Chapter 3

Author's Notes: Warning! This chapter contains FLUFFY content and some…out-of-character-ness… I hadn't planned on making a chapter like this, but I had no idea how to make the story progress into my next idea except by using these methods. I tried very hard to keep Sergei's personality intact as well as I could. Anyways, thanks for reading, and please tell me how I did!

Sergei felt a strange, tingling sensation as he felt Anna's lips travel over his own. It was a feeling he was never able to recall before. As if his body were reacting on its own, he suddenly felt his arm snake around her fragile waist. Perhaps he wanted to pull her away or push her closer. Sergei's mind couldn't decide so he instead let it rest on her lower back, neither pulling nor pushing.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Anna broke their kiss after only a few seconds. Sergei watched her step back, feeling a twinge of disappointment that they were no longer connected. She looked up at the taller man and then let out a little giggle. "You're such a bad kisser," she commented, recalling how his lips didn't fight back against hers during their quick kiss.

Sergei remained silent and stoic as she crawled back into the warmth of his body. For a moment, he almost forgot his objective as he felt her body press up against his for what seemed to be the fourth time this night. He found her behavior odd yet at the same time alluring. Just as he was about to place a hand on her shoulder, a cold wind blew in and within a few seconds the lightly falling snow had taken a turn for the worse. A blizzard had begun.

"It's getting awfully cold," she whispered, that suggestive edge in her voice. "If you'd like, we can go back to my hotel…" She was drawing light circles over his chest as she spoke, once again sending that strange, alien feeling down the soldier's spine.

Sergei's eyes traveled over the woman's body which he realized was poorly clothed. With temperatures reaching below zero, she would be lucky if she didn't suffer from frostbite by the next morning. He recalled the mission objectives Aleksander had given him. He had specifically stated that he wanted Anna alive and well when she was delivered to the base. Yet even if keeping her safe wasn't a part of his objectives, Sergei still felt that he had to do it, but why?

Gradually, the soldier freed his tucked in jacket form his pants and handed it to the woman. Surprised by the sudden offer, Anna stared at it for a few seconds before accepting it. "Thank you," she whispered politely, "But I do prefer your body warmth." Nevertheless, she slipped the camo-patterned jacket over herself. Due to their size difference, the jacket, which fit Sergei snugly, drooped baggily over Anna's thin body. She didn't seem to mind however as it provided her much needed heat.

With the wind billowing even harder than it had just a few seconds ago, Sergei, satisfied with Anna's attire, gently took her hand into his and began walking out of the alleyway, his "captive" not too far behind. In a blizzard like this, it was hard to see anything beyond five feet. Now that he had tracked her down, Sergei didn't want to lose her.

Anna found herself having difficulty keeping up with his quick stride as she was practically being dragged through a land of snow. Her vision was blurred by the falling snowflakes and it was a wonder how the man before her was able to navigate himself in this horrible weather. "Hey," she called over the roar of the wind, "where are you taking me?"

He didn't give a reply which didn't surprise Anna. Ever since she had come across this man, she hadn't once heard a word escape his lips. Strangely enough however she found his silent behavior oddly captivating. Not only that but his build and looks weren't even too bad either. All in all, she was very curious about him and wondered what he was planning on doing with her. Surely it wasn't a coincidence that she had stumbled upon him three times today. Judging by his apparel, he was definitely a part of some military branch, but certainly Anna hadn't committed such a crime to involve the government. "Excuse me sir," she said in that innocent tone of hers, "If you wouldn't mind, I would prefer to head back to my hotel near the city, if you please. I don't think I'm feeling all too well walking in these conditions…"

She wasn't going to take any chances if this man was after her. She would rather play it safe and leave him when he was asleep. Her regular techniques wouldn't work. Her Taser had been left in her fur coat back in the battle arena but even if she did have it, she doubted she would get a chance to use it. His fighting ability far surpassed hers, he would probably see her attack coming before she had even performed it. No, she had to play the damsel in distress and lure him to her bedroom.

Sergei abruptly stopped and turned back to look at her. She was turning awfully pale and her lips had lost their pink hue to be replaced by a faint purple. Unbeknownst to his own actions, he squeezed Anna's hand harder as she drew near him to rest her cheek upon their intertwined fingers. "Please…?" She begged sweetly.

He watched her move in, prepared to steal another kiss from him, but before that could happen, he pulled away and began dragging her off once again. She was right. This blizzard was more than he could handle. He wouldn't be able to reach headquarters in this sort of weather. He had to listen to her and take her back to her hotel.

Before long, the pair found themselves standing before the luxury hotel that Anna had described. They had walked for nearly an hour to find it, all the while having their hands joined. Anna had hardly noticed for her fingers were numb from the cold but Sergei on the other hand had felt her hand through his glove and he was well aware of how long they had been gripping one another's.

This time with Anna leading the way, the two headed up the hotel using the elevator and exited into an exquisite hallway decorated with potted plants and a lovely hanging chandelier. They walked past a few doors until they found the one with the plaque that read: Room 9F.

Reaching into her cleavage, Anna retrieved a key from it and inserted it into the lock. Pushing open the door, she gave her companion a smile and whispered, "Come on in…"

If not for the fact that he had to keep an eye on her, Sergei would have waited outside until morning arrived before coming to pick her up. Yet he knew how mischievous and sly she was. Even now, as she was leading him into her room, she was feigning innocence and naiveté. As if he didn't know what potential she had.

Once in the deluxe bedroom, Anna closed the door behind her while Sergei retreated into the dark corners of the room. She hadn't expected a blizzard to happen so had left the heater off, leaving her room as chilly as the outside. She walked to the thermostat located behind Sergei and began turning on a few switches. When a low humming began starting up, Anna retreated back to the bed, unbuttoning Sergei's jacket the entire way.

After releasing the last button from its hole, she slipped the sleeves off her arms while sneakily taking a peek over her shoulder. From her quick peep, she could see that the soldier had his eyes set on her. She smirked then bent over to begin unstrapping her heels. One after the other, she unbuckled the shoes until they were loose enough to kick off. They clattered as they hit the floor, causing Sergei to glance in their direction. However, his eyes would quickly return back to their main target as he saw that she was now beginning to work with her skirt. She stuck her thumbs underneath the elastic and very slowly, almost as if she were mocking him, she pulled the piece of clothing down her long legs. When the skirt was a pool around her ankles and all she remained in were her undergarments, she looked back at Sergei and gave him a smile. "I'm going to be in the showers." She approached him and teasingly ran her finger underneath his chin. "No peeking," she whispered into his ear.

Sergei didn't respond and listened as her footsteps disappeared into the bathroom. It wasn't until he heard the water running that he felt his muscles begin to relax. How long had he been so tense? Sergei couldn't recall being so anxious in his life. How could one woman have such a strange effect on him? In his mind, his targets were nothing more than subjects, but Anna, she was different. Not only was she beautiful, but Sergei saw her as something else, as a…human.

Dressed only in a towel, Anna stepped out of the showers a few minutes later and found that Sergei hadn't moved from his position by the thermostat. With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she gazed at him as she headed over to the bed. Dropping to her hands and knees, she retrieved a suitcase from underneath the piece of furniture and opened it up. Inside laid a heap of clothes, some of which could be seen costing a fortune. She reached in and pulled out a pair of panties and a thin nightgown. With her back facing the Special Forces soldier, she dropped the towel from her body and began dressing herself before his eyes.

Sergei switched his gaze to the floor as he felt his heart begin to pound harder and harder against his chest. He waited patiently as she finished slipping the nightgown over her head before switching his gaze back to her. His first sight of her almost brought a rare blush to his face. The woman, dressed in her nightdress, appeared like an angel…

As Dragunov continued to stare at the beauty that was placed before him, Anna began to clear off the bed in preparations for her night. She shoved her suitcase back into its hiding spot then turned her attention to the next object which was his jacket. Picking it up, she prepared to fold it until something caught her eye. Sitting on the front breast was a name: Sergei Dragunov. Anna ran her fingers over he embroidered letters then smiled. Tossing the shirt aside, she settled herself down on the edge of her bed and gave him a smile. "So your name's Sergei?" She twirled a short strand of her around her finger and whispered, "Is it okay if I call you that or would you prefer something me to call you something else…? Mr. Dragunov…"

Sergei's face remained expressionless as she spoke to him. The look almost made Anna pout. How is it that she was unable to have any effect on him? He was so different in so many ways Anna just couldn't figure him out. Was he playing hard-to-get?

Extending her hand out towards him, she asked, "Would you like to join me tonight, soldier boy? The bed's big enough for two…"

Again he didn't respond, causing Anna to sigh in defeat. She crawled to the head of the bed and began pulling the covers up. She had to find a way to ensnare him in her trap before she fell asleep. She refused to be captured by the government. Taking a quick look back at him she narrowed her eyes and began to think. But was he really an enemy? He had saved her but for what reason? Did it matter though? He had been her hero, wasn't that enough to gain her trust?

Sergei noticed her muddy brown eyes staring at him and he couldn't help but stare back. He didn't want to admit it, but she was lovely. Although he could've continued staring into those beautiful eyes of hers, she suddenly turned away and flipped off the lights, leaving the room pitch black. She was going to sleep now. Or so he assumed.

Due to his sensitive hearing he had developed while training as a Special Forces Officer, Sergei was able to pick up the softest of noises, including bare feet against wood flooring. He saw a slight shift in the dark space he was staring into as a silhouette had entered his field of vision. He knew straight away then that his target hadn't been preparing for sleep but for something else. Before he could react, it was already too late. She had already made her move…

Sergei's body tensed as he felt Anna's body collapse against his. Her arms wrapped themselves around his neck and her soft lips sought his scarred ones. It took no more than a few seconds before the two found that their mouths were smothering each other. In the midst of their kiss Anna, with all her might, pushed Sergei down into a sitting position down on the floor. She followed him soon after, maneuvering herself into a spot between his legs while he leaned back against the wall behind him. Breaking their kiss, Anna placed her head underneath his chin and shut her eyes, a gentle smile on her lips.

After much thought, Anna had decided that she would trust this man, at least for one night…