Page 48 of Between Power and Passion

“All the more reason to rest,” he counters without missing a beat. He places a hand on my arm, guiding me away from the counter. I resist at first but eventually relent, allowing him to lead me toward our bedroom.

As we walk, I feel a mix of annoyance and gratitude. Dmitri has always been protective—sometimes overly so—but it’s hard to stay mad at him when I know he’s only trying to keep me safe.

He helps me sit on the edge of the bed and brushes a strand of hair away from my face. “I’ll make breakfast for you,” he says softly.

I nod reluctantly. “Alright.”

Dmitri leans down and kisses my forehead before heading back to the kitchen. Left alone in our room, I settle back against the pillows and try to relax. The sounds of cooking drift in from the kitchen—clattering pans and sizzling food—and I can’t help but smile despite myself.

After what feels like an eternity but is probably only fifteen minutes or so, Dmitri returns with a tray laden with food. He sets it down gently on my lap—a plate of scrambled eggs with herbs, toast with butter and jam, and a glass of fresh orange juice.

“Thank you,” I say quietly as I pick up a fork.

He sits beside me on the bed, watching as I take my first bite. The eggs are perfectly seasoned—just like how I taught him.

“You’re welcome,” he replies, a hint of pride in his voice.

Dmitri sits beside me, his strong hands moving to massage my legs as I eat. His touch is gentle, almost reverent, as he works out the knots and tension. The sensation is soothing, and I let out a small sigh of relief.

“I finished painting the baby’s room,” he says, his voice a comforting rumble. “We should go shopping for clothes soon.”

I nod in agreement, taking another bite of the perfectly seasoned eggs. The idea of preparing for our baby’s arrival fills me with a warmth I hadn’t expected. Despite everything, there’s still hope and excitement for the future.

But the worry lingers at the edges of my mind, refusing to be entirely pushed aside. I stop eating, setting down my fork and looking up at Dmitri. “I’m still worried about my father,” I admit quietly. “With him out there...”

Dmitri’s hands pause on my legs, and he leans in closer, his eyes locking onto mine with that intense focus he always has. “Stop worrying your pretty little head, my love” he says firmly. “Sergei will not be a problem for us ever again.”

I want to believe him, but the fear is hard to shake. “How can you be so sure?”

“He has no friends left, no money,” Dmitri explains. “He’s hiding like a rat in the dark. And I’m ready for him whenever he decides to crawl out of his hole.”

There’s a fierce determination in his voice that reassures me more than his words alone could. He leans down, pressing a gentle kiss to my belly.

I place my hand on top of his head, feeling the familiar softness of his hair beneath my fingers. “Thank you,” I whisper.

Dmitri looks up at me. “For what?”

“For being here... for everything.”

He smiles slightly and resumes massaging my legs. “You're my world, Valentina. I’d do anything for you.”

***

I’m nestled into at least five pillows. Dmitri is in the corner, fiddling with something on his phone. I glance up at him and suddenly feel a wave of longing wash over me. I set the book down.

“Dmitri,” I start. My voice catches his attention immediately. “We’ve never been on a date before.”

He raises an eyebrow, his intense eyes meeting mine. “A date?” he echoes, sounding both curious and cautious.

“Yeah,” I say, sitting up a bit straighter. “Like normal people. Dinner, maybe a movie. Just us.”

He seems to ponder this for a moment before replying. “Would a home-cooked, candlelit dinner be okay?”

I shake my head, smiling despite myself. “No, Dmitri. I want to go out.”

He looks at me for a long moment, and I can see the wheels turning in his head. Finally, he nods. “Alright then,” he says decisively. “Get ready. I’ll book us a reservation.”

Excitement bubbles up inside me at his words. I practically leap off the bed, feeling more energized than I have in weeks. “Thank you,” I say softly before heading toward the bathroom.

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