Nik grinned, and his single dimple came out to say hello. Lidi poked it with a small finger, and Nik gently nipped it.
Oh, my Lord. These Leokov men were stunning, every single one of them.
Lev frowned down at me. “That’s exactly what I mean, mouse.”
I glared up at him, stepped on my tiptoes, and whisper-hissed, “Maybe ixnay on the omelesshay, sweetie. Okay? Thanks.”
His face softened a degree. “I’m not ashamed of you, Mina.”
Nik coughed out a laugh before coming over and wrapping his free arm around my shoulders, leading us in. “Whatever, Mina. I’m not judging, sweetheart. Come meet the family.”
I spotted Nas and Sasha talking to another man who looked remarkably like Nik, and when we approached, the man spotted me, separated himself, and came at me like a bull going at a rodeo clown, only happily. He reached us, bent a little, wrapped his arms around me, and lifted me in a giant bear hug. I squeaked as he shook me around like a doll a moment, set me on my feet, and pulled back, beaming. “Lev’s woman! I’m Max, groom, cool dude, cousin.”
I couldn’t help but smile. This guy was crazy.
I looked him up and down. He wore a sophisticated three-piece suit with white Chucks, and still looked heavenly. When my eyes reached his face and landed on his smile, another Leokov dimple came out to play and my stomach flipped. Max put his arm around me and pulled me into his side, shaking me a little. “Don’t be shy, short stuff.” He grinned, and I swear his teeth sparkled. “We’re family.”
That was when Lev approached and Max pulled back, opening his arms wide. Lev smirked, walking into his arms. More hugs and kisses were exchanged then suddenly a gaggle of pretty women appeared, along with two other men—who were both sexy as hell, mind you.
What the heck were they putting in the water up here?
A brunette with a wide smile and green eyes stepped forward and eyed our gorgeous little princess, who was now resting her head on Nik’s shoulder and sucking her thumb. Smart girl. The woman smiled gently. “Hi there, honey. And who are you?”
“This little angel is Lidiya.” Nik jerked his chin to Lev. “Lev, this is my wife, Tina. Tina, baby. Lev, my cousin.”
Her face brightened and her excitement was completely genuine. She came forward and hugged a rigid Lev, rubbing a hand up and down his back. “Oh, wow. Hi!”
She pulled back and without an introduction, she came forward and put her arms around me. “I’m Tina!”
I hid my surprise the best I could and hugged her back. “Mina.”
She laughed softly. “No. Tina. With a T.”
I smiled at her. She was cute. “I know. I meant my name is Mina.”
She gasped. “Mina!” She pointed to herself. “And Tina!” She looked at her husband with wide eyes and spoke slowly. “Mina and Tina. That’s so cool.”
Nik chuckled under his breath and then laughed, shaking his head. Tina wrapped her arm around mine. “We were going to bring our girls with us, but,” she cringed, “we don’t get much time alone anymore. When Nik’s mom offered to babysit all the little ones,” she huffed out a laugh, “I almost threw them at her.” Her smiled faded, she stopped mid-step, and her face turned pained. “That sounded terrible.” Her lips pursed. “I’m a horrible mother.”
I laughed. She was adorable. “No, that sounds kind of reasonable, actually.”
“Really?” she asked, genuinely concerned.
I nodded. “You need time for yourself too.”
She smiled at me before turning to Nik, who was glaring at his brother and reluctantly handing Lidi over to Max. She went willingly, and Max pretended to eat her chubby cheeks. God, these men were destroying my ovaries, one sweet act at a time. She smiled and laughed through the sucking of her thumb. Tina told me, “Gosh, she’s beautiful, Mina.”
I grinned, pushing down the fact I had no right to feel proud of Lidi. “I know. And I think she does too.”
Tina rolled her eyes. “Oh, I know. Little girls know how to play their daddies. And it only gets worse as they get older, trust me.”