Chapter 37

Alex

As we both lay content on the grass, I felt my heart swell. Yes, all of this was a promise. And I couldn't wait until it became reality.

We were one step closer to finally being all together. A family.

I don't know how long we lay here, but Dimitri finally tried to move. I sat up and he looked at me with a blissful smile. He sat up beside me, his gaze not leaving mine.

"Well?" He asked, but I couldn't help but look at him askance.

"What?" I asked curiously.

He let out a low chuckle as he opened the box again, "Did you not like the ring?"

I bit my tongue, he was teasing me. "I love the ring, it's different… Not much of a diamond girl myself." I said with a small laugh.

Dimitri gave me a secretive smile as he placed the ring into my ring finger. Even though he'd asked, it was a whole other thing to actually have an engagement ring on. He took my hand and placed a lingering kiss above my ring finger.

"I'm glad you like it… It was my grandmother's…" I felt my eyes widen.

"Y-Yeva's?" I asked uncertain of which grandmother he was referring to. He smiled as he nodded. I felt my breath leave me as I looked down at the ring. It's a family ring.

"Roza?"

"Huh?" I looked up to see he'd been talking to me. His brown eyes looked at me in concern, and hurt?

"If you would like, I could get you another ring. You can even-"

"Dimitri…" He stopped, his eyes meeting mine. And I did everything I could to convey my sincerity in my eyes as I spoke, "I. Love. It." I said, but his eyes still looked disconcerted.

"Then what is wrong?" He asked me concerned.

I let out a breath, "You're going to think I'm weird…" I said hesitantly.

Dimitri lifted my chin to meet his gaze, "Do you not realize how I feel about you? I could never think or believe that you are weird." His words and the love in his eyes, I couldn't help but just let out a small laugh as I looked down at the ring.

"A family heirloom…" I said, unable to help the smile that rose on my lips as I looked up into his brown eyes, his eyes shining brightly with the afternoon sun.

"Yes… The first of many…" He said as he twisted the nazar ring Mikhail gave me. The first of many…

I could feel excitement course through me as I wrapped my arms around him once more, pulling him down for another fierce kiss. At pulling apart I let out a sigh. Everything was perfect.

"ROSE!" We both turned instantly towards the mansion, and there she was. Lissa was screaming out of every other window as if she were Juliet's nurse from Romeo & Juliet.

"She's finally lost it…" I said as she called my name, looking out of four different windows.

Until she finally glimpsed us.

"Rosemarie Mazur! Get your ass in here! Everyone is ready except you! And you too Dimitri! Before I come out there and haul you both myself!" I'm guessing she gave us a menacing glare since she paused before leaving out of sight, the windows remaining open.

I groaned as I got up, Dimitri still sitting on the floor looked up at me through his long lashes. Seeing him look up at me, I couldn't help but clench my legs tightly, remembering what happened at his gym. Those mats! I felt pain sear from biting my lip, his eyebrow rising as his eyes darkened slightly.

"L-Lissa's like your mom… Sh-She really will drag us back…" I said, trying to keep myself calm. But he didn't bite. He looked at me longingly.

"What were you thinking Roza?" He asked as he sat up a little more, his left arm over his left knee, looking at me curiously. Tauntingly. I decided to play along.

I gave him a seductive smile, his eyes cautious at my sudden change. I slowly made my way towards him and took his hands, placing them on my waist as I slid down and straddled him. Beneath me I could already feel him harden, his eyes black with lust. I placed my hand on his chest and gently pushed him down on the grass once again. He lay beneath me, his eyes intent on mine, not once wavering. I took his hands and stretched them out over his head, my hands keeping them in place. If anything, he became harder.

Lowering my head, I teased him. My lips just centimeters from his. I placed a quick, soft kiss on his lips and pulled away before he began to intensify it. Pulling away I could see his pupils dilate. His eyes almost lazy, lust making them heavy. I ground my hips against him, his teeth clenching at the sensation. I leaned down, not touching his lips as I traced my tongue on his lips. He lifted his head trying to meet my lips, but I quickly pulled away, giving him an impish grin.

Dimitri let out an aggravated growl, "Roza!"

I needed to finish this before he loses complete patience and takes over.

I leaned down and whispered in his ear, "A couple nights ago… black mats… sweat… moans…" I felt Dimitri go completely still below me and saw it as my chance. I pushed away and made a run towards the maze. I could hear Dimitri swear in Russian as he got up and looked towards me.

"That's what I was thinking!" I screamed out as Dimitri ran an irritated hand through his hair. Even though I was laughing as I ran towards the mansion, I felt myself go nervous as he screamed out, "You're going to pay for that!"

And I knew that Dimitri was going to make due on his words. And I was going to pay dearly.

"Oh. My. God." My mouth dropped as I looked at the three Belikov sisters. I was already used to Lissa's appearance in parties and whatnot, but Dimitri's sisters looked regal! Karolina's hair was curled in a high ponytail, her dress hugging her swollen belly beautifully. She literally glowed! Viktoria had decided on just loose waves, her hair cascading down her back. But Sonya, Sonya was a vision. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun as strands of curly hair framed her face beautifully.

"You guys look amazing!" I said unable to keep my excitement down. Even though they were just as excited as I was, "Where's Olena and Yeva?" I asked curiously.

"They left to go walk the grounds, a little longer and they would have run into you and Dimitri." Lissa said knowingly. It was a little too close if you ask me. I turned to see the clock and saw it was ten minutes to four.

"Lis, do you think I could be done and ready to go by four-thirty?" I asked anxiously. The Belikov sisters looked at me knowingly, but sadly, Lissa just looked as though I asked something I'd ask any other day.

"I think so, Alex is just in the bathroom so she'll be right out to fix your hair." I just gave her a nod not saying anything else. But then curiosity struck me.

"Where's Paul?" He was nowhere in sight. The girls let out small laughs.

"He went to get dressed with the other guys. He thought it disrespectful to change in front of women." I couldn't help but laugh at what Karolina had just said. It was a total change to the kid who wanted nothing to do with women. "So we'll be meeting them outside."

Turning towards Lissa, I finally asked what had been killing me, "So what time am I going to be doing my 'grand entrance'?" I said with a little more flourish than I wanted to use.

She rolled her eyes at me at my sarcasm, "Your entrance is at seven and th-"

"Whoa! What do you mean seven?! It's not even four yet and you want me ready?!" I asked incredulously. Especially since I'd be dressed for about three hours without doing anything but sit and wait.

"I actually agree with her." I turned to the new voice and saw Alex looking between Lissa and me.

"Alex!" I said excitedly. The last time I'd seen her was when she'd done Lissa's sweet 16 hairstyle.

"It's good to see you too Mazur! You certainly haven't changed much, though I hear you are dating a hunky Russian." I couldn't help but laugh at her expression, especially since she bats for the other team. But then she took hold of my left hand and her eyes widened. I quickly grip her hand and plead to her with my eyes not to say anything. She quickly looks down and yet again, her eyes widen. With her eyes she signaled the ring on my left and then moved her sight to my right hand. Quickly understanding, I spoke as I conspicuously changed the ring to my other hand.

"So! Will you be joining us tonight?" I asked a little too pitchy.

Alex gave me a rueful smile, which was completely unlike her, "I actually am, I know how the Dragomir's throw parties, and this one is not one I want to miss!" she said excitedly.

After catching up, I'd decided to actually get ready now, especially remembering the dress Dimitri had picked out for me. Though as I pulled it back out it seemed far more revealing than it did back then. And that was why I loved it even more. Oh, I'm definitely having fun with this!

The girls left out soon after and I was alone with Alex, deciding on a high chignon bun, the same I'd worn the night of the 'family' dinner when Adrian had just gotten to Turkey. Half-way through, Alex spoke up, "So with what happened earlier, I take it no one else knows about your engagement?"

I look up to see her watching me curiously, a smile on her lips, "No…" I say as I shake my head, "Well, only Lissa doesn't know, the others do, they're his sisters so they already knew he was proposing." Alex nods thoughtfully as sticks in another bobby pin.

After another bout of silence, I can't help but speak out what's been eating at me, "So you don't think I'm doing this too brashly? That I'm too… young?"

Alex's brows furrow as she looks up at me through the reflection, "Rose, for as long as I have known both you and Lissa, you may be a bit… reckless at times, but even then it's for the good of either you or the one's you love. I've never known you to do anything selfish, and though I don't know what they are, you have your own reasons."

Feeling more relaxed, I lean farther back into the chair. Alex was right. I did have my reasons, and though it may seem crazy to others, this meant the happiness of Jilly… and mine.

Looking down, I begin to fiddle with the ring, Yeva's ring. And I can't help the smile that spreads on my lips, a family heirloom, the first of many…

"You know here in Russia, engagement rings tend to be worn on the right hand instead of the left?" I look up at her in surprise. Dimitri had placed the ring in my left finger, but Alex had helped me switch it to my right, drawing less attention. For now! This rock was huge!

"There." Alex says with a flare. I look up and smile. It's a simple high bun, but I loved it. Alex helped me slips into my dress and her eyes widened, in that all too familiar lust-filled look.

"No wonder he chose this dress for you!" I couldn't help but laugh.

"Honestly, I don't think he really paid any attention to the neckline, instead just the color." I say as I softly shake my head. Dimitri's going to have a heart attack with this!

"Well for one thing, I hate you for not hooking up with me when you had the chance… And the other, well Rose you look spectacular!" I can't help the laugh that bursts out of my throat. Alex had tried to make a pass at me at Lissa's Sweet 16, but I'd told her I was 100% straight.

The dress fit perfectly, hugging my curves in all the right places, and the plunging neckline was wow! The dress's knot at the base of my neck as it exposes my back fully.

At the door there's a knock and when Alex gives the okay, all of the girls come filing back in, though in a way I'm thankful that Olena and Yeva haven't seen me in this. All of their eyes bulging, behind them were all the guys. Even Christian's eyes roam my body momentarily before quickly looking for Lissa.

"Damn Mazur…" Was all Adrian says before Dimitri fully walks in, stopping as he takes my appearance in. His brown eyes turn dark with lust. Dimitri Belikov, eat your heart out!