Page 14 of Between Power and Passion

I sit under the familiar oak tree, book in hand, eagerly awaiting Dmitri's arrival. Ever since that accidental soccer ball incident, we've formed an unexpected bond over our shared love for reading. It's been two months already.

Footsteps crunch on the grass, and I smile as Dmitri comes into view.

"That book you lent me is a disaster!" he exclaims before even reaching me. "How could Katerina be so foolish? She knew the guy was coming for her, yet she still went back to the house… ALONE!" He plops down beside me, frustration etched on his face.

I laugh, amused by his exasperation. "That's part of the joy of reading, Dmitri. Characters can be infuriatingly dense at times." I shake my head with a grin. "Trust me, I've wanted to shake some sense into them myself."

Dmitri runs a hand through his tousled hair. "But after everything that happened the day before, how could she be so blind?" His eyebrows knit together as he talks. "I don't think I can read anything again. I’m so pissed."

I feign hurt and clutch my chest dramatically. "Never read again? But Dmitri, I've collected so many wonderful books just for you!"

He hums, the corner of his mouth tugging upward. "Well, when you put it that way..." He leans back on his elbows, eyes twinkling. "I suppose I'm still very much interested in reading."

Smiling, I pull a book from my bag and hand it to him. "Is this the next adventure?"

Dmitri opens the cover, brows furrowing as he examines the inscription on the inside page. His name is written there in my looping script. He looks up at me, realization dawning.

I nod, unable to contain my grin. "The book is yours."

Excitement lights up in his eyes, and he leans forward and presses a quick kiss to my cheek without warning. We both freeze, his lips lingering near my skin. He pulls back slightly. "I... apologize, that was—"

I shake my head in amusement. His cheeks have a faint rosy tint as he turns his attention back to the book, clearing his throat.

"To Dmitri, may our adventures in reading be just the beginning." He reads the inscription aloud, eyes flickering up to meet mine. "From Valentina." A slow smile spreads across his face as the words sink in.

I blush under his gaze. Dmitri notices the crimson flush creeping up my neck, and his eyes light up with teasing laughter. "I see you’ve already planned many more adventures for us."

My cheeks grow even hotter. Dmitri's eyes sparkle with amusement at my reaction.

He leans in slightly, a knowing smile creeping across his lips. "I never thought I'd see the day you'd blush like a schoolgirl. I think I can die peacefully now."

I shove his shoulder lightly, unable to suppress my smile. "Oh hush, you. It's the summer heat, that's all." I feign nonchalance, though my rapidly beating heart betrays my attempt at casual indifference.

Dmitri chuckles softly, his gaze holding mine with an unexpected intensity. "If you say so." He pauses, seeming to consider something before speaking again. "Though I must admit, that rosy color in your cheeks is quite lovely."

My breathing falters as he voices the unexpected compliment. I search his warm brown eyes, unable to look away.

I lean forward, a thrill running through me as I close the distance between us. My lips find Dmitri's in a tentative, tender kiss. For a brief moment, he stills, caught off guard. But then his hand cups the back of my neck, pulling me closer as he returns the kiss with fervent passion.

Our movements are clumsy and inexperienced, but I don't care. I wrap my arms around his neck, relishing the feeling of finally being in his embrace. Dmitri's fingers tangle in my hair as our kiss deepens, the world around us fading away.

A loud cough shatters the intimate moment. We break apart, breathless, to find my bodyguard standing nearby with an impassive expression.

"Miss Makarov, it's time to return home."

Heat floods my cheeks as I realize he watched us kiss. I nod quickly, unable to meet his eyes. Rising to my feet, I dust off my skirt, doing my best to regain my composure. I turn back to Dmitri, who watches me with an unreadable look.

"Until next time," I murmur, offering him a shy smile before following my bodyguard down the path.

I smooth the crisp bedsheets, ensuring every crease is neatly tucked away. Dmitri has been recovering well, though his restless spirit makes it difficult to keep him confined.

Moving to the dresser, I open the top drawer, intent on straightening its contents. My fingers brush against a worn, leather-bound book, and I pause, pulling it out carefully. This familiar tome was one of the first I gifted Dmitri when we began sharing our love of reading.

I open the cover, and there it is, my looping handwriting on the frontispiece. A lump forms in my throat as memories come flooding back. How much has changed since those carefree days under the oak tree?

The door creaks open behind me.

"Why are you cleaning?" Dmitri's gruff voice cuts through my reverie. "We have maids for that."

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