Page 44 of Dancing With Desire

I arch a brow. “That has to stop. Clean language from now on. Show everyone you can make this work.”

“You can’t talk, you have a potty mouth too,” she points out.

“But you’re better than me. You’re going to do amazing things with your life.”

She reaches over and wraps me in an embrace, holding on to me tightly. “Thank you,” she whispers.

“It was Dmitry’s idea. He’s amazing when he wants to be, but don’t tell him I said that. He’s already got an ego the size of London.”

She moves back to her space on the sofa. “So, you finally found your knight in shining armour?” she asks, and I nod, thinking over the things Dmitry has done for me. He really is my knight. “You used to spend hours reading those soppy romance books,” she adds. “You said you’d find someone to rescue you.”

“He’s rescuing you too now,” I point out, my heart swelling with love. “And one day, you’ll meet your knight too, only not just yet because you have school to concentrate on. Mixing with boys is not a good idea. They’re nothing but trouble.”

“Yeah, it looks like it,” she says with amusement as she looks around the room.

“I think we should go and get you an entire new wardrobe. I can’t imagine the clothes you have back home are good, and we can’t have you going to this amazing school in rags.”

She claps in delight, and I hate it’s taken this long for me to treat her, but in truth, if I’d have done this sooner, my father would have sold whatever I got her for his own gains.

DMITRY

I’m sittingat the kitchen counter with my laptop open when I hear the most perfect sound, a sound I never thought I would hear again. Laughter. It fills the hallway as Victoria arrives home from shopping with Poppy.

She enters the kitchen, and relief floods her face the second her eyes land on me. She heads over, coming up behind me to wrap her arms around my neck and leaning her head on my shoulder. I place my hand over her arms, enjoying the feel of her so close.

“Are you okay, mykrasota?” She nods into the crook of my neck.

Marshall follows shortly after, carrying the haul of shopping bags. It’s the most I think I’ve ever seen. Poppy skips in behind him, plopping herself down opposite us before reaching over and taking my glass of water, draining it dry.

“She’s definitely your sister,” I mutter, smirking while shaking my head. But secretly, I’m glad she feels at home.

Victoria unwraps herself from around my neck and takes the stool beside me. Reaching over, I place my hand on top of her thigh.

“If it’s okay with you both, we can take a look at Poppy’s new school tomorrow. The headteacher is free to show us around.”

“I can’t wait,” she replies with enthusiasm. “I’ll go take these bags upstairs.”

I was a little worried she wouldn’t want to start over again. A young teenager making such a huge transition will be hard, but after meeting her parents, I can’t help but feel this will be a breeze for her. Besides, I couldn’t allow history to repeat itself.

“Marshall, could you help?” He nods before gathering her haul and making his way upstairs with Poppy hot on his tail.

“Dmitry?” I turn to look at Victoria, and see her eyes are full of emotion. “Thank you for everything.”

“You don’t need to thank me,” I reply as I reach for her hand and bring it to my lips. I place a small, tender kiss on the back of it. “You’re going to be my wife. I’ll do anything for you. You . . . and Poppy are part of my family.”

A small tear trails down her cheek, and I catch it with my thumb. “I love you, Dmitry,” she whispers, and I’m sure my heart almost stops. I’ve been waiting for those words for what seems like an eternity, and I never thought I would hear them fall from her lips again after everything.

I swallow my emotions down and kiss her. “I love you, Mrs. Volkov,” I whisper against her lips before moving my hand to rest delicately over the small swell of her stomach. “I love you too,moye ditya.” I pull back slightly before adding, “We need to set a date, mykrasota.” She looks puzzled. “For the wedding,” I confirm, and she grins.

“I thought you meant the birth.” She laughs at herself.

“We need to get the ball rolling so I can make you mine . . . forever and always.”

I take a moment to contemplate how she may take this next bit of news. I don’t want to cause her any unnecessary pressure, but it’s tradition for the families, so I take a breath and add, “I’ll need to take you to meet the families. Their approval isn’t necessary, but it will make my life easier.” She shakes her head in a firm no. “Listen to me,” I say as I reach for her hand. “You are a part of my life, and they need to meet you. But I promise, nothing bad will happen. Not only are you to be my wife, but you’re also carrying my child.”

She takes some steady breaths. “But what about your father, Dmitry? What if he’s told them about me? Surely . . . if there is protocol, they would have had to give permission for what happened to me?” She’s looking more panicked by the second, so I take her face in my hands.

“He wasn’t following protocol, Victoria. And I shouldn’t even be telling you this, but I need you to trust me. They don’t even know that he’s gone into business with Vivian, and that’s huge. They get a cut of everything we do, that’s the deal. I want to useit to my advantage so they’ll allow me permission for what needs to be done next. I have to do this so it’s all above-board.”

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