Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 107687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Erik smacks his son’s shoulder lovingly before walking out of the room.
Dimitri looks at me. “What was that about?”
“Nothing, just talking,” I say as I finish the dishes. “What were you off doing?”
“Nothing. Just talking to my mom.”
We share a smirk, and then he leans over the counter. “Kiss me.”
“No,” I say, wiping my hands. “You didn’t help me at all with these.”
“Because I was enjoying the view of you doing those dishes.”
I roll my eyes as I throw down the towel, leaning on the counter with him. “In the other room?”
He threads our fingers together, and when our gazes meet once more, I’m breathless. “Hey.”
“Yes?”
“Did you have fun?”
I nod. “I did. They’re very nice.”
“They’re okay,” he agrees with a grin. “My mom loves you.”
“Well, duh,” I say, though my heart does a little jig. “I think your dad might be a fan.”
“Maybe. He’s a tough nut to crack.”
“True, but Katarina is a marble.”
“Hell, she’s cement,” he says, shaking his head. “But thank you for coming.”
“I wanted to.”
“I know, but thanks,” he says, kissing my fingers. “Now, will you kiss me? Right here?” he says, pointing to his lips.
“Right there?”
He grins. “Right here.”
I lean in. “Fine, but only because I want to.”
Just as I meet his lips with mine, we’re interrupted by his mom’s entrance. “Dimitri, I found it— Oh! My bad.”
He laughs against my lips before turning around. “Thanks for ruining our kissing, Mom! That’s how it starts, in order to make grandchildren.”
I gawk at that as, over his shoulder, he flashes me a deep-dimpled smile. I see her hand something to him, but I don’t know what. Nor do I care when she says, “Got to have a wedding before a baby.”
Dimitri snorts at that. “Says parents who were pregnant with me when they said I do.”
“But you didn’t come until we were married,” she retorts, patting his chest. “So, get to work.”
Before he even turns, I can see the devilish grin on his face, and I know he’s about to say something that will have me flushing head to toe. “On the baby-making part or the marriage part? I’m always down to practice for baby-making.”
I cover my face and groan as everyone laughs at my misfortune. “You are impossible.”
I look through my fingers, and he’s just grinning from ear to ear. “And you love me for it.”
Oh, how I do.
So very much.
Thankfully, it’s time to go home, and I won’t have to be subjected to him embarrassing me in front of his parents or having to answer for my actions with his dad. I don’t mind either of those things, but I really just want to be alone with him. I don’t think I’m mentally prepared for the next couple days, visiting Tiny Russia, but I am very thankful that Dimitri is coming with me. I hope to find some closure, and I want to say goodbye to my Babu, tell her how much she changed my life.
How her love taught me how to love Dimitri.
I notice Dimitri hasn’t said much by the time we’re almost home, which is very unlike him.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, why?”
“You’re not running your mouth or teasing me.”
His lips quirk. “Tired, I guess.”
“I don’t think that has ever stopped you,” I say, holding his gaze, and he shrugs.
“Got a lot on my mind, Janie.”
“Like?”
“Just stuff.”
I bring my brows in. “Just stuff? What the hell?”
He grins. “Don’t get upset.”
“Don’t be weird.”
“Don’t be nosy.”
“Don’t be elusive.”
He laughs as he pulls into the apartment complex.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“Janie, stop.”
“Then what is it?”
Dimitri meets my gaze and slowly shakes his head. “My mom gave me something, and it has put a lot on my mind.”
“What?”
He works his lips. “I wanted to wait until we left.”
“For what?” I ask, completely and utterly freaked out and a little bit annoyed.
“You know, you make my life hard.”
“I make your life hard?” I throw back. “You torment me in and out of bed, Dimitri Blake Titov!”
“Hey, it’s a job, and someone has to do it. I’m very thankful it’s me.”
“Impossible,” I say, crazed by him. “How can I argue with you when you do this?”
“Oh no, you’re figuring out my plan to keep you from arguing with me,” he teases, his eyes playful and, God, so beautiful. He reaches out, cupping my face in his hand. He runs his thumb along my lips, and I get lost in his eyes.
Wholeheartedly in love with everything about him.
And who he is.
My love.
“I love you, Austen.”
Gone is my annoyance, still unable to resist those three words. “I love you.”
He stares deep into my eyes, his thumb putting me in a trance. His lips part as if he is going to say something, but then he stops, still searching my gaze. I reach up, covering his hand with mine. “You can say anything, Dimitri. You know that.”