Dmitri- The Russian's Christmas Baby

by T. C. Clark

  They didn’t say anything else as she showed him to the door. The silence between them was filled with tension. She knew he wanted to say more, but she needed time to think. She couldn’t trust herself to hold out with him in the same room.

  Tomorrow she had to act as maid of honor for Mina and she needed to focus on that. Once he was gone, Eden showered and went to bed. She forced her mind to go blank. She had a job to do first and then she would let herself fully freak out about all of the things Dmitri had told her.

  * * *

  The wedding went by without a hitch leaving a shaken Eden upset after witnessing Mina and Luca’s love. She wanted that same thing with Dmitri and yet here she was debating on ever seeing him again. She smiled at the memory of Julian Stravanos pursuing her throughout the night.

  Julian, like many other men in her life had never seen her in clothing that emphasized her figure. His reaction was a welcome change. Her relationship with Dmitri had definitely given her a boost of feminine confidence. He wanted her with a desperation that was intoxicating to her senses and made her feel like the sexiest woman alive.

  She always wondered what it was like to be important to someone else’s happiness. She’d recognized that need in her best friend’s husband, Nikos. To him, Ada was essential to his happiness

  She craved being everything for someone else. But she didn’t know the right thing to do. She needed outside advice. She needed Ada. She pulled out her cell phone and texted her best friend for an emergency early morning meet up.

  “So, you can’t tell me what he does for a living?” Ada asked sipping the decaf black tea with a frown. She looked beautiful in a caramel wrap dress, her light brown skin glowing.

  She was very pregnant. At only five feet tall her rounded belly had shown on her small frame immediately. Eden’s hand went to her stomach. She was nearly six feet. She would have a while before she started to show.

  “No, I can’t. I’m trying to figure out if we can have a future together. But his past…it’s a lot. How do I know what he was, or what he used to do, won’t affect us now?” Eden asked choosing her words carefully.

  “I’m assuming since you won’t tell me exactly what he used to do that it was something dangerous. He looks like the cover of a Russian mafia romance book so with that in mind I have to ask, has he done anything to scare you or make you believe that he would hurt you?”

  “No, in fact I’m pretty sure he would do anything to keep me safe. It’s just I’ve never been good at picking men and he has ALOT of baggage. I mean a country sized amount of baggage.”

  “You could walk away, Eden. If you feel anything off about him, you have the right to walk away. You know that right?”

  “That’s the thing. I feel everything is right with him. I’ve never, ever loved someone as much as I do him and I know that sounds stupid because we just met and he shouldn’t mean that much to me.”

  “That’s not true. I fell in love with Nikos the day we met and although our relationship wasn’t rainbows and roses. I’m happy we worked it out. Here’s the thing, Eden. First off I’m saying this without all of the facts because you won’t tell me everything, so take this with a grain of salt,” Ada said seriously. She leaned forward and took Eden’s hand and frowned when she realized how cold they were.

  “You know him, better than me. You think your instincts are off because you chose Matt. But you were a girl when you met him, inexperienced and vulnerable. You are a grown woman now who has been through hell. I think your instinct, whatever it’s telling you, is what you should follow. You can always try to work this out with him and still change your mind later. No one ever said you couldn’t walk away and you know I’ll be there to help with whatever you need.

  “I’m just worried I’ll make the wrong decision. If I send him away I know I’ll regret it. But letting him stay is inviting a whole list of problems.”

  “You have to trust yourself, Eden, over anything else. I wish you could tell me more.”

  Ada had wanted to stay and speak with Dmitri herself. But, Eden needed to talk to him first. They needed to figure this out together. Even after he told her about everything she still loved him.

  It may be stupid but she couldn’t turn her back on him now. She had to try for herself, for her child. He said he was willing to do whatever he could to make this work.

  She didn’t think this was going to be easy. She was smarter than that. This was only the beginning. But she wasn’t going to lie to herself either and pretend that she didn’t still want to be with him. She didn’t know what that said about her, but she wanted to try to make it work.

  After a reluctant Ada left, she waited for Dmitri to come in. As always he was right on time. Even knowing she was upset wouldn’t keep him away. He walked in and took a seat at the back of the bakery at his usual spot.

  His expression was cautious, he was clearly unsure of the type of reception he would receive. She didn’t wait for him to call her over; she came to him with his usual order, croissants and espresso. She sighed as she recognized the same desire in his eyes that she was sure he would see in hers.

  She knew she wouldn’t deny him. She didn’t want to regret walking away years later. Maybe it was the hormones or the small life they’d created, but the thought of pushing him away and denying what was between them filled her with a dread she would rather avoid.

  She knew she had the strength to walk away if things got bad. She’d restarted her life once before, she could do it again. But she had to try with him. He was the only man she’d ever felt this type of connection with. Although, first she needed to lay down some ground rules.

  When their eyes met and held, she gave him a small smile. He reacted to it instantly, standing and kissing her lightly on the lips. The touch was so soft and quick that she didn’t have time to react.

  “Eden, we need to talk,” he said his blue eyes serious. His body vibrated with tension which only upset her more.

  “I know. Let’s eat lunch together. We’ll go back to my place around noon.”

  She didn’t give him time to respond. She turned quickly to help the next customer that walked in. She needed to think about what she would say to him now that she had decided to try to make it work. They needed rules for their relationship to survive. She ignored the intense way he watched her as she made her rounds. She couldn’t give anything away.

  Lunch came quickly and she didn’t have to wait for Dmitri. He was packed up and ready to leave well before noon. His eagerness to begin this conversation was a good sign.

  Dmitri took a deep breath as they walked through Eden’s front door. While she got two sandwiches together he sat at the table watching her face. He was searching her for any sign about what she was thinking.

  After telling her everything he didn’t know what to expect. He was usually good at reading people, but he was too emotionally involved with her to think rationally.

  The thought of her wanting him to leave filled him with trepidation. He wouldn’t be able to walk away. He’d barely had time to think about her pregnancy. But late last night, he’d checked his phone again to see if she’d called and an image of their baby flashed in his mind.

  Now he imagined her growing big with their child. He thought about what that child would look like, what dreams it would have, and he was nearly overwhelmed.

  A year ago he’d been completely alone with only himself to worry about. Now he had a family of his own. Last night he’d contacted the Librarian, and told her exactly what was going on. After she’d cussed him out for letting this happen, she’d helped him set up arrangements for Eden.

  He needed to be sure she would be okay if anything happened to him. When she sat down and handed him a plate, he didn’t touch it. His stomach turned as he thought about what she would say next.

  “Dmitri, I love you and I want to make this work. I don’t know if it’s a good idea, but I know I have to try. But, first you need to understand. If you can’t agree to my terms I wi
ll walk away. I will not put myself or my child at risk with you.”

  “Okay, tell me what you need.”

  “There can only be honesty between us from this point forward. No more doing things and then telling me about it afterwards. You said the Sanctuary gives gold cards which in turn can be used as jobs?”

  “Yes, but they’re not like hits. The cards are typically used for protection or help on a case someone is working. Anytime anyone uses a card for me it’s usually for cyber hacking or protection.”

  “I get that and I understand why you need them. But that’s where that type of work ends. No more killing monsters for me. I need to know that’s not how you deal with every problem.”

  “The only reason I took Matt out was because of what he wanted those men to do to you. That kind of hatred doesn’t just go away. He would have kept trying to hurt you until he got caught. I’m sorry you’re upset, but you have to know this. Anyone that threatens you or our children in that way, they will risk death. Your safety comes first and I can’t apologize for that. But I will tell you whatever I can about what I’m doing. Though I can’t give any more information on the Sanctuary, I’ve told you everything I’m allowed to.”

  “Do they know you told me about them?” she asked anxiously.

  “I had no other choice. If they found out I told you without alerting them, both of our lives would have been at risk. We are allowed to tell one person about what the Sanctuary is and then that person’s life becomes tied to our own. I’m now responsible for anything you do.”

  “So if I mess up and tell someone about this what happens?” she whispered.

  “We both suffer the consequences,” he said simply.

  “You can only tell one person about them?” she asked again trying to make sense of everything he was saying.

  “Yes, we’re granted an allowance for a spouse.”

  “What if we don’t work out and you meet someone else. You would have wasted your one chance, to be honest.”

  “There is no one else for me even if we don’t work out. You would always be the one, and as the mother of my child you deserve to know the truth. I didn’t make the decision lightly. I’ve never met anyone who made me feel things, real things. I know you are it for me.”

  “Dmitri, there can be no more lies at all. I understand that you have a past, a bad one. Knowing all of that hasn’t changed the love I have for you. But I need to know. If we didn’t work out, could you let me go?”

  “If we had tried everything and we still couldn’t work I would let you go. It would kill me, but I would do it. I know how much you need to have a voice and I would never take that away from you. As much as I love you, I wouldn’t hurt you like that. I’m not Matt. However, I wouldn’t walk away completely. I have to know my child.”

  She was quiet for a while as she digested all that he said. He took a bite of his sandwich while he waited for her to respond.

  “As long as we both understand that this relationship has to be based on total honesty. I want to try to make this work. Dmitri, please be sure. Matt really hurt me, but the way I feel about you, you could destroy me,” she said honestly.

  “Eden, the only thing I want is for you to be happy with me,” he said as another hunger started to pool in his belly. Even knowing everything, she wanted to make this work. Her willingness to try filled him with awe.

  He stood up from the table and pulled her into his arms. She didn’t resist as he led her back to the bedroom. Her eyes were wary, but curious. He removed her clothing slowly his heart accelerating as every inch of her brown skin was revealed. He smiled sinfully as thoughts of the night to come entered his head.

  She was made specifically for him. Every curve on her body designed to taunt and tease him. He never thought he would experience this type of electricity in his life.

  Once she was completely naked he removed his clothes. His eyes followed her as she climbed onto the bed. He needed them to be skin to skin as quickly as possible.

  He moved over her. His strong body pushed hers back into the cover. Her small hands glided over the bulging muscles on his chest as they traveled up his body to tangle in his hair.

  “I would never hurt you,” he said against her lips as he crushed her to him. He tried to slow down. But the time for gentleness was gone. It was like his body recognized how close it came to losing this and it needed to reaffirm his claim on hers.

  She didn’t seem bothered by the fact that his hands were a little too rough. She arched under him as he found her heat. She was hot and ready for him. His mouth devoured hers as his clever fingers played with her, rough quick flicks across her swollen clit.

  When she was writhing against him he moved lower forcing her thighs wide and settling between them. He let his tongue have what it had been craving. He feasted on her. His tongue licking and pulling at her clit until her fingers pulled at his hair.

  She pleaded with him to stop, but he couldn’t. He needed to taste her as she went over the edge. He increased the tempo, his tongue unrelenting, until she tensed and convulsed around him.

  Her thighs clamped around his head with force and still he continued. So ruthless, that pleasure soon threatened to overwhelm her. Her taste was maddening. Reluctantly he slowed down so she could catch her breath.

  He moved up her body, his face impassive and fierce. He needed to stake his claim to let her know what place he wanted in her life. She was his woman and he was her man. Their life would begin here with their child safely tucked between them, protected by its mother’s strong body and its father’s determined will.

  It would be hard but they would make it. He was sure of it. She wanted him enough to see past her fears and he needed her more than he’d ever needed anything in his life. When she relaxed he opened her with his fingers and guided himself inside. He forced his body to slow down. This was a different type of loving tonight.

  When he was fully seated he moved, his thrusts short and deep. Every cell in his body screamed for more. But he kept up the steady motion until she started to move beneath him.

  Her body impatient for the release only he could provide. She watched him, her eyes barely open as she tried to recover from her previous orgasms even as the next one threatened to consume her.

  “Dmitri, stop playing with me. Move faster,” she demanded.

  “I’m not playing. I’m savoring you. Did you know this is what I think about all day as you walk around helping customers? This is what I imagine doing to you. You deserve to wait, especially after the way you torture me all day.”

  She laughed at him, her dark brown eyes rebellious.

  “You can’t be mad at me for doing my job. You need to focus on keeping your mind out of the gutter.”As he increased his speed the talking stopped. He bellowed as she clamped down so tightly around him that he could barely move.

  Her body contracted, pulling at his, demanding his soul, and his body responded to the call. He pumped his seed deep, long brutal strokes designed to send his essence deep. His body shuddered over hers lost in pleasure. Her sharp nails bit into his back as he took what was his. Her response to him was the only thing that mattered.

  When she smiled up at him with satisfaction, he knew he was lost. He finally had a home and he would do whatever it took to protect it. He would give up anything to ensure that his family remained safe.

  He closed his eyes as feelings he thought he’d never experience ran through him. This was it. The missing ingredient in his life. He would make this work no matter the cost. They would survive.

  They had no idea a few months later their first test would come in a series of unfortunate events.

  Five

  Please come back to me...

  Eden looked across the table at Ada and Nikos. Her heart melted seeing such a strong stubborn man gently cradling a newborn baby girl. Surprisingly this dinner had been Nikos’ idea. She had a feeling they were here so he could grill Dmitri. Somehow the Greek had adopted the same protective at
titude Ada had and felt it was his responsibility to look out for her.

  As invasive as his line of questioning was Eden couldn’t find it in herself to be upset with him. His intentions were sincere. He’d always treated her with a wary respect and it was clear he wanted to know more about the new man in her life.

  She wasn’t worried. Dmitri wasn’t a boy he could handle a few questions.

  The last few months with him had been everything she’d dreamed of when she was a little girl. She’d always craved this type of soul sealing connection. He was her world and she was his. She’d never had this closeness with another person.

  Each night he revealed more and more of his past. His childhood had been filled with so much pain and loneliness, which made his willingness to make them work all the more touching. For once she didn’t feel like the third wheel sitting across from Ada and Nikos.

  When Nikos invited Dmitri to his study for a drink, something in Eden rebelled. She had a feeling this was the real interrogation time. But Dmitri just winked at her and followed the ominous Nikos to his study.

  “Don’t worry about Dmitri,” Ada said softly when she noticed the concern in Eden’s eyes. She went to the small bassinet and picked up Lissa. “Something tells me your man can take care of himself.”

  The smell of the baby caused a reaction in her. According to her doctor her child was going to be a Christmas baby. They were thrilled with the news. She had never once imagined what it would feel like to have such a fierce love for someone she’d never met, but she didn’t doubt it was there.

  She could tell Dmitri felt it too. Ever since they had decided to make a go of it, he had taken his responsibility as impending father almost too seriously. If she even looked a little bit tired he told the staff to make her rest and he went about working the store for her.