VALERIE
Iread over my thesis again. It feels like it’s missing something. And I can’t missanythingif I’m going to be a real doctor. I smile at the idea but then make a note. I tap my pen against my lip, then consult some of the sources I printed. Of course, I’ve ruined the office over the last three weeks.
There are papers everywhere, books carefully laid out on the floor around me, some notes from my professor pinned on the wall to remind me, and cards from my men. Little reminders that I can do it and they have faith in me.
I hear a knock on the door. I tap the pen against my mouth again. “It’s open. Just step over things. Not on, please.” I say simply as my eyes skim over another section of my paper.
“Dorogaya.” Hunter’s hands' stroke over my shoulders, then he wraps a blanket around me. “I haven’t seen you all day.”
“I can’t figure out what I’m missing here. It seems good, tight, all my citations are correct.”
“You should reward Lief for checking all of them. He’s missed you in the kitchen,” Hunter purrs in my ear. “and Chase has been overwhelmed at work.”
“I know.” I set the pen down and lean back to look up at my boyfriend. “I’m almost done, I promise. I’d rather be with you guys, but there’s a hole and I just can’t put my finger on what it is.”
Hunter gently wipes my lip and shows me some ink. “Take a break.”
“I don’t have time for that, Krolik,” I whisper. “Or I would have jumped you yesterday when you walked in here naked.”
“Instead of yelling at me until my dick went soft?” He arches an eyebrow, trying to look angry, but I see the hurt there.
I stand up and wrap my arms around him, kissing his neck and leaving a trail of ink. Hunter keeps his arms down. I huff and pull his arms around me. I haven’t just been isolated working, I’ve been studying Russian too. As a surprise for my men. They’re supporting me and I want to be able to support them too ... in multiple languages.
“I love you,” I say in Russian. “I miss you all the time.”
Hunter blinks at me and takes a slow breath. I kiss his mouth. I switch back to English so he doesn’t throw me over his shoulder and drag me to bed. “Once I submit this, I’m done with school and you, Chase, and Lief can have me as often as you want, whenever you want.”
He growls in his throat, then kisses me hungrily. His tongue tangles with mine as his hands slide down to my ass to jerk me against him. He nips my bottom lip, sending a wave of lust through me.
He draws back. “I don’t just miss fucking you, Valerie. I miss your sass, spending time with you, talking with you, and seeing you smile.”
He’s so damn sweet when he wants to be. I tighten my hold on him.
“Chase is extra pouty since he hasn’t gotten to tell you about things and I think he misses you telling him that he’s doing well,” Hunter whispers in my ear. “All of us miss you. So, I’m going to destroy this office when you’re done and remove every door in the house.”
I laugh and kiss him again. “Soon.”
“You’re supposed to be on break.”
“I know, but-”
“And Lief is losing his mind preparing for tomorrow, even if he won’t admit to it.”
“Tomorrow?” I ask.
Hunter exhales slowly. “You forgot.”
I turn, look at the date, and jump. “Oh my god. Thanksgiving.”
“With the parents and your brother. You agreed to it.”
“I know.”
“And you said you’d help cook.”
“Fuck!” I kiss Hunter again. “I love you, you know that?”
He rolls his eyes, but I smush his face between my hands. “You are sweet and wonderful, always working hard to be better, and there’s no way I would be halfway sane right now without you coming in to remind me of the real world.”