Temptation (43 page)

He slowly leans up, and let’s go of my hands. He gives me a peck on my lips then moves out of me. I watch him get off the bed and he goes into the bathroom to dispose of the condom. I roll to my side and prop my head up with my hand as he comes back into the room.

“What did you say to me?” I ask. I hope he tells me. I really want to know what he said, and I hate he does that to me, then doesn’t tell me what it means.

Viktor grins, but in his fashion, doesn’t answer me. I huff and get off the bed. We both start to get dressed and just in time too. I hear Gabbie outside of the door and I’ve never been grateful for perfect timing until now. We finish dressing and Viktor opens the door to let her in.

“Icky! Hers play with me now!” She yells as Viktor picks her up. She wraps her little arms around his neck, as if she hasn’t seen him in days.

He chuckles then says to her, “Yeah,
dragotsennyy
. We can go play.” I smile at them both. Gabbie goes on about nothing. Viktor and I have no clue what she’s saying, but we answer her and act like it’s the most important thing in the world. The three of us go downstairs and into the living room. Viktor and I sit on the floor as Gabbie goes to the corner to grab her favorite toys. She brings back a baby doll and she gives it to me. She walks back and grabs another one and I laugh when she gives it to Viktor. He raises an eyebrow at me, but I laugh even harder. It’s hilarious to me that a sexy guy like Viktor is about to play dolls with my daughter.

I stop laughing when I notice the serious look in his eyes. He leans in and caresses my cheek. I place my hand over his, feeling my heart flutter. It still amazes me how much I feel for him. How much I care about him. His thumb rubs my cheek and he says to me, “
Ya lyublyu tebya
.”

“I wove you too, Icky,” Gabbie says back to him. I gasp at her understanding and my realization.

“Wha … You,” I sigh trying to get what I want to say out. My heart is racing with excitement. Did he really just tell me he loved me in Russian? “Did you just tell me you loved me?”

He pulls away and grabs Gabbie. He places her in his lap and he tickles her. I watch them, waiting for him to answer me. Gabbie stands on his legs and he says to her, “You spoiled the surprise for your mommy.”

She giggles and says back, “Okay, Icky.”

We both laugh and she jumps off his legs and starts running around the couch. Viktor and I lock gazes and he brings me closer to him. He moves my hair out of my face and tells me again, “
Ya lyublyu tebya
.”

I sigh loving hearing him talk in Russian. But I want him to tell me in English, so I can understand him. “Tell me again.” He opens his mouth but I quickly add, “In English, Vik.”

“I love you, Ava.”

My breath catches in my throat, and I swear my heart is going to beat right out of my chest. “Say it again.”

He laughs and places a hand behind my neck. He brings me inches from his lips and as I watch his lips move, he says, “I love you.”

I close my eyes, thrilled that he loves me. I open my eyes and pull back so I can look at him. My eyes swell with tears. Happy tears. Joyful tears. Concern is written all over his face as he asks, “Why are you crying,
moya lyubov'
?”

I shake my head as a tear falls. He wipes it away and I try to explain myself. “I’m sorry, Vik. I’m just …” I laugh and I climb onto his lap. “I’m just so happy right now.” I feel his hands on my back and I finally tell him, “I love you too, Vik.”

He smiles at me and it’s one that’s filled with happiness. “Not sad tears then.”

“No, no sadness for me today.”

“Good. Tell me again.”

I push his hair back and I tell him again. “I love you.”

He kisses me sweetly and tenderly. He holds me tight as he continues to kiss me. Our kiss is sadly, interrupted by Gabbie.

“Hey! Peppa Kig doodie!” she screams while holding her
Peppa Pig
movie out to us. I give Viktor a peck on the lips and I get up. I grab the movie from Gabbie, and I put it into the DVD player. Gabbie takes the remote off the coffee table and turns on the TV. Viktor gets off the floor and takes my hand and as we sit on the couch together, Gabbie leans against us as we all watch
Peppa Pig
for the millionth time.

It’s the best way to end the day in my opinion.

It’s been over a week since I’ve seen or heard from Malcolm. I thought he’d at least try again to see Gabbie, but he hasn’t. I still can’t decide if this is a good thing or not. On one hand, I’m relieved I haven’t had to deal with him. But, a part of me is disappointed in him and I think a part of me will always be. I just cannot wrap my brain around it. Gabbie is wonderful to be around. I love her more than anything, but Malcolm could care less. I want to think it’s because he was never around before, and he just didn’t bond with her like I did. Either way, Gabbie will have the best life I can give her no matter what. After he didn’t show up or call for a few days, I called Viktor’s lawyer and updated Mrs. Moore. She told me she made a note in my file and if he continued to avoid us, it would work in our favor.

I try not to let these thoughts consume me as Gabbie and I walk into the coffee shop close by my parent’s house. Since I decided to take some days off work, I told my mom I’d come by and visit. Viktor wanted to come with us, but he had to work instead. I hold Gabbie’s hand as we walk to the counter and she pulls away so she can look at the decorated pastries when I make my order. I pay for my coffee and I watch her and laugh seeing her hands and face pressed against the glass case. I bend down and rub her back as she points to each one, letting me know she wants each one. I stand back up when my name is called to let me know my coffee is ready.

I grab Gabbie’s hand, having to promise her we’ll bake cookies at Gammie’s house to get her to leave the pastries behind. We walk out of the coffee shop and that’s when I see Malcolm walking towards us. I stop, not knowing what I should do. He’s looking right at me and Gabbie, and my SUV is past him so I can’t turn and walk the other way.

“Mommy, wets go to Gammie’s house, okay?” Gabbie says as she jerks my hand to get my attention.

“We’re going in just a minute, baby.”

“Wets go now, okay!”

“Okay, I hear you.” I tell her right as Malcolm reaches us. Gabbie sees him too. She shocks me when she lets go of my hand and hides behind my legs. Gabbie has never been a shy child, and I can’t help but wonder why she’s shying away from Malcolm.

“Hey, Ava.”

“What are you doing here?” I’m beyond pleasantries.

“I was doing some shopping with … well, I was just in town and I saw you walk out of the coffee shop and I thought I would come over.”

I frown, wondering why he doesn’t want me to know who he’s with. I bend down and pick up Gabbie and she stares at Malcolm. “We’re late, so we should really be going.”

“Hers going to Gammie’s house,” Gabbie tells him. I sigh wishing she wouldn’t have told him that.

“Gammie’s house?” Malcolm asks me.

“My mom’s house.”

He nods his head, not breaking his gaze with Gabbie. I don’t like it one bit and instinctively turn my body slightly to keep the distance between them. “That should be fun.” He looks up at me and puts his hands in his back pockets. “Do you think we could try this again? I mean with Gabbie and me?” I start to say no, but he cuts me off. “I know I fu-- sorry, messed up last time. But I really want to meet her and get to know her.”

“I don’t know about that, Malcolm.”

“Please, Ava. Just give me a chance to make it up to you.”

I don’t know if he’s serious or not, but I think maybe if he screws this up again it can only help me in the long run. Malcolm and I still haven’t talked about him suing me for custody either. I sigh and Gabbie twirls her fingers in my hair. “Alright. But this is it. If you mess it up this time, you don’t get another chance.”

Malcolm’s face lights up, as if he’s genuinely happy about spending time with Gabbie. “Thank you, Ava. I promise I won’t mess it up this time.”

I start to give him my address so he can meet me there, but I don’t get the words out. I see another ghost from my past. Casey, my so-called friend from high school, walks up behind Malcolm and once she reaches him, she puts an arm around his waist. Malcolm seems surprised she did, but once he sees it’s Casey, he relaxes. She looks at me for a moment as if she can’t place my face. As soon as it dawns on her who I am, I swear she could kill me with her eyes if she keeps on staring.

“Ava, I didn’t recognize you.” She sneers at me. I really want to roll my eyes. Does she not realize we’re definitely not in high school anymore?

“Casey,” I say to her, trying to play it cool and not cause a scene. It doesn’t escape my notice how she looks at Gabbie and rolls her eyes. I suck in a deep breath and put on a fake smile.

“Malcolm, come on. We have to go to the bakery soon so we can taste some cakes for the wedding.” Malcolm looks at me as Casey says this. I can’t say I’m not shocked, because I am.

“Oh, you two are getting married,” I ask them.

“Yes! I’m so excited! Can you believe it?”
No, I can’t actually
I think to myself.

“I guess a congratulations is in order then.” Casey beams at Malcolm, and I still can’t believe she got what she wanted all long. I stand awkwardly by them as Casey kisses his cheek. Gabbie pulls my hair, and I know that’s her letting me know she’s ready to leave. I start to walk away, but I stop when Malcolm starts to talk to me again.

“When do you want me to come by and see Gabbie?” Malcolm asks. Casey snaps her killer gaze at Malcolm and she turns back to me narrowing her eyes at me.

“Whenever you want. I have some days off work, so just call the number you have of mine and we’ll set something up.” I can tell Casey had no idea Malcolm had my number and I couldn’t resist. She drops her arm from his waist and crosses them over her chest.

“You didn’t tell me you’ve been talking to her,” Casey says to Malcolm. I take it as my cue to leave. I start to walk away and I turn back once seeing them fighting. I’m so glad I don’t have to deal with Casey anymore. They really are a perfect match for each other. I shake my head as I reach my SUV, and I put Gabbie in her seat. I don’t want to feel bad for Malcolm, but I sort of do. Casey can be a handful and honestly, a complete bitch. As I drive off, I look to my right, seeing them still fighting in front of everyone. I don’t feel bad when I start to giggle at the sight of them.

“Hers go to Gammie’s, okay!”

I look at Gabbie in the rear view mirror and I tell her, “Yes, baby. We’re going to Gammie’s house now.” I watch her as she kicks her legs and I lean back in my seat, trying not to think of Malcolm anymore.

I’m quite surprised at Malcolm. For the past two weeks he’s kept to his word about seeing Gabbie. He comes over every day I say he can, and I walk, sometimes depending on the weather, with him and Gabbie to the park from our house. I still don’t feel comfortable enough to let him come inside and see her. I’d rather go to the park, knowing it’s not as intimate as being inside the house where Gabbie, Viktor, and I have made memories together. Viktor’s voiced his anger more than once with Malcolm coming around all the time, but I really don’t know what I can do about it. I hate we’ve been fighting more about it and he’s grown so distant from me.

Malcolm and I still haven’t talked about him trying to gain custody of Gabbie. Every time I bring it up, Malcolm shuts me down. It’s as if he doesn’t want to talk about it. I think he knows we’ll argue about it, then I won’t let him come around anymore. Either way, something needs to happen. I want him to drop this entire custody shit.

I sit on the bench at the park, watching Malcolm push Gabbie in the swing. I don’t like seeing her smile and laugh because of him. I don’t like that Gabbie has gotten used to coming here often, and now she asks all the time if we’re going to the park. I really don’t like the fact that Malcolm stops everything to answer his phone while he’s with Gabbie. I know it’s Casey calling him. I didn’t mean to look once when his phone was ringing and I saw it was her. Plus he doesn’t exactly seem happy on the phone. Like right now. Gabbie’s getting annoyed because he stopped pushing her. I sigh, and get up making my way to her. I catch her right as she hops out of the swing and I ignore Malcolm holding up his finger to let me know to wait. I head back towards the bench and I sit Gabbie down beside me. I dig through her bag and pull out her snack and juice. I watch her eat her apples and grapes, trying hard not to stare at Malcolm on the phone. I don’t want to be curious what he’s talking about. Clearly the conversation he’s having isn’t going very good. I can hear his raised voice and he runs a hand through his hair a few times.