Unholy Matrimony, page 2
The sharp knocks continue. I turn the knob and open the door to my fate.
1. Hello
2. Love
3. Enough with this shit!
4. Love
5. Shut up
6. Lion
7. Love
8. Please!
Chapter two
Leonid
I’m standing outside her door, and it’s fucking freezing outside! Bang. Bang. Bang. God, this woman better be ready to go. I bring my fist back to knock again, and the door flies open. The most breathtaking pair of blue eyes are glaring back at me. Even dressed modestly, she is a vision. Her creamy complexion grew rosy from the cold air, hitting her face. The dress she is wearing is a deep blue, the color in contrast with her ice-blue eyes is making my knees weak. She wears no makeup and I much prefer it that way.
In the months I have been watching her, she has worn none. Her natural beauty doesn't need it. Most of the women who throw themselves at me are caked in makeup. After a night of fucking, they look like completely different people. I hated it. Alina, my housekeeper has had to throw out so many towels and sheets from the makeup stains. I am sure she will appreciate this about Kalina.
“What the hell are you staring at?” Kalina asserts as she crosses her arms. She shivers slightly from the cool air that flows through the door. I had to snap myself back to reality and get this moving, otherwise, we would be late and I don’t need to hear shit from my father. He was already in a mood because of this stipulation I had added to his deal.
“Nothing,” I state as I push past her into the foyer. “We are already running late. Are you ready to go?”
“Yes, but what about my parents and sister? Are they coming with us?”. She stares at the floor, not wanting to look at me. I'm not sure if she's repulsed or trying to be submissive, but I want her to look me in the eye.
I grip her chin and raise it gently so that our eyes meet, and I softly say, “They will come separately, but they will be there. I will promise you that. Despite your reluctance, I'll ensure they attend our wedding and other important occasions. I may be a wicked man, but now that you are mine, there is nothing I wouldn't do for you. Do you understand that? Ty samaya krasivaya zhenshchina, kotoruyu ya kogda-libo videl, samyy nezhnyy tsvetok. Mne ne terpitsya uvidet', kak ty rastsvetayesh' pod moim prikosnoveniyem.1” The look of suspicion on Kalina’s face tells me she doubts my words. I let go of her chin, and I motion to all the coats to which she pointed to the one that's hers. I take it from the hook and hold it out to put it on her. She slips into it, adjusts, and starts buttoning it up. Her eyes look me up and down. I would kill to know what she is thinking at this moment. Seeing her luggage sitting on the bench, I grab it.
Kalina shouts to her family that she is leaving and she will meet them there. I am already down the front steps and waiting. I don't need to see her family right now. I don't need the judgemental stares or the anger I know her father must be harboring. He wasn’t happy that I had my eyes set on his daughter, though he didn’t put up much of a fight. She quickly rushes down the steps after closing the door. The last step is covered in ice and as she steps down, she slips and flings forward, about to smack head-first into the walkway. “Vot der'mo! 2” She cries out.
I pivot, grab her by the shoulders, and plant her firmly on the pavement. "They should maintain these steps better during the winter months!" I growled. “You could have hurt yourself!” The heat of anger flares across my face. Kalina looks to the ground, her body tense from my words.
Tak Tak Tak3, we will have to change that. I don’t want my soon-to-be wife to fear me.
“Mne zhal'4 We haven't had outdoor care here in a while. My father said that he could do it himself to save some money. That has not gone very well. My mama constantly has to tell him to do things.”
“I am not angry with you, Kalina.” I say to her, softening my voice, “That is dangerous and it could not only have hurt you, but someone else.” Not that I particularly care about other people, but I would have been upset if it were myself or my father… hell, even if it was her mother or sister. All because her father was being cheap and lazy.
I held out my arm to her, motioning for her to take it and she did, but with hesitation. I pat her hand as we walk out the front gate to the waiting car. I open the car door for her and she settles inside as I put her bag in the trunk.
Once inside the car, I nodded to the twins and we set off. The church is only a 15-minute drive from the Nikolov home, so I think we will still make it there in time to have a few moments to ourselves before we have to go inside. I hate the silence, so I turn toward her and say, “I am sorry if yesterday ruined your meal. Your mother mentioned that you had been home all day preparing for Maslentisa. I have to admit that I am not very strict with the church calendar and don’t follow the fast very well. Am I right to assume you do?”
She nods. “I do, and I do not intend to change that. I follow all the recommendations of the church. If I am going to be forced into this life with you, I will expect my new home to reflect my values, not just yours.”
She speaks with such purpose, and it makes my heart skip. As much as her father promised her meekness, he didn’t let on that she was strong in her convictions. I have a feeling she will be fun to watch unravel. She has never known the touch of a man, so she is going to be so tight and wound up. My eyes drift up and down her body, wondering how perfect it is under the full-coverage dress.
She catches me staring, and her cheeks flush a rosy red. I smirk and lean in so only she can hear “Moy prekrasnyy Tsvetok5. Does my appreciation of your body make you uncomfortable? Soon I will know what you sound like when you come. Soon you’ll cry out for God, but it will be for me. Ty budesh' moyey khoroshey devochkoy, malyshka?6”
Her breath quickens and I glance down just as she clenches her thighs together. A deep growl comes from my chest. I pull myself back to sitting upright.
Keep it together Lenya, you need to hold off until after the wedding. Can’t make her love you if you force yourself on her.
The car pulls up to the enormous cathedral, and Ilya turns around to face us. “If you are done flirting. You can get out here and we will go find somewhere to park the car. We will be in shortly,” motioning to his brother. I open my door and quickly race around to Kalina’s door to open it. The door creaks as it opens, and I hold out my hand for her. She takes it and I hoist her up from the seat.
Adjusting her dress and making sure her platok is still in place, she walks ahead of me. I let out a stifled breath, knowing that she wanted to get far away from me after that moment in the car. She probably doesn't want the thought of me being intimate with her to make her more nervous before the long service. Smirking, I take the steps two at a time to reach her.
Before she can reach the door, I pull her back and spin her around. “Chto?7 I am going to lose my favorite spot if I am any later.” I shake my head.
Such a pious little thing. Still flustered from the car, I think she might even be angry.
“Moy prekrasnyy Tsvetok8, If someone is in your precious spot, I will move them myself. Remember, Kalina, not a word about this little arrangement to anyone. Not even your favorite babushka. I would hate to have to punish you.” Kalina snorts.
Lord help me, she is going to test me and then I will have to take her over my knee here on the steps.
I linger a bit too long on the thought of hiking up that dress and spanking her ass. Shaking my head, I look at her and she is rolling her eyes. “Leonid, I will say nothing. I am not stupid. Oh, and if we are to play this off as if we are a happy couple wanting to get engaged…don't call me Kalina. It's too formal. You can call me Lina. What can I call you?”
“Too soon for Papochka 9?” I chuckle.
Eyes wide, she crosses herself and says “Lord have mercy!”
“Okay, don’t have a heart attack Tsvetok10. Lenya. You can call me Lenya.”
Opening the doors and walking inside brings back so many memories of my Mama. Before she died, she would take me every Saturday night and Sunday morning for Liturgy. She tried to get me to serve as an altar boy, but I was just too much trouble for Fr. Ireni to handle. My father never came, unless it was Pascha or Christmas. Cancer took her from me at fifteen, and for a while after, I would still go. It's where I felt closest to her. Fr. Ireni tried to help me with my grief, but what he said would just make me angrier.
My father, while he said he loved Mama, moved on rather quickly and a barrage of new women claiming they were my Mama now came into my life. They never stuck around. Father would use them up, beat them when he’d get drunk, sober up, and kick them to the curb. Then start the cycle all over again. I started working for my father at seventeen despite Fr. Ireni trying to persuade me to finish school. What could I say? I knew the life, and I was already so good at being bad. I had already lost my Mama; I had nothing else.
I started coming back here right after my twenty-fourth birthday. I had a dream about Mama and she told me I would find what I was looking for here if I came back. So, I listened. The very first service back, I saw her. Kalina was standing towards the front on the women’s side, her little sister Raisa next to her. She was so beautiful that I couldn't stop looking at her, even though I knew I shouldn't. I watched her as she would sing along with the hymns when she would cross herself, and when she did her prostrations. Lord have mercy, watching her bend down for prostrations, imagining I am kneeling behind her. Gliding my hands down her bare back. Taking her from behind. Hearing her call out my name instead of God’s.
Naturally, I became a regular again, just so I could see her. Never approaching, but always watching. I knew she would never really notice me. Her eyes always faced forward. She was almost monastic in the way she never spoke to any man besides her Papa, Father. Ireni, and the Deacons. I worried she would try to take monastic vows to become a nun. I started bringing her up to my father in conversation. Especially since he started noticing I wasn’t sleeping around anymore.
No more random women leaving the house at all hours. My father kept joking that I was going to become a priest if I kept it up. I have fallen too far from God’s grace for that ever to happen. Not to mention the constant state of my thoughts about Kalina, which keeps me in confession weekly. I should probably go every day, but I would more than likely start annoying Father. Ireni!
Lina approached the stand where informational pamphlets and candles were being sold in the Narthex and started fumbling with her tiny bag to pull out some money. I reached into my wallet and handed her a few bills. “Grab one for me, malyshka11. Lord knows I can use all the prayers I can get.” I winked at her and went to go to my Mama’s favorite icon to pray for her. After I finished praying, I walked toward the doors and saw Lina waiting, hoping her parents and sister would be here soon. She was antsy. Hopefully, they will be here soon, so she will relax a bit before the service starts.
I look out the door. Oleg and Ilya are walking up the steps, and right behind them is Lina’s family. The twins nod my way and head into the Nave. I look at Lina and her family and motion for them to come inside. We all walk down towards the front and go to our respective sides. Her Papa and I stand next to each other, Oleg and Ilya behind us. I look over to the women’s side and see Lina standing in between her Mama and sister. Her attention is solely on the Liturgy now. I try my best to stay focused, but my eyes wander to her every few minutes.
As if she can feel me, this time she looks over at me. I give her a coy smile and her face flushes that rosy color I love so much. I love the way I affect her. She may hate me now, but soon she won’t be able to live without me. She will be mine in every way possible. As I stand next to her Papa in the church, I am imagining all the way I will have her. My mama would be so disappointed in me.
I snap out of my depraved thoughts just as the priest comes out for his homily. Knowing my father has already spoken with Father Ireni, this was going to be a short word about marriage rather than the blessing of our engagement.
Father Ireni clears his throat. “Good Strength! Getting prepared for the Lenten season is always a trying time for some. But today we have something wonderful to celebrate! Marriage reveals the Kingdom of Heaven to the world through the couple and their life together.”
“Through the children, they bring to the church their love for one another. Today I will give a blessing to Leonid Borisovich Igorov and Kalina Nikolova, on their wishes to marry!” Someone, somewhere in the Nave, gasped. Oleg snorted from behind me. I turned to look at him with a raised brow.
Father Ireni motioned for us to come forward. I looked over at her and made my way to the aisle. Meeting her, we walked up side by side and stood before him. As he gave the blessing, I snuck a peek at her face. Now I was expecting a wall of stone, but it surprised me to see a slight smile. Part of me wants to believe that it’s not a fake smile but I know that’s what it must be. I turn back to Fr. Ireni, kiss his outstretched hand, and turn to start back to my spot. When we are both back to our previous places, Fr. Ireni delivers the next bit of news. “Now, typically weddings are not permitted during a fast, but I have given special dispensation. Leonid and Kalina will be married on Friday. All are welcome to attend!”
Now that is a surprise. One I was not expecting.
The looks coming from the Nikolova women were undoubtedly a telling sight! I’ll admit I wasn’t expecting it to be this soon, and I wonder how much my father had to pay to get Fr. Ireni to agree to this. Fuck! How are we going to plan a whole Orthodox wedding in a week? Can you even get a dress in a week? I guess that’s more of a question for Lina. That’s even if we make it to Friday. Lina is giving me a death glare… but she’s too pretty for it to be scary.
Let's hope the Pakhan has thought this through making it so soon because I don’t see how it can be done.
1. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, the most delicate flower. I can't wait to see how you blossom under my touch
2. Oh Shit!
3. Tsk Tsk Tsk
4. I'm sorry!
5. My beautiful flower
6. Will you be my good girl, baby?
7. What?
8. My beautiful flower.
9. Daddy
10. Flower
11. Baby
Chapter three
Kalina
After Liturgy, everyone makes their way to the hall to have coffee. I see my parents and sister talking with Father. Ireni. Papa is looking visibly distressed at what is being said. My sister and I lock eyes and she beckons me to come over. I shake my head. My thoughts are heavy and I need an escape. I turn and head towards the back door of the church, to the garden. In the garden there is an icon of Saint Peter and Fevronia, they are who you pray to for strength in your marriage.
Better get a start now, maybe they can intercede so I don’t kill Lenya! What was he thinking being married during Lent and this coming Friday at that? Weddings during Lent don’t happen, and weddings on Fridays don't happen. I already feel like my life is going to be in a constant state of praying for forgiveness because of him.
As I am finishing up my prayer, I feel his presence. “It’s very rude to sneak up on a person praying,” I say, crossing myself.
“Sorry malyshka1, I’ll keep that in mind. I can’t help but watch you. You captivate me. The faith you have is so beautiful. I can only hope our children will have it as well, nothing like me, a horrible sinner.” I roll my eyes at him, already talking about children.
He gives me a coy smile. “Keep rolling your eyes at me malyshka2, I may not fuck you just yet but I can think of other things I can do to you,” For a moment I stop breathing, and he starts toward me with a devilish look in his eyes.
I want to run but to where? If I ran back inside, I would be forever talking with everyone about the upcoming nuptials and I don’t want to do that right now. If I ran out of the garden, my only option would be to run toward the parish cemetery and the forest. Right now I am much more comfortable with the departed than the living.
I stare him down as I gather the skirt of my dress in both hands and then take off, banking for the cemetery. Thank goodness I am wearing my good winter boots! I’m running as fast as I can. Lenya’s laugh is roaring over the garden and as I get to the gate of the cemetery, I hear him yell “Moy prekrasnyy Tsvetok3. I’m a starved lion hunting and you are my prey. I’ll bet you taste divine!”
Running through the rows of headstones and crosses for what seems like forever, I finally reach the edge where the trees meet. I hide behind the giant tree. The trunk is so thick I can’t see around it. Out of breath, I try to take in oxygen at a steady pace.
I don't know how far behind Lenya was, so I try to stay as quiet as I can. I hear a twig snap and dart my eyes to my left…then to my right. Nothing. My breathing quickens and I know he must be near. I step away from the trunk and just as I am about to take off again; I feel his eyes on me. Before I can even take a step, he’s behind me. He presses into my back and I can feel his cock against me.
“You feel how hard I am, malyshka4? Chasing you is the greatest foreplay.” He reaches around and snakes his hand up between my breasts. His forearm grazes my nipple and sends a wave of electricity down to my core. It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced! His hand wraps around my neck and he gives a gentle squeeze. Panic sets in and I try to pull away, but his grip tightens and pulls me back into him. “Nashla tebya, malyshka5. Are you ready for your punishment?”
Lenya turns me to face him, his hand still wrapped around my throat. He tilts my face up to meet his eyes. Squeezing with just the tips of his fingers, a tingly feeling spreads across my face and head. “Pull down your leggings and take off your panties,” he asserted, not breaking eye contact.
