel his eyes drilling holes into the top of her head, but she couldn't manage to look up at him. All she could focus on was his hand and how badly she wanted to grab it and hold it for as long as he'd let her.
"Last night was amazing," she told him before finally looking up into the depth of his eyes.
He didn't say anything after that, so she finally decided to grab hold of his hand before pecking his lips.
"Are you in any pain?" Avelina questioned as she allowed her other hand to feel the bandage through his shirt.
"No, primarily because of medication. I am sure if I weren't taking any, it would be excruciatingly difficult to perform tasks, much like how difficult it is for you right now.”
Her jaw dropped in response. She didn't even know Adrik realized how much pain she was under.
Suddenly, she grabbed a pillow from behind her and lightly swung it at him. His face was suddenly covered in shock, leaving her to drown the room with her laughter. Her head tilted back, and her eyes shut with each sound that escaped her lips.
"Adrik, your face," Avelina laughed out.
He stood up from the bed and pulled her up by her hand, along with him. His arm wrapped around her waist as he pulled her closer to his body. She quickly placed her arms around his neck, leaning her head to rest on his chest. There was still this huge smile that never managed to go away.
"I would be happy to assist you with any of your needs," he told her.
Her body completely melted against his. She loved it when
he held her and allowed her to get lost in his homely warmth. It was moments like this where she felt most protected.
"Ironically, I'm your caregiver.”
He didn't say anything after that. All he did was pick Avelina up bridal style and walk her into the bathroom, where he sat her down on the counter.
Avelina watched him turn the water on for the shower. Her eyes followed every movement of his. She was so mesmerized to feel cared for finally. When he finished, he walked back over to her, where he placed his hands on the sides of her thighs.
"I am going to my casino today to finish some paperwork. I would request for you to join me, but I have decided to let you get better," Adrik told her before lifting her shirt up and off of her body.
Her hands immediately flew to cover up her bare parts, but he grabbed her hands and held them at either side of her body.
"I will be home soon, Avelina.”
Her breathing grew heavy as he leaned down and planted a kiss on her lips.
The innocence that passed from his lips to hers had locked her in some sort of starstruck haze. He had so much power over her even as he pulled away just to gaze into her eyes.
Just as quick as her hormones made their appearance, they disappeared thanks to her memory that suddenly allowed worry to consume her thoughts.
"Are you going to be okay? You just got stabbed yesterday. I'm sure your casinos will be fine for at least a day," Avelina told him.
She also wanted Adrik to stay for a bit, but she was too fearful of saying that out loud. Her imagination played out this scene of lying in bed with him as they talked about the past, present, and future all-in-one. She suddenly grew a craving for it.
"Yes.”
She let out a sigh but decided to say nothing as he lifted her once more and placed her inside of the shower.
"Wait," Avelina called out as he began to walk away.
He stopped with a raised brow.
When he turned to look at her, she pulled him down to her level by his neck and kissed him once more. It was as if she couldn't get enough of him. For some reason, Avelina felt like if she let him out of her grasp, he would slip away. It was the last thing she wanted because he was her entire world. It didn't matter that she only knew him for two and a half months because, even to summarize Adrik's scientific discovery on love, love waits for no one.
"Okay, bye," she giggled like a schoolgirl talking to her crush after pulling away.
Adrik pecked her cheek in response before walking out of the restroom.
Avelina focused her attention on the shower as a smile whisked its way onto her face. She was smiling, and it was for absolutely no reason at all. It was a great feeling—smiling just to smile. Not the typical fake smile, either. She was so happy to the point that a real, authentic smile took over her features with no assistance at all. It was a smile that appeared all on its own.
She washed her body before using his shampoo to run through the strands of her hair. Avelina took her time bathing and continuously thinking about Adrik. Adrik consumed her mind, but she didn't mind it at all.
Avelina stepped out of his bathroom with a towel wrapped around her frame. The cool marble flooring accompanied her feet as she paddled her way to her room.
The heat from the shower really helped aid her sore muscles. She didn't feel completely recovered, but she felt more comfortable to move around than she did earlier.
Avelina proceeded into her bedroom, where she immediately went into the closet. Since Adrik was going to be away all day, she didn't feel any need to dress up. So, she reached for a tank-top and some shorts.
The second she had all of her attire on, she walked out of her bedroom.
Avelina wanted to spend her time alone in Adrik's mansion productively. So, with that thought, she decided to clean as much as she could of the already spotless house.
She spent hours cleaning her semi-messy room and organizing her clothes after washing and drying Adrik's bedding. When she finished cleaning the bedrooms, she headed over to the kitchen.
Avelina enjoyed cleaning. To her, it was such a thoughtful process. Not to mention, after cleaning, the feeling of accomplishment and proudness would overwhelm one's body like a blanket. It felt useful to clean. Cleaning reminded her that getting rid of negativity is a lot easier than some may think. All a person may need is a towel and a bit of bleach just to wipe the dirt away.
Just as she finished putting away the last dish from the dishwasher, the loud chime of the doorbell rang through the house.
Avelina quickly dashed to the front with a huge smile on her face, ready and prepared to see Adrik. The moment that she threw the door open, her smile dropped from her face completely.
A beautiful middle-aged woman stepped into the house, but not before throwing her coat at Avelina. A gasp left Avelina's mouth just before her eyebrows pulled together. The sound of the woman's heels clattering against the flooring was deafening as Avelina placed the stranger's coat on a rack.
"Um…”
Avelina was finally able to get a good look at her without the coat covering her face. She was beautiful even with her brown hair resting just past her shoulders, eyes the color of a dull pencil, and the smallest wrinkles that no one would notice unless looking at them too hard. The woman made it all look breathtaking.
"What are you. . . The cook, or the maid?" The woman let out, followed by a chuckle.
Avelina could not help but frown. She could never seem to comprehend why someone would be so rude only to someone they have barely met. It was perplexing.
"Avelina. May I so kindly ask who you are? Adrik didn't mention anyone stopping by," Avelina smiled.
"Of course, Adrik didn't think to mention his own mother," she let out.
Avelina's brows had risen as she processed the woman's words. She never anticipated meeting his mother, especially under such awkward circumstances. The woman eyed Avelina's clothes with judgmental eyes. Avelina's eyes wandered down to her own attire as she suddenly began to wish she could time travel and put on something different.
"Oh, mother, right," Avelina whispered out.
She ran a hand through her hair, trying to lay back the flyways.
Everything was suddenly going too fast; one minute, she was having sex with Adrik, and the next, she is meeting his mother.
Then, the door opened and practically bombarded Avelina. Adrik quickly latched onto her before she had fallen from the impact of the door.
"Son," The woman let out in Russian as she almost pushed Avelina from Adrik's grip and wrapped her arms around him.
"What are you doing here?" He asked her.
She immediately pulled away as if his words themselves had formed some sort of sword and sliced her cold heart. "I think it's about time you send me more money, don't you think?”
Adrik looked over at Avelina, and despite how unnoticeably he appeared angry, Avelina knew he was pissed.
"We're having a private conversation. Can you please send your help elsewhere?"
"My help?" He questioned.
"Yes, her—your employee or whatever the hell she is. I forgot how retarded you are sometimes," the woman stated before whispering the last part to herself, which completely upset Avelina.
"Excuse you. Don't speak to Adrik like that. He's a grown adult, and you came to his home. You should show a little more respect, mother or not," Avelina told her behind narrowed eyes.
"Hmm, maybe I was wrong. Maybe you're not the help. Don't tell me that my son managed to get a girlfriend. No one with a brain would ever want him. Are you in it for money, fame?" The woman asked.
"You can leave. I will see to an increase in your payment tomorrow. Thank you for your time, mother," Adrik stated before opening the door.
The mother plastered a smile on her face as she strode toward the door.
"Good. Nice meeting you, Angelina," she laughed out just as
Adrik slammed the door behind her.
Avelina noticed his balled-up fists a
nd immediately grabbed hold of his hands. She knew he was going to lash out and understood the complete normalcy of it.
"I don't understand. Why are you paying her when she's a despicable human being?" Avelina asked, her brows pulling together.
"There was a time when she would take me to therapy to talk through my behavioral concerns as a kid. She spent a lot of her time making these cards to help me express my emotions, so I could feel like I belonged. One day, she gave up. I guess she got tired of putting band-aids over the broken skin and wiping away all of my tears. She got tired of lying to me about how I was no different from the rest of the kids my age. She introduced herself to a new way of life after my sister had gone. I love her, and I love my sister. I would do anything in the world for the people I love. It never mattered to me whether or not they loved me back.”
She placed her head on his chest and listened to the sound of his heartbeat. "I want to hear your story, Adrik. I want to hear everything about you. Then, after you tell me everything, I'm going to promise you that I will never get tired of someone as amazing as you.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Care for Curiosities
They were seated at the piano. Avelina was on top of it, much to Adrik's discomfort. He didn't like it when people sat on things that weren't created to be sat on. Although, he dusted off his uneasiness only for Avelina. As he sat on the piano bench, he enjoyed the musical sound orchestrated from the keys he played.
Avelina didn't know many classical pieces, and she honestly didn't recognize the one he was currently playing. However, she knew for sure that it had to be Beethoven because it was all he ever spoke about.
The music was not sad, nor was it happy. It was quite nostalgic, and it left Avelina wishing she could understand what was going on in his mind as he played the sound for her to hear. The way he played was magical. He told a story with his fingers and led the sound to vibrate so comfortably within her ears. It was beautiful.
She began to wonder if music was how he managed to express himself when he was younger. Maybe that is where he grew this fascination with Beethoven and classical music. She could only imagine his difficulty expressing the things he genuinely wanted to say at the age he was now; it had to have only been more challenging as a child.