Page 51 of Dimitri
"What are we doing up here?"
Turning her into his arms, he pulled her into his embrace and inhaled her scent. "I love you."
"I love you too."
He inhaled a shaky breath. "Just wanted to get that out of the way." Tilting her chin up, he kissed her gently and had her bones melting.
Chapter 14
"Bitch, who are you right now?" Jessica stared at her in blanketed shock. "You're getting married in the spring?"
"I blame it on you." Allison grumbled as she toyed with her salad. She had yet another news, but this one was going to be shared with Dimitri first. She started to lift her left hand, but her friend yanked it forward and used her other hand to shield her eyes.
"It's blinding."
"It has to be. It costs a fortune." She watched as Jessica studied the intricate pattern of the Princess cut diamond for another two seconds before dragging her hand away. "Apparently there's an entire vault of stones that goes to me from the generations of Petrov wives. Alexei's wife, her name is Anastasia, incredible beauty by the way and very friendly, shared some of the traditions with me."
"You've spoken to the family?" Someone in the corner of the sports club shouted out some encouragement at the large television screen where a football game was in progress.
"The father face timed us last Sunday while we were having a celebratory supper at his grandparents and read me the riot act." She grinned in memory. "Suffice it to say I was terrified. Theman gave intimidation a whole new meaning. But I stood up to him and that gained his respect and approval."
"I intend to sign a prenup. Dimitri keeps saying it's not necessary, but as a lawyer and a sensible human being, I know it is. Their resources are over the top." Even thinking about it was making her very nervous. "Did you know they produce the best caviars in the entire world? And the most expensive." Picking up her glass, she gulped water and tried to settle her stomach. "I'm trying not to think about it."
"It's hard not to." Jessica shook her head as she dug into her salad. "I'm so happy for you. When you told me about the encounter with that awful woman in the market, I wanted to find her and choke the life out of her."
"That was the turning point in my relationship." She mused. "I saw Dimitri, really saw him for the first time and realized that I did not want to live without him."
"Things are happening for us. Jared and I are getting two babies instead of one." Putting her fork down, she let out a breath. "We're definitely scared. And you're getting married in less than two months."
"I never thought I would be." She murmured. "I thought it was all over for me, and I was content with that reality, until I methim." She laughed shakily. "He's officially moved into my place for now. We will be dividing our time between the farmhouse and the cottage. Of course, we will be visiting Moscow." She grimaced. "He loves his home and takes pleasure in describing it. But he will be living here in the states. His grandparents are signing the farm over to him."
Jessica leaned in, her eyes warm. "You deserve all of this happiness. After everything you've been through, it's about time."
Allison smiled, feeling a wave of gratitude for the support of her friend. The uncertainty in her heart was slowly being replaced by excitement for the future. She glanced at her ring once more, letting herself imagine the life ahead and all the new beginnings it promised.
"I'm happy." She laughed shakily. "I still feel sad that I wasn't able to love Michael the way he loved me and cannot help feeling that if he had been with someone else, he would still be alive." She shook her head when her friend opened her mouth. "I'm no longer eaten alive with guilt. Dimitri saw to that. But he was a sweet man and deserved better than he got from me."
Jessica reached out and patted her hand. "He would have been the first to cheer you on. Michael was one of the good ones. Don't allow the memories to take away your happiness with this gorgeous man."
She couldn't help but think about how quickly everything had changed. Just a few months ago, her life had felt predictable and safe, but now every day brought new surprises and challenges. Though there were moments of doubt, she knew deep down that this was exactly where she was meant to be.
*****
"She's out." Justin Black gripped the rim of his watch cap in tight fingers. His face was tense, his light blue eyes darting around the room. He looked like a rabbit searching for somewhere to hide.
"I know." It had pissed her off to realize the woman had only been given a slap on the wrist. Judge Patterson had implemented this program of sending people to rehab instead of making them do the maximum time. She had wanted to give the man a piece of her mind and had only just resisted. Aside from that, Gerry had warned her to keep the peace.
"Concentrate on your upcoming nuptials and stay out of it."
She had no patience for wedding menus and caterers and had told Elizabeth that bluntly. Her grandmother would be flying over a week before the wedding, and she could not wait to see her. And she had to go home and tell Dimitri the news about the pregnancy. They had never spoken about the possibility beforeand she still had no idea how she felt about it. She was in her forties and that meant bigger risks.
"You've taken out a restraining order on her. If she gets within a hundred feet of Simon, she will be thrown in jail. Has she approached you?"
He shook his head. "I saw her loitering across the road from the shop where I work and she called and asked to speak to Simon."
Allison nodded. "I can always file a harassment charge on her if she persists in trying to contact you."
Justin gave her a pleading look. "I'm scared of her. So is Simon. He still has nightmares."
