Borscht

You sit back down in the booth, as Nadia places her phone back on the table. She seems the same. You feel the same. You ponder what to expect for a few moments until you see Ana returning with two shots in her hand.

She places the shot glasses on the table, careful to not spill any of the vodka in the process.

"Two shots of Jewel of Russia, as promised," she says, and turns away.

"Thanks, Ana," Nadia smiles.

Realizing you now have a chance to test your new perk, you once again lock onto your cousin's ass as she walks away, your eyes lingering until it disappears behind the bar. To your surprise, there is no jolting pain in your shin or sharp exhale of breath. You look back to Nadia, meeting her eyes. They're narrowed, but not in anger. Curious.

She lifts the shot of vodka from the table, holding it in a toast.

"Za Lyubov."

You grab your shot, mirroring hers.

"Za Lyubov, dear."

A faint clink and you shoot the liquor back. It burns. Nadia giggles as she slams her glass onto the table, running her finger across the rim.

"Tasty," she murmurs, shooting you an alluring gaze. Her eyes meet yours, a faint glimmer at the corner of each.

You smile at Nadia, as you take her hand in your own. You rest it on the glossy table surface, rubbing your thumb across hers.

"I'm glad we were able to come here together, tonight."

"Me too."

"It's been too long since we have been alone."

"Well, without Karina calling us at least. I still cannot believe she locked herself out of the house."

She didn't, of course.

"Me either. Makes me scared to send her off to college in the fall."

"Ah, she'll be fine. I was barely older than her when I left Russia to come here."

"True. I forgot how young we both were then. Barely adults, ourselves."

"But here we are. For better or worse."

"For better or worse."

You recall the last time you said those words: standing in front of a priest, in a satin black tux, while Nadia stood beside you in a brilliant white wedding gown. The memory brings warmth to your cheeks.

"What are you thinking about, Lev?"

"Our wedding. I am remembering how wonderful you looked in that wedding dress." A snicker. "And out of it."

Nadia rolls her eyes, but the grin on her face betrays her.

"That was a fun time, wasn't it?"

"It doesn't have to be in the past."

Her eyes leap back to yours, waiting. But you say nothing. As before, you want her to instigate. She will. She has to. The app leaves her no other choice.

But it doesn't mean she has to do it now, and she doesn't. She changes the subject, instead choosing to discuss schools and bills and the other menial things of married life. You enjoy it. It is a fine change of pace from the Nadia you're used to. The conversation is only interrupted when Ana finally returns, this time carrying two bowls of soup.

"Sausage Borscht, as promised."

"Thanks, Ana," you say. You look to Nadia, continuing: "More drinks?"

"More drinks," she nods, then to Ana: "Two doubles, please."

"You didn't tell me you came to party," Ana teased. She turns to leave, your eyes once against watching her go.

Nadia's eyes meet yours, that curious expression returning again. You gingerly grab your spoon, take some of the hot soup into it, and raise it to your lips.

"If I didn't know better, I'd think you're hot for your cousin," she says. Her tone is even, not accusing or angry. As if stating she needs to go to the grocery store. You spit the soup back into your bowl.

"Well, I..." you trail off, unsure of what to say.

"Don't worry, Lev. You're not the first man to admire a beautiful woman." Nadia turns in her seat to watch Ana at the bar, her head bobbing to faint music as she fills drinks and attends to patrons. "She is very beautiful." The latter words, barely a whisper.

Curious. Curious, indeed. Undoubtedly the result of your recently purchased perk, but you're still not sure what it means.

Nadia reverts back to your prior conversation, eating her soup and acting as though she had never spoken of Ana. It is jarring, but you follow along. Soon, your bowls are empty, and Ana is returning with two double shots of Jewel.

"How was it?"

"Delicious," you answer.

"Wonderful," Nadia says.

"I'm glad. Here are your doubles. I'll take your bowls away if you're finished."

Nadia nods, and Ana soon leaves again. This time, you keep your eyes to yourself.

"What, no longer interested?" Nadia teases.

"I thought I'd focus on you, instead."

You take the shot in your hand, raising it in a toast. "What do you think?"

"Cheers," she says. English this time.

"Cheers," you repeat, knocking back the liquor once again.

A faint groan escapes Nadia as she slams the glass back onto the table. You sympathize - the stuff burns, badly.

"Alright, I'm ready to go," she says. For a moment, you think she may be angry with you. Or upset. But her eyes say otherwise. They're thinned and narrowed in a familiar predatory gaze - a lioness, ready to devour her meal. You gulp. You now realize where Karina gets it from.

"Let me get the tab then," you murmur, sliding out of the bench. As you stand up, Nadia grabs your wrist, stopping you.

"Lev." Her eyes meet yours, the hungry glare still drilling into you, as she pulls your wrist towards her. Pulled by her hand, your fingers drift across the smooth skin of her sternum, dip beneath the neckline of her satin blouse, and slide around the warm mound of her breast. Her hard nipple presses into your palm. Your hand burns at the sensation. Your cock throbs within your jeans. The first time you have touched her breasts in years, truly touched them, and it is in this place. You look around, but you are shielded from the view of the other patrons. Then she pulls your hand away, patting it safe as she places it on the table, and it is over. "Hurry back."