After our lovemaking we'd cuddled for ages, kissing and confessing how much we cared for one another. I honestly think we would have stayed in bed all day had we both not been super hungry. We'd skipped dinner, and sexercise works up quite an appetite I'd discovered, so I allowed Dimitri to convince me to get up, shower and get dressed.
I'd wandered to the bathroom, embarrassed to notice faint smears of blood on my inner thighs as I saw myself in the mirror.
"I'm sorry I hurt you. Are you in much pain?" Dimitri asked quietly, seeing the direction of my gaze. He looked remorseful as he slipped his arms around me from behind.
"Not really," I said truthfully. "And it was going to hurt no matter who it was with. If it helps, I've never felt anything as wonderful as how you made me feel just after that!"
"It helps," he said softly, using his huge hands on my waist to spin me around to face him. "You are so beautiful, and I can't believe my dreams came true. I love you, milaya."
"Oh Comrade, I love you, too," I said, a huge smile lighting up my face.
Grabbing his hand, I pulled him into the shower cubicle with me. It wasn't huge, and he was, but we managed it. It was strangely intimate, showering together. Dimitri grabbed a washcloth and squirting some bath gel from the miniature container he started washing me down. Starting with my shoulders and back, he moved down to my bottom and then the backs of my legs before spinning me to wash my neck, breasts, torso, and stomach. "You're so beautiful, milaya," he repeated reverently. "You could have any man you wanted; I still can't believe you gave yourself to me."
"I can't imagine wanting that with anyone but you," I replied shyly. "Being with you just feels so natural. You make me feel so safe and loved."
Dimitri smiled, rinsing the washcloth clear of suds before very gently cleaning my thighs and the outside of my vulva. Once he was done, he kissed me lightly on my nose.
"You should pee, Roza."
I looked at him and raised my eyebrows giving him a what the fuck look.
He chuckled. "It's not a kinky thing, milaya. The friction of lovemaking, particularly the first few times, can introduce bacteria into your urinary tract and give you an infection. If you pee every time after having sex it helps."
"Ok, well I'm not doing that with you in here!"
He laughed some more. "That wasn't what I was suggesting."
"Ok," I said embarrassed. I had no idea about this sort of stuff.
I took the washcloth from his hands, applying more gel and started to wash him. I repeated his motions, doing his shoulders, back then legs, turning him to continue on his neck, chest, abs then starting on his crotch.
"I'd better take over, milaya," he said, taking the washcloth from my hands, "otherwise we might get dirty again!"
Getting dirty again sounded good to me, but I was conscious Dimitri needed to get to the bank and also that I was starving. After we'd stepped out and dried ourselves, I tried to decide what to wear. I was pulling things out of my duffel bag spilling everything across the bed, including my more sexy underwear.
"Wear this," he said gruffly, plucking a deep red lace bra from amongst the pile. I smiled at his sheepish expression. He was so gorgeous I could just kiss him a thousand times. I was smiling at how cute he was when suddenly I remembered that time was ticking for him. For us. I turned my back to him to put on the bra, trying to hide the tears welling in my eyes. But he knew.
"No crying, milaya. Just joy today, ok? We're finally together, focus on that."
"Yep," I said, forcing a cheery tone into my voice. "Since you wanted me to wear it I think you should do it up for me," I added, doing my best to sound saucy.
I rolled my head back in pleasure as his huge hands caressed my ribcage and breasts before he fastened my bra. His breath was on my neck as he pushed my hair to one side, dropping soft kisses on my nape.
"Come on milaya. Let's go eat!"
It was snowing lightly outside, so I grabbed my camera and jacket, following him out the door to the SUV.
"So do I get to drive this weekend?" I asked playfully.
"Nope," Dimitri said giving me an amused smile. "Alberta told us to make sure she didn't regret allowing us the weekend together, remember?!"
"You have no faith in me, Comrade," I replied. "I'm a great driver!"
"I'm sure you are, milaya," he soothed, although the tug at his lips suggested he might have thought otherwise. "But I'm still going to drive. Consider it me being chivalrous."
"Seriously Comrade?!"
"Yep," he laughed, steering us through the town until he pulled up at the branch of a multinational bank. He stepped out of the car and came around to open my door. "See? Chivalrous," he joked, leaning forward kissing me. Grabbing my hand, he pulled me against him continuing the kiss as we stood on the sidewalk in the middle of town. I couldn't believe we were being so openly affectionate and demonstrative in public, although of course so far from the academy, and in broad daylight, the chances of us being observed were minimal.
Inside the bank, Dimitri asked to speak to Jodie, and I was surprised to see a young Dhampir woman come out from behind the counter to shake hands with Dimitri.
"Jodie this is my girlfriend Rose," he introduced me, and she shook my hand, too. "I'm happy for us to discuss everything openly in front of her."
Seeing my confused expression, Jodie smiled.
"Rose – this bank is Moroi owned but exists mostly in the human world. There aren't Dhampir or Moroi at every branch, but close to large settlements or Academies, there's at least one of us on staff. We look after the financial concerns of Moroi and Dhampir clients as well as humans," she explained, showing us through to a small glass-fronted meeting room facing out onto the bank. "Now Guardian Belikov, I have your account details here, how can I help you today?"
Grasping my hand firmly and placing it on the table between us, Dimitri explained he'd been reallocated on a dangerous mission, and there was a very good chance he wouldn't be returning. He said it matter of factly, but I could see Jodie's eyes drop to our hands, noting the way his thumb was stroking the back of mine soothingly. She looked up to me, seeing me blinking back tears and gave me a look of sympathy.
"I'm leaving on Tuesday, after which time I will not be accessing my accounts. Rose and I are here to enjoy ourselves this weekend, so I'll probably be using my credit card, so I'd like to organize to have the balance zeroed from my savings account next Thursday, and then the card canceled."
Jodie nodded, jotting notes on a spiral bound notepad.
"I also need to add my mother to my savings account as an equal signatory. She's to have full authority over the account. I want her to be able to access the money freely and for her to be able to close the account if that becomes necessary." Dimitri handed her a piece of paper with some details on it.
"I can organize that," Jodie said, "But I caution you to be sure. If you were to return from your mission, you could find yourself left with nothing."
Dimitri nodded. "I understand what you're saying, but I trust my mother absolutely. Besides, if I return from the mission I'll have my life, and that's worth more to me than the contents of my savings account!" He was trying to be jovial, yet I could hear the sadness in his voice.
"Can I suggest with the credit card we clear it and then put a stop on it? That way should you return from your mission, or find yourself in need of funds while you're away, it's just a matter of presenting to any one of our branches or affiliates worldwide, giving a password and fingerprint, and you'll be able to restart the card and access your account immediately. It means you wouldn't be stranded without funds, and no one other than you could restart the credit card," Jodie suggested.
Dimitri shrugged and nodded. I could see he thought it made no difference.
"That makes sense, Comrade. That way it's closed unless you need it. It would make things easier if you come back, and if not… well, it's already stopped," I said, trying not to dwell on the fact he would probably never need to access his accounts again.
"Sure. Do that then," Dimitri said, clearly saying it just to appease me. "Other than that can I withdraw fifteen hundred dollars now?"
"Woah! That's a lot of money Comrade! Where are you taking me for lunch, the most expensive restaurant in town?!" I teased.
"If you want, milaya," he smiled lovingly, leaning over to kiss me.
Jodie smiled at the two of us, standing up. "If you just come to the teller window I can complete your transaction there."
We stood and followed her from the room, Dimitri standing in front of the plexiglass screen, signing where required, me standing awkwardly to one side the way you do when it's not your account being discussed. He pulled out his wallet, stuffing a wad of bills in there, and then it was time to go.
"Thank you Guardian Belikov," Jodie said, "and the very best of luck with your mission. I hope to see you in here again, soon."
Dimitri nodded, then he took my hand and led me out of the bank. It was cold but oddly still, snowflakes falling gently from the sky.
"So, milaya, what do you want for lunch? Lady's choice!"
We were walking down the sidewalk towards a group of restaurants a bit further down the block. He stopped and sniffed as we were approaching a pizza and pasta joint. "That smells good," he said, looking at me as the smell of garlic and cooking pizza wafted through the frigid air.
"Aww yeah! Let's go there!" I said enthusiastically. It wasn't a fancy or expensive restaurant, but it looked warm and comfortable, and my stomach grumbled.
Stepping inside, we were shown to a booth. We sat opposite one another, Dimitri grasping both my hands in his. "I'm going to have pasta and then maybe we could share a pizza?"
"Sounds perfect," I said, quickly looking at the menu and deciding on linguine with Italian sausage and peppers. Dimitri chose veal ravioli in a white wine mushroom sauce, and we ordered a family sized pepperoni pizza to share. The waitress was older and looked kindly at the two of us.
"Can you take a couple of photos of us?" I asked her shyly, handing her my camera when she smiled and nodded. Dimitri leaned forward and kissed me across the table, and for the second shot the two of us held hands and looked at the camera smiling.
"Let's get those developed before I leave," Dimitri said. "I want some photos of you to take with me."
I gulped, willing the tears back from my eyes. "Sure," I said, smiling at him lovingly. "So what did you want to do after this? Shopping? A movie? Both?"
"Up to you, milaya. I'm free until 9 pm tonight."
"What's happens then?" I teased. "Do you turn into a pumpkin?!"
"No. I've arranged to skype my family for my birthday."
I almost choked. "Your birthday!? When is it?" I demanded.
"Today," he said softly.
"What? Comrade?! Why didn't you tell me? I didn't get you anything!" I moaned, horrified it was his special day, and I hadn't even known it.
"I disagree, I think you gave me something very special," he said with a loving look in his eyes.
"That wasn't for your birthday!" I hissed.
"Why not?" he replied. "There's nothing you could give me that I want more than your love."
"You've had that for a while now, Comrade," I whispered.
"I'd hoped so," he murmured, "Sometimes I thought I saw it in your eyes…" He lifted my hand from where he was holding it on the tabletop, bringing my fingertips to his lips to kiss.
We finished our pastas and half of the pizza, boxing up the leftovers to take back to the motel with us. Dimitri had grabbed my camera taking photos of me eating pizza, much to my embarrassment, but he'd seemed to enjoy it.
"I love watching you eat, it's very satisfying!" he'd chuckled. "Come on milaya. Let's go see what's on at the movies!" he'd said once we were done.
We walked back to the car and drove to the multiplex at the mall. We stood there for ages trying to decide, neither of us knowing much about the latest releases. "What about 'Me Before You'" Dimitri suggested. "That looks romantic?"
"Isn't that the one where the guy dies at the end?" I asked incredulously, eyebrows raised.
"Oh yeah," Dimitri said, the corner of his mouth twitching. And before I knew it we were both laughing manically. Dimitri pulled me to him, wrapping the edges of his duster around me as we laughed together in the foyer of the cinema. It really was a matter of having to laugh otherwise I'd cry.
We'd ended up choosing a romantic comedy. Lightweight and not requiring too much thought. After we sat in our seats, I took a few selfies of the two of us together. Dimitri had bought an absolute mountain of popcorn and soda for each of us.
"I love this stuff," he admitted about the popcorn while we were watching the trailers before the feature started. "Ivan used to take his dates to the cinema quite a bit. Not the most relaxing place for a Guardian," he chuckled, referring to the darkness hence the risk of Strigoi, "so I never got to see the film. I'd sit the row behind him, guarding and eating popcorn, watching him get hot and heavy with whichever girl he was with."
"That sounds pretty dismal," I commented.
"Yeah, I suppose so," he laughed with his rich, deep chuckle. "At least I got to have popcorn!"
"How would you like to be the one getting hot and heavy this time?" I whispered suggestively into his ear, pulling up the armrest between us and moving across to sit closer to him.
"Sounds good, milaya," he said with a huge grin, pulling me back against him as the lights dimmed and the movie started. We watched for a while, feeding one another popcorn. After a while I got bored with the film, so started kissing my man. Little kisses turned into bigger ones, and soon we were doing some serious making out, the movie entirely forgotten.
His huge hands were holding me against him, our mouths joined as we French kissed. I pulled his duster across his crotch, concealing where I was rubbing my hand across the hardness in his pants. Ripping his mouth from mine he growled softly into my ear, "I want to make love with you again!"
"Me too, Comrade," I moaned back. "Let's go back to the motel after this."
I pulled myself from him, sitting demurely to give us both a chance to calm down. The movie finally ended, and we walked hand in hand through the mall, heading back to the car.
"So what did you want to do for your birthday? We could go out for dinner if you want? Or we could stay in just the two of us at the motel?"
"Definitely stay in," he said with a sexy look at me. "I thought we could get some vodka and takeout?"
"Then… we'll also need a birthday cake!" I said, pulling him into the Cheesecake Factory store that we'd been about to pass, grinning at him in excitement. "What flavor do you want? We can get a whole cake, or I can get slices of all different ones?"
"Whatever you want milaya," he chuckled.
"Nope. Your birthday, you have to choose! It's not every day you turn a quarter of a century!"
Dimitri moved up to the display case looking at the numerous offerings. "What about half and half?" he suggested. "We could have half chocolate toffee peanut brittle cake, and the other half strawberry cheesecake?"
"Perfect!" I said, relaying the order to the attendant. She cut and boxed the two cakes, staring at my man with admiration the entire time. Yeah. I get it. He really does look hot – especially when he's smiling and relaxed like he is right now. I picked up three packs of candles for the cake, determined to do this right. At the counter, Dimitri went to pull out his wallet, but I shot him down with one look. "Please Comrade? I won't be able to get you anything else – let me get this for you?"
He nodded. "But my treat for the rest of the weekend," he stipulated.
"Fine," I said, giving him a long tender kiss, enjoying the sour expression on the attendant's face when we reluctantly pulled away from one another.
We stopped again for vodka on the way to the car. Dimitri explained it wasn't the same as the vodka they had in Russia, but that it would do. "Are you going to let me drink, Comrade?" I asked, somehow a little surprised.
"Sure why not? I know there's alcohol at the on-campus parties. I'd much rather you drink when you're safe with me at the motel than surrounded by a bunch of horny Royal Moroi guys looking for any excuse to touch you. Besides, I'm not your mentor anymore."
No, he wasn't. He'd introduced me at the bank as his girlfriend, and my heart had soared.
"So if you're not my mentor what are you?" I asked in a teasing voice, not giving any indication how deeply my feelings were invested in his answer.
"Your boyfriend, if you'll have me. Or do you prefer partner? Lover?"
"They all sound pretty good," I admitted, kissing him tenderly. "And yes I'll have you!"
We were back at the car, and within minutes we'd arrived back the motel. It was almost 6 pm, so we had three hours before he was due to talk with his family. He gathered the leftover pizza, cake, and vodka.
"Let's go inside, Roza," he said, his accent thickening by the second. "I want to kiss every inch of your body."