How about a DPOV?!

2. Winter Wonderland

(Frostbite)

'I need to pee.'

I glanced across at the girl in the passenger seat beside me and shook my head.

'No you don't. We only stopped at the gas station an hour ago. If you can just hold on for another forty minutes you can use the bathroom when we arrive at the Badica residence.'

It was probably just nerves. We were on our way to Rose's interview with Arthur Schoenberg, and while she excelled at the physical aspects of her guardian training, I knew this meeting was putting her under a whole new level of pressure.

My student squirmed theatrically, pulling the seat belt out away from her body.

'I won't be able to hold that long,' she complained.

'Want me to stop the car and you can go behind a tree?' I offered.

She glared at me. 'The snow is feet thick out there. Do you want me to freeze my ass off?'

My hands tightened on the steering wheel, and I had to put a conscious effort into not thinking about her 'ass' - or any other part of her body for that matter. It was only a few weeks since Rose and I fell victim to Victor's lust charm, and no matter how hard I tried to forget the way she looked that night - lying naked in my bed, arching needily under my desperate, exploring hands - the images kept flooding back to me whenever I least expected it.

I snuck a glance at her again and she was looking right at me, like she knew exactly what I was thinking. Shit! I had to take control of the situation - fast.

'So, no tree then,' I granted. 'There's a holiday lodge a few miles after the next turn-off. Can you wait that long?'

She nodded eagerly, and I couldn't help smiling a little at her enthusiasm. Sometimes I forgot that Rose had spent most of her life behind the gates and wards of St. Vladimir's Academy.

When I thought about that a bit more my smile faded. It wasn't right that stopping off to use the toilet at a holiday lodge was a highlight in Rose's day. She deserved so much better than the life that her mother and The Academy provided her - better than the life she was destined to have as a guardian. I wish I could do more to help make up for everything Rose had missed out on, but a quick stop-over at the lodge would have to do.

'It's beautiful,' Rose grabbed my arm in excitement as we crested a rise and saw the holiday lodge spread out before us.

The sprawling wooden building looked warm and inviting after our long drive. Golden light shone from the windows and balconies - glowing bright against the green and white of the surrounding forest landscape - and one towering fir tree at the centre of the complex was strung with colourful Christmas lights and laden with decorations.

As we got closer, we saw children, families and couples skating on the frozen lake a short walk from the lodge - utterly content in their private winter wonderland.

Rose looked at me hopefully.

'I wish I could say yes, but there's not enough time,' I apologised. 'We've only got fifteen minutes before we need to be on the road again.'

'But...' the disappointment on her face was heartbreaking.

'How about I buy you a hot chocolate and we can watch the skaters for a little while instead?' I suggested, easing the car into a parking space by the main entrance and killing the engine.

The stop wasn't planned into our itinerary, but a double-dose of endorphins from the chocolate and the walk would help Rose loosen up a bit before her interview with Guardian Schoenberg. As long as we didn't show up late for the meeting, I figured there was no harm in giving her a bit of a treat.

Rose squealed in agreement, and I froze when she stretched across and planted a massive kiss on my cheek. If I'd turned my head an inch to the right her lips would have landed on my mouth.

Calm down, Dimitri, I told myself, staring straight ahead.

I'd have to be very careful for the next fifteen minutes to make sure things stayed professional between us (not to mention the five-hour drive back to The Academy). It didn't matter how strong these irrational feelings were getting. I could not allow myself to act on them. Rose knew where I stood on the matter. She was still a minor - and my student. I had to be the strong one and...

There was a gust of cold air and I realised I was sitting in the car alone. Okay. Maybe I shouldn't read so much into Rose's actions. It wasn't a romantic kiss. She was just excited... Right?

I took a slow breath then climbed out of the car and hurried to join her.

While Rose was in the bathroom, I grabbed us some hot chocolates from the café on the ground-floor. I nearly bought her a doughnut too, but then decided against it. She'd probably see that as a personal gift and I didn't want to give her the wrong impression. No. I had to set a professional tone so she could stay focused on her interview.

'Double chocolate, no cream,' I handed Rose her takeaway cup as soon as she returned, acutely aware of our fingers touching when she reached for the drink.

Keep it professional, Dimitri.

'Thanks,' she beamed up at me, taking a sip right away and burning her tongue.

'Je-sus...,' Rose choked, before noticing a mother of two young children glaring at her. '...Is the reason for the season!' she finished quickly, flashing the lady an apologetic grimace then making for the exit that led out to the lake.

I shook my head and followed after her. I should probably have a word with Rose about the importance of impulse control, but I didn't want to mess with her positive head-space before her meeting with Arthur, so I decided the lecture could wait.

A few minutes later we were standing side-by-side by the frozen lake - steam rising from our drinks and from our breath as we talked.

'Do you skate, Rose?' I asked, taking in the blissed expression on her face as she watched the skaters gliding endlessly past us.

Rose had pulled the fur-trimmed hood of her parka up over her hair, and I couldn't help noticing the pink flush of warmth in her cheeks against the pale colour of her jacket. Her natural beauty was startling. She was probably the most beautiful woman I'd ever met... I really needed to stop thinking things like that.

'A bit,' she smiled. 'You?'

'A bit,' I glanced away to avoid her eyes, pretending to be interested in the scarved-and-mittened revellers that were swirling on the lake.

'Maybe we should do it together someday?' she suggested coyly.

'I'm afraid skating isn't part of the Novice curriculum,' I nipped that idea in the bud.

It was hard enough dealing with all the incidental touching that happened during our sparring sessions together. Holding hands in a romantic setting was... inadvisable.

'Well, maybe it should be!' she shot back, her gaze falling on a pair of skaters who stood out from the others - their movements graceful and precise. 'If everything works out, you and I are going to be guarding partners soon. We'll need to have one-another's backs. We'll need to work together seamlessly... Trust one-another completely...'

I felt the warmth of her body as she leant in closer to my side.

'...Co-ordinate our moves.'

I nearly jumped out of my skin when I felt her hand pat my backside.

'What the hell, Roza?!' I demanded, snapping my head around to see her looking back at me with a shit-eating grin.

How was I meant to respond to this situation? I was supposed to be the girl's mentor - nothing more. If Alberta Petrov or Ellen Kirova had any idea how close I'd grown to Rose in the few short months we'd been training together, they'd have me shipped me straight back to Russia. God knows what would happen if Rose's mother found out about us.

'We should probably get going,' I said coolly, adjusting the collar of my duster and taking a step away from the girl who had my whole mind and body in knots. 'Arthur Schoenberg is an important man. We mustn't keep him waiting.'

Rose's posture fell slightly. She knew she'd overstepped a boundary, and it was obvious she felt bad about upsetting me.

I sighed tiredly. I hated pushing her away all the time, like she meant nothing to me. But what other choice did I have?

'Come on, Roza,' I softened my voice a little - hoping she would understand that I wasn't really angry with her. 'If you promise to be on your best behaviour for the rest of the trip, I might consider stopping back here on the way home.'

She met my eyes doubtfully.

'I saw a doughnut in the café with your name on it...,' I continued, my heart lifting as her hurt expression began to melt away. 'And maybe we could hire some skates for a half-hour session? Ice-skating lessons for co-ordination and teamwork is actually a pretty good idea. I'll suggest it to Alberta when we get back.'

'Seriously?' Rose's face lit up with anticipation. 'I promise I'll be good all the way from here to the Badica house!'

'And on the way back too?' I reminded her.

I needed her to be on her best behaviour. Because I wasn't sure how much longer I could stay on mine.

'I'll give it my best shot,' she promised, and for once, I actually believed her. 'Come on, grandpa - race you back to the car?'

Rose took off before I could answer and I looked after her for a second - watching as the hoodie on her parka fell back from her face and a sea of dark-brown hair tumbled down past her shoulders... Her smooth, perfect shoulders.

I groaned, trying to banish the picture of her naked back from my memory. How was I meant to get through the next three months as Rose's mentor? I wasn't even sure if I'd last the rest of our road trip without purposely veering into a snow-drift as an excuse to use my body-heat to keep her warm.

I took a deep breath and set off after her - focusing on nothing but the soft sound of my own footfalls as I picked up speed, and the feeling of power and control as I pushed my body harder. If my most undisciplined student could keep her impulses under control, then so could I.

Probably.

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Author's Note:

Liked it? See you tomorrow for Shadow Kissed :)