Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 76915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
I knew I could never fully know her. She had depths that she would never reveal to me. It was maddening and intoxicating all at once. The heat between us would last forever, because she was so complex, so independent, so mysterious, passionate, and entrancing.
Fuck me.
I was done. My fate was sealed. It was Mishka or no one.
I was not religious. But I did believe in miracles. And for me, Mishka was it.
She was one of the great wonders of the world. She was so sheltered, or had been. I couldn’t wait to show her off, and show her everything the world had to offer.
Starting now.
A child let out a joyous yelp nearby and the spell was broken. I smiled at her and wandered away from the hot dog stand, finishing our snack as we went. We walked slowly along the edge of the park towards the Museum of Natural History.
I stole looks at her, trying not to stare. We shared a shy smile. I got butterflies, like a fucking teenage girl. I felt foolish, ridiculous, and smitten beyond reasoning. But I did not give a damn about my dignity.
I was fucking happy.
“Ready?” I asked, after we had disposed of our mustard covered napkins and made our way to the museum entrance. She nodded. I opened the door for her, grabbing her hand again as we walked inside side by side.
I was determined to keep her hand in mine from now on, going forward. I was determined that I would never, ever, let her go.
It was the perfect day. The best day. And I hadn’t even shown her the stars yet. Or the blue whale.
Chapter 26
Mishka
“Idon’t think I will ever forget this day,” I said, giving Anton a shy smile. “Thank you.”
“Thank you,” he said, squeezing my hand. It felt so natural to be with him. I could not believe I had ever feared him.
He made me feel safe. Cherished. Admired. Desired.
Anton felt like a miracle. This day was a miracle. My father’s treatment was going well. That felt like a miracle, too.
And something else was happening… I was blossoming. Unfolding, somehow. My music had been getting stronger since I came to live with Anton. My playing had never been better. The music room had become my favorite room in the house and was available to me whenever I had time, something Anton seemed determined to give me these days. I had more time to practice than ever before. And flowers had started to appear in the music room, filling it with a soft fragrance and beauty.
Those flowers… they felt like a kiss.
And now, for the first time, I wanted to play for someone.
I wanted to play for him.
I would tell him tonight, I decided. I wanted to make him happy, the way he was making me happy. I felt a sudden shock of fear. What if he didn’t like my playing? What if he was just toying with me? What if this was all an illusion? A game?
But in my heart, I knew I was safe with him. As crazy as it was, I truly did feel safe with him. I decided to take a leap of faith. It was worth it.
He was worth it.
We wandered through the museum, looking at artifacts, bodies, the origins of man. He was especially interested in showing me the hall of gems, and asking what my favorites were. It was hard for me to choose. He pointed out some sapphires that matched my eyes and I smiled, pointing out some less extravagant semi-precious gems that were nearly the same color.
He only smiled.
“Come on, I want to show you something.”
“You want to show me everything,” I joked.
He squeezed my hand.
“I do.” Then he smiled wider than I have ever seen him smile. “I’m just getting started.”
He told me to close my eyes. I let him guide me forward. We walked at least fifteen feet, my senses reeling. I could tell we were in a large room from the way our footsteps echoed.
“You can open your eyes now,” he let go of my hand and stepped away. I opened my eyes and looked around. The room was dark, with displays of marine animals all around us. He told me to look up and I did, gasping at the sight.
An enormous blue whale was suspended above us. It was massive. Suddenly, I knew what it felt like to be under the ocean, looking up to see a behemoth swimming nearby.
I felt small, but not afraid. It was a perspective shift. It was magical.
“Incredible,” I breathed.
“You look like a little girl.”
My chin came up and I slanted my eyes towards him. I couldn’t help it. I still wanted to argue with him sometimes. And I wanted him to see me as a woman, not an inexperienced child. He just smiled wider.