by Fiona Murphy
She was on the bed in her room and just as she became aware of that, his body was on hers and she felt his lower body press into her. Liquid heat shot through her yet when she felt him thick and heavy against her, fear of the unknown hit her. It froze her in place and she pushed him away. “Dmitri, please stop, I’m not ready for this.”
He stilled and looked down at her, his face was hard and unreadable as he rolled away from her. His chest was the only thing that moved. Elise sat up at the end of the bed, her hands tight around her legs, afraid she would touch him again. His hair was disheveled from her touch, his shirt was gone, and she realized then that the blouse she wore was open. Trembling hands worked to do up the buttons. He was so quiet. She longed for him to say something, and finally couldn’t take the quiet anymore. “I’m sorry, but I’ve never done this before.” She whispered the words with a blush.
Dmitri looked at her then, it had taken what felt like forever to get his body under control, but those whispered words completed it. It was her need to say them in a whisper. Somewhere deep inside his chest he felt something clench, she was so very young and without experience. He really should walk away. Send her to New York, as he originally planned, safely away from him. He had done many things in his life he wasn’t proud of, and he wasn’t sure if he wanted to add her to that list.
Then he looked at her and he saw the way her eyes roamed greedily over him, taking in everything. He remembered her tongue as bold as his, tasting and stroking his own. She felt his eyes on her and met his gaze and her face took on a pretty, pink color. No, she was his and he wasn’t going to let her go. She was right, she wasn’t ready but she would be, soon.
“Do you want me?” He felt he had to ask the words, he needed her to say it.
No pretty blush this time, she went bright red and very still. She studied her clenched hands for so long he wondered if he had pushed too far, too soon. Then she sighed and looked at him, “Yes.”
That one word and the way her eyes met his without wavering made him hard for her all over again. “Are you on birth control?”
Another blush, “My doctor tried putting me on it once. It was to help with my painful periods but one caused weight gain, another mood swings, and finally I stopped all together.”
“Painful periods, how bad are they?”
“I guess like any woman gets but it just felt times three. But that was when I was much younger, in the last few years, they’ve become less intense, and I would presume normal. Although, I do usually just start taking an over the counter pain medicine from the very start and keep taking them for three days straight. Usually, the tail end is fine. My last one just ended yesterday.”
“I’ll make an appointment with the gynecologist Sonia uses here in Chicago. I want you on birth control. I don’t trust myself to use a condom every time. There are several methods of birth control and I’m sure the doctor will find one that suits you.”
He sat up and she could only nod. She watched him walk out and close the door, then flung herself on the bed. Her body was still tense with longing, she wanted to call him back instead she hugged a pillow close. It smelled like him and her body got hot all over again, and she wanted to cry.
What had happened to her? For seven long years, she’d believed she was in love with Greg, then one day Dmitri appears in her life and Greg very quickly faded into the background. The truth was, ever since that moment in the car the very first day, Dmitri had been all she saw, the only thing she thought about. Surprise had filled her at Greg’s call because it had only been then, that she acknowledged she hadn’t thought about him once in six long days.
What did that say about her, what kind of person was she, to go from thinking she was in love with one man, yet still achingly attracted to another man? There had been instant chemistry the first moment they met, but also, Dmitri had continued to hold her fascination in their daily interactions. He asked her opinion, listened to what she had to say, if he felt her point was valid he said so, and if he didn’t, he explained why. In the few off hours away from him, she had made a study of him and his company. His past successes and extremely few failures added up to a man who had been absolutely certain of where he was going, and what he was doing.
While he was a workaholic from the time he woke up until the time he went to sleep, he made sure she had breaks and time away from him, or rather, he had tried but she had stuck right by his side. It was fascinating to watch him and see how his mind worked.
Her job was to take notes on his daily meetings and things he wanted researched, and there were two other support staff who worked directly for him in New York. Her interaction with Gus and Drew had been limited, and there was a reserve on their part—she could tell. Dmitri had shrugged it off and told her to do so as well. Both were unhappy they weren’t able to step into Sonia’s place, but as it was temporary, he didn’t see what the big deal was.
It was just like Dmitri, he focused on the big things, believing that the little things would fall into place as he saw fit. What was she to him? Was she a small thing that would fall into place? What would she become? Was she just the person filling in and when the three months were over would she be expected to fade into the background, would it even last three months? Guiltily, she had clicked on image after image of him with beautiful women. His track record was long and impressive, but his time with a woman usually lasted no longer than six months. Was this something she could do? Take Dmitri as her first lover, not knowing where it would go or how long it would last?
Hands shaking, she used the phone in her room to call Pam, “Hey, Ellie, how have you been? Missed you the other day, your favorite movie was on and it wasn’t the same, watching it without you.”
“I’m okay. I just, I need some advice.”
“Okay, what’s up? You sound so serious.”
“My boss, Dmitri, he—I don’t know how to say it.”
“Ooh, I did some internet surfing on him, he’s gorgeous. I swear he had me drooling. Tell me more about him.”
“He is gorgeous and he, he wants me. Like, to have sex or make love or whatever, I mean, I’m sure for him it’s just sex, and he’s so sexy, and I want to, but I just don’t know. I don’t know. Tell me what to do here.”
“Holy crap! Are you freaking kidding me? That’s so great, Ellie! Really, that is just, wow! I’m so happy for you.” Ellie didn’t know how to respond to that and clenched her eyes. “Ellie? What’s the matter?”
“I just don’t know if he’s the one. I know it’s stupid to have waited so long, and I was waiting for Greg. Now that I see Greg for what he really is I know that’s never going to happen, and I don’t want it to happen, but what am I doing by just hopping into bed with Dmitri?”
“Wait! You’re over Greg? When did that happen?”
“If I’m being perfectly honest, I haven’t thought of Greg since the first day I met Dmitri. He’s been the one thing I see, the only person I think about. My day starts and ends with him, and he has fascinated me from day one. I think, I think I wanted to kiss him that first day, to know what it would be like to be with him.
Admitting it though, didn’t happen until tonight. Greg called me, expecting me to jump and run back to Alexandria to sign off on a mortgage on Jasper’s house. He was the one, Pam, he sold out the stock to Dmitri to pay off debt. That hurt, but then he threw out how much he cared about me, and how much he thought I cared. It was just such manipulative crap, I finally saw him for what he was, and now I can’t believe I was so stupid for so long.”
“Look, you are being way too hard on yourself, and making this way too complicated. I get that you were nuts about Greg for years, but there were also men who tried with you during that time, and no one got farther than a dazed look of confusion. If this Dmitri guy has managed to wiggle his way into your brain enough that you want him, don’t you think that makes him special? He wants you. I love you, but even I’m a little stunned, his last girlfriend was a lingerie model, the one before he
r is a big name for one of those fashion houses. He has had them and he wants you, maybe that makes you special to him?
I know that it being your first time is a big deal, and you wanted it to mean something big on your wedding day, or something like that. But I have to tell you, not trying to freak you out, but the first time isn’t always great. In fact, if the guy doesn’t know what he’s doing, or doesn’t care about you, it can be downright painful. From the pictures of this guy, something tells me he knows exactly what he’s doing and could do it so well you’ll be begging for more.”
She tightened the phone cord around her finger until it went purple as she thought of what Pam said. “Ellie, I love you like a sister, but you have got to quit living in your head. You are going to miss out on really great things by not paying attention to what’s actually going on. Enjoy the good stuff while it lasts and when it’s over you have something amazing to remember until the next good thing.”
“Thanks, Pam, I needed that.”
“You’re welcome. I love you, Ellie, call me and let me know how it goes.”
With a laugh she hung up, knowing there was no way that was going to happen. Hearing the door to Dmitri’s room close, Elise went to sleep dreaming about him.
Chapter Three
The knock on her door was light, if she hadn’t been lying awake for the last hour she wouldn’t have heard it. Sitting up, making sure the sheet covered her, she called out to come in.
He really was absolutely gorgeous, was all she could think as he stepped into the room. He was wearing jeans again and a loose, white, linen shirt. Carrying a bag over to her, he eyed her grip on the sheet.
“Time to get up, wear this, you have a half hour or we’ll be late.”
“Late for what?”
“Brunch, and then there are a few other things planned for the day.”
“I thought we were going over the Marquez company notes, and I was going to translate for you?”
“It can wait.” With that, he was gone.
Elise picked up the bag, it was from the boutique they had been at last night, and she found one of the pretty, light sundresses he had picked out. She went bright pink as she pulled out the silky light purple bra and matching panties. Jackie had informed her she wasn’t the 36C she always believed she was but was actually a 38D. Elise hadn’t believed her until she tried on the new bra and it had fit perfectly, and was far more comfortable than the one she’d had on. This bra was nearly sheer, with just the slightest coverage in the cups and a light silky soft fabric everywhere else. The thought of his hands on them as he picked them out made her hot, everywhere. Pushing off the bed, she ran to the shower, excited for the day.
Spinning in front of the mirror Elise sighed happily at the reflection, she looked so different. She had a waist and curves and the multicolored pinks and light purples of the dress flattered her pale skin. Fussing with her long black hair, she stuck her tongue out, it was time to cut it. Giving up and putting it in a messy bun, she almost changed her mind. At least the long hair covered some of the skin she wasn’t used to showing. Ellie wished she wore contacts, the black chunky frames she wore didn’t look right with what she was wearing. With a shrug she left the bathroom, she was out of time.
Opening the door, she saw Dmitri outlined against the windows, his focus on the city below. He turned when he heard the door open and looked at her. His expression didn’t change; there was no hint of what he thought. He crossed the room, until he was inches from her. His hand went up to her hair and removed the clip holding up her bun. Fingers tangled in her hair as he brought her up to him, their breath tangled together sweetly before his lips closed on hers. It was a light touch, far lighter than what she wanted.
“Beautiful.” It was all he said as he moved away from her and held the door open. She grabbed her purse and followed, bees buzzing in her tummy.
His hand was at her lower back as he guided her through tables, it left her breathless and aching as he seated her. The edge of his lips tipped up as he watched her and she was annoyed at how easily he read her. He covered her hand with his, “I feel it, too.”
Blushing, she studied his large hand, her own was lost beneath it and she moved to hold his hand. His palm against her own, their fingers woven together. He tightened his grip and smiled. Their waiter arrived and she tugged to free her hand but he wouldn’t allow it. She relaxed and didn’t even notice she was rubbing her thumb along his hand until she noticed him staring.
“Sonia gave me the number for her doctor, she’s sure they will be able to get you in tomorrow.” His voice was husky and his grip tightened. Her body reacted with anticipation of what he really meant.
“Tell me about Sonia.” The words were out before she knew it and she shocked herself.
A shrug, “Sonia is only a friend, I guess you would call her my best friend. We grew up together in Tula, it’s far south of Moscow, there isn’t much to Tula.” He ended with a shrug again.
“Dmitri,” His name was a whisper and his eyes went up to hers, she was scared to ask for more, but she needed it. “Tell me more. I want to know more about you. I need to know more about you. Please?”
His grip tightened then he caressed her again, as if to apologize. “Tula isn’t a city that is easy to live in unless you work in the administrative oblast. Those who don’t, work in the factories where the work is hard and grinds you down. My father worked two jobs, my mother died in the hospital from an infection when she gave birth to my little sister, Anfisa. My father brought my sister home for me to take care of and went right back to work. Misha was four and I was ten, until then Sonia had just been the annoying girl who lived two doors down. I knew nothing about taking care of a baby and Sonia taught me how. We kind of stuck together after that.”
“Where is your sister now?”
“She died in Tula, when she was seven. She had always been sickly; she had a heart problem. It destroyed my father and he died only six months later. I knew I had to get out of Russia, so I worked to get money together to get Misha and me out. Sonia made it clear she was going with us, and so I made sure we all got out. We ended up in New York, completely broke for the first year. Stuck in a one-bedroom apartment, the three of us worked hard just to pay the rent.
I managed to make it onto the estate of a retired raider, Dan Eischer, as a gardener. Sonia was a housekeeper and Misha commuted for school. We could save money, and for reasons I’m not sure of, he took to me and talked to me about the business he had done. He lined it all out for me, how to find the companies, what set the finds apart from the trash. A year with him, money saved, I started out and bought my first company and it just started from there.
The reports about my past in Russia are greatly exaggerated. To this day, I don’t know where half of the stories about me came from, though I’ve thought about clearing them up. Sonia thinks it’s much funnier to let them stand, so I’ve given up on it. I did work for a loan shark, collecting money; I never killed anyone or hurt someone so badly they wound up in the hospital. He was one of the few men who would hire me. I only did it for a little over a year to get the money together. He offered to set me up in business but I didn’t take him up on it. It would have come with conditions I wouldn’t have been able to complete.”
Stunned by his blasé manner as he spoke, Elise noticed that his jaw was hard. He wasn’t as unaffected as he worked to appear. The waiter was back with their food, he at last allowed her to have her hand back and she smiled as she began to eat.
As they made their way out of the restaurant, with Dmitri at her back, it wasn’t easy to ignore the stares of women looking his way. Twin points of jealousy and anger lit her. Then she remembered the way during their time at the table he had looked at no one but her. They could look all they wanted, Dmitri wanted her.
She was happily surprised at how easily the time passed, she enjoyed hearing him talk just the sound of his voice soothed her. He had teased her and gotten her to talk about her own years befor
e she lost her mother and the fun they had together. As they exited the restaurant she slipped her hand into his, not wanting to break their connection. He smiled and pulled her after him.
He saw that she was settled into the back of the cab, having left the car that usually drove them at the hotel. She was so lost in her thoughts she wasn’t aware they had stopped until Dmitri tugged her out of the back of the cab.
“What’s the matter?”
Self-conscious, she looked around and he tugged her to the side of the building. The street was oddly quiet for a Sunday afternoon.
“Tell me.”
“What if, what if I’m not good enough?” She could tell her words confused him. “In bed, what if I’m not good enough in bed? I know you have more experience and I’m just worried that I won’t be able to please you. What if I’m only good in your dreams?”
He closed his eyes and her heart dropped. He opened his eyes and the heat was there. He backed her up against the side of the building until only his body held her up, because her knees had gone completely weak. Her hands went up behind his neck and he hissed his approval. He shifted until her breasts were flat against his chest, except for her hard, peaked nipples begging for attention. His hand snaked below her dress and she couldn’t breathe when she felt his fingers brush her panties, her wet panties. A finger followed the line of her moisture, rubbing once and then twice. She gasped his name as his mouth came down on hers and his fingers pressed against her through her panties.
“Your pussy is wet for me, it will allow my cock into your body and it tells me what I need to know. You don’t have to have experience. For this to be good for the both of us you have something much better than that, you have desire. Our time together will be extremely good, for the both of us.”
Still trembling, she laid her head on his chest and sank into him. Her fears began to dissipate, anticipation building up inside of her.
