Page 91 of Shutter and Sin
We’re barely out of the driveway before his hand is on my thigh. His thumb moves in circles, making it hard to think aboutanything else. “Make sure you focus in class,” he says, sounding genuinely concerned. “I don’t want you to have to repeat a course.”
I look down at his hand, then back at him. "Seriously? A lecture? What's next? Are you going to start packing my lunch and checking my homework? Or did you mysteriously become my parent?"
"I’m your husband," he says so as a matter of fact. To him, that’s the only reason he needs. "I want you to succeed. We spent enough money to skip the waitlist at this college, so the least you can do is pass. Make me proud, okay?"
I roll my eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, Professor."
He chuckles softly, and I focus my attention back on the road. We drive by the city as I watch it blur with pedestrians and buses, people hustling from one place to another, trying to get to their destination. And then the university area starts to appear - floods of young men and women walking hastily on the sidewalk, their movements quick, probably trying to get to their classes early. Soon I’ll be just like that. The thought of the experience makes my heart race.
The university gate looms ahead, and I quickly decide. “Hey, Alexei?”
“Yes,Vedma,” he replies, never taking his eyes off the road.
“Can you drop me off here?”
His attention snaps out from the road to look at me. “Why?” He frowns. “You are putting on heels, and it’s a long walk to the gate. I don’t mind taking you all the way.”
The easy way never does it with Alexei. With either of us, even. So, I reach over and grab the steering wheel.
“Vedma, stop!” His voice goes sharp. “You’re gonna crash us!” The car jerks a little.
“Drop me off here,” I tell him. “I don’t want to show up in a luxury vehicle on my first day.”
He gives me an annoyed look, then stops the car.
“Thank you, babe,” I say with my brightest, most innocent smile. I kiss his cheek quickly, rewarding good behavior.
The handle clicks, but the door stays shut. I stare at the lock in disbelief before glaring over at him. "Seriously? Why is it locked? I need to get to class."
He shakes his head, his expression playful but firm. Pointing a slow finger to his mouth, his eyes locked on mine, Alexei murmurs. "Try again. Only this time, aim for the lips. I don't do 'goodbye' kisses on the cheek."
I roll my eyes and lean across the center console, aiming for a quick hit-and-run kiss. Just enough to get the door unlocked. But Alexei doesn’t do "quick." The second our lips touch, his hand slides to the back of my neck, anchoring me in place. He doesn't just kiss me, he takes over.
We’re there for what feels like forever, his thumb tracing my throat while he ruins my lipstick. When he finally breaks away, I’m gasping for air. My mouth feels bruised, and my brain is complete mush. I can't even find the door handle anymore.
I shove the door open and stumble out, gulping down the fresh air. My legs feel like jelly, and my heels aren't helping. I put a hand to my mouth, certain my lips look bruised and obvious to everyone on campus.
The whir of the power window makes me turn around. Alexei is leaning toward the opening, looking way too satisfied with himself.
"Vedma,” he calls. “I'm not interested in getting a call from the principal today. Be on your best behavior." I don’t know where he got the idea that there are principals in university but okay.He waits until I’m a good ten feet away before he loses his mind. "Love you!"
The shout cuts through the morning quiet, making me jump. A group of girls nearby looks from the expensive car to me,grins spreading across their faces. I don't look back. I just wave a hand in the air and keep moving, praying for the ground to swallow me whole. Between my bruised-looking lips and the sheer embarrassment, I’m already having a stellar first day.
I breeze through the paperwork, collecting my schedule and heading straight for my first class. “Introduction to Journalism” in building D. Walking into that lecture hall is overwhelming. So many students packed in, filling every seat; young kids barely out of high school mixed with older adults. Some people look older than me, which is oddly comforting. I’m not alone in being a late starter.
The professor announces we’re stuck in groups for the semester and starts rattling off names. I end up with four strangers. The first guy has sandy brown hair and looks way too relaxed for a first day. He holds out a hand. "I’m Kostya."
The guy next to him just nods, his dark eyes scanning the room like he’d rather be anywhere else. "Yegor."
A girl with a blonde ponytail gives me a bright, welcoming look. "I’m Yulia."
"And I’m Larisa," the last girl adds, leaning forward with a small, genuine smile.
“Hi, I’m Zoya Romanov,” I say, waving shyly. For a moment, I think everything is going to be fine and normal, but then Larisa’s eyes drop to my hands, and she gasps.
“Holy shit, is that real?” she says, pointing at my ring. I immediately feel my face heat up as I pull my hand back.
“Yes,” I say quietly.
