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Jude opened his , I leaned in and kissed him He let out the softest of whimpers before I broke the kiss "What would happen isyou downstairs"

"Nikolai, I can’t go downstairs looking like this," he said as he motioned to his sweats

I found th of his body When I liftedto have a problem with that outfit is me"

I leaned in so my lips brushed the shell of his ear as I added, "Because while you’ll be surrounded by my family, all I'll be able to think about is…"

I paused and finished the rest of my words in Russian

By the ti heavily "What did you say?" he asked

I ski toMaks on my hip I held out my free hand and said, "I'll tell you after we eat”

Jude hesitated for a long ers into my hand, I wanted to do a victory dance

As I led Jude froations, but that wasn't on my mind at all

Because even though I wanted to deny it, that ship had sailed a while ago and try as I o

Chapter 18

Jude

I wasn't sure what to expect when I allowed Nikolai to lead me into the kitchen of the apartment below his, but it athered up into a series of warle ot in on the action when Nikolai put him on the floor The little boy wrapped his ars while Natalia took possession of the other

I was still very aware of the fact that I was in what amounted to my pajamas, but for whatever reason, no one else seemed to really notice Nikolai acted as translator when I was reintroduced to his parents

I'd assu a workday, but just as I was finishing my second bowl of a tasty soup called Shchi, Nikolai infor started and to save room in my stomach for the next course