Chapter 14

When they sat down to eat, there was a nice, cool breeze. There were sandwiches, fruit, and a bottle of white wine.

She ate her sandwich and listened to him talk, telling her about life in a mafia family.

“As a child, were you never scared at seeing the things your father did and being around so much violence?”

“I never gave it much thought; it’s something I grew up in, so for me, it was normal. My father taught me to fight, be strong, and fear no one. He never remarried but always had a beautiful woman on his arm.”

“What about love?” she asked, staring at him.

“What about it?”

“Had he not taught you about love?”

He tilted his head back and laughed. “He didn’t believe in love, nor do I. In my line of business, being in love can make you vulnerable. My enemies would see it as a sign of weakness and think they can take us down.”

“But that is so sad; without love, what is the point of living?”

“How can you believe there is such a thing as love after the life you’ve lived with your stepfather? Did he ever show you love when he tied you to the bed and locked you inside the room? Did he show you love when he was starving you for days and making you his slave or sold you to Rudy?”

“I don’t know, but I have to believe that someone out there will love and take care of me. I choose to believe there are good people in the world, people who love each other. It’s the only thing that’s kept me going all this time.”

He sat on the edge of his seat, looking at her. “You are so innocent and naïve. You need to toughen up and think about what you can do to survive in this world. This life is not like a fairytale; there is no Prince Charming riding upon a white horse to rescue the female in distress.”

Looking into his eyes, she saw sadness, and her heart went out to him.

Getting up from where she was sitting, she went over and sat on his lap. Placing her hands behind his head, she pulled him closer and gave him a kiss.

After a moment, she broke the kiss and looked at him. “You say you are happy, but I think you are not. I think deep down, you are lonely and need love to make you truly happy.”

“Oh, so you think you know me?”

“Maybe a little. I also think you’re a good man and could be as successful as you are without all the violence.”

They stared into each other’s eyes briefly before he put his arms around her and lowered her onto the bench.

He started kissing her with an urgency that he had never felt before. Just as his hand began to explore her body and his kiss became more demanding and forceful, he stopped.

Getting off of her, he got to his feet and looked toward the other boats passing by. “We have to go home now. It will soon be time to get ready for the ballet.”

He started the engine and returned to shore without looking back at her.

A weird feeling was stabbing at his heart. He didn’t know what to think about what she said.

Later that night, he waited for her downstairs while she got dressed for the ballet.

It was a bit of a struggle doing the zipper up on her dress. If Tabitha were here, she would have gotten her to help, but she had to do it herself, thanks to Bepa, who had fired her.

She then put on the earrings and necklace that he had given her. She wanted to wear her hair up but couldn’t get it how she wanted, so she just left it down.

Since coming home from the boating trip, he had barely spoken two words to her. It did surprise her that he opened up to her as much as he had.

Taking one last look in the mirror, she put on her heels and headed downstairs to where he was waiting.

He sat in his chair, twirling the ice cubes in his drink; he kept thinking about how she had looked at him earlier with her big brown eyes.

When she took the initiative and kissed him, it surprised him. The feel of her hands on the back of his head and her lips pressed against his had his heart pounding inside his chest.

He heard her coming into the room, so putting down his glass, he stood up.

She looked like an angel, and she took his breath away. He spoke in Russian as his eyes took in every bit of her.

Whatever it was he was saying to her, it sounded sexy, and she blushed. “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

He walked toward her, circling her, his fingers lightly brushing against her arm. “I was saying that you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Your beauty takes my breath away, and I have this desire to carry you upstairs, take off your dress, throw you on the bed—and make love to you all night long.”

With him standing behind her, his warm breath on the back of her neck and his fingers caressing her arm, a tingle coursed through her body.

She was breathing heavily when she spoke. “I’m looking forward to the ballet.”

She couldn’t see him, but she knew he was smiling; he knew exactly what he was doing to her.

“All right, I did promise you, so we will go. Would you like something to drink first?”

“No, thank you,” she said, letting out the breath she held when he moved away from her.

When they got to the theater, he told her that they would be seated on the balcony, where she could see everything.

It turned out they were the only two on that particular balcony. When the lights went down and the music started, her eyes lit up in excitement. She watched every single thing that took place.

All her life, she had dreamed of seeing Romeo and Juliet. Halfway through the ballet, there was an intermission.

He had arranged for a glass of champagne to be brought up to them.

She took the glass from his hand, giving him the biggest smile ever. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am for you bringing me here. Thank you so much.”

“So, you are enjoying it?”

“Oh yes, I am; it’s the most amazing thing I’ve seen. I can’t wait to see the rest of it.”

She turned her head to look at him. “Are you enjoying it?”

“It is okay, but I will admit it is much more enjoyable watching it with you by my side.”

He reached over and took hold of her hand. “The second half is about to start.”

Tears did form in her eyes when it got to the part where Romeo took the poison because he thought Juliet was dead.

When it was over, he got to his feet and held out his hand for her to take. “I’m so glad you enjoyed it, and I will take you to another one soon if you would like to.”

“I would love that,” she said, reaching up to kiss his cheek.

She sat next to him in the car, and when she saw that they were headed in a different direction, she looked at him.

“Aren’t we going home?”

“No, I know this place where we can have a quiet drink and dance.”

She was horrified. “Dance, but I don’t know how to dance. Can’t we go home?”

He placed his hand on her knee and smiled. “It is time for you to learn. I will teach you. Please do not look so worried. I’m sure you’ll do fine. Besides, you look so beautiful in this dress, and I want to show you off.”

She sat back, knowing there was no use in trying to get him to change his mind. “I hope you are prepared to have your feet stepped on?”

All he did was chuckle.

Arriving at the club, they were shown to a seat.

He ordered a shot of whiskey, and she asked for a glass of sparkling water.

She looked around at the couples dancing. They all seemed so elegant as they swayed to the music.

“Dmitry, there’s no way I can do that. I have no rhythm and will look like a fool. Please don’t make me do this.”

Ignoring her pleas, he got up and held out his hand for her to take. “I know you can do this—just trust me, OK?”

Taking a deep breath, she took his hand and followed him onto the dance floor.

He put one arm around her waist and took hold of her hand. “Put your hand on my shoulder and follow my lead.”

When she stepped on his toe and a look of fear crossed her face, he gave her a warm smile. “It’s OK. Don’t look down at your feet. Look into my eyes and move with my body and to the beat of the music.”

She looked into his eyes and felt him pulling her closer.

When he let go of her hand, he placed his around her waist. She had no other choice but to put her arms around his neck.

It felt good being in his arms, and soon, she was moving in sync with him.

“See, you are doing great.”

“I feel like everyone is watching me.”

“They are, mostly the men, though, because they think you are the prettiest woman here.”

He saw her blush and knew she wasn’t used to getting compliments. “I bet they are thinking about what a lucky man I am to have someone so beautiful as you in my arms.”

“Dmitry, stop, I’m not,” she answered, looking down at his chest.

“Look at me,” he ordered. “Yes, you are, and if I’m not careful, you might be able to wrap me around your little finger.”

“I thought you told me you would never fall in love?”

“I never said fall in love, but I could easily become very fond of you. I will let you in on a secret. I hope once you give me a son, you will stay and help raise him, and we can continue the way we are.”

Her eyes went wide as she stared into his. “Are you talking as your wife or as your mistress?”

He tilted his head back and laughed. “Wife, God no. I will never get married. You can either have your room or continue to sleep in my bed.”

“I won’t be anyone’s mistress.”

“That will be your choice,” he said; he did not like her answer. “Well, if sex is going to be off the table, then I guess you’ll leave once our son is born.”

Feeling her body tense up, he felt terrible for spoiling their night out. He lifted her chin. “We don’t have to talk about this now. Let’s enjoy the night.”

She rested her head on his shoulder. She did not want to think of the future.

Tonight was a night free of drama and danger, and she didn’t want it to end in a fight. “Dmitry, take me home,” she said, lifting her head and placing her lips on his.

By the way she kissed him, he knew what she wanted, and it was what he wanted, too.

Taking her hand, they went to where his guards were waiting in the car and told them to step on it.

“Thank you for a lovely evening. I enjoyed every minute of it. What made it more special was that no violence or guns were being pulled.”

He took her hand and kissed it. “I am a man of my word, and I told you there would be no trouble tonight. I too enjoyed myself; it was one of the best nights of my life.”

He leaned over to whisper in her ear. “When I get you home, I will make love to you; I will wreck this cute little body of yours. Your screams will be heard outside the walls of my bedroom.”

He placed his hand on her leg, moving it under her dress. “Open your legs a little for me,” he whispered in her ear again.

She did as he asked and felt his fingers going inside her panties, biting down on her lips to stop herself from moaning when he began stroking inside her.

It didn’t work; her moans got louder just as his mouth covered hers so the men up front wouldn’t hear.

Feeling embarrassed, she stopped him and said it ever so quietly. “Dmitry, not now, not with your men up front and hearing us.”

He removed his fingers, not wanting to stop, and made a growling sound. “I knew we should have come in the other car. The window went up, which would have given us some privacy,” he whispered into her ear.

He could have laid her down and had sex with her, knowing his men would ignore them, but he didn’t want her upset, so he stopped.

She placed her hand on his face. “Thank you,” she said, kissing him.

It made her feel special that he respected her enough not to do it in the car.

Their eyes locked—and something special passed between them at that moment.