Rocking Away: A Heavy Metal Romance (Slava Pasha Book 3)

by Herrick, A. D.

  After several moments the sound of horses galloping filled my ears, the baby’s heartbeat. I watched as a wide smile spread across Tatiana’s face. Her eyes met mine and I saw as hers began to water. I squeezed her hand reassuring her and leaned down to whisper in her ear. “That is the most amazing sound in the world, thank you for sharing this with me.”

  She gave me a watery smile and nodded her head as tears began to leak down the side of her face. I used my thumb to brush them away.

  I fought the urge to kiss her. I don’t know where the urge came from but it was as strong as the day is long. I felt my heart swell at the sound of the heartbeat and I wanted nothing more than to take this woman into my arms and kiss her.

  The sound of the doctor’s sterile voice was like a bucket of cold water. “Miss Ivanov, you are free to go.”

  “But is everything alright with my baby?” She asked as she sat up and adjusted her shirt, covering her protruding stomach.

  The doctor never turned to answer her, instead, he continued out the door, shutting it behind him.

  I wanted to rip his head off his fucking shoulders. I could feel the heat climbing up my neck. I started for the door with the intent to confront him when I felt a tug on my hand. Tatiana pulled me back against her and buried her head in my chest, sobs began to rack her body, and her arms went around my waist. I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and whispered soothing words in her hair. I couldn’t leave her like this, no matter how badly I wanted to beat the doctor’s head in.

  I pried her arms from around my waist and gathered them in my hands. I squatted down so that my face was level with hers. She immediately began to duck her head. I reached out with our collected hands, hooking a finger under her chin I raised her head up, forcing her to meet my eyes.

  “Let me take you to a proper doctor.”

  Tears began to stream down her face, she shook her head. “I don’t have the money.”

  “You let me worry about that, I just want you to worry about taking care of yourself and the baby. Just let me take you to a doctor.”

  “I can’t ask you to do that. I saw your truck. You’re not much better off than I am.”

  I had to bite back the laughter that threatened to erupt from my chest. If she only knew.

  “Just let me do this for you, please. I need to make it up to you anyways for being a vulgar idiot.”

  After several moments she finally nodded her consent.

  I helped her into the truck and buckled her in securely. Getting behind the wheel I pulled out of the parking lot and began driving toward Katinka’s doctor. I knew that Dr. Madison was the best around. Tatiana deserved the best. She felt something was wrong and I knew that if anybody could figure out what was going on it would be Dr. Madison.

  I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone, dialing the number from memory. Within a few minutes. I had an appointment set up for Tatiana. I could feel Tatiana’s eyes on me as I drove, causing a smile to play on my lips. I really am a narcissistic mother fucker.

  I pulled into the parking lot of the tall glass building Doctor Madison’s office was in. Tatiana’s eyes were wide as she took in the clean modern lines, her mouth slightly agape. “We’re going here?” I nodded my head and reached for her hand.

  “Dr. Madison is good. He is the one that delivered my sister’s baby. I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.” I pulled her hand up to my lips and placed a chaste kiss on her knuckles. Heat shot up her neck and spread across her cheeks. Tatiana ducked her head down shyly and gave a small nod.

  Every cell in my body wanted to scream at her for being so passive and for cowering. I had to reign myself in. This was not my battle. First thing on my agenda was to get her checked out by a doctor that was worth a damn.

  I got out of the truck and helped her out, walking with her hand in hand into the office. She said nothing as we entered the elevator and began our ascent. Dr. Madison greeted us as soon as we walked in his office on the fourth floor. He had already sent in a request for her records from the clinic and had my credit card on file so there was no need to wait around filling out forms.

  The doctor led us into one of the rooms in the back, his nurse, Ophelia, right behind him. She handed Tatiana a gown and instructed her to strip down completely and to wear only the gown. The three of us stepped out giving her privacy to change.

  I answered as many of Dr. Madison’s questions as I could while we waited for Tatiana to finish changing. There wasn’t much I could tell him as I had just officially met the woman. Though, I was not going to disclose that information to him. I had simply told him that she was a friend of mine which seemed to suffice him enough to back off.

  Dr. Madison knocked on the door before entering the room. Tatiana lay on the exam table her eyes trained on the ceiling. “Tatiana, would you like Damon to wait outside?” Her head jerked toward the door, eyes searching for me. “Please, can he stay?” Her voice was small and laced with fear.

  I rushed into the room nearly knocking the doctor out of the way and took her hand. Ophelia found a stool and pulled it up for me to sit on. I sat with my back toward the Dr. to ensure Tatiana’s privacy. “Please don’t leave me.” Her eyes begged me to stay. “I won’t,” I promised.

  Ophelia drew blood while the doctor did a basic examination. I held Tatiana’s hand through it all. Ophelia sent the blood off to the lab with rush orders.

  “Do you know what you are having?” Dr. Madison asked.

  “No,” Tatiana shook her head.

  “Would you like to know the sex?”

  “You, you can tell me?” her voice was laced with excitement at the possibility.

  “I can, would you like me to tell you now or would you rather wait?”

  “Now, please.” Her grip on my hand tightened.

  “It looks like you will be having a boy. He is forming well and seems to be perfectly healthy. If you look here you can see his hands and his toes.”

  I watched as her eyes grew wide with excitement as the doctor pointed out all the parts of the baby growing inside of her.

  “Did you see him?” She asked with excitement, her eyes wide and filled with wonder. I turned to look at the monitor. My heart seized in my chest. There in the gray and white image was the outline of a face, the curve of his body and absolute perfection.

  I had never been one to go crazy over babies. I never wanted one of my own or to hold any. But since I found out Katinka was pregnant it’s like I had been injected with estrogen and I was having baby fever worse than a single woman in her 30s.

  I pulled Tatiana’s hand up to my lips and kissed her knuckles. “He is perfect, just like his momma.” I shot her a wink.

  The doctor concluded his check up and left the room so Tatiana could get dressed. I followed him out assuring her I would be waiting just outside the door.

  Once we were out of earshot I started in on the doctor with my questions.

  “What’s wrong with the baby?

  “Damon, from what I can see he is healthy. Both the baby and the mother are a bit undernourished but otherwise they look fine. I will know more when the blood results come back.”

  “What can I do to ensure they are both healthy and well nourished?”

  “Make sure she has her prenatal vitamins and folic acid. She should be eating a well-balanced meal at least four times a day with plenty of vegetables and protein. Just ensuring she is eating proper foods and taking her vitamins will go a long way to getting them back on track.”

  I ran my hand through my hair nervously and nodded my head. I knew what he was saying was right. I needed to figure out how to approach the situation with Tatiana without coming across as an overbearing asshole. We had just met and I didn’t want her to think I was trying to take over her life.

  “I will call in a prescription for the vitamins and folic acid you will need to go and pick it up on your way home.” I nodded again, “Got it,”

  The door opened and Tatiana stepped out. She
kept her head down as she rushed out and to my side, her hand seeking out mine, she held tightly to me.

  I took a good look at her. Here was an absolutely beautiful woman. She had gorgeous long silky hair, beautiful eyes, and rockin’ body that could bring a grown man to his knees. Yet she was lacking confidence. She keeps her head down, a subservient posture, her jean skirt was held closed by an elastic hair tie, her tank top is too small for her blossoming frame, and she was meek and quiet.

  She should be walking with her head held high with confidence, shoulders back and wearing the finest attire. She should be smiling and laughing, this is what women live for, Katinka told me that being pregnant was the most amazing experience she had ever had.

  Tatiana did not look or act like this pregnancy was even remotely close to enjoyable. She was absolutely downtrodden. If I had not seen the glimmers of excitement when the doctor spoke about the baby and had I not witnessed her see the baby for the first time during the sonogram I would have found her heartless. Instead, I saw her as broken.

  Every cell in my being called for me to fix her, to do whatever it took to bring her some sibilance of happiness during the most exciting moment of her life.

  Dr. Madison called us into his office. He had received the lab results back. Tatiana clung to me as though I were her lifeline. I wrapped a protective arm around her and guided her into the office, relishing how perfect her body fit against mine

  “From the lab reports I can see that the baby is fine, however, you are susceptible to preeclampsia.”

  “What’s that?” Tatiana’s brows furrowed in confusion.

  “Preeclampsia is a complication characterized by high blood pressure. If left untreated it could cause complications to both you and the baby. We will need to keep an eye on your condition to ensure both of your safety. You will need to eliminate all stress as it will only make your blood pressure rise. Refrain for processed foods, caffeine, make sure you are taking your daily vitamins If you have any complications such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, excessive swelling of the feet or hands, or start to feel dizzy I want you to call me immediately. I am going to give you a card with both my office and my cell phone number on it.” Dr. Madison handed her a stack of pamphlets on Preeclampsia and first-time pregnancy, his card attached to the top.

  “But I don’t have the money to come see you again.” Her eyes began to well with tears and her lower lip trembled.

  “Mr. Sokolov has taken care of everything. All you need to worry about is staying healthy, eating right and minimizing stress.”

  She turned her head to look at me, cowardly I ducked my head, unable to meet her eyes. I didn’t want to see the adoration in her eyes. My mind was hell-bent on taking care of her. The urge to bend her over my knee and spank her ass for not taking care of herself was so strong I feared that she would see it written all over my face.

  “I have sent the prescriptions to the pharmacy for you to fill. Unless anything happens I expect to see you again in two weeks.”

  Dr. Madison stood signaling the end of the appointment. I stood and reached across the desk to shake his hand. Taking Tatiana’s hand in mine, I walked her out to the truck. I secured her in the seat and fastened her belt. Climbing behind the wheel I cranked the engine and started for the pharmacy.

  “Thank you,” I cast a glance in her direction. Her head was bent low. She sat picking imaginary lint off the tiny skirt that did nothing to cover her legs.

  “Don’t thank me yet. Do you have anything planned for the rest of the day?” I asked, my mind reeling, I needed to figure out how to get her to accept my help without injuring her pride.

  “No,” Her voice just above a whisper.

  “I need to make a few stops. Do you mind coming with me?” I asked, testing the waters.

  Her eyes shot to mine before dropping back to her lap.

  “Are you sure you want to go out with me like this?” I could barely hear her voice above the sound of the road.

  “What do you mean?” Thoroughly confused my brows furrowed.

  “Let’s be real for a minute. You are wearing Armani jeans and an Armani shirt. I’m wearing a skirt I bought at K-Mart that is probably four sizes too small and an equally cheap and undersized tank top. My shoes, if you can call them shoes are flip flops from the dollar store that I had to fashion just so they would quit breaking. I have fucking staples through them to keep them together. Do you seriously want to be seen out with me? We aren’t from the same social class. Sure your truck is old and at first, I had thought you were having just as tough of a time as I am. But paying for this doctor and noticing what you were wearing. I can clearly tell that we are in no way, shape, or form in the same social class.” Her voice had risen to a shrill as she pointed out the differences between our attire,

  I pulled the truck over to the side of the road. I had been hoping for this yet dreading it at the same time.

  Keeping my voice calm and level I started, “Firstly, I could careless where you bought your clothes or how much they cost. I would never judge you by them. I should hope you wouldn’t judge me by mine. Secondly, I would love to be seen out with you. I am out with you now. If you will let me, I would love to fill your prescriptions and take you out shopping for clothes, shoes, whatever you wanted.” She started to interrupt but I held up a hand to silence her.

  My chest filled with anger when she flinched away as though I was going to hit her. I swallowed hard before I finished. “I am not taking you shopping out of pity. I want to do it because I can and I feel you deserve it. I know I haven’t known you for long nor even very well. But I really liked that confident secure woman I spoke to over the computer for the past four or five months. I thought she was pretty kick ass. I want to take you shopping and buy you nice things because I want you to feel comfortable out. I want you to feel good about yourself. Now tell me, can I take you out and spend my fucking money on you because it makes me happy and I think it will make you happy as well?”

  Her eyes began to water and she gave a short nod.

  “I swear to God, if I ever find out who made you flinch like you did, I will fucking kill him.” I whipped the car back onto the road and headed toward Turkey Creek. I didn’t dare glance in her direction fearing what I would see in her eyes.

  I made sure to stop at all of the shops between Downtown and Turkey Creel after picking up her prescriptions, making sure we stopped at all of Katinka’s favorite shops. I had sent Katinka texts asking her question after question about where to shop. I knew she could tell something was up but thankfully she was so preoccupied with the baby and Tosha so she didn’t have time to grill me.

  Oh, I knew it was coming. There was no way to escape the grasp of Katinka Von Mikhailov. She may be busy right now but as soon as she got a free moment I knew she would be on me like a tick on a hound dog.

  We walked into La Petite. Tatiana clung to me, her eyes wide with fear. I didn’t want to draw any unnecessary attention so I wrapped my arm around her and drew her into my side, giving the illusion of an affectionate couple rather than a terrified woman on a tatted up guys arm.

  The last thing I needed was for someone to think she was afraid of me or that I beat her and most of all I didn’t need any unnecessary attention drawn to us by the paparazzi. You never knew when those guys would be out and about spinning their web of lies.

  I may have millions in the bank but that didn’t mean I looked it. At a glance all people saw was a 6’2 guy heavily tatted up, the women saw a bad boy with a pretty face. They didn’t see a multimillionaire or a rock star. That was also one of the things I loved about living in Knoxville, anonymity.

  A blonde woman in a too-tight pencil skirt and white button-up blouse walked up to us. Her eyes never left my body as she gave me an over enthusiastic once over. She never once gave a glance in Tatiana’s direction.

  “Welcome to La Petite, how can I help you?” she spoke in a breathy voice that gyrated on my nerves.

  “Yes, I would like my
wife fully outfitted with everything you have in her size. We are sort of in a rush so if you could find her something to put on now and bag the rest of the items I would appreciate it.” I looked down my nose at the woman.

  Tatiana gave my hand a slight squeeze and a tug. I couldn’t tell if she liked being referred to as my wife or if she was upset about it. I didn’t look her way to find out. I didn’t even know why I had said it to start with.

  The sale’s woman walked closer and rested her hand against my chest. “Is there anything else I can do for you?” Her eyes spoke volumes as to what she was implying. My stomach churned.

  “Rebecca,” I yelled through the store ignoring the saleswoman whose hand rested on my chest. “Rebecca,” I yelled again, repeating the name several times at high volume.

  A petite woman came from the back, she was Katinka’s size, and she had an hourglass figure with a narrow waist. Her blonde hair was cut in a short bob, her bright blue eyes framed by dark lashes and her lips painted bright red.

  All in all, she was an absolute knockout. She was an old friend from high school. Thankfully I had never slept with her or this would have been awkward. However, she had been one of Katinka’s personal stylists and Katinka had suggested I come here and ask for her.

  “Ah, Damon, to what do I owe the honor of your presence?” Her voice was silky smooth and wrapped around you, drawing you in.

  I shook off the naughty thoughts that threatened to enter my mind, remembering the gorgeous brunette at my side. The blonde still pressed up against me ignored.

  “Tink told me you were the best stylist. I need Tatiana here fitted with everything in her size and something to wear out of the store. She will need all of the accessories to go with every outfit. I trust you can get this accomplished post haste?” I gave her my most arrogant smile.

  “Damon, you were always the charmer.” She shot me a look of dismissal and focused her attention on the blonde leech.

  “Elizabeth, get back to work and keep your hands off the customers.” The blonde saleswoman pulled her hand from my chest and turned away, casting me a sultry look over her shoulder which I promptly ignored.