"Again."

Lissa rolled her eyes at me but thrust her fist out into the air, executing a punch. I watched her do the same with her other hand. Dimitri stood against the wall in a relaxed position. While he was here because he was being paid to be here, he didn't overstep. He pointed things out when necessary but let me teach Lissa. I could see why he enjoyed teaching me so much. It was actually fulfilling teaching Lissa how to protect herself.

I could tell she was getting tired, but I knew she had a little bit more in her, so I let her stop doing the punches and had her do sets of lines. Not as many as I would do, but enough to let her cool down and then did some stretching with her. Two weeks in and she wasn't doing too bad. For a Moroi she was shaping up well. It was also nice to see that the working out was burning off some of the darkness that was lurking inside her.

"I don't know…how you did this…all day for the last year," Lissa said between pants as she stretched her legs. I snickered at her as I sat down with my legs out in a v-formation, pulling myself so my legs were straight out to the sides and started to stretch.

"Well, have you seen who I was doing it with?" I joked jerking my head towards Dimitri. Lissa snorted a laugh and nodded her head. I looked up and winked at him as he threw a halfhearted look.

"How are you able to do that? I wish I was that flexible," Lissa grumbled. I rolled my eyes and rocked backward, bending and stretching my legs in front of me to work out the muscles. I stood up and gestured for her to follow me. I sat down face the wall and laid back before scooting my butt to rest against it with my legs resting upright against the wall. I slowly let my legs come down at the sides, making a v against the wall.

"If you do this for twenty minutes a day it will help. Gravity works against your legs, plus if you read or something while doing it time flies. That mixed with some stretches should help you achieve that. If you want, we can work so flexibility into your plan."

Lissa looked at me like I was ridiculous, but she looked to Dimitri and he gave her a nod. It seemed stupid, but it did help. Lissa may have it easier than me though, her Moroi genetics may help her gain more flexibility.

"Can I ask a crazy favour?"

"What's up?" I asked standing up.

Lissa looked from me to Dimitri and then back to me. "Can I watch you two spar?"

I raised my brows, surprised at her request but I had no issues with it.

"Well, how 'bout it, Comrade. Want to show her how it's done?"

Dimitri rolled his eyes and took his duster off before meeting me on the mats. I grabbed two sets of wraps from the storage room and tossed on to him before directing Lissa where to stand. I tightened my ponytail and put on the wraps. I made my way to the mats and gave Dimitri a cheeky grin before getting into a stance. Dimitri got into a stance and waited for me to start, but I wasn't playing his game, I waited him out. He made his move, but I already knew what move he would make. I ducked under his arm and landed a blow to his lower ribs, dancing out of his reach when he spun around. I wasn't fast enough and he swept a leg out, knocking me down. I rolled out of the way before he could grab me, and I jumped to my feet. I gave him a sly look and struck at him with a punch kick combination to which he gripped on my arm and pulled me off balance. I righted myself quickly and we continued the dance. I forgot how easy it was to lose myself in sparring with Dimitri. It was almost like coming to complete calmness inside myself.

I danced away from him and went to knock him down, but he beat me to hit with a hit just a little too high. I stumbled down and his fist rested over my chest, declaring the match over. The moment I was declared "dead", the Guardian side of Dimitri left and the kindhearted boyfriend took over. His hands cupped my face gently as he examined my head.

"I'm sorry, I miscalculated my aim. Does your head hurt?" he pleaded, his eyes flickering over my face. I blinked and took a moment to catch my barring and assess myself. I lifted my head and sat up while he knelt over me. I nodded my head carefully and looked from him to Lissa, who had a worried look on her face.

"I'm fine. My head doesn't hurt."

Dimitri nodded and helped me stand up before checking my eyes. I chuckled at him lightly but was touched that he was so concerned. After he finished assessing me, he deemed me ok and then kissed the red spot on the side of my head. Lissa still looked worried but I waved her off.

"It's ok, Liss. It happens, don't forget, Mom gave me a black eye at Christmas."

Lissa shrugged in a way that said well, that's true and walked over to give me a hug. I lightly returned it due to being covered in sweat, but she didn't seem to care. She let go a moment later and smirked at me.

"What was really cool to watch though. I've never seen Guardians really in action before. I mean, I have but not up close and I wasn't scared watching you two," Lissa said with an indulgent smile.

"Good, I'm glad," I said rubbing the back of my neck. Crap when was the last time I did a good workout? Lissa wandered off to the change room and I hung back with Dimitri, giving him a smile so he wouldn't worry so much. Dimitri met my eyes before they looked just off to the side again and I shook my head, slipping my hand into his.

"I'm. Fine," I repeated with a small smile. He seemed to finally believe me and squeezed my hand when the doors open. I looked behind me too quickly and everything tilted, but it righted itself quickly when I blinked. Ok, maybe I had a slight issue. Thankfully it was just a few other Guardians and not someone looking for me or Lissa. I quickly went to the change room to shower and change while Lissa finished up and we let the gym with Dimitri in tow. It was difficult being back on a nocturnal schedule after spending three weeks on human time. I already missed the sun.

"So where are you staying now? I meant to ask you that earlier," Lissa inquired as she linked her arm with mine. I rolled my eyes and chuckled. Dad was all too excited that I wasn't allowed to say in allocated dorms and jumped on buying me an apartment. And with no place to go other than moving in with Lissa, my parents or Dimitri, I accepted it.

"I'm staying about three blocks from you. The red building by the bakery I really like," I said pointing to the building across the street. Lissa makes a noise in understanding and started to ask about a spare key but I quickly vetoed that.

"Do you remember what happened that last time you let yourself into my place with a key?" I asked and she flushed scarlet, but so did Dimitri so I guess I got two birds with one stone there. I snickered and leaned my head against Lissa's and listened to her go on about the rest of her day. It sounded kind of boring, to be honest.

We came to a stop in front of her building and gave her a hug goodbye. She promised to meet me tomorrow afternoon for another training session before prancing into her house. I gave Dimitri a smile and a kiss on the cheek as he passed, my hand ghosting over his.

"I have to meet with someone after my shift, but I can come by your place after if you like," Dimitri said tenderly.

"Yes, that sounds good. Who do you have to meet?" I asked but by the look on his face, it wasn't a pleasant meeting.

"Your parents."

I raised my brows, "Do you want me to come?"

"No. I wasn't supposed to tell you I was seeing them. It'll be fine though," he said, brushing his fingers over my cheekbone. I leaned into him gently before nodding my head.

"Ok. Let me know when you're on your way by."

He nodded and turned to go after Lissa, turning to glance at me one more time before going into the house.

I spent the rest of my day doing a whole lot of nothing. I was even bored enough that I did all of my laundry and reorganized my dresser. To my surprise, I found some things I had forgotten about. Which brought me to standing in my bathroom in the green bra and pantie set that I bought months ago.

I wasn't sure why I was nervous. I mean, the man had seen me naked before, but this was the first time I ever wore lingerie with purpose. Hell, I forgot I even bought these until tonight. I looked at the time on my phone and fluffed my hair before shrugging on the silk robe and tying it loosely at my waist, repositioning the gap to give an appealing visual before frowning and tugging the tie open.

"He has seen you naked before, Rose. Cool it," I say to myself as I blow air between my lips. The idea of chickening out and putting on sweats when my front door opened.

"Rose?"

I looked at my reflection in the mirror again, "Showtime."

I listened to Dimitri walk further into the house and I heard his keys hit the coffee table before he called out to me again. I opened the bathroom door and leaned against it with my arm straight against the frame, jutting my hip out and cross one ankle over the other.

Dimitri turned around while looking down at his phone. "If you want we can sign out a car and go into the next town to get some dinner," he says as he looks up, his voice trailing off as his eyes laid on me. Well, his reaction was totally worth it. His eyes went wide and then I watched lust creep in as I trailed a hand over my hip.

"Oh, I'm one hundred percent up for food! Give me a minute and I'll get changed," I said, jerking my thumb towards my bedroom with a sly smirk, taking a step towards it. Dimitri coughed and walked up to me, slipping his arms around my waist and backed me into the door frame.

"I think food could wait," he said huskily, dipping his head down to kiss my neck. I giggled and pushed against him. "But you brought up food! Now I'm hungry!" I whined playfully. Dimitri pulled away and cocked a brow at me, making me laugh harder.

"How's this sound. I'll keep these on underneath, and I'll be your dessert later," I said huskily, trailing my fingers up his chest. Dimitri didn't seem completely convinced but he knew better than to stand between me and food, so he pulled back a little bit.

I chased him a little bit and stretch up on my toes, brushing my lips against his. "I promise I'll make it worth your while," I said in a sing-song voice. Dimitri chuckled and gave me a kiss before pulling me with him towards the bedroom. I giggled a little bit more as we stumbled in and I finally pulled away to throw on a pair of leggings and a light sweater.

Dimitri locked the door behind us and slipped his hand into mine, pulling me close to him. I sighed happily and wrapped my arm around the arm holding my hand, feeling content. I was already daydreaming about having some alone time with Dimitri because we really haven't been able to since the trip to Bora Bora.

"What did you get up to today," Dimitri asked as we walked down the hallway. I shrugged and explained the extraordinarily small amount of things I did during the day. I failed to mention that I went and had my head looked at after I left him and Lissa at her place but assured him that I didn't have a concussion and that I was fine. Looking up I found that he had a fond smile on his face as he listened to me and I returned his smile with my own.

"Oh. Hello."

Dimitri and I both look away to find Tasha standing at the end of the hallway, her jacket slung over her arm and keys in her hand.

"Tasha, hi," I said giving her a smile while straightening up a bit. Her eyes flicked between our intertwined fingers and arms and I could see something change in her expression. She was sad and a part of me felt bad that we were the cause of that, but we weren't going to hide being together anymore.

"You two are –" she started, flicking a finger between Dimitri and I. I looked up to Dimitri and I could see that the situation made him slightly uncomfortable, but he stepped forward, letting go of my hand.

"It's recent," Dimitri began and I could see the doubt in her eyes. I could also see her thinking over the last time she saw us together and the pieces fell into place instantly for her.

"Recent as in right before graduation," she said softly, bring her hands together in front of her. I frowned and I could tell that Dimitri was trying to find a reason to explain it away but I interrupted.

"Tasha," I started but she holds her hand up to stop me. "You don't need to worry about it, Rose. I'm not going to say anything. I shouldn't be surprised to be honest; I noticed the glances at the ski trip. If you two are happy then I have to be ok with that," Tasha said softly and a small smile graced her lips.

She stepped forward and patted Dimitri on the shoulder before stepping closer to me, giving me an awkward hug. I patted her back and looked at Dimitri over her shoulder. He raised a brow at me and relaxed his face when she pulled away from me. I cleared my throat and stood there awkwardly for a moment.

"Well, uh, we should get going," I say scratching the back of my neck. Tasha nods and waves goodbye heading for the door next to my apartment. Oh, God. She's renting the apartment next to me! I looked at Dimitri with wide eyes and snickered as I scurried up to him.

"C'mon. Let's go eat!" I said, pulling him down the hallway to the stairs.

A small gasp slipped from my lips as I stirred from sleep. The caressing of fingers roused me from my dreams and I quickly focused on the feeling of fingers against my sensitive skin. I tilted my head to the side as lips travelled up my neck and I reached up to twist my fingers into his hair.

I rocked my hips up in hopes of making the fingers move closer to the place I wanted them most, but Dimitri moved his hand away quickly.

"Uh uh, Roza. You have to be patient," Dimitri whispered in my ear, his hand sliding around my thigh. I huffed and tried to roll but his iron grip stopped me, pushing my leg further away while rolling me further onto my back. His breath was hot against my skin while I tried to pull myself completely out of my sleep haze and the trail of hot air moved lower, reaching my bare breasts. I arched up against the sensation as his lips closed around a pert nub, sucking gently while a hand attended to the other. It was erotic, to say the least and I quickly twisted my fingers into his hair, clutching his head closer to me.

A moan escaped me as his weight settled over me and he slowly moved his lip down my body, leaving hot opened mouthed kisses in his wake. A small giggle bubbles from my lips as the stubble on his chin dusts my belly but with a gentle nip from him, I stop.

"Dimitri."

"Shh," he said with a smirk pressing a kiss to the delicate skin between my hips.

"I see you've gotten over your discomfort of your friend being behind the bedroom wall," I breathed as his lips travelled lower, finding rest exactly where I wanted them.

While initially, I had planned for some much-wanted sex last night, it didn't happen. The idea that Tasha had the apartment next to me wigged Dimitri out and the mood was killed. I tried to entice him, but there was no point. Plus, I would have been awkward if we were overheard.

Apparently, those concerns were gone now because what he was doing with his tongue was making me moan and squirm beneath his hands. Dimitri slipped his hands under my knees and pulled them to rest over his shoulders as he laid between my leg, working his mouth expertly. My thigh clenched as the knot formed in my lower belly, my toes curling as my eyes rolled back in my head. Dimitri growled and I clenched my thigh harder before realizing that I was clenching them against his head. I tried to relax them but Dimitri moaned against my core and out of reflex, I clenched again. Apparently, he liked that.

"Oh God," I moaned as he sucked on my clit hard, his hands gripping my hips while I squirmed under him. One hand slid down and squeezed my thigh before he lifted his head, his eyes twinkling with mischief and a cocky smirk on his lips. I groaned at the loss of him and seeing his lips slick from my juices made me squirm harder as he slipped his arms out from under me. He slowly crawled up my body, nipping at my stomach and breasts before finding purchase of my lips. My lips parted and his tongue slipped in, massaging mine. I could taste myself on him and it was hot. I wrapped one arm around his neck while my other hand travelled down his chest to his hip. I snaked my hand down and wrapped it around his bobbing member, smirking to myself when he groaned into my mouth.

I pushed up and rolled us bother over before straddling his lap, continuing to rub him firmly. When I pulled up to the head and swiped my thumb through the precum his hips lifted off the mattress, a guttural groan filling the room. I snickered quietly under my breath as I pulled away, wiggling my way down his legs to get into a better position. I got a little more brace and picked up the pace as I leaned down to kiss his chest, licking and sucking as I went further down. I could hear his breathing pick up the closer I got to his throbbing dick in my hand and I let my tongue flick over the head.

The man who was always in control faltered and his hands came up to my head, his fingers sliding into my hair. I hummed in content finding the taste not unpleasant and sucked the head gently, giving him a loaded look while I did. I had never done something like this before, so I wasn't really sure what to do, but as I slowly took more of him into my mouth it showed that I was doing something right.

"Roza," Dimitri whispered, so faintly but some longingly that it made my heart soar. It was like this was a simple prayer that was being answered. I worked my hand in time with my mouth and moaned softly, surprised when Dimitri pulled my head down further while his hips came up. I could feel him pulsing in my mouth and I pulled away, smirking at him coyly as he tried to pull me back.

I crawled up his body before resting my hands against his chest, rolling my hips against his with a small sigh. The heavy look in his eyes made my heart flutter as I lifted and lowered myself onto him while his hands guided me. While our movements where gentle, his hands on my waist were firm and hot. I leaned forward and sealed my lips to his, moving my hands to rest beside his head to brace myself. His hands slipped from my waist down my ass, squeezing and gripping at my skin.

"I love you," I whispered as I started to pick up pace, tiliting my head back. Dimitri sat up and press his lips to the hollow of my neck before lifting his head and pulling mine up so I could look him in the eye.

"I love you, too. Always have and always will."

I sighed with a faint smile as he pulled me back down, sprawled over him as we moved in tandem. I was inching closer to my release when Dimitri's breath against my ear made me shiver, "Get on your knees."

I pulled up and eagerly did as he asked, facing the headboard on my hands and knees. My skin prickled as his hand slid along the base of my spine while he lined himself up with my entrance. I squirmed before he slammed home. The force of it made me jolt forward and I dropped to my elbows, my head resting on the bed as Dimitri gripped my hips tightly. Both of us were racing to the finish line now, and between his grunts, my wails of pleasure and the bedframe hitting the wall; I was almost there.

In an unexpected gesture, Dimitri's hand wrapped itself in the ends of my hair and yanked my head back, making me moan as his lips went to my throat. That was all that we needed to send me over the end, crying his name. And he wasn't far behind me, burying his face into my neck as his hip moved in harsh jerked motions, groaning and moaning as he emptied himself inside me. I could barely hold myself up any longer and flopped down onto the mattress, Dimitri crashing down on top of me. Not that I cared, I enjoyed the feeling of him crushing me into the sheet. We both laid there catching our breath before Dimitri sighed quietly to himself and pushed himself up and pulling out. I whimpered at the loss and rolled onto my side, tugging the sheet around me because of the cold air in the bedroom.

"That was quite a wake up," I mumbled with a grin, stretching my arms over my head. Dimitri smirked and agreed, kissing my forehead as he laid down beside me. I curled around him and hummed in contentment. "If you plan on waking me up like that again, I will never wear pyjamas to bed when you're here again."

Dimitri chuckled and squeezed my side before getting out of bed. "Breakfast?" he asked, pulling his boxers on. I pushed up to my elbows and nodded with excited eyes.

I scrambled out of bed and pulled on a shirt and shorts, following him out to the kitchen and perched myself on the counter. Dimitri kissed my cheek as he reached into the cupboard beside my head and got to work on scrambled eggs.

"How did it go with my parents last night? I meant to ask but got a little distracted," I inquired, crossing my legs. Dimitri smirked at me considering my distraction was him and a very sensual shower.

"It was ok. It could have gone better, but it was ok."

I raised my brows and picked up an apple in the bowl that Dimitri insisted I have, and I bite into the firm flesh. "Oh? How so?" I asked with a mouthful. Dimitri shrugged but didn't answer. The first clue that there was clearly something wrong with their meeting.

"Dimitri."

"Let's just say your dad may have been gracious with me on your trip, it was different when it was him and his mother starring me down. There were a lot of questions about our relationship and my intentions with you. We also discussed Guardian Howes."

I narrowed my eyes before slumping my shoulders. I hadn't told Dimitri that I was having recurring nightmares about Howes since getting back, but hearing his name made every hair stand on end. Sometimes after the nightmares, I could still feel his breath on the back of my neck or the feeling of his hands on my skin. I shivered and swallowed my mouthful of apple before setting it down, now losing my appetite.

"Roza?"

I flinched away when he stroked my cheek tenderly, my breath coming out in small, sharp breathes. His expression turned concerned and he switched the stove off before standing between my legs, cupping my face softly.

"Hey, what is it?" he asked and shook my head trying to calm myself. He searched my face, trying to figure out what was causing my distress before he became rigid. "Oh, Roza. I'm sorry. I wouldn't have brought him up if I knew that it would upset you this much."

I shook my head again as my hands came up to rest on his wrists. "It's fine," I breathed, but he wasn't fooled.

"No. It's not. It's upset you."

"I'm fine," I said but I knew I wasn't fooling him. "What did they say about Howes?"

Dimitri frowned and dropped his hands, taking my hands in his instead. "When Guardian Headquarters inquired about it, Abe said that Howes abandoned his post. When his Guardians were questioned, they said the same, and the Court Guardians were paid generously to agree. Nobody will say anything about what happened," he said, promising me. I gave him a tightlipped smile and stretched my head up to his, puckering my lips.

His eyes softened even more, and he tipped his head down to kiss me. I pulled away and gave him another small smile, trying to let him know that I was ok. He met my eyes and stepped back before turning to the stove.

"Now, I believe I need to feed my woman or I may be eaten instead," he joked, tweaking my nose playfully. I snorted a laugh and let him get back to it, but I really wasn't in the mood to eat anything.

"What did you tell my parents?" I asked, changing the subject. Dimitri laughed under his breath and plated the eggs before picking them up and going to the table. "I was honest with them actually. It seemed safer, especially with your dad being able to feel others' emotions. They weren't happy, but I assured them that nothing happened while you were in school."

"But something did happen while I was in school," I pointed out, toying with my fork. He looked up at me with a smirk.

"Yes, and that was the only lie I told. Besides it only happened one time."

I raised my brows at him as I took a bite, licking my upper lip while staring him down. Hey if I could make him flustered, I would. His eyes darkened a bit as he watched the gesture. "Yes, and many times since I've graduated."

He playfully kicked me under the table while I snickered at the blunt joke. Dimitri laughed and trapped my food between his ankles, smirking at me. I rolled my eyes at him and finished up my eggs, wrenching my leg from his and picking up my plate.

"If you play your cards right, it will happen many, many times," I said as I walked by, swaying my hips. Dimitri growled playfully at me and swatted my ass as I passed. "And you said they wanted to know your intentions with me? What, are we in 1950?"

I heard the chair scrape against the floor as he stood up and I turned around as he rested his hands on the counter, caging me against the counter. "It's only right that your parents ask, considering that I'm older than you. I simply told them that I wanted to be with you for the rest of my life, and then some," he said, kissing my cheek. I rolled my eyes and pinched his side. He was such a sap.

Hello, hello! Happy Saturday!:)

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