Chapter 33

Once the plane landed and they drove to the house, they were all glad to be away from the mess back home. Dmitry thought it would be good for Danica since she was still upset about taking a life.

Dennis and Tabitha took the guest room near the back of the house. After getting settled in, they met up in the family room. David had been fed and changed and was asleep in his bassinet.

Danica sat beside Dmitry, resting her head on his shoulder with his arm around her. After everything they had been through and the flight here, she was totally exhausted even though she had slept on the plane.

“I don’t feel like cooking a hot meal, so do you guys mind if we just have sandwiches and a salad for dinner?”

Dennis got to his feet. He knew the women were both still upset over what had happened, so he told them to relax.

“You ladies, just sit down and take it easy while I make some sandwiches and coffee. I’m sure I can even get Dmitry to help me.”

Groaning, Dmitry got to his feet and stood in front of Dennis.

“I’m no good in the kitchen, but I’ll come and keep you company.”

He turned back to look at Danica and Tabitha.

“You ladies, stay here, and we’ll bring the food to you.”

When the men were in the kitchen, Dennis started preparing the sandwiches and other things. Dmitry helped out by buttering the bread and turning on the coffee percolator.

“I want you and Tabitha to do a favor for me tomorrow evening.”

“Anything, boss, just name it.”

“I want you both to keep an eye on David so Danica and I can spend some alone time by the water. I have a question to ask her and must do it when we’re alone.”

“What are you going to ask her? Oh, I’m sorry, it’s none of my business.”

He had a funny feeling he knew what it was after they had stopped at the jewelry store before going home to the chaos.

“I see no reason not to tell you, but you cannot tell Tabitha or else she might tell Danica, and I want it to be a complete surprise. I’m going to ask her to marry me.”

“Well, it’s about damn time,” Dennis said as he cut the sandwiches in half.

“Did you ever think when you took her from Rudy that you would fall in love with her?”

“Not really, but I did know there was something about her that I was drawn to. I never believed in love or marriage before, but now I do. The funny thing is she knew that I was in love with her before I did. I can never escape my life, but I can make some changes.”

Dennis picked up the tray of sandwiches and was curious as to what his boss meant by that, but he knew better than to ask.

That night, as they lay in bed with David in his bassinet, he listened to them breathing while they slept. He had wanted a child, a son, to carry on the business, but now he did not want his family to go through what he had to go through every day.

He would protect his family at all costs and see they have as normal a life as possible.

He looked down at her, cursing the fact that she was wearing a sexy, see-through nightie. It was hard enough keeping his hands off of her without her having put something like this on to sleep in.

He had to wonder if she had done it on purpose, in the hopes that he would get turned on and make love to her. He almost did when she kissed him good night, pressing her sweet, slender body up against his.

But he remained firm, fighting his desire and lust for her, but he also knew he wouldn’t be able to hold off much longer.

The next day, they all spent together, having lunch, talking, and taking turns holding David. They couldn’t get over what a good baby he was; he hardly ever cried except when he was hungry or needed a diaper change.

“How about you and I go down to the water and go for a swim?” he asked, looking at her after she had finished feeding the baby.

She looked up at him and smiled.

“What about David?”

“Oh, Dennis and I can watch him if you two want to go out for a while,” Tabitha said.

Dmitry glared over at Dennis and shook his head. He had told Tabitha about his desire to propose to Danica.

“Are you sure you don’t mind watching him for a while?”

“Of course not. You guys go and enjoy yourselves, and when you get back, we can crack open a bottle of champagne.”

Dmitry ran his hand over his chin, afraid Tabitha would blow it for him.

“I’m not sure we even have champagne here,” he said grumpily.

He was grateful that Danica didn’t think anything of Tabitha’s comment.

Later that afternoon, they changed into bathing suits and headed to the beach by the water. They had brought a blanket, a small picnic basket with some fruit, and one of those tiny bottles of wine.

Since she couldn’t breastfeed, she could now have the occasional drink. After laying the blanket down on the sand, she removed her cover-up and, grabbing his hand, pulled him up.

“Let’s go for a swim.”

When they got to the water’s edge and he stuck his foot in, he shivered.

“Damn, I didn’t think it would be so cold, so let’s just go lay down on the blanket.”

“A big, tough mafia boss like you is afraid of a little cold water. What’s the matter? Are you just a pussy?”

“I’ll show you who’s a pussy,” he said and started chasing her.

She started running away, screaming. When he caught her and picked her up, he tossed her over his shoulder and gave her ass a slap.

She kept squealing in delight as he walked deeper into the water, and when he got far enough, he lowered them both down until their heads were covered.

Coming up for air, she threw her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist.

“That was so mean of you,” she said, shivering, and her bottom lip quivered.

“Then you shouldn’t tease me, my love.” He looked into her eyes, his arms around her.

“I love you so much. Thank you for showing me how to love; you are my angel and savior.”

She felt the tears stinging her eyes and his warm and loving words.

“I love you too.”

“Let’s get out of the water and dry off,” he said when she shivered.

But he also needed to get away because, with her wet body pressed against his, he was getting horny as hell.

Once they were dried off, they sat on the blanket and kissed. He finally broke the kiss and sat facing her.

“I have a question to ask you. As you know, I have fallen deeply in love with you, something I have told you I would never do. I couldn’t help it, though; you got to me and broke through the hard shell that had surrounded my heart all these years.

“I will do something else I swore I would never do.” He reached into the bottom of the basket and pulled out a little black box.

“Miss Burke, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

When he lifted the lid and she saw the huge diamond, her hand flew to her mouth, and tears sprang to her eyes. She never thought he would propose to her, and it took him forever to admit that he was in love with her.

“Oh my God, the ring is so beautiful; it’s amazing.”

“Baby, don’t leave me hanging here. Please answer me, and I hope it will be yes.”

But he knew that she would say yes.

She wiped her tears away, nodding her head.

“Yes, yes, of course, I’ll marry you.” She watched as he slid the ring over her finger.

After sliding the ring on her finger, he pulled her in for a kiss and lowered her down onto the blanket. He felt her arms going around him as she returned his kiss with as much passion as he was.

Out of habit, his hand moved down and inside her bikini bottoms. It had been way too long since he had touched her down there, and she was wet and starting to moan and squirm beneath him.

He came to his senses just in time and stopped, pulling his hand out.

“Dmitry, why did you stop?”

“It’s too soon, my love; we must wait for just a little longer.”

She sat up, feeling hurt and disappointed.

“Or maybe you don’t want me that way anymore. I have heard some men aren’t attracted to the woman after she’s had a baby.”

He pulled her back down onto her back and got on top of her.

“That’s not the case with us. I adore you and want you so badly. You’ve been through so much, and I want to ensure you’re healed completely before we do anything. Now kiss me.”

When they returned to the house, the other two were chilling champagne and waiting to congratulate them.

“Oh my God, will you look at the size of that rock?” Tabitha said, gushing over it.

Danica held her hand up, admiring how it sparkled.

“It is gorgeous, but I would have been just as happy with a small, simple one.”

Later that night, when Dmitry came from the shower and got into bed, he could tell right off the bat that she was naked under the covers.

“Why are you not wearing anything?” he asked, knowing damn well what she was up to.

“It’s a little warm here, so I thought I’d be more comfortable this way. Why is it bothering you?” she asked, snuggling up to him, placing her one leg over his.

Was it bothering him? Hell yeah, it was bothering him, but he couldn’t let her know that.

“Nope, I don’t have a problem with it. Goodnight, sweetheart,” he said, kissing her on the top of her head.

~Well, this didn’t work~, she thought to herself and knew she had to try something else.

Looking over at the nightstand on his side of the bed, she noticed her watch.

“Oh, there’s my watch. I’ll just put it over by me,” she said, and practically had to get on top of him to reach for it.

Okay, this was just too much for him. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her against him.

“Why do you keep teasing me? First, you get naked, and then you get on top of me.”

She couldn’t help smiling when she felt his manhood hard against her.

“Is the big tough mafia boss losing control?”

He flipped her over onto her back and climbed on top of her.

“Woman, you are wicked. I am just a man; I cannot resist you another minute. I must have you.” He lowered his mouth onto hers, kissing her while his one hand moved down her body.

When she kissed him back, her arms going around him as her tongue tickled his, he became even more aroused.

“You win,” he said as he slowly entered her. He was right; he had no control when it came to her, but he used great willpower to take it easy with her. He did not want to cause her any pain or discomfort.

“Oh yes,” she moaned out loud. She had been waiting for him to make love to her for so long now.

No matter what she said or did, he wouldn’t budge until now. He made love to her with such tenderness that she could feel her eyes moistening from her tears.

Later, as she lay in his arms, she held up her ring finger and smiled.

“Look how it sparkles. I can’t wait to become your wife. We should get married immediately, as soon as we return home.”

He stroked her cheek, shaking his head.

“No, I want to give you a day to remember. I want you to find yourself the dress of your dreams. It will be a fabulous wedding—with many guests so that everyone can meet my wife; they will know never to mess with you.”

“Dmitry, we don’t need a big wedding. I’m just happy to be marrying you.”

“You have become very cunning with me, tricking me into doing things you want me to do. But not this time, my love; I shall get my way this time. So we must get busy making plans. We shall be married six months from now. That should give us plenty of time to organize everything, and after the wedding, I will take you to Cancun for a two-week honeymoon.”

“Cancun, wow—but why there?”

“It is beautiful there, and I own one of the hotels where we can stay. You will love it there.”

“What about David?”

“He will be close to nine months old by then, and I know that Tabitha and Dennis will be thrilled to take care of him while we’re gone.”