This is the one you've been waiting for.

Not strictly a lemon so technically T rated, but it's nice and detailed, so more on the T+ side (sexy in a classy, old-fashioned kind of way). Enjoy ;)

23. Love Potion

There was a knock at Rose's bedroom door and she startled awake; disoriented at first, then annoyed. She must have slept in and completely missed her training session with Deputy Belikov.

Hmmm... cowboy. A tingle went through her body at the memory of his lips against hers (once under the trees and countless times in her dreams) and she covered her face with her hands, beaming into her palms. Knowing that he wanted her, her whole future seemed to spread out before her like a patchwork quilt – every scene wrought lovingly in fine needlework – and while some of the pictures were still a little blurry, she knew they all contained him.

'Dimitri,' she said his name under her breath, trialling the word on her tongue.

It was strange to think of him having a first name. Most people called him deputy, and he'd been plain old cowboy to her ever since she met him.

'Dimitri,' she tried again. Hmmm. It did have a nice ring to it. 'Mrs Dimitri Belikov.' Now that was music to her ears!

'Are you alive in there?' Alberta called from the hallway outside her bedroom. 'What's the holdup?'

Rose put aside her daydreaming and hurried over to the door let her mother inside. She didn't usually lock her room at night, but Dimitri had advised her to take the extra precaution as long as James Nathan remained in Saints Town – even if he was shackled and locked in a cell, guarded by the toughest, meanest sheriff in the west.

The toughest, meanest sheriff in the west looked tired and little bit old as she greeted the sleepy girl who answered the door. 'We need to talk.'

It was a phrase that Rose had grown to dread after a lifetime of lectures from her foster mother, but something in Alberta's expression was different this time. She ushered the sheriff into the room, offering her the reading chair, but instead Alberta sank down on the edge of Rose's bed and motioned for the girl to sit beside her.

'What happened at the saloon last night,' Sheriff Peterson began, surprising Rose by taking her hand quite tenderly in her own. 'I'm not sure if you're aware, but James Nathan made certain threats to Deputy Belikov during their altercation at the saloon - threats that implied danger to the deputy and anyone closely connected to him. I'm afraid that includes you, dear.'

Alberta Peterson wasn't scared of anything or anyone, but last night's run in with the Nathan Gang had shaken her badly. The thought of what James Nathan might do if he learnt of Rose's close bond with the deputy made her sick to her stomach and she felt a rush of protective maternal love for the child she had reared as her own.

'I've already sent word to Hank Croft in Greenston requesting backup. He will be arriving sometime tomorrow evening to take custody of the prisoner and transport him to San Francisco for sentencing and punishment. Chances are everything will be fine, but I know what that criminal is capable of and I'm not about to take any risks. It might seem like an extreme measure, Rose, but I've decided to send you away – for your own safety.'

The news was not received well. 'What?!' Rose jumped to her feet, gesticulating wildly. 'No! You can't! I won't go!'

If Alberta was officially back at work then it might be only a matter of days before Dimitri was no longer required as deputy. What if he was already gone by the time she was allowed to return? She couldn't be separated from him. Not now!

'Just hear me out, child,' the sheriff interrupted before Rose could work herself up into a proper lather. 'I've asked Deputy Belikov to take you out to Cottonwood Creek Ranch for the weekend. You were going there for the party tonight anyway – why not make a stay of it? Mr Dashley has his own contingent of bodyguards to defend the property, and it's clear the deputy is capable of protecting you. I've never seen a man more devoted to his job.'

'Oh,' Rose sat down again, mollified. 'I thought Lisa's party might have been cancelled given the situation... Are you sure you'll be alright here by yourself?

The sheriff narrowed her eyes. 'I'm not entirely useless yet,' she held the younger woman's gaze just long enough to make her squirm, then changed the topic. 'There's just one more thing, Rosemarie.'

Oh dear. Rosemarie. That normally meant she was in trouble.

'Remember to behave yourself at the party. I know you think I was born in the Dark Ages but I remember what it was like to be seventeen.'

'Nearly eighteen.'

'Nearly eighteen,' Alberta sighed in acknowledgement. 'Everything feels new and exciting. Pretty dresses, fancy food and drink, young gentlemen paying compliments. The dancing...'

Dancing! Did Deputy Belikov dance?

'...Emotions run high. I want you to have a good time, but just remember – Madam Kiroy will be watching. Don't let her catch you doing anything I'd be ashamed of. We are lucky she has even agreed to let the Dashleys host this dinner at the ranch after the heartache she went through when you and Lisa ran away. You might think she's just a cantankerous old witch, but she does care for both of you somewhere deep down...'

Deep, deep down, Rose thought darkly.

'...This is your chance to prove to her that you're a trustworthy young lady, not a wayward tomboy with a penchant for finding trouble.'

The girl grimaced. 'I can't guarantee anything, but I'll try my best.'

'I guess that will have to be enough then,' Alberta looked faintly amused. 'Oh, and whatever you do, don't wear that ghastly perfume Mr Ivara bought for you – it will only encourage him. Just a touch of the bergamot and lemon cold cream I gave you should be plenty. And don't mess about with your complexion either. You're pretty enough without rubbing pastes and colours all over yourself like Natalie Dashley does.'

Rose baulked. 'Did you just call me pretty?' she asked, incredulous. She knew Alberta loved her, but she normally only showed that love in practical ways. Giving frivolous compliments wasn't her style.

The sheriff shocked Rose even further; taking her by the shoulders and looking intently into her eyes. 'You, my dear, are the prettiest, bravest, most spirited girl I have ever met, and I am proud to call you my daughter. Now, lazy-bones...' She brushed an invisible piece of fluff from the sleeve of Rose's nightdress. 'Get cracking and pack your bags. And don't disappoint me,' she stood heavily and walked from the room, leaving her little girl – no, young woman now – to make her preparations in peace.

Dimitri and Rose left by the back door so as not to arouse the interest of James Nathan, setting off for Cottonwood Creek Ranch without delay. They rode in silence, their occasional glances loaded with secret meaning, until – with only a mile or so go – Dimitri pulled off to the side of the road. He dismounted to take care of an imaginary problem with his horse's shoe, and Rose followed his cue, coming to stand close-by him as he worked.

'Are you looking forward to the party tonight, Miss Roza?' the deputy asked, almost shyly, dropping the hoof back to the ground – satisfied there was nothing amiss.

'Sort of,' Rose unconsciously hugged her arms around herself. 'I don't think I'll be able to relax completely until he's gone.'

He. The outlaw.

Dimitri reached for Rose's hands at once and he squeezed her fingers tightly to reassure her. 'I feel the same way, but Nathan is safely under lock and key. He can't harm us or threaten us any more, so why don't we forget about him for now and just enjoy tonight's birthday celebrations. It must be exciting for you, Roza,' Dimitri added, attempting to lighten her mood. 'I imagine that you and Miss Draymore didn't get to attend too many dinner parties while you were away from home?'

'You're right about that, cowboy,' Rose looked a little glum. 'I didn't even get a birthday last year. We were travelling between towns at the time and lost track of the date. Lisa made me a card a week later when we realised, but it wasn't the same.'

The deputy tugged at her hands to draw her closer. 'Next birthday I promise I'll make it up to you,' the huskiness in his voice made her heart skip a beat.

'And how do you plan to do that?' she challenged him. 'You don't even know when my birthday is!'

'Are you sure about that, Miss Hathaway?' he raised an eyebrow.

Gah! It was so unfair he could do that.

'Who told you? Mason? Lisa? Alberta?'

He wasn't about to relent to her so easily. 'Deputy secrets,' his eyes flashed playfully.

'Is that why you stopped the horses? You just wanted to tease me?' she pouted.

Dimitri shook his head. 'As much as I enjoy teasing you, Roza, no. I wanted to tell you I'm not staying at the ranch today.'

He chuckled softly at her stricken expression.

'I'll be back in the afternoon, but I've got an appointment at the tailor's. Victor Dashley insisted all guests wear formal evening attire and I'm afraid my current wardrobe won't suffice. I'm sure there'll be plenty to keep you entertained with Lisa and Natalie in charge of party preparations.'

Rose still wasn't happy he was leaving her. 'And you couldn't have just told me that when you dropped me off at the ranch?' she asked stroppily.

'Not if I wanted to do this,' he breathed, stepping right up to her and pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead, his fingers disappearing into the loose braids at the nape of her neck.

They were only feet from the road. If anybody came along they could be spotted.

'Deputy Belikov! What would your commanding officer say if she saw you just now?' her attempt to sound indignant failed; the words coming out as a breathy giggle.

'You know, you could call me Dimitri,' he suggested, eyes smiling. 'At least when we're alone.'

The man didn't have many things to call his own, but his name was one of them, and hearing it uttered from her lips would make him happy beyond measure.

Rose shivered at the way his voice lowered when he said that last part. 'I don't know,' she assumed a ponderous expression. 'I'd have to think about it. I'm quite attached to calling you cowboy. It suits you.'

'If you say so, cowgirl,' the smile that had been hovering around his lips burst into a face-splitting grin and he scooped her back up into the saddle, mounting his own horse so they could complete the last, brief leg of their journey.

Dimitri was right. There was plenty to keep Rose occupied. Madam Kiroy set everybody to work in the morning, and the afternoon was spent primping and preening - which mostly involved Natalie advising the other two girls of the latest fashions and trying to pressure them into sampling her impressive range of cosmetics. Rose heeded Alberta's advice for the most part (there was no way she was putting beeswax and soot on her eyelashes), but she did cave at the offer of some lip-balm that had a subtle cherry-coloured pigment, and a dusting of pearl powder over her nose and cheeks.

Just before sundown, hooves sounded outside, meaning that the guests were beginning to arrive. Thrilled to be playing host, Natalie excused herself to go and find Mia Rinaldi, leaving Rose and Lisa a precious moment together.

'I'm sorry I had to take off so suddenly last Thursday, Lis. How have you been?' Rose asked. 'You seem... more relaxed somehow.'

A mischievous expression danced across Lisa's face. 'Mr O'Hara has very soothing hands.'

Rose nearly gagged on the boiled sweet in her mouth. 'Oh yuck! Too much information,' she shielded her eyes and pulled a very unladylike face. 'So things are still going well then?' she tried again, hoping her friend wouldn't choose to over-share.

'Better than well, Rose. I think he's getting ready to propose. Maybe tonight! I think that's why he got Natalie to organise this party for me.'

'Hold on,' Rose frowned. 'So you know this dinner party is actually for you?'

Lisa rolled her eyes. 'How dim do you think I am? A farewell party for Christian the same night as my eighteenth birthday? Seriously? I've known all along. I just didn't want to ruin Natalie's fun.'

The dark haired girl leant in to give her best friend a hug. 'Of course you didn't. Happy birthday Lis. How does it feel to be all grown up?'

She didn't get a chance to answer, though, because the door flung open and Natalie swept into the room with Mia Rinaldi in tow (looking completely out of her element in a borrowed frock and slippers).

'Ladies. Nobody panic, but the boys have arrived,' she announced excitedly.

They all panicked. Last minute adjustments were made to hair and dresses, and Natalie revealed her final surprise; a tiara for Lisa that perfectly matched the beaded fringes on her dress; a simple but elegant brooch for Mia; and for the young Miss Hathaway, a delicate string of pearls featuring a small rose pendant that hung low on her chest – drawing the eye down to the curves that were cresting just above the neckline of her dress. When all was finally ready, the four friends huddled at the door.

'This is it girls,' Natalie declared. 'Time to go and blow their socks off!'

The other guests were already assembled, but as soon as the young ladies entered the dining room all conversations petered out into awed silence.

It was hard to tell who was admiring who, except of course the searing gaze shared between Dimitri Belikov and his Roza. The girl's jaw nearly dropped at the sight of him in his fitted black dinner-suit; jacket open at the front to reveal a burgundy velvet waistcoat and a pair of high-waisted trousers that hugged his thighs and buttocks. His hair was tied back loosely and he reached to tuck the sweep of his fringe behind his ear, eyes like chips of molten stone as they devoured every detail of the woman he loved.

It was Victor Dashley who finally broke the ice, leaving his discussion with Madam Kiroy and Reverend Karp to stride across the room and greet his daughter. 'You're the belle of the ball, Natalie,' he fawned, before turning his attention to Lisa. 'My dear girl, you are a vision in that dress, and the tiara… absolutely radiant. Wouldn't you say so, gentlemen?' he turned to where Dimitri, Mason and Adrian were doing their best to appear casual.

He was greeted by a chorus of agreement, and Christian sidled up to claim Miss Draymore's attention, leaving Aaron Drosman moping alone in the corner.

'That dress looks very sweet on you, Miss Rinaldi,' Victor added in a fatherly tone, passing on quickly to the final female guest. 'Charming!' he gaped at Rose dramatically. 'There's simply no other word for it. Doesn't Miss Hathaway look charming this evening?' the old man prompted his male companions.

'She scrubs up alright,' Mason agreed flippantly, though his eyes nearly popped out of his head when he took in the vast expanse of skin on display.

'Very pretty,' Adrian was unusually mild in his praise and he didn't even attempt to kiss her cheeks as he once would have, moving instead to compliment Lisa on her dress.

The saloon owner hadn't been perturbed by Rose's chilly behaviour the night of Mason's proposal, or by any veiled threats from his Russian rival, but one frightening conversation with Sheriff Peterson made him realise it would be a foolish idea to take any further liberties as far as Miss Hathaway was concerned.

'And you, Deputy Belikov?' Victor pressed. 'What do you think of our little desert Rose?'

Dimitri kept his eyes on her face, the dress – and what it failed to hide – too much for him to handle. 'She is beautiful,' he replied thickly, saved from elaborating by an announcement for everybody to take their seats for dinner.

The meal provided was delicious, but for once Rose didn't notice the food. Her attention was fading in and out of the proceedings as she stole glances at Deputy Belikov across the table; mouth-watering in his crisp, black suit – the silk necktie and velvet waistcoat just begging to be touched. The few times their eyes did meet they pretended nothing had happened, but the tension that boiled between them was so palpable Rose was surprised nobody else seemed to notice it.

With the birthday 'surprise' revealed, drinks came around for toasting, then the men helped to shift the tables back to make room for dancing. Rose, Lisa and Mia were huddled in one corner of the room, chatting as they eyed off the men at work, when Natalie approached them, her face gleaming with intrigue.

'I know Madam Kiroy will make a fuss if we drink too much of the fruit punch, so I made up something special just for us,' she announced conspiratorially, beckoning a servant who came bearing tray of glasses.

'What is it?' Lissa asked curiously, not recognising the cloudy pink liquid.

'It's all the rage in San Francisco,' Natalie explained. 'Absolutely to die for. Pink Lemonade! But when you make it with my secret ingredient,' she tipped a few drops from a tiny silver flask into each glass, 'my friends back home like to call it the love potion,' her eyes widened with intrigue.

There was a combined intake of breath as Lisa looked to Christian, Mia looked to Aaron, and Rose looked to Dimitri, and without hesitation they each reached for their glass.

Lisa had only half-finished her drink before Mr O'Hara came up to request the first dance, and from the look on his face, the love potion was already working its magic. Mia soon followed with Mason, (Aaron was still sulking to see Lisa dancing in the arms of another man), and Natalie spun onto the dance floor in the capable hands of Adrian Ivara, leaving Rose alone with a tray-full of lemonade.

Where was Dimitri? She knocked back her own drink and the remainder of Lisa's glass as well, feeling like the ugly step-sister at the ball. Even Madam Kiroy and Reverend Karp were dancing together!

Eventually the tune changed. Dimitri was still nowhere to be seen, and it was Christian who claimed her hand for the next dance.

'I heard about the attack at the saloon last night,' he began. 'Sounded like a close call.'

'We're all fine, but what about you?' Rose changed the topic quickly, not keen to relieve the stressful memories of the last twenty four hours. 'Did you see anything from the treehouse?'

'The lights are real,' Mr O'Hara answered quietly, forcing a smile for the sake of the other dancers. 'Lanterns, I believe. Down by the creek towards the back of the property.'

The girl stiffened in his arms. Lisa hadn't been imagining it.

'You mentioned they were flashing random patterns,' Christian went on, 'but there was nothing random about it. It was Morse code.'

Rose missed a step, nearly making them collide with Natalie Dashley and her partner as they spun past. 'But I thought Morse code was a tapped message,' she frowned, 'like telegraph operators use to send a wire?'

'Yes, but the signal works just the same with lights. They've been using it in the navy for a while now. The dots are short flashes, and the lines are—'

'I get the idea,' she interrupted. 'What did the message say?'

'Six letters repeated,' Christian brought her to a standstill, the music over.

'Spelling?'

'Strike.'

'Would you care for a drink, deputy?' Victor Dashley stood at the modest wet-bar in the smoking room, procuring two crystal tumblers and pulling the stopper out of a brandy bottle.

'No thank you, Mr Dashley. Brandy's too sweet for my taste. I've got my flask of whiskey here if I need it.'

Victor's nose wrinkled. 'You can't drink that coffin-varnish at a party. Let me offer you something more fitting. Serbian vodka. My manservant Spiridon recommends it – every time I go back to Europe I make sure I bring a few bottles home with me. Yes?'

Dimitri's expression perked up. 'I haven't seen a drop of vodka since I arrived in America.'

The old man took that as an affirmative and poured the deputy a double, coming to sit with his guest in the pair of wing-backed chairs by the window.

Initially suspicious of vodka that wasn't made in his Russian motherland, Deputy Belikov sipped at the drink tentatively, but after he'd reached the bottom of his second glass he was fully converted. It was strong and clean, and the fire in his belly wicking out into his limbs made him sigh in relaxation.

'Have you given any thought to what you will do now that Alberta has returned to her post as sheriff?' Victor queried, after the standard pleasantries had been observed.

Dimitri pondered the question as his host poured him another drink. 'I'm not exactly sure at this stage. My circumstances have changed recently. I plan to purchase a house in the immediate future, which means I'll need to find a job that's more reliable than bounty hunting.'

'These circumstances wouldn't happen to involve a special lady would they?' Victor's eyes gleamed from under hooded lids. 'I hear from my young surveyor that you have an attachment with his aunt – our mutual friend Miss O'Hara.'

For crying out loud. Christian really needed to keep his mouth shut.

'I'm afraid you have been misinformed.'

'Somebody closer to home then?' the old man probed. 'Perhaps a young lady from Saints Town has caught your eye? A young lady you've been spending a significant amount of time with over these last few weeks?'

Dimitri's silence incriminated him.

'Well let me be the first to congratulate you!' the businessman raised his glass. 'Have you popped the question yet?'

The deputy swilled his drink. 'I'm afraid it's not as simple as that.'

Victor shook his head vehemently. 'There is nothing complicated about it, young man. If you want a thing, simply reach out and take it. That has always been my guiding principle and look at how successful I am now.'

Does success wear a suit bought with borrowed money? the deputy asked himself, but he remained attentive.

'There's something I want too, Dimitri. Can I call you Dimitri?' Mr Dashley steered the conversation towards his own purpose. 'Let me be frank. I am about to acquire some valuable property and I will be looking to employ a trustworthy man to take care of my new house and lands while I am away on business. I'd like to offer you the job.'

The drink in Dimitri's hand froze halfway to his lips.

'It's more of an investment property than a home, so you could treat it like your own. Take a wife. Rear your children. Go about your normal business, just so long as you see to it that my assets are protected.'

The deputy's mind was racing. 'It sounds like a very generous offer. I'd need time to think about it. I'm technically still under contract to Sheriff Peterson and—'

'Do whatever you have to do,' Victor brushed over his concerns. 'I don't expect an answer right now, but consider it for me, won't you? I'll be gone again come Monday so the offer won't stay open long, but do let me know if you're interested.'

Dimitri nodded then cast a bleary look at the clock on the mantle. Damn. They'd been talking for nearly two hours. He rose from his chair quickly, the room tilting a fraction, and left in search of the woman he loved.

When the party began to wind down, the guests all returned to their respective homes, while Rose, Lisa and Natalie were packed off to bed.

Rose changed out of her evening gown in disgust. She didn't even get one measly dance with her deputy, in fact she hadn't seen him for most of the night, and to add insult to injury she was starting to get a headache – probably from all the sugar in the lemonade. Lisa was already asleep by the time Rose had changed into her nightdress, and she slumped on the end of the bed, her eyes tired but her brain still buzzing with what Christian told her about the lights.

Strike? Why would somebody be signalling that message in the dead of night near Lisa's house? Dimitri would know the answer. If only she'd gotten a chance to speak with him. She climbed into bed, tossing uncomfortably under the covers then eventually kicking them off – too hot to sleep.

'Dimitri. Dimitri. Dimitri,' the cicadas outside the window seemed to chirp.

She ignored them for as long as she could, but in the end she decided to heed their advice. She had to see him. Now. Collecting her shawl from Lisa's wardrobe, she threw it over the top of her nightdress and snuck out into the night.

Dimitri felt drunk. The last time he'd tasted vodka was three years ago – back home in Russia – but he didn't remember it ever affecting him as strongly as this. His mind felt hazy, and his body lazy and contented. And warm. He shrugged off his dinner-jacket and took off the waistcoat too, sinking down onto the soft nest of bedding by his fire.

The heat in his veins and the warmth of the campfire were soothing, but the man had a whim to feel the cool evening breeze on his bare skin. Reaching to remove the tie at his neck, he unfastened several of his shirt-buttons and allowed the pale linen to fall open against his chest. Instantly more comfortable, he loosened his hair and relaxed back against the huge cottonwood tree that overlooked his camp, his mind flying to the image of Rose in that dress. It was probably a good thing he didn't get to spend any time with her this evening. He wasn't sure if he would have managed to hold himself together.

The man had just rested his head against the knotted trunk, his eyes half-closed, when he thought he saw a figure approaching from the other side of the fire. He squinted against the glare of the fire, trying to make out who was coming. The moment he saw it was a woman he realised he should make himself more respectable, but when he saw exactly which woman, he found he couldn't move.

He watched Rose approach like a vision melting out from the night, his heart racing as he wondered what she was doing here. When she came into the fire's light and he saw what she was wearing his breathing constricted. The deputy stood as quickly as he was able, feeling slightly unsteady on his feet as he moved to stand in front of her.

'You shouldn't be here, Rose. Why have you come?' he addressed her cautiously, trying not to stare and failing miserably.

She was barely dressed – unshod and wearing only a thin, pale nightdress with a finely-woven shawl about her shoulders.

His eyes swept hungrily over Rose's body; the light of the fire shining from behind her revealing the smooth silhouette of her naked legs; the shawl falling softly over the womanly curves of her chest. When his gaze came to linger on her full, red lips, her hand moved self-consciously to touch her throat, and Dimitri had to avert his eyes in order to still his jumbled, racing thoughts. She was so beautiful it hurt him to look at her and know he was not yet free to reach out and make her his own.

'I came to…,' the uninvited visitor trailed off.

It was clear that she was just as taken aback by his attire, or lack thereof. If he'd been handsome dressed up for the dinner party, now – in this state of undress – he was glorious. Without his familiar duster, Dimitri was like a warrior without his armour; his body firm and strong, yet vulnerable. Exposed.

'Yes?' he asked, taking a defensive step backwards to stop himself from giving in to the overwhelming desire to rush forwards and take her in his arms. All he wanted to do was bury his face in her hair and feel the softness of her lips pressed against his.

Rose stepped towards him, matching his retreat with a slow advance. 'I can't quite remember,' she admitted.

She couldn't tear her eyes away from the open neck of his shirt; the sight of his bare chest flooding her body with a warm, aching sensation.

'Cowboy?' her hand stole forwards to rest on his bare skin, asking a question she couldn't even begin to put into words. She needed something. Something she instinctively knew only he could provide.

'Miss Roza?' Dimitri wrapped his fingers around her wrist, unsure of whether he was trying to push her away or draw her closer.

The man knew in his heart what he wanted to do – as depraved and selfish as that proved him to be – but he also realised what trouble could come of it if he acted upon his desires. If he allowed himself to touch her, to kiss her as he longed to do, there would no turning back for either of them.

'Dimitri?' It was the first time she'd ever called him by his name.

And with that one little word she felled him. His once iron strength of will crumpled and Rose broke free of his grip, creeping her fingers upwards to trace over his jawline and the bullet-wound on his cheek, then brushing tenderly across his lips.

The man's heart thundered in his ears and its roar drowned out the voice of caution that had been whispering to him ever since he met this enthralling creature.

'Roza,' he breathed the word like a prayer, stretching both his hands out to cradle her face and pulling her mouth firmly to his.

The warm, needy response of her lips thrilled and emboldened him, and he buried a hand in her loose hair, groaning softly as he felt its silken caress against his skin. Less than a week ago he'd been willing to give her up to Mason Ashford if that would have made her happy, but now his lips were upon her – worshiping her mouth, her cheeks, her temple, her brow – he saw the truth. There was no man more suitable for Rose than the man who loved her even more than he did himself. And that man could not possibly exist.

'You are so beautiful, my Roza,' he whispered huskily in her ear, delighting in the sigh his words elicited from her plump, rosy lips.

Her eyelids flickered open and she looked up at him, matching the longing in his gaze, then she dropped her eyes once more to his shirt. Her hands roamed freely over the crumpled linen, feeling the planes and ridges of his chest before they moved nervously to the buttons that still concealed the lower half of his torso.

Dimitri's face was a picture of shock and disbelief as her fingers worked to free the remaining fastenings. What was she doing? She'd already allowed him more than he deserved. This was too much. But his head was still cloudy from the vodka, and Rose's curiosity and boldness erased any lingering reservations. He returned to her willingly, his kisses deep and hungry as she slipped her hands beneath the fabric of his shirt to stroke his naked stomach.

'Roza,' he choked out her name, suddenly tearing himself away from her lips and forcing his hands to his sides. 'Roza, we mustn't. Please stop.' The feeling of her fingers on his skin was robbing him of his last threads of self-control. He needed her to break the connection or he didn't know where this was going to end.

She pulled back with a frown. 'But I don't want to stop,' she said, as if it should have been obvious, leaning in to place a warm, lingering kiss his chest before gazing back at him in challenge.

When he looked into her eyes he knew he was lost. 'Neither do I,' he whispered, scooping her up and kissing her urgently.

Cradling his prize in his arms, Dimitri carried Rose to his bed by the fireside, laying her out gently and sinking down to lie beside her.

'You haunt my thoughts and dreams, Roza,' he confided in between kisses, 'but I never thought I'd really touch you like this.'

His hands moved feverishly – fingers tracing the outline of her face and combing through her hair, while his mouth lavished her with wordless promises of love.

Rose could barely think. She'd dreamed of Dimitri too, but in those bittersweet ramblings of the sleeping mind she's always awoken before...

Oh Lord! A roll of warmth raced through her as he pushed her hair back to explore the sensitive area just below her ear.

The soft, needy sound that fell from her lips spurred him onwards and the girl's eyes rolled back in pleasure when she felt him nip at her skin with his teeth. How was this even possible? Last night one tiny kiss on the lips had been a victory, but now the more he gave her, the more she wanted. And she wanted so much. Reaching between them, Rose fumbled to unknot her shawl and allowed it to slip from her shoulders onto the blanket beneath her, then she lay back – still and breathless under Dimitri's gaze.

The man swore softly in Russian, his eyes drinking in the picture of beauty in front of him. Before tonight, he'd never seen her naked arms, and not even in his most vivid imaginings could he have dreamt how smooth and pale her skin would be. One tanned, calloused hand slipped down to rest on her shoulder, and Rose closed her eyes with a shudder as Dimitri's thumb skimmed lightly over her skin.

'So soft,' he whispered, dropping a chaste kiss to the spot half an inch above her ribboned sleeve.

It still wasn't enough. Rose pulled his face up to look at her, her pulse racing wildly.

'Show me where the heart is.'

Dimitri's eyes darkened, his will a slave to her command, and he watched on with wonder as his hand slid down from its nesting place in her hair to settle between her breasts. He could feel her heart beating like a hummingbird; the heat of her skin through the thin cotton nightdress; the gentle rise of her left breast under his palm. Breathing heavily, he crept his fingers up and over the beckoning slope until she was fully encased by his hand, watching her eyes widen then fall closed as he brushed his thumb across its peak. Her whimper of encouragement planted a burning ache within him, but then a small noise in the darkness made him look away briefly and when the deputy returned his attention to his lover, he took note of their position and froze.

What was he thinking? No matter how deeply he loved her, and how willingly she came to him, she wasn't his to claim. They weren't even engaged to be married. What would have happened if he'd followed his desires to their fulfilment? What if he'd left a child in her belly? Even Victor Dashley wouldn't want to employ him once it became known that he impregnated a young woman entrusted in his charge. Looking at the facts, he was no better than Jesse Zekeman.

Making a conscious effort to pull himself away, he scrambled to his knees, reaching out to replace the shawl over Rose to afford her some modesty and fumbling to do up his shirt buttons.

'No, Roza,' he shook his head, angry with himself for being so weak and foolish. 'I've been drinking. I would never treat you so cheaply if I was in my right mind. I should never have taken advantage of you like this. You deserve so much better.'

She looked up at him – hurt and confused by his sudden change of heart. 'But you're not taking advantage of me,' she said with a frown, rising to her knees in front of him, the shawl slipping from her shoulders once more. 'I'm old enough to know what I'm doing. I'm nearly eighteen.' Her hands found their way back to his chest as she craned up to kiss his lips.

'No, Roza,' Dimitri repeated, his expression pained as he shied from her touch. 'It doesn't matter how old you are. It doesn't matter how much I want you. I won't let myself be that man who just takes what he wants whenever he wants it. As much as I love you, you aren't mine to take.'

I love you? She'd never heard him say the words aloud and they flooded every corner of her soul, making her desire him even more.

'What if I want to be yours?' she whispered, trailing her hands down the sleeves of his shirt until their fingers interlaced, looking up at him with desperate longing.

She was completely unaware of her own beauty; her lashes dark in the firelight's shadow, her lips still swollen from kissing him.

'Oh Roza. You are not making this easy,' the man groaned, closing his eyes and dropping his forehead to hers. 'I want you to be mine, but not like this. Sneaking around in the dark, hoping we don't get caught. Let me give you a home. Let me secure our future before—'

Rose pulled back from him, her hurt slowly turning to anger. 'So that's it then?' she demanded, trying not to cry. 'You make me fall in love with you, and then you won't let me share myself with you – even though I know without a doubt that my heart belongs to you, now and always.'

He remained silent, eyes still averted.

'Well if you can't bear to look at me, and you won't kiss me, then what are you going to do?' her eyes smouldered with fury and regret as two fat tears escaped unheeded down her cheeks.

Dimitri lifted his head and reached out to her, gently brushing her tears away and drawing her to stand in front of him. 'I'm going to return you to your own bed, far away from here, where you won't be able to tempt me away from my resolve,' he whispered hoarsely, kissing her with his eyes.

'And what if I refuse to go?'

Dimitri closed his eyes and took a heavy breath, willing himself to be strong even though his whole being was begging for her to stay. When his eyes opened again they were dark with love but certain and steady.

'Then I will have to carry you,' he said simply, stooping to cradle her in his arms and walking slowly back to the darkened house; his eyes focused on the way ahead, her face hidden against his shirt as one hand reached up to twine through his glorious hair.

.

Author's Note:

Well?! Satisfied? Or – like Rose – now you've got the kiss(es) you just want more?! Happy to say there is more to come – a whole lot more.

I won't ruin your buzz, but prepare yourself for a crazy chapter coming up next. Heads up – we're nearly at the end. There are only 3 chapters and an epilogue to go, so expect some pretty heavy damage from here on.

Special thanks to Annie2015 & Lea0014 for picking up on some little details to make this chapter that much better - geniuses!

As always, remember to leave me a review! :)