"I get that, but what if your maid of honor came walking in here right now and we were holding hands. You wouldn't care if she started asking questions?" Megan knew something was going on between them, but that wasn't Oksana's point. This was bigger than the two of them, bigger than what she had spilled to Megan over lunch.

"Should we stop seeing each other?" Annie asked, struggling to keep her tone neutral. She was frustrated with the timing and the situation. She was frustrated with herself and a little bit with Jeff. The truth was it didn't matter how she felt about Oksana. She'd created a nightmare scenario.

"No! No. I-"

"Sana, listen." Annie held up her fingers to start counting. "One, Shane is out of town this weekend. Two, Feather lives out in Topanga Canyon. She and her boyfriend are spending the next week living in the near-authentic tipi they've just erected on his property. And my best friend-slash-maid of honor"-she did the slash through the air-"Megan wants to meet you, so we're in the clear."

"So you're just out with me because it's safe?"

Okay, that explanation came out all wrong. "No. I'm out with you because I love spending time with you. And if we ran into my friends, I would tell them the truth and I would have to deal with Jeff however that came. I would just prefer it if he heard it from me first."

"And Jeff's friends?"

"His close buddies are with him on his trip, and the other ones wouldn't be caught dead in the mall." Annie dialed down the emotion and put a gentle hand back on Oksana's hip. "I want to spend time with you."

"I..." Oksana paused. "How can you be so calm about this?"

"Because I really like you. I mean it. I want to be with you." Annie couldn't think of another way to put it. Her heart skipped when Oksana smiled.

"I should believe you, shouldn't I?"

"Yes."

"I'm into you too, if that wasn't obvious last week and yesterday in the park. And last night at your place. And this morning." Oksana sighed again then finally got to the heart of what was bothering her. "I'm just not ready for labels yet. It's one thing with Kat and Baba because they'll know everything basically. With other people, I don't know. After Jeff gets back, okay?"

"Okay. So until then we're just friends? That's the official report? No touching. No kissing. In public."

"You don't mind?"

Of course I do, Annie wanted to say, but she held that back because Oksana had a point. Being caught by her friends or any members of the wedding party would be awkward as hell, and even though Annie was slightly terrified about how things would ultimately go down once everyone knew the truth, she knew the fallout was her problem to deal with, not Oksana's. Nothing would have ruined their first day out together more than running into Shane or Feather while Annie was busy palming Oksana's ass.

If the tables were turned, Annie wouldn't want to be the other woman. Add in Oksana's romantic past, and the last thing Annie should do was pressure her further, no matter how happy Oksana made her or how sure she was about her decision. She'd promised Oksana time and patience, and that's what Oksana would get.

"No. I don't mind. Even though I really want to kiss you right now, but I get it."

"Are you sure?" Oksana frowned.

"Yes," Annie asserted with a smile. There was nothing to be upset about. "I want you to be comfortable with everything, and if you're not comfortable with the kissing and holding hands for now, then those things are out. And I'll lay off in front of your friends."

"Well..." Oksana shrugged. That put Annie at ease. At least there was some hope.

She squeezed Oksana's hand in a friendly way. "We'll play that by ear, and in three weeks I'm going to enjoy making out with you in front of everybody."

"Who's making out with who?" Kat asked. Oksana spun around to find Kat and Erica waiting with their arms filled with clothes.

"No one."

As the afternoon stretched on, Annie learned quickly just how hard it was to keep her hands to herself when Oksana was around. As they ran Baba Inna's errands, all Annie wanted to do was sneak little touches here and there and perhaps a kiss or two, but she kept her word to Oksana. There were the looks though. Annie saw the glimmer of lust in Oksana's eyes. She felt the humming electricity between them as they helped put the groceries away. She felt the same tug while they took Vasily for a walk around the neighborhood.

By the time dinner was ready, all the magic was back. The cozy feelings that had taken flight during their awkward conversation in the mall had returned. It wasn't just the warmth, Annie realized. It was a true unconditional love that radiated through the house. Baba Inna served dinner with a kiss and a pat on the butt for each girl, Annie and Erica included. She spoke English, even asking Annie polite questions about her job and telling Erica not to talk with her mouth full.

It was a type of attention Annie had never experienced growing up, and it was only made more surreal by the notion that this wasn't an act they were putting on to be polite to their guests. This was the real deal, every night. Oksana wasn't kidding; her family really mattered.

Annie's engagement to Jeff was the first time her mother had shown an ounce of interest in anything Annie did. Her dad still didn't care. Baba cared that the girls ate a full meal. She cared that homework was done. There was no fanfare, no sugar coating. That old woman cared.

Annie could live with that, she realized as they put away the last of the dinner dishes. She could be with Oksana and easily share her life with a dyed and pierced fifteen-year-old and a chain smoker. Not to mention the dog. Vasily had spent most of the evening curled up between Oksana's and Annie's feet. Her mom had a toy poodle named The Duchess who tried to bite Annie every time she went home.

The grandmother, the sister, the dog, and even Erica had their certain charm, and Annie wanted to be a part of it.

Oksana pulled into Annie's driveway. She didn't park on the street. Good sign she could stay for a little while. She probably had more Mom duties to tend to in the morning. For now, though, they were friends with benefits. As they walked up Annie's back steps, Annie wondered who would be the first to instigate a good night kiss or a last-minute good night screw. Annie was in favor of the latter. The tension had been building between them all day. It had been confusing, to say the least, but it was the growing pains of what Annie wanted to build together. She would happily put up with awkward tension and blurring of certain lines and titles for a while if it meant that she and Oksana could be together in the long run.

When they reached the back door to her house and Annie was absolutely positive no one from her wedding party would jump out of the bushes, she slid her fingers into Oksana's palm. The moment they touched, Annie's heart rate picked up.

There was this shy air between them that Annie didn't want to shake. It was that feeling that told her this new thing with Oksana was right. It made her stomach turn in a flurry and made her tongue clumsy in her mouth. This was another feeling she never had with Jeff, the moments of anticipation where she was dying to see what would happen next between them. Oksana's body made Annie's pussy wet; there was no question about that, but it was her sweet personality, the way she cared for Inna and Kat, and her fierce code of ethics that made Annie's heart soar in the cheesiest of ways "You shouldn't leave your garage door open like that," Oksana told her, her voice a little strained.

Annie peeked around her shoulder at the streetlight reflecting off the Prius's rear window. She didn't expect to be out so late, but the dishes took a while, Oksana got some laundry started, and then Erica needed a ride home. Annie loved the way Oksana helped her home run smoothly, and she loved the fact that Oksana cared about the garage door.

"I know. It's broken. I keep forgetting to call someone to come fix it."

"I can have Scooter come look at it. He's handy with all of that crap," Oksana said, licking her lips. Annie's eyes trailed from her mouth down to her chest and back up to her lips again. Oksana let out a shallow breath. Annie caught the sweet scent of the hot cinnamon lattes Baba had made while they took care of the dishes. Annie's head began to swim. She needed some sex with Oksana. Soon. She wanted that taste in her mouth.

She blinked and focused back on Oksana's deep gaze. "Yeah, that would be great. Am I going to meet this Scooter on Wednesday? I love that you have a friend named Scooter."

"I can't believe you have a friend named Feather." She gently tucked Annie's hair behind her glasses. Annie did her best not to shiver. It didn't work. She licked her own lips, swallowing to clear her mouth.

"Yeah. I can't believe that either." Why aren't we kissing?

"Scooter will be there," Oksana said. "I want you to come to dinner. My friends will like you."

"Good. I think I owe your friend Ronnie a drink. Maybe I'll bring Megan, make the group thing a little more balanced." Annie lifted her head and gently pressed their lips together. If Oksana had to go, this could be the start of their good-bye, but not a full good night. Not yet.

Oksana must have keyed into that idea because she held back. No tongue, just soft, wet brushes in the opposite directions. "Has it been three weeks yet?" she murmured once Annie pulled away.

"What time is your first session?" Annie asked breathlessly.

"Not till late. What time do you have to be at work?" Oksana murmured back.

"By nine thirty. Would you like to maybe spend the night?"

"You want me to? Even though I was being-"

"A flake?" Annie laughed as Oksana rolled her eyes. "Well, I figure since I can't feel you up in the mall, it would be nice to wake up next to you in the morning."

"That would be nice."

Annie unlocked the door to the mudroom and let Oksana walk ahead of her. "I'm too short to carry you inside. Otherwise, this would be way more romantic."

"I don't know. Did you see Kat pick up Erica?"

They walked into the living room, and Annie flicked on the small overhead light. "Holy shit. I know. Have you been making her do her squats before school?" she asked.

Oksana's burst of laughter and the way her eyes looked in the soft golden light made Annie's cheeks strain with a smile. So far, things had been a little weird between them, but she loved the little moments like this. She loved seeing Oksana happy.

"No. She's just strong."

"I love your family." Annie had to tell her.

"You do?"

"Yeah. You're right, and Baba isn't as scary as she looks. She can cook." Now Annie knew why Oksana worked out so much. Baba Inna wasn't skimming on the butter or the cream or the sugar or any of God's other sweet, fattening goodness when she cooked. The stroganoff was mouthwatering and the fresh bread and cheeses-Annie would be back to her winter weight in no time if she kept eating over there. Hopefully, she'd be invited back.

"I'm glad you like them, and I'm glad you came over today. Don't worry. My grandmother thinks everyone is too thin, even me. Her worst nightmare is me becoming all Hollywood skinny."

Annie lazily eyed Oksana's long frame. She would look sexy as hell with more padding, but Baba had a point. Annie would hate to see those curves go.

"Do me a favor?" Annie said.

"Sure."

"Take off your clothes. All of them."

Oksana blinked, but nodded. "Okay." She swallowed thickly.

"I'll be right back." With that, Annie left Oksana so she could gather a few things to spice up the night.

She wanted to show Oksana just how well she could behave not only in public, but just how well she could treat Oksana in the bedroom, or on the living room couch. Deep in the back of her closet, ugh, right under her wedding dress, she found a gag gift Shane had given her for her birthday. The dildo was easily over nine inches long, a light tan rubber with thick veins running all the way down to a ridiculous set of plastic balls. It was still in its original packaging, but after a quick look Annie figured it was about the same size around as Oksana's dildo at home.

Annie ripped the plastic open, then ducked into the bathroom to give the toy a quick scrub. Before she went back to Oksana, she threw a thick towel over her shoulder then she grabbed a bottle of water from the kitchen.

She tried to act casual when she stepped back into the living room, but then again how could anyone act casual with such a gorgeous ass staring them in the face?

Oksana whipped around on the balls of her bare feet. Her eyes sprang wide once she got a load of the stuff in Annie's hands.

God, she looked so fucking beautiful, nervously crossing her hands over her waist so her arms just barely covered her nipples.

"You cold?" Annie asked, eying Oksana's piercings.

"No, just, ya know...naked."

Annie ran her tongue over her teeth. "I know. I like it. Here." She placed the water and the dildo on the coffee table, then snapped the towel out over the couch. "We might make a little mess." If Annie had it her way. "Have a seat."

Oksana crossed to the couch and perched on the edge, right in the center of the towel. Annie pulled a cushion off the loveseat and smiled at Oksana as she quickly caught on and opened her legs. The large pillow flopped between her feet. Annie came right behind it and dropped to her knees.

"You seemed a little stressed out today, so I thought I could help you relax."

"By getting me naked?"

"And making you come like crazy." Annie reached behind her for the rubber cock. Then she leaned forward. Oksana followed, her elbows on her knees, but Annie stopped just before their lips met.

"Listen, from what I've seen today, you're a great mom. I know you're a great trainer. I just feel like it's been a while since you've had someone take care of you. And no, I don't count Baba's cooking for you. I don't have a big ole strap-on, but I have this." She ran the rubber between her fingers. "And my mouth."

"Well, I'm ready for that mouth."

Annie sat back and gently opened Oksana's legs, getting a perfect look at the moisture glistening on the bare cocoa-pink skin.

"Yes, you are."

Chapter Ten.

The Shift Oksana reached inside Annie's shirt and pulled out her tits. Her top was cut just low enough for the luscious orbs to spill over the scoop cut collar. Annie's nipples were already hard, but they were instantly harder the moment the AC hit their full tips. It was difficult to keep her mouth to herself, but Oksana held back. She liked the direction Annie was taking things. First, though, she kissed her.

It had been a long day, but every odd, uncomfortable moment leading up to this point had been worth it. Oksana tasted Annie's lips, her pussy growing more and more wet as Annie whimpered against her mouth. It was nice to know she wasn't the only one practically crazed with lust. More than once, Oksana wanted to push Kat and Erica off on Baba so she could drag Annie to the little house, if just for a few minutes.

Yes, she did feel like the other woman, and she was afraid of running into Annie's friends, among other things, but she did want Annie. When she took the time to ignore her fears, Oksana noticed her skin tingled every time they touched. When she noticed just how far she'd come, what she stood to gain from trusting the right person, her heart felt like it would burst. Oksana was happy.

Annie had fit in perfectly with her family. She deserved a prize for sitting through Erica's constant yammering, but what Oksana loved the most was the way Annie had treated Kat. At first glance, the kid screamed delinquent, but Annie saw right through the makeup and the piercings and encouraged her. Her friends were great with Kat, but no girlfriend or lover, especially not Vivian, had taken an interest in her or treated her with real respect. That meant a lot, and Annie didn't have to do it.

She regretted the request she'd made in the mall. Oksana and Annie were a good match, but in the long run, Jeff had to be dealt with. She was game for all of this, for all of Annie. There had to be real closure, before her fears truly faded away. Fears she was willing to ignore at the moment.

She drew her fingers across Annie's chest, fondling her breasts like she had the night before. Maybe she was developing a fetish.

Oksana slid further to the edge of the couch and deepened their kiss.

She loved being with Annie, she loved talking to Annie, loved sitting with her around the big house. She had real feelings for Annie, and as the hours passed and those feelings grew stronger, she was starting to think Annie felt the same way, beyond wanting to see where things could go between them. The question was, would she have the balls to ask, to say the words herself?

Annie pulled away from their kiss.

"I'm starting to get that U-haul joke," Annie whispered, her eyes glazing over as Oksana kept on with her breasts.

"There's no way I'm moving to Venice," Oksana said before she leaned in to take Annie's mouth again.

"I wouldn't dream of taking you away from West Hollywood, but I'd love to spend more nights with you." Oksana sat back a little as Annie sat up and began licking her way down her neck. Oksana turned her head slightly and got a whiff of Annie's shampoo. She smelled like oranges and sunshine.

"Bring a change of clothes with you to work tomorrow. Dinner is at seven," Oksana moaned as she pinched Annie's nipples.

"I'll be there. Now stop with the boobs. I want to fuck you."