Page 59 of Dimitri
"I love you too. I never knew—" She closed her eyes and could not get the rest of the sentence out. But he understood and felt his heart swelling. There was no need to worry about ghosts from her past. The guy had been exorcised.
She went up again, her body vibrating as the climax hit her, slamming into her with the force of lightning and leaving her trembling.
He was right behind her, the control he had been so careful to hold onto shredding away. His body went taut for a second before plunging inside her with a force that shoved her against the headboard. He vaguely wondered if he was hurting her but could not control it as he poured himself into her until he was empty.
It took him a few minutes to realize he was crushing her. Detaching himself, he slid to the side. His arms came around her to hold her there as he fought to steady his breathing.
"Did I hurt you?" he asked gruffly a few minutes later.
"I'll let you know when I can actually feel anything," she murmured into his chest.
"We should get some sleep," he suggested.
"Not just yet." When her hand drifted downwards, he realized to his astonishment that he was far from through with her.
Chapter 16
The Elite Club was filled to the brim with guests arriving from overseas. The rooms were booked, but being Ivanov Petrov, they managed to get two suites for the night. The bachelor party was being held there, and they would fly out to the farmhouse in the morning in time for the wedding. Anastasia and her three-year-old son were already at the farmhouse.
The three men were together for the first time in several months and it felt good. Also, for the first time, there was no tension between Dimitri and his father. The man had actually greeted him with a firm clasp on the shoulder, something he had never done before. And they were having a conversation.
"Angela would have been proud of you."
Dimitri exchanged glances with his brother as their father gestured for yet another shot of whiskey. They were having a private moment in their suite. The party had broken up around midnight, leaving the three men to themselves.
"She would have been so happy." He shook his head. "You followed me, my footsteps. You followed my example and got yourself an American bride." He stared at his son out of bleary eyes. "Beautiful girl and pregnant too. You'll have a son of course."
"It doesn't matter—"
"You'll have a son." He pointed his glass at Dimitri. "The Petrov men always produce sons." He took another gulp of the whiskey. "Your mother, bless her soul, wanted a daughter. But alas, it was not to be. But she loved you." He looked at his sons and smiled. "You especially." He gazed at Dimitri. "Now you're going to be living in this country. American." He made a derisive movement with his hand. "I want to see my grandchild on a regular basis. You will have the jet at your disposal."
"And you're welcome any time." Dimitri glanced at his brother, his gaze uncertain. He had never seen his father like this before. The man was always in control.
"Papa, how about we ring for some coffee?" Alexei spoke for the first time since the conversation started and received a gimlet stare.
"Are you implying I cannot hold my, how do you say? Hold my alcohol?"
Taking matters into his own hands, Dimitri picked up the phone. "It's almost my wedding day and I have no intention of us arriving looking like drunken fools."
His father smiled at that. "You're right of course. Coffee it is. Tomorrow is a big day." Rising, he ambled over and clasped Dimitri on the shoulder. "You've done very well son. Very well."
*****
It rained three days before the wedding as if to wash away the last vestiges of snow. They wondered if they had to pitch tents for the guests. But by the time they rose the next morning, the sun was up and there were birds chirping in the trees. The place was washed with a brilliance that was dazzling. Elizabeth's famous gardens were highlighted in the brilliance of the sun. Water was dripping off petals that looked as if they had been given a thorough bath.
The caterers were already installed in the kitchen whipping up delicacies that would be served for the guests later on. The pergola was decorated with blue and green streamers and interspersed with champagne-colored balloons. The hostess was in her element and up since dawn, flitting from indoors to outdoors to make sure everything was in place. The entire farm hands had been invited to the reception.
The ceremony was private with a few people invited. But the reception was open to everyone. They were expecting over three hundred guests. The McKenzies were not stinting on expenses. Their grandson, the heir to the property was getting married. More than that, their other grandson, granddaughter and great-grandson, one they had not seen in two years were all here. It was cause for celebration.
Everything had to be perfect.
Preparations were underway with a sense of joyful urgency. Florists arrived early, weaving fresh garlands along the fence and entryway, while tables were set beneath wide, white canopies. Friends and family trickled in throughout the morning, their laughter blending with the sounds of music playing softly nearby. Excitement buzzed in the air as everyone anticipated the coming celebration, hoping for memories that would last a lifetime.
Upstairs, the women, her grandmother who had arrived a week ago was staying at the cottage but had spent the night at the farmhouse along with the others, were all gathered in the bridal suite. Jessica, taking her role as matron of honor, flitted around the bride while the others stared in amazement at the vision in champagne colored silk and lace.
Allison had insisted on choosing her own wedding dress and had hunkered down with Monique Romano until they had come up with a breathtaking ensemble. The dress clung to her narrow torso, calling attention to her full bosom and diving downwards into a vee that stopped short of her waist. Jewels glittered at both sides of the bodice and were echoed at the front of her hair. The skirt drifted and swirled from waist to ankles. Later on, after the ceremony, the gauzy piece attached would be removed.
Her hair had taken an hour to style. The thick coils had been shampooed yesterday and deep conditioned. And was now twisted at the front into an intricate pattern and was flowing halfway down her back. The official photographer snapped pictures at every turn and was starting to annoy Allison.
