Shark hunting. Spartacus
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– You know, I'm not going to sleep on the floor anymore, it's getting a little cold, – Spartacus told her one day as they walked to their bedroom for the night.
Nadezhda looked at him and nothing said. He was even a little surprised, but remained silent. Then knocked down a pillow and lay on the bed on one side. Nadia lay down quietly on the other, turning her back to him.
– Good night, – he said to her in a half voice.
– Good night to you, too, – she replied.
In spite of his fatigue Spartacus couldn't sleep for a long time. He was pleased to realize that she was trying to please him and his mother. She didn't take offense at anything and didn't demand anything. And this is considering that the girl grew up in a wealthy family. Accustomed to pushing around housekeepers and bossing around servants, she suddenly turned herself into Cinderella!
Yes, she had a hard time and everyone saw it. The first time she literally collapsed from fatigue. She just lay down on the bed and passed out until morning. Even Uncle Pasha, as if trying to make it up to her, now and then brought her some presents, as if he were his own daughter. Something from outfits, scarves (she now tied her head, taking an example from her mother-in-law) or sweets, sharing them equally with Stepan. The appearance of her daughter-in-law made the house cheerful and warm. There were always flowers and washed fruits in a vase on the table. The only downside was the food they had to eat when she got down to cooking. But the men ate, choked, but ate, pretending they had never tasted anything tastier before. Not wanting to offend the girl, they chewed and smiled, looking at her. Nadia sat with bated breath waiting for the feedback, each time asking «how is it, is it good?», «yes, it's a little bit burned…», «and here it's a little raw…», «you salted it too much? I knew it!» and so on. But most of all Katerina Aleksandrovna was satisfied, especially when she didn't have to cook. Finally, there were days off in her life.
Time flew by and the girl was getting used to this house and their family. Spartacus looked at her frail back and thought, and things might even work out between them…for real. And they didn't need her money, and they didn't need any America. Possible could try, right?! There was only one thing left to do, just cover a short distance. All he had to do was touch her. He raised his hand, but it hung in the air, hesitant to reach his target. After a few seconds, he put it back in place. Tilted his head back and tiredly closed his eyes.
By the end of December, Spartacus was turning thirtieth, and though he didn't like to celebeyes. This time the family insisted on a little celebration. Especially since Nadezhda was slowly learning how to cook and she was even getting good at it, especially the cakes. She promised to bake a cake for the evening and Katerina Aleksandrovna gave promise that she would help her daughter-in-law in everything.
Spartacus worked in another settlement in an automobile repair shop. And since he had abandoned his underground fights, he had to work hard at his job to provide for his family. Little by little he saved up money with the intention of going to live in the city. But now the confidence in his former desires was leaving him. More and more he began to realize that he was drawn home. And he no longer cared about Vera and Claudia or any other women. Spartacus simply stopped noticing them. He was drawn to her. His wife.
– That's all he needed! – He thought aloud and sighed heavily.
At work, the guys made him set up a small table with alcoholic beverages.
They rebuked him for the wedding, and now he had to splurge. And when the guy arrived home, he was already a little tipsy, though he tried not to show it. Nadezhda had decorated the house with balloons and flowers, starting at the gate. He walked in, not expecting anything special, but immediately there was clapping and streamers sprinkled. The housemates and some of the other invited neighbors began congratulating him loudly on his birthday in one voice. He was dumbfounded. This had never happened before in his life. The dark winter evening was lit up with colorful lights and music. The hostesses had also done their best with the food; the table was full. Spartacus even broke into a little sweat of embarrassment. And Nadezhda, dressed in a beautiful, but simple dress with loose black hair on his shoulders, after a general greeting came up to him and touched his cheek with her lips. At that moment he ducked down and put his arm around her waist, pulling her to him. And instead of giving the girl his cheek, he covered her lips with his own. A little alcohol gave him courage and he finally did what he'd been dreaming of doing for the past few months. After a short but heated kiss, Nadezhda opened her eyes at him in amazement. The guy, unconcerned, continued to hold her in his arms, and kept his gaze fixed on her. He stubbornly expected some reaction from her, maybe she would slap him now, or send him away. But at that moment, those around her clapped and demanded to continue, like at a wedding, shouting their «bitterness. Nadia was embarrassed and smiled and turned away, without trying to push him away. Her behavior acted as a call to him and he ducked down again and took her by the chin, lifting her slightly, and kissed her. Just as briefly and gently.
And then… the taste of her soft lips and the scent of her body completely, deprived him of all peace until the night they were alone.
At the table after a long celebration, Uncle Pasha began a very painful topic, turning to the young people with a question about children. He was blurted out and his tongue was almost slurred, but he waited for an answer.
– We are not in a hurry yet, Uncle Pasha, – Spartacus hesitated. He drank little, fearing that the smell of alcohol to night might turn Nadezhda away from him. If he wasn't lucky enough to continue what they started before, at least he wouldn't have to sleep on the floor again.
– It's your thirtieth birthday, son, – the stepfather said in a serious tone, turning up his index finger. – If you have him next year, he'll only be ten at forty-one, – he said. Then he tapped his forehead, – he said, – use your head. The child should be raised on its feet, to teach some craft. Though, what's the use! – He pointed to his sleeping native son on the sofa and poured himself a hundred grams of vodka again.
Spartacus was sitting near his stepfather and patted him on the shoulder. – Stepan is still young, all in due time. And it's too early for me and the child … – he looked at his wife, who was looking at them both with fright, – we have to get our own house, we won't squeeze you! – he said and blinked at her. She sighed and nodded her head.
– We'll set you up here, – said the stepfather, waving a hand toward the yard, – you don't have to go anywhere.
He got up and staggered out into the street. Spartacus scratched the back of his head. Things were taking a serious turn. No one but the two of them and Nadia, didn't suspect that the marriage was a complete sham. And worst of all, he didn't want to believe it himself. Now he knew for sure that Nadezhda was the girl he wanted to have by side for the rest of his life.
The feast was over. Her mother emphatically sent her daughter-in-law to her husband's house and paired off with roommate to clean up.
Nadezhda entered the bedroom, feeling very uncomfortable, as if it were her first wedding night. Spartacus was lying on the bed and waiting for her. When she appeared in the doorway, he immediately got up and walked right up to her. Silently he drew her to him and began to kiss her. But already insistently and passionately. She let out a soft moan as his lips descended to her neck and he ducked down, picked her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. A veil of passion covered his eyes. Without asking, he began to kiss her skin as he went down, at the same time quickly undressing her and undressing himself.
Nadezhda in embarrassment moved away from him a little, as if she tried to escape. But he immediately pulled her back. He wrapped arms around her hips and covered her with his body. He began stroking her hair and gently kissing her lips, moving imperceptibly to her neck, whispering sweet words into her ears and kissing them. And when he felt that she had a little calmed down, he looked into her eyes and said softly, – be my wife. A real wife, Nadia. I love you.
In the morning, he put a wedding ring on her finger and flaunted his. Nadia smiled be surprised. She was still lying on the bed in one sheet; he was already in his home pants. Spartacus lay down again and reached for her with kisses.