Chapter 5

Passion

Two weeks and 4 days later…

Nadia and Vlad had seen each other every day for the past two weeks and had gotten very close. (Too close for the likings of Tikhonov) They, somehow, always found a way to get together and were beginning to have different feelings for each other. Vladislav Tretiak, a Soviet hockey player, had a new opinion of Nadia. She wasn't just a friend to him anymore; she was beginning to become the one he loved. Nadia Petrova, a little Russian college student from the USA, also had different feelings toward him. She realized how much they had in common and how sweet and fun he was. She had also realized that she was falling in love. Both of them were too nervous to tell each other how they felt, though.

It was 10:00 PM. Vladislav and Nadia were in his dorm room, sitting on his bed. They were both thinking whether or not to tell each other how they felt. Vlad felt nervous and didn't know how she would react to him telling her. Nadia was scared that he wouldn't love her in return. She became afraid and hung her head. Vladislav looked at Nadia who had her head down and eyes full of sadness. He put his hand under her chin and lifted her head up. Nadia looked into his dark brown eyes and saw they were full of reason and trust giving her the courage to ask.

"Vlad…" she started to say, but he interrupted her.

"Nadia, I know that we have only known each other for about a month, but… I have spent so much time with you and…"

"All I want to do is be with you." She finished.

"Yeah… that." He said, "I know it's probably just a silly crush…"

"If so, then my crush on you is even sillier." She said, laughing a little.

Vladislav smiled and took her hand in his. Nadia took her other hand and stroked it through his wavy hair.

'He has a lovely smile.' She thought to herself as he took his hand and placed it gently on her shoulder, which was covered by a t-shirt.

'If I continue,' Vlad thought, 'I hope she doesn't mind.'

He took both of his hands and placed them on her hips and squeezed lightly. Nadia's cheeks colored with the good feeling this gave her and she sighed to slow her heart rate. Vlad's heart started to race a little, as he had never done this before. She put her hands on his chest and he held her close. He proceeded to kiss her neck while she giggled with delight and squeezed his legs. Vlad's breathing got heavy and he groaned with pleasure, something that he never thought he'd do. His hands went on her hips and she could feel his fingers slightly in her skirt.

"Ah… ah!" she cried as she squirmed.

Nadia, all of a sudden, fell over onto the bed with Vlad on top of her. They held off for a moment, their faces inches away from each other's. Then, Vlad leaned in and kissed Nadia who had her eyes closed, smiling. She felt his lips touch hers and tasted his warm tongue. Nadia pulled off Vlad's shirt and he threw it across the room. He pulled back the blankets on his bed and laid down. Nadia fell on top of him, panting.

"That was… amazing…" said Vlad, out of breath and tired.

"Otlichno…"said Nadia.

She rolled over a little and let Vlad have the bottom since he was heavier. She slowly laid her head against his hard chest and listened to his quickened heartbeat. He stroked her shoulder and noticed that she was more tired than he was. For him, it had felt like he had just played two hockey games in a row. All of a sudden, their silence was interrupted. Someone walked by their open door. They both were overcome with emotion, that they had forgot to shut it all the way. It was Vladimir Krutov, Vladislav's teammate.

"Whoa!" he said loudly and smiled, "Vlad, I didn't know you had a girlfriend."

Nadia looked shocked and embarrassed to see him standing there, while she was tired and just over her emotions.

"She's cute." Krutov said.

Nadia blushed with embarrassment.

"Get out of here Vladimir." Said Vlad, who laughed as he went to close the door.

"Hey, does Tikhonov know?" Asked Krutov.

"What do you think?" asked Vlad sarcastically, "And I hope he doesn't find out!"

"Hey, don't worry. I'm happy that you found a girl who loves you!" he said.

"Thanks." Said Vlad and closed the door.

He went back and sat on the bed.

"So… I guess we both feel the same way…" Said Nadia quietly.

"Yeah…" said Vladislav, who put his arms around her waist.

Nadia closed her eyes and smiled, "…I'm glad." She said and kissed him on the cheek. His face was smooth and warm. She laid down on the bed.

"You're my everything…" she said softly and slid close to him.

He was lying on the bed also and slid closer to her. She rested her head on his hard body again and closed her eyes. They both fell asleep in the bed woke up the next day.

Nadia awoke the next day from a loud noise from outside.

"Wha… where am I?" she asked, sleepily.

She heard a sigh and looked down to see Vladislav sleeping. She shook him and he woke up.

"Hi Nadia." He said.

"I stayed the night?" she asked.

"I guess so…" he said, "Wait, that's not good."

"I know! My teacher will be so worried!" said Nadia.

"Lets just hope Tikhonov doesn't find out. He won't be too happy!" said Tretiak.

"I'll call my teacher right now!" said Nadia.

She dialed the hotel and they put her through to Mr. Ryan's room.

"Hello, Mr. Ryan?" she asked, "This is Nadia Petrova."

"Nadia! Where are you?" he asked, frantically.

"I'm, well, at…" Nadia looked at Tretiak and he nodded. She sighed and said, "I'm with a friend."

"Who could you possibly know in Russia!" he asked.

"I met him at—."

"Him!"

"Yes. His name is Vladislav Tretiak."

"The Vladislav Tretiak? Goalie for the Red Army hockey team?"

"Yes, the Vladislav Tretiak."

"Well, at least you are staying with someone who has a good reputation." Nadia laughed and looked at Tretiak, who was smiling, shaking his head.

"But you still shouldn't have left your group without asking and stayed with someone you hardly know!"

"Well… actually I—." Nadia started to say.

"You've been so good the whole trip and the day before we leave, you go bad." Said Mr. Ryan.

Nadia dropped the phone in shock. The words, "The day before we leave" hung in her mind. Vlad mouthed the word "what." Nadia had been having so much fun that she had forgotten that today was her last day in Russia. Nadia picked up the phone from the ground and put it on the receiver, hanging up on Mr. Ryan.

She sat down on Vlad's bed, with a saddened heart. He sat next to her and put his arm around her for comfort. He kissed her on the cheek. Nadia grabbed his shirt and snuggled into it.

"I'll never leave you." She said.

"You have to, you don't have a choice." He replied, "I'll see you again, though… someday."

"Will you come to the airport to say goodbye tomorrow?" she asked.

"Of course." He said.

Vlad put his hands on Nadia's hips and she put her arms around his neck. They embraced lovingly and were unaware that Tikhonov had walked by their room. He stopped by the door and looked on as Vlad comforted a heart-broken Nadia. Tikhonov saw how serious he looked and how sad she looked. He also saw how pretty Nadia was. Wanting to know more, he knocked on the door.

Immediately, they came back and looked shocked to see him.

"Look coach, I'm sorry, but I love Nadia." Said Vlad.

"I know. And she loves you." Said Tikhonov.

Nadia blushed and nodded. Tikhonov walked over to Nadia and touched her face. Nadia's eyes got wide.

"She's very pretty." He said.

He smiled at Nadia and saw her glance at Vlad. Tikhonov took his hand from her face.

"Look, if it affects my game, take me out! But, I swear it won't!"

"I've always been able to trust you, Vladislav." Said Tikhonov.

"And besides, Nadia has to leave tomorrow." Said Tretiak, looking at Nadia.

She nodded sadly and said, "Well, I had better get going. My teacher will be waiting for me."

"See you tomorrow." Said Vlad.

"I'm sorry you have to go back home." Said Tikhonov, caringly.

He started to rub Nadia's hand while Vlad wasn't looking. Nadia felt this and wanted to get away from him. She didn't know if this would make a difference in the way Tikhonov looked at her, but she tried anyway. Nadia shared a deep kiss with Tretiak. Tretiak kissed her passionately back and she squeaked with delight.

When they parted, Nadia giggled and said "Bye." All she saw was that Tikhonov looked at her like he liked her. This scared Nadia because it was a know fact that Tikhonov was married. Besides, Nadia was way too young for him! Nadia walked out of the room and down the hallway. Viktor Tikhonov walked out of Tretiak's room and back to his. Tretiak looked out into the hallway from his room and watched Nadia walk down the hallway.

"Otlichno" means "excellent" in Russian