Chapter 17

Rose

“Please, I can't”, I whined in Lissa's ear.

She giggled at my childish behavior.

“Just one more Rose, you will manage.”

“Lissa, these Ladies are -”

“Rose”, Olena interrupted me smiling.

She and her daughters grinned at me, obviously amused with my misery. These old hags were just awful, boring and bitchy towards me! Their cold eyes regarded me and then they made disgusted faces. The only pretended to be nice because of Olena right beside me, otherwise they would have skinned me alive.

“This is Katherine DeLaurentis, she is the owner of 107 hotels in the USA and Canada.”

“109”, Katherine DeLaurentis corrected and shook my hand. “Nice to meet you Miss.”

“Oh no, it's also Mrs Belikov”, Olena smiled.

“Oh?”, Mrs DeLaurentis asked for an explanation.

“She is the wife of my son Dimitri”, Olena said, smiling proudly by the mention of her son.

“Ah, well, it is nice to meet you Mrs Belikov.”

“Like a wise Mrs DeLaurentis.”

To my luck, Andre came and saved Liss and me from the uncomfortable silence. He, Lissa and I went away from all the adults and stood a little on the outside.

“I'm thirsty”, Lissa said suddenly.

“Get something to drink”, I laughed.

“No”, Liss whined. “My feet are killing me, I can't move.”

“Awww, poor sister”, Andre said. “I will go get you something.”

“Thank you so much!”, Lissa said relieved and looked at her brother like he was her hero.

When he was out of hearing range I laughed.

“It's just a drink, Liss”, I giggled.

“Maybe, but the last time I drank something was five hours ago!”

“Why?”

“Guess I just forgot”, she shrugged.

I only laughed at that. And really, what could I have said? Lissa and I talked and talked, made fun of some of the other guests and talked about Christian and Dimitri. It was weird in a way for me, but I liked it. I still felt a little nervous and scared. Had I slept with Dimitri or not?

I mean yes, Dimitri's and I's relationship was getting better, we liked each other, that much was clear, we were somewhat friends, but if we really slept together I was sure Dimitri would want to do it again and I knew I wasn't ready to have sex. And I hoped I hadn't slept with Dimitri after such a short time of knowing him and knowing his reputation with girls! I didn't want to be one of the 'girls he had sex with'.

And then Andre came back and slung an arm around my shoulder.

“Oh Rose, my life, my love”, he said dramatically. “This is going to be an oath. I have a drink for my sister dearest, but not for you I fear – est? Okay, that sucked.”

Lissa and I laughed out loud and I leaned into Andre for support. I was afraid my knees would give out under me, but Andre held me upright.

“That brother”, Lissa laughed after taking a gulp of water. “really sucked.”

“Yeah”, I agreed.

“Your words hurt”, Andre mocked. “They hurt here and they hurt deeply.”

He put a hand over his heart and looked at us with big eyes.

“Awww”, Lissa and I made simultaneously and giggled.

I looked up at Andre, who couldn't help but chuckle himself.

“Roza!”, I heard Dimitri shout.

Confused I turned around, still giggling and saw Dimitri storming towards me. He looked pissed, but not at me, at Andre and then when he stopped in front of us he grabbed my face, making me stumble away from Andre and into Dimitri's arms and kissed me roughly. My body reacted out of instinct and I kissed him back. I had long admitted that I liked kissing Dimitri, he was one hell of a kisser and the way he made me feel was spectacular!

When he pulled away I was left breathless and slightly dazed, but Dimitri wasn't.

“Don't touch my wife again or you will regret it”, he growled at Andre.

Then he swept me off my feet and slung my over his shoulder like I weight nothing.

“Dimitri!”, I shrieked. “What the hell?!”

“See you Lissa”, Dimitri said and then turned around walking away from Liss.

When I looked behind me I saw Liss standing there looking a little confused, but smiling and Andre, looking murderously pissed.

In silence Dimitri and I walked away from the party and to some secluded area. I kept hitting Dimitri's back, but it didn't affect him at all. Then suddenly Dimitri sat me back down on my feet, but kept his arms around my waist. When he let me down he kept me so close that my whole body rubbed against his, I could feel every muscle of his body and I was instantly met with some sort of flashback. There were only fragments. Dimitri and I kissing, me up against a wall and my legs around Dimitri's waist. Me on top of Dimitri on the floor. Dimitri and I in the changing rooms, Dimitri marking my neck on the field at school.

My mouth opened remembering all this times kissing him or feeling his hands on me.

“Did my kiss actually leave you speechless?”, Dimitri asked smug and smirked at me.

A little embarrassed I felt the blood run to my cheeks, but I tried to play it cool and let the anger consume me. How dare he say something like this. I wasn't left speechless because of kisses!

Well … I was, but he didn't need to know that nor rub it in my face, but before I could answer Dimitri kissed me again. My anger turned the sweet kiss into an anger filled, passionate, rough kiss. My hands went into his hair and I kissed him harder, sometimes even pulling on his hair. Dimitri seemed to like it even more, because he groaned every time I pulled on his hair or scratched along his back.

But then something hit me like a bucket of ice cold water. He kissed me! He kissed me while we were alone! He kissed me not because of paparazzi or his parents or our friends or any other people who needed to believe we were a couple. Nobody was around and he kissed me!

I pushed Dimitri back a little, but only centimeters. His breath mingled with mine and we stared into each others eyes.

“You kissed me”, I gasped, when I caught my breath.

“Yeah”, he chuckled. “And you kissed me.”

“No”, I said shaking my head.

He didn't get it, he didn't understand what I meant.

“You kissed me, not for the press or for people who are looking, we're alone. You just kissed me, because …?”, I explained.

Realization dawned on Dimitri and in his eyes flickered something I couldn't point out.

“Roza”, Dimitri started. “You -”

“Hi Aunty Roza!”, the high pitched voice of Paul startled me.

I looked to my right and saw little Paul standing there in his own little suite, grinning like a fool. I cleared my throat and tried to back away from Dimitri, but he didn't let me, he just hold me tighter when I tried to get away.

“Ehm, h- hi Paul”, I smiled down.

“Do you want to play with me?”, Paul asked excitedly.

“No”, Dimitri answered. “She can't right now.”

“Uncle Dimka, I asked Aunt Roza”, Paul said pouting. “Please, Roza.”

A little unsure I looked at Dimitri and for a while we just stared into each others eyes, nothing else, we just … looked into each others eyes. I had a feeling he saw so much more than I did. I only saw this beautiful brown eyes, framed by dark long eyelashes. He, I felt like he was looking straight into my soul, not only ma eyes.

And then his hands fell from around me, his arms loosened their tight hold and he took a step back. I looked at him a little unsure, what was he doing?

“Come on Aunty”, Paul squealed and took my hand in his.

I was to dazed to registered that he pulled on my arm and we went back towards the party people.

“Rose!”, Dimitri called and I turned around to see him looking at the ground.

He heaved a sigh and then lifted his head and looked at me.

“I did it because I wanted to”, he said. “And I know you did it because of the exact same reason.”

And without another word he turned around and went to the front of the house. I wasn't able to shout his name to come back, because Paul pulled me along and away from Dimitri.

Paul and I played for at least an hour, talked, played tag and ate some cake, really delicious cake! Paul took me back to his family and I talked a lot with his mother and Dimitri's family in general. I liked all of them, but especially Viktoria, maybe because we were closer in age.

After another hour a throat cleared behind me.

“Sorry, but can I borrow Rose for a minute?”, Ivan asked.

“Of course, dear”, Olena smiled. “But bring her back, we were having so much fun.”

“I promise”, Ivan laughed and took my hand.

He pulled me away from the tables and all the other guests and guided me to the back entrance of the house.

“Ivan, where are we going?”, I asked.

“You're meeting Dimitri's grandmother Yeva.”

“What?!”, I screeched and stopped immediately.

Ivan chuckled lightly and looked amused.

“Come on, she isn't that bad.”

“That's not what you said last time. I thought she broke your arm the first time you met her.”

“She didn't, but it was her fault, yeah”, Ivan admitted.

“No”, I said, shaking my head. “No, no, no, I won't go in there unprepared and alone. You can't do this to me Ivan, please!”

“Don't be such a baby.”

I was being a baby after all the creepy stories he had told me about Dimitri's grandmother? Hell Ivan said he was still afraid of her after knowing her for years! I wasn't going in there, not alone, never! Even Dimitri said she was somewhat scary and Viktoria had told me she was a witch, not that I believed in these things but hell, that didn't mean I wasn't scared of people who thought they were freaking witches!

“You're one to talk”, Dimitri chuckled, who was suddenly behind me.

“Dimitri”, I sighed in relief and went to hug him.

He returned the hug, but not like he usually did. Normally he would press me tight against him, but this time his arms were loose and I didn't feel safe like all the other times.

Dimitri forced a chuckle.

“Calm down, Roza”, he laughed. “She isn't that bad.”

And then he thanked Ivan for bringing me in here and pushed me with him through a long floor and then into a grand room. A room full of books, a fireplace with a couch and two armchairs in front of. A woman – probably Yeva – stood in front of the fireplace.

“You're late”, she said.

Dimitri sighed.

“I know Babushka, and we're sorry”, he said.

Dimitri pushed me forward, I tried to stand in my spot, but Dimitri was way stronger than me so it was a futile attempt.

“Babushka, this is Roza, my wife”, Dimitri introduced. “Roza, this is my grandmother Yeva.”

Yeva turned around and looked into my eyes. She didn't look that scary, she looked like a nice woman, only her eyes crept me out. She was a small woman but had an aura of confidence and power around her. I don't why but a sense of respect for this woman grew in me without really knowing her. And then she crushed it.

“You are not suitable for my grandson”, she said.

My eyes went wide. What? What did she just say?

“Babushka!”, Dimitri hissed.

How dare she said that?, I thought. She didn't even knew me, saw into my eyes for what? Ten seconds? And told me I wasn't suitable for her grandson? Hell I probably cared more for Dimitri than he cared for me, he was the man whore and he was the one always pushing me away! I was a goody two shoes, I was nice to everyone, I met her for Dimitri, even when I didn't want to! I was a freaking jackpot for Dimitri!

“What?”, Yeva asked calmly. “She isn't.”

“Oh I am”, I replied my voice full of anger.

Yeva raised an eyebrow and Dimitri looked at me with shocked eyes.

“I know who I am and I know I am worth of Dimitri. I am sorry you can't see that, but your grandson and me are worth of each other. I hoped Dimitri's family would approve of me and I want your approval, but even without it, I know Dimitri and I will stay together.”

“You think he loves you enough to stay with you even if I tell him to leave you?”, Yeva asked bemused.

“Yes”, I answered without hesitation.

Honestly I didn't think so. I wasn't his real wife, I wasn't even his girlfriend, if it came down to it I was probably an acquaintance, maybe even a friend, but that was it. Dimitri loved his family and their opinions meant a lot to him, so I just hoped she wouldn't ask him to leave me right here, right now, because I sure as hell knew he would. Talk about embarrassing yourself ...

And then a cheeky smile formed on Yeva's face and she laughed lightly.

“Dimka”, she said.

“Yes?”, he asked a little unsure, probably knowing what she would ask him now.

Oh God, this would be so embarrassing. In this moment I squeezed Dimitri's hand, for the last time, feeling his bigger rough hand surround my smaller fragile one.

“I approve of her”, Yeva said.

Wait, what? With shocked, wide open eyes I looked at Dimitri's grandmother, but she was looking at Dimitri, who looked at her with wide eyes and an open mouth.

“She is full of passion, fiery and protective of the ones she loves. You two are good for each other.”

And then Dimitri's shoulder slacked with relief and he let his breath leave his lungs all at once.

“Babushka”, Dimitri sighed. “That wasn't nice.”

“I know”, she laughed. “But I needed to test her.”

“Test me?”, I asked.

“Yes”, she said. “Congratulations.”

Yeva turned her back and went back over to the fire.

“Now leave me alone”, she dismissed us.

Dimitri squeezed my hand and we left her standing there alone in this dark room. But the moment we stepped out of the room she said one last thing to us.

“Leave your stubbornness behind you”, she said. “Both of you, otherwise you will never make it.”

And the door closed behind us. What the hell just happened? I asked myself. Dimitri frowned and then turned to me, looking as lost as I felt. He looked at me, asking me if I had any idea what just happened, but hey, he was supposed to be used to his grandmother, I just met this crazy woman.

“Any idea what just happened?”, he asked.

“I thought you could tell me”, I answered.

“No idea”, he said shaking his head.

I laughed lightly, shaking my head.

“Well, at least she approved of me, right?”, I asked laughing.

“That she did”, Dimitri smiled.

And then we both fell silent again, avoiding each others eyes, remembering our last encounter. Was I supposed to say something or was he? I had no idea, I've never been in a situation like this. And the only thing I wanted to do right was for him to kiss me, I would kiss him if I wasn't so damn short. Because if I tried to kiss him and he didn't want to kiss me back, I would just stand on my tiptoes, trying to reach his mouth with mine and he would laugh in my face. But after a whole minute of silence I couldn't take it anymore.

“Would you just man up and kiss me already?”, I asked annoyed, hand on my hips.

“Excuse me?”, Dimitri asked slightly shocked, raising an eyebrow.

I smiled at his slightly flushed face and took a step closer, leaning upwards and throwing my arms around his neck. Dimitri looked a little suspicious.

“Kiss”, I said. “Me.”

And then he smirked and grabbed my ass.

“As you wish”, he said right in front of my lips and then finally kissed me!

God, every time his lips met mine I felt like it was heaven on earth, I felt sparks all over my body, a prickling from my toes to my head and butterflies erupting in my stomach. You know most girls hated it when boys were too forward, but I honestly have to say that when Dimitri's hands went over my body or grabbed my ass, I loved the feeling of it, it made me feel wanted and made me think that Dimitri wanted me and my body, that he thought I was sexy and I loved this feeling.

“God, Roza”, Dimitri moaned.

And suddenly I was lifted up in the air and pressed into the wall behind me. I moaned at the sensation and pulled on Dimitri's hair to pull me more upwards. He groaned and kissed me deeper. Gosh, this was great!

“Guys”, Ivan chuckled.

I pulled away from Dimitri and took a much needed breath. But Dimitri didn't care that Ivan was standing right beside us.

“Leave Ivan”, Dimitri murmured and trailed kisses along my neck.

I let my head fall back and my eyes instantly closed. Hmmm, goooooodddd.

“Your mother is going to come searching for you and I guess you don't want her to find you in this … eh, position.”

Dimitri groaned on my neck and let his head rest there for a moment.

“Fine”, he finally said and put me back down. “Happy now?”

“Ecstatic”, Ivan replied with a huge grin.

“Shut up”, I said rolling my eyes.

“You two”, Ivan said and pointed from me to Dimitri and back again, back and forth while he talked. “Are perfect for each other. Seriously: Match made in heaven.”

“We know”, We said at the same time.

“Unbelievable”, Ivan muttered, when Dimitri and I laughed.

We made it back outside and for the rest of the night we stayed by each others side. And it felt right to me, I liked it and it didn't feel forced it felt … natural, it felt good! Until someone destroyed my heaven.

“Dimka!”, she screeched as some sort of greeting.

With open arms she went over towards us and enveloped Dimitri in a hug, forcing him to let go of me.

“Tasha”, he replied. “I didn't know you would be here.”

“Me neither”, she said. “But you know my mother, always short notice.”

“Yes, I remember”, he replied and put his arm back around me.

I snuggled back into him and enjoyed his close proximity. He kissed my head and I smiled to myself. His aftershave enveloped me and I closed my eyes, hoping Tasha would leave by some miracle. Of course, that didn't happen.

“So Dimitri”, Tasha started.

And then she started to say something in Russian, smiling evilly at me. She knew that I didn't understand a word and Dimitri missed it to use his native tongue. I had to admit it was smart of her to use it against me.

“No thanks, Tasha”, Dimitri answered.

Tasha looked at Dimitri with wide eyes. I don't think because of his answer, but because he answered in English. For me, he did it for me. I looked up at him and smiled and he smiled back. I wanted to say something, but 'thank you' didn't seem like enough so I just reached up and kissed him. Dimitri returned the kiss and I felt him smile against my lips. Tasha of course cleared her throat, pissed that Dimitri's attention was elsewhere.

“Ugh”, I groaned, “Did you need anything, Tasha?”

She looked at me with fake shock, like we were best friends and she couldn't understand why I was being so mean. As if!

“Rose”, she gasped and looked at Dimitri for help.

“Well?”, he asked.

And she seemed to turn red from anger.

“Fine”, she snapped and stalked away from us to Lissa and Christian.

What she wanted from them? I had no idea, but right now I didn't care either.

“Where were we?”, Dimitri asked smiling turning us so we faced each other.

“We wanted to search for a private place so all these people wouldn't stare at us”, I giggled.

Frowning Dimitri looked around and saw that a lot of people were staring at us.

“Oh”, he said. “Right.”

“You really didn't notice?”, I asked laughing, while we made our way back into the house.

“No, I was too occupied with something else.”

“Something?”, I asked.

“Your ass”, Dimitri replied shrugging and winked at me and pushing me through the back door.

We were now in the kitchen of the house. It was dark and I could barely see, but I could make out Dimitri in front of me and that was enough for me.

“Oh right, you remember the video I have of your ass?”, I asked.

Dimitri lifted me up and sat me down on the counter, stopping at my question.

“Yeah, why?”, he asked now confused.

He was standing in between my legs, his hands left and right from my hips and my hands on his chest, feeling his muscles underneath the thin shirt.

“I may have – by accident! - send it to all my contacts”, I admitted.

“You have WHAT?!”, he roared.

And I grabbed his face and smashed my lips onto his.