A/N: Hey peolpe! Here it is, chapter 12! Feelin' so much better now, I got out of that little rut I was in. I had to get knocked on the head to finish. Literally, Pots and pans fell on top of my head and I bumped my head on the wood of my bed. My forehead has so many bumps and bruises, haha. I'm the biggest klutz ever. Anyway, enjoy, love you all, review too. Seriously, your reviews make me feel really good. I'd like to shout out to RozaRocks (love how I got you askin questions) Kay1a (sorry, but things only half go as you say) Kasie759 (sooo happy you liked my story so much to finish it in a day!) RoBiNiSmYbOo (Haha, stopping at the good part is my specialty. But I don't like to torture people, so I update regularly) Author-Forever-598 (lmao, your review killed me! But I guess now you realize I am evil. Haha, jk, here's the next chapter) and a guest who left me a lovingly long review (don't worry. Nothing is happening withTasha. I hate her too much, haha. But seriously, I can't stand her. Nearly killed me just to put her in the story and write about her all over Dimitri).
Oh yeah, just a note, things get a little hot and heavy later in this chap, so proceed with caution~
As Adrian's face glided slowly down towards her own, Rose really thought about what she was doing. She had enjoyed today thoroughly and Adrian really did seem to like her. He may look flippant, but he is nice and wouldn't be the type to betray her. If she let him kiss her, she could build a nice relationship. They could be happy together. Rose could grow to love him. She could….she could…
I could do a lot of things with Adrian. But that's not the problem here.
So what do you want?
What did Rose want? She wanted what she's always wanted.
Rose moved her hand to her mouth so that Adrian's lips met with her palm. Adrian moved his head back a little and looked into Rose's eyes.
"Rose?" Adrian said softly.
"Adrian…I'm sorry. I can't," she said solemnly.
He leaned off her and stepped back a little. He looked at her strongly. "Changed your mind?"
Rose looked down at the asphalt for a few seconds before looking up into his eyes. "I'm sorry. Adrian, you're really nice, and I like you, but I can't be with you," she said with finality.
Adrian stared at Rose. She refused to flinch away from his gaze, she could at least do that much for him, after all she's done for her. Adrian let out a long breath and finally smiled at her. "Well, little lady, you'll certainly be missing out on this awesomeness," he half-joked, placing his hand over his chest.
Rose nodded. She knew how amazing Adrian was and could be, from the gentle way he always treated her. She was really lucky to have him there when she could.
Adrian walked closer to Rose and pulled her into a hug "No need to look like that, little lady," he said into her hair. She eyes had gone all glossy and looked like she was about to cry. She returned his hug tightly and genuinely.
A little while later into the night, Adrian drove Rose home. When they arrived, he got out of the car to open her side.
"A gentleman till the end I see," Rose said smirking, exiting the car.
"Only for you, my dear. My pride is slightly wounded since you broke up with me before we actually even went out." He walked with her to the front door.
"Hmm, I do remember you saying something of the sort before."
"Ah, you remember? That makes me happy," he said grinning.
When they reached the door, Rose spun around and surprised Adrian with a hug. "Thank you Adrian. For everything."
"You sound as if you're saying goodbye to me. I'll still be keeping in contact, and when you get bored of your Russian lover, I'll keep my schedule open." Adrian winked.
"Adrian, you are too much," Rose laughed. But she was glad that she and Adrian could remain friends from now on.
"I do seem to remember you saying something of the sort before," Adrian commented.
Rose laughed again. She smiled up at Adrian and he gave her a kiss to the forehead. "Well then, until next time, little lady." Adrian walked back to his car and drove away with a wave out his window. Rose returned his gesture until he turned the corner.
She took out her keys and went inside the dark house. She expected Olena to be waiting up for her, ready to grill her about her date, but there was no one downstairs. She trotted upstairs and checked to see who was home. Olena wasn't even here. Neither was Dimitri, which was strange. He wasn't the type to be out on late nights. Rose dropped her stuff in her room and went into Vicktoria's.
She was in her bed, sleeping soundly. Rose felt slightly bad for coming in to talk.
"Vicki…Vicki."
"Mmrphm…" She rolled over.
"Vicki, I need to ask you something."
"Mmm, what?...what?" she muffled, sitting up a little. Her eyes remained closed though.
"Where's Olena and Dimitri?"
"Huh? Oh…um, Olena's at babushaka's…she wasn't feeling well, I think…yeah…" Vicktoria lied back down and was about to drift back off.
"What about Dimitri?" Rose said, insistent.
"Oh yeah…brother's at, um…where? I don't think he said. Just that he'll be back or something…"
"When?" she pressed, impatient.
"Don't know," Vicktoria muttered drowsily. She then started faintly snoring, returning back to sleep. Rose sighed and left her room. She was planning on going back to her own, but was too keyed up to lie down or change. So she went downstairs and grabbed the blanket from the couch. She draped it around herself and went to sit on the porch.
It was still really chilly out, but Rose didn't care. If anything, it helped her get her thoughts together. She let out a breath to see it in the night air.
She didn't know how long she was sitting out there for, but before she realized it, a car had pulled into the driveway. It was too dark to see whose it was. Rose stood up and peered over into the darkness. A figure stepped out of the car and headed over to her. Rose squinted her eyes to see better, which did not help.
Then, bathed in the moonlight, was Dimitri looking out of breath. Rose was speechless. She knew she was going to run into Dimitri either tonight or tomorrow, but she never did think about what to say to him.
"Roza…" Dimitri breathed. And just with that, Rose was completely taken. She had been wavering, wondering what was best for Dimitri, or what she should do. None of that mattered now. All that mattered was what she wanted. What she felt, but denied and ran away from because she was scared and hurt. No longer.
"Roza, there's somewhere I want to go with you. Will you come with me?" Dimitri said. He was standing at the bottom of the steps.
"Now?" she asked, stunned. He gave a curt nod. Rose looked at him but he had on a blank face. She went inside to put on some shoes, decided on a pair of plain flats, forgoing those pin heels she had on before. When she went back outside, Dimitri was leaning against the car, patiently waiting. She jogged over and opened the passenger's door to sit inside. Dimitri started the car and they drove off in silence. From the corner of her eyes, Rose looked over at Dimitri. His face was still blank and stoic. He glanced at her then and she quickly looked away. She was always taken by his strong appearance, his unflinching gaze at times.
A little while later, they arrived in front of a building. It looked fairly new, but Rose couldn't tell much else from the outside. They stepped out of the car, and Rose waited.
"Come," Dimitri said to her. She nodded and followed him inside. Upon coming closer, she could see that the building was actually a condominium. Dimitri unlocked the lobby doors with a key card he had pulled from his duster pocket.
Why does he have a key to this place?
They stepped inside and the doorman greeted Dimitri. He waved and they headed towards the elevator. Rose had no idea what was going on here. Are we visiting someone? They got out on the 5th floor. Rose stood again, waiting to see what Dimitri would do. He nodded down towards the hallway, and he went to the left. They stopped in front of one of the doors and Dimitri pulled his keys back out.
Okay, so he has a key to an apartment too. Rose stared at his back as he unlocked the door. When it was opened, he gestured for Rose to go inside.
After walking in, she realized the place was empty. It was very large and spacious. Walking over, there were large windows leading off into a balcony in what appeared to be the living room. There was no furniture anywhere except a modern beige sofa.
Rose turned back to look at Dimitri, who stood in the middle of the room. "What is…" Rose trailed off.
Dimitri waited a beat before answering. "I recently bought this apartment. After dealing with some final loose ends, it officially belongs to me."
Rose raised her brows. Dimitri bought an apartment? He finally did it, then. But that means, he'll be moving out of Olena's…he'll be leaving. She was frozen in place.
"I wanted to wait a while longer, but it was only going to be on the market for so long, so I had to act fast. Luckily, the manager of the condos is very understanding, and I spoke with him beforehand about my situation. He was more than happy to cooperate with me."
Rose couldn't concentrate on what he was saying. All she knew was that she was too late.
Dimitri had stopped talking once he realized that something was wrong. He approached Rose and looked into her face. "Rose, what's the matter?"
Rose bit her lip, but nothing she could hold back her tears. "Dimitri…I want to be happy for you…really I do. But I…" Rose covered her face with her hands.
"Ro-"
"I just can't! I love you Dimitri. I know that you don't, I know you only see me as this person you're obliged to take care of, but I love you, and I want to be with you! I don't want you to go away! I don't want you to be somewhere far away from me! I want-!" Rose stopped abruptly to take in some air, then was taken over by quiet sobs.
Dimitri didn't say anything. He closed the distance between them and rested his hands on her shoulders. "Roza…I brought you here…because I wanted to ask if you would live here with me."
Rose turned her head up so she could look into Dimitri's face. She couldn't understand what she was hearing. "Wha?"
"…I have been reluctant to move out for many reasons. After reflecting on some of my…past actions, I've come to see that it is meaningless to have these things hold me back. I've been acting on what I thought was the right thing to do. I thought it would be best for you if I…wasn't around you. You've grown into such an amazing woman, and it wouldn't be right for me to hold you back."
"Hold me back from what?"
"You have the right to go where you want and do what you want. You have this free spirit in you; that makes you so bright and energetic. If that spirit were to lead you somewhere else, let's say…Adrian." He looked at Rose's surprised face before continuing. "Then I have no right to interfere."
Rose stayed quiet for a few moments. She realized that Dimitri was having the same problem as she was. He was doing what he thought was right, while in the process, torturing himself, from his desires. But Rose knew the truth now. He needed to realize too. "What do you want Dimitri?"
"Roza…I just told you,"
"What do you want Dimitri?" He looked into her teary eyes. They were fierce and strong, just as Dimitri had always seen them. He always wanted to see them, too.
"I want to be with you. I want you to look only at me. I love you, Roza," Dimitri stated. He waited for Rose to say something but she threw herself into his arms instead.
"Dimitri, Dimitri, I love you…I love you," Rose cried into his chest.
He embraced her back tightly. "Oh Roza…" He never wanted to let her go. He wanted her to always be in his arms.
Rose pulled back slightly and rubbed at her eyes. "I…I'm so glad. I thought y-you hated me," Rose hiccupped.
"Impossible. I could never hate you, Roza. Never," he said softly. He pulled her hands away from her face and kissed her tear stricken cheeks. "I'll always be here with you." He kissed her forehead. "I love you." He kissed the corner of her mouth. "I love you so much it hurts me sometimes." He kissed her gently on the mouth.
"I love you too, Dimitri," she murmured softly. She put her arms around his neck, and pulled him back to her. It was gentle at first, but then turned fierce. Rose tightened her hold around Dimitri as his hands roamed up and down her sides and around to the back. She opened her mouth gladly to Dimitri's tongue that was tracing over her lips. Their tongues collided with one another until Rose could feel herself go weak kneed.
Dimitri grabbed her tighter before she collapsed. After pulling off his duster, without hesitation, he lifted her up and carried her over to the single piece of furniture. He sat down with her straddling his lap. They continued where they left off, Rose kicking off her shoes in the process. Dimitri ran his hands through her hair, entangling it in his fingers. She moved her hands to rest on his chest, where she could feel his heart beat savagely. This only made Rose more excited, as she deepened the kiss as much as she could. They separated after a few minutes, gasping for air. Rose now had her hands at the base of his neck, and he held her firmly at her waist.
"Dimitri…I love you," Rose whispered, staring into his eyes.
"Roza…" Dimitri sighed happily.
"Tell me you love me again," she said, kissing his neck.
"I'll tell you as many times as you want to hear, Roza. I love you…I love you…I love you." With each confession, Dimitri left a trail of kisses from her lips down her neck. Rose shuddered from his hot lips on her bare skin.
He pulled back and looked back into her eyes. Resting his forehead against hers, they sat together in silence for a while. "It's late. We should go back," Dimitri said to her.
"…" Rose didn't move.
"Roza?"
"You said…you wanted me to live with you here," she said quietly.
"Of course."
"Then let's stay."
"Roza, I haven't gotten a bed yet," Dimitri pointed out.
"We can sleep on this couch." Dimitri cocked an eyebrow, wondering how that was going to work out. "Please Dimitri? I just want to spend the night here, together with you." Rose wanted to spend their first night in their apartment together.
"Okay." Dimitri just couldn't say no to her.
"Yay!"
Chuckling, he turned sideways so he was lying down on the couch with Rose on top of him. He picked his duster from off the back of the couch and spread it over her. They slept just like that for the rest of the night, holding on to each other tightly.
When Rose woke up, she had no idea where she was. The room was bright from the sunlight pouring through the windows. She was going to move her arm over her eyes to block it out, but it was stuck for some reason. Rose looked down to see what the problem was and saw Dimitri. All of the events from last night came back to her. Dimitri loved her. Dimitri wanted to be with her. Dimitri wanted her to live with him.
Oh thank GOD that wasn't a dream. Rose snuggled her head against Dimitri's chest. He was still sleeping away soundly. She took her free hand and caressed his cheek. He looked wonderful, even in his sleep.
He stirred at her touch and slowly drifted his eyes open.
"Morning Dimitri," Rose said softly.
"Good morning, my Roza," he replied smiling. Rose blushed at his possessive use of her name. She was going to get off of him so he could get up too, but he held her by the waist and sat up with her in his lap. "How'd you sleep? Were you cold?"
"No, I was fine. I had your coat. What about you?" Rose ran her hand over Dimitri's cheek, which had slight stubble.
"I slept well." Dimitri turned his head, but then immediately began to rub his neck.
"Slept well, my butt," Rose said slapping his arm playfully.
"Mmm…" Dimitri grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips. "No, I really did sleep well. Better than I have in weeks." He gazed strongly into her eyes.
"Dimitri…." She tilted towards him slowly.
Rose's cell went off.
She stops in her tracks then leans over the edge of the couch to retrieve her phone from her purse.
"Hello?" Rose answered.
"Rose! Oh thank goodness! Are you alright?" shrieked Olena on the other end of the phone.
"Huh?"
"You never came home last night! Vicki told me. Did things go that well with Adrian?"
"No! He drove me home after and that was it!"
"Then where did you go after that?!" Olena asked worriedly.
Rose realized she should have called her to tell her where she was. "Sorry, I went out with Dimitri after that."
Olena didn't answer. Rose realized that may have come out wrong and made her sound terrible. "I mean, the date was okay, but, I decided not to go out with him." Rose paused and looked at Dimitri to see if he was okay with her having this conversation in front of him. Dimitri just pulled Rose back against his chest so she had her back right up against him. "Um…we're together right now, we'll be home soon."
Olena still didn't answer. After a moment she squealed. Literally, squealed. "You and Dimitri are together?! Oh, I just knew you two would end up together!"
"Wait, Olena, that's not what I meant."
"Oh, you meant you went outside together only?"
"Well…no…the other too," she muttered. Dimitri looked at her questioningly.
"Oh, I'm so happy! I know you two must be really glad too!"
"Yeah," Rose said smiling a little. She turned her head to kiss Dimitri's cheek.
"So glad that you spent the night…away?" Olena said suggestively.
"What? No! We didn't do that! Jeesh, way to be embarrassing Olena…" Rose sighed. She was happy that Olena was so supportive about their relationship. It was kind of out of the blue. Rose didn't know that Olena knew of how they felt about each other before they even realized it themselves.
"Well, hurry on home then! Oh, good morning Vicki…It's Rose…she stayed out with Dimitri…yes…Yes! They're together now!" Rose could hear Vicktoria squealing on the other end.
"Bye, see you soon." With that, she hung up. She turned around in Dimitri's lap so she was facing him. "Ready to go then, Comrade?"
Dimitri took a strand of her hair that was in her face and brushed it behind her ear. "Yes." Rose got up off of Dimitri and slipped on her flats. "Oh, and Roza?"
"Hmmm?" Rose said with a grin, looking over her shoulder.
"You look beautiful in that dress."
Rose looked down. It wasn't until then she realized she still had the dress that Adrian bought for her. She blushed crimson at Dimitri's steady gaze on her body. She twirled around quickly and headed towards the front door. "Jeesh, let's just go home, 'kay?"
"Our other home," Dimitri said, taking Rose's hand. She grinned and squeezed back, happier than she's ever been.
Yes! What you've all been waiting for! Dimitri and Rose, together at last! Hope you loved the long chapter, let me know what you think. That means review you lovable people! Or don't, whatever suits you~
Loves n stuff~
Oh, were you guys okay with the action between Dimitri and Rose? Later it gets heavier, so warn me if you don't want to read those parts and I'll put the warning in the chapter when i get there. But for now? Read and enjoy! Yay! And thank you for all the reviews so far, I really love them all. I read every single one, no matter when they were written or for what chapter, so keep em coming, even if you're reading this story months from now!
