It didn't take long before Dimitri and Rose had chosen where to eat breakfast, ordered and almost finished their meal, all the while talking about everything and nothing all at the same time.

"How's Sonja doing, and baby Katya?" Rose asked, taking a bite of toast as she sat across from Dimitri.

"They're great," Dimitri informed her with a smile, "Katya is beautiful."

The loving, almost protective look in his eyes made Rose's heart skip a beat. There was a lot that she admired about Dimitri, and the way he adored and cared for his family was near the top of that list. Next to his washboard abs, of course!

"I bet she is," Rose grinned. All the Belikov women were gorgeous, and Dimitri looked nothing short of a Russian God too – it wasn't a surprise that the new baby was the same way. "Do you ever want children?"

Dimitri spluttered, almost choking on his eggs at her unexpected question. It was the last thing he thought he'd hear out of her mouth!

"Sorry, that was a bit personal wasn't it," she mumbled, wishing desperately she hadn't said anything of the sort. She really must start thinking before she opened her mouth, she thought!

"No, it's okay I just wasn't expecting the conversation to go this way," Dimitri told her, masking his slight awkwardness behind a laugh. "I did. Want kids."

"Oh?"

"Growing up I was always the man of the house, really. I was always looking after Mama and my sisters. I guess I just always imagined being a father and looking after my own children. Playing with them, loving them," he explained. "I always thought Tasha and I would end up having children one day. Before she chea–"

He stopped himself before he said any more. Today had been a good day so far – he didn't want to think about Tasha and bring up any dark feelings from deep within.

"I'm happy being an uncle," he added.

And it was true – he adored Paul, Zoya, and now Katya, more than anything.

"You don't see yourself having your own?" Rose questioned, suddenly feeling brave enough to prompt him into continuing the conversation, desperate to understand the man in front of her on a more personal level.

"No."

He didn't think so anyway, it certainly hadn't been on the cards for quite some time.

Rose suddenly felt a surge of sadness arise inside her chest. It was clear that Dimitri was a family man, and that he had one day longed for the opportunity to have his own, yet this Tasha had destroyed that chance. She had robbed him of that ambition when she betrayed him, leaving him a broken, empty shell of what he once was. Now distrusting and afraid to love, Dimitri had convinced himself that a family was out of the question, that he wasn't worthy of such happiness. It broke Rose's heart.

"I guess you need to have a real relationship for kids," she laughed, attempting to ease the tension that had built between them.

Dimitri chuckled in spite of himself.

"What about you?" He asked, taking a sip of his coffee and leaning back in his chair, genuinely curious as to what her answer would be.

"What about me?"

"Do you want children?"

"I don't know. Maybe one day," Rose shrugged, before taking one last bite of her breakfast. "It probably won't be much longer before there'll be little Lissas and Christians running about the place. I'll have my hands full being an auntie to begin with."

Rose knew that both Lissa and Christian wanted children in the future, but were making the most of life just the two of them for now. Although having been married for just over a year and a half already, Rose knew that Lissa wanted to have a certain discussion with Christian quite soon.

"Besides, I don't think there's anyone who would want to have children with me in the first place," she continued, with a sincerity in her tone of voice that made Dimitri want to reach out and hold her hand in comfort. He hated that Rose couldn't see her true worth. Hi Pot, meet Kettle.

A brief silence settled between them as a waitress collected their empty plates and topped up their drinks.

"I should probably get a real job first, anyway."

"The diner is a real job," Dimitri stated, prompting Rose to scoff at him.

"Says the man who runs his own business."

"You don't need a career in order to be successful, Roza," he told her. "There's nothing wrong with shift work."

Rose sighed.

"I suppose. I always thought I'd amount to something though."

"Like?"

"I don't know. I'd thought about trying for law school once, before I dropped out of college. It's too late now, I guess."

Dimitri smiled at her.

"It's never too late, Roza."

The rest of the day passed quickly in a blur of movies, hot chocolate, snacks, conversation and laughter, and soon the apartment was streaked in red as the sun began to set. Of course, the day was far from over for Rose and Dimitri, considering they were still fully clothed and thoroughly un-fucked! Although judging by the way their kisses were quickly heating, the way Dimitri's dick was starting to strain against his pants, the way Rose's head was beginning to become cloudy with desire, it wouldn't be long before they would find themselves in the throes of pure, animalistic sex.

The movie they had been watching was long forgotten. Breathing heavily, Dimitri brushed his hand along Rose's jaw, his fingers finding their way around her neck as he attached his lips to hers. As his teeth grazed her lips, her mouth parted with a gasp and Dimitri took full advantage, sliding his tongue into her mouth hungrily to lick, stroke and taste. Their tongues battled together until Dimitri broke the kiss, pulling them apart. His hand still wrapped gently around her neck, Rose's lashes fluttered, and her eyes glazed, turning dreamy under his dark stare.

"Bedroom. Now," he growled, hoisting her greedily from the sofa and pulling her in the direction of his bedroom.

When they reached their destination, he turned on her, fixing her with a heated look as he instructed her to strip. There was no hesitation from her as she rid herself of her clothes. Dimitri was practically standing on top of her he was so close to her, watching her, and he relished each fumble of her fingers as she wrestled with the button of her jeans and clasp of her bra.

It took just mere seconds before she was naked, standing bare before him, encased in a feeling of deep desire. Unknowingly, she licked her lips as Dimitri effortlessly pulled his top over his head, unthreaded his belt and unbuttoned his jeans, the deep V of his abdomen leading directly to a very prominent bulge which left nothing to the imagination.

"On your knees, Roza," he commanded, pointing definitively towards the floor just in front of him.

Veiled with intense lust and an eagerness to please him, she did as she was told without hesitation, sinking to her knees at his feet, awaiting her next instruction. Dimitri admired the way her chest heaved heavily as she looked up at him through her lashes, hanging on to his every word, his every command.

"Good girl. Spread your knees as wide as you can get them," he instructed, his deep voice laced in dominance. "I want to see your pretty pussy as it drips on my floor."

Rose blushed at his words. Dimitri constantly made her hornier, more turned on, than she'd ever been in her life - the ache between her legs was almost unbearable and she knew that she was already soaking, there was no doubt about that, but if she was actually slick enough to leave a puddle on his floor, she thought she might just have to die on the spot. Still, she did as she was told, spreading her knees for him.

Dimitri smiled in approval, his eyes dark as he reached out to smooth her hair back from her face. As he cupped her chin and ran his thumb over her lips, Rose opened her mouth so unquestioningly that Dimitri groaned aloud. He slipped the tip of his thumb into her mouth and her eyes fell closed as she nipped and sucked.

His cock ached with jealousy.

Freeing himself from the restraints of his pants, his thumb was quickly replaced with his hard length and Rose moaned as her lips closed around him. She was never usually one to enjoy sucking dick, but the curses and growls that escaped Dimitri's mouth as she did so definitely put it on the list of things she enjoyed most in the world.

She started to suck eagerly, her tongue swirling around the head of his cock, and the instant pleasure made him wish he had something to hold onto to keep him upright. With each suck, she took him deeper and deeper until she was taking almost all of him in her mouth, a skill which, with the size of him, she was incredibly proud of. Tangling a hand into her hair, Dimitri let her pleasure him with her mouth until he could handle it no more, growing closer to his release with each bob of her head.

Almost on the edge, Dimitri swore and quickly lifted her to her feet by a handful of her hair, then tossed her hungrily on the bed.

"Spread your legs," he growled. "Show me what's mine."

As she did so, his cock grew even harder at the sight of her glistening core – if it was even possible – and he suddenly he was overcome with the desire, the need, to taste her. Agonisingly slowly, he lowered himself on the bed until his face was just inches from her pussy. Reaching out, his fingers slid through her wetness and he groaned appreciatively as she writhed beneath them, already so close to seeing stars.

"So ready," he smirked.

Slowly, he lowered his head and slid his tongue around the sensitive skin around her clit, circling closer and closer until finally he flicked directly across it. Rose jerked, lifting her hips off the bed in an attempt to bring him closer, if at all possible. He skimmed a finger along her entrance, and with warm laps of his tongue assaulting her clit, he slid his finger deep inside her before quickly adding a second.

He twisted in and out, his tongue and fingers finding a glorious rhythm together, bringing her higher and higher until her whole body quivered, on the brink of orgasm. It was holding her captive there, on the edge of the precipice, until one particular brush of his fingers against her G-spot had her falling, screaming his name as the sheets turned to knots between her fists.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" she cried, writhing and shaking under Dimitri's relentless touch as a second wave of pleasure overcame her.

Once her pleasure had fully subsided, Dimitri crawled back up the bed, shifting above her as he rid himself of his pants.

"Please, Dimitri," Rose groaned, pulling him to her. "Please –"

"What do you need?"

"You – fuck – I need you!"

Dimitri wrapped her legs around his waist, running the tip of his length up and down the wetness of her slit. She wriggled at the light touch, clutching the sheets until her knuckles were white as she tried to impale herself on him, desperate for him to just fuck her already!

He swore, and without meaning to go so fast, he plunged himself into her core, the eagerness between them more frantic than good technique allowed. As he began to move, her body rippled around him as a string of nonsensical words and profanities poured from her lips.

"Fuck, Roza," he growled, picking up both speed and ferocity.

He pulled almost completely out of her before slamming back in, thrusting again and again, over and over, overwhelming her with his hunger and ferociousness.

This. This is what she liked.

One hand gripping her hip so hard he was sure to leave a bruise, he buried his face in her hair as her own hands flew to his back, her nails digging in harshly as she tried to control the intense pleasure he was inflicting on her.

"You're going to cum for me, aren't you?" he groaned, his hot breath just inches from her ear. "I can feel every ripple, every wave inside you."

As he continued his motions, he wrapped a firm hand around her throat. His hand, resting there just tightly enough to control her without restricting her breath, almost pushed her over the edge for the third time. Her hips lifted off the bed, her body arching as her eyes rolled back into her head.

"Please! Dimitri..."

What exactly she was begging for, she couldn't think, but she knew that Dimitri was the only one who could give it to her. He continued to thrust hard, and she cried out as she tightened around him.

"ебать," he growled, "scream for me, Roza."

He pinched harshly at her nipple and the pain shot straight to her core, forcing her orgasm to persevere, making her come again and again until she could no longer think straight. Her pleasured screams were almost deafening, but it simply spurred him on, relishing every squeak and whimper that she blessed him with.

"You feel too fucking good," he told her amongst heavy breaths.

Just as Rose began to come down from her high, the thrust of Dimitri's hips began to falter. He pulled out, then in, then out once more until he swore, his cock pulsing within her as he found his own release, prompting one last orgasm from her.

Collapsing on top of her as he rode out his own orgasm, he bit her shoulder, the pain melding into pleasure and an intense, delicious feeling of being used, dominated. Dimitri certainly had control of her body, and her mind, as they fucked.

With a groan, he pulled out of her, falling beside her on the bed and covering her petite, shaking body with his warm, muscular arm. His fingers traced circles along her hip.

With a contented, tired smile, she turned on her side to face him, wincing slightly as her muscles groaned in protest.

"Are you okay?" he asked, apparently having noticed her discomfort.

Other than being sore, and feeling a weird, dreamy high, she was so much better than okay.

"Mmm," was all she could bring herself to utter, a satisfied tiredness already overcoming her as her eyelids began to droop. She was exhausted, and he was warm, so very warm.

With a grin, Dimitri smoothed the hair away from her face before slipping out of bed briefly to fetch her a glass of water. By the time he returned, she was already asleep.

Rose stared at her reflection in the full-length mirror, which stood tall in the corner of the bedroom. Wearing just her bra and underwear, she could see every mark and imperfection on her skin. Especially the stripes. The endless stripes. She both loved and hated the stretch marks – old and new – which painted her slightly rounded belly. She missed the flat, toned stomach she once had just three years ago, but knowing her body had been capable of growing and birthing a human, and was doing so for the second time, was incredibly empowering. As she thought about the little human growing inside of her, she couldn't help but smile. She'd never been this happy before in her life.

As if on cue, she felt a small flutter in her abdomen and she knew instantly it was her baby. At just sixteen weeks along, she was feeling movement much earlier this time round, and she knew it wouldn't be long before they were proper kicks and punches instead of flutters. Rubbing her hand over her bump, she sighed, her grin growing wider. No – she didn't care that her body was changing, or that she wasn't as slim as she had been before. She loved her children, and she wouldn't change anything for the world.

Just as she pulled on her leggings and a simple sweater over her head, she heard movement behind her just as a voice spoke.

"Doesn't your Mama look beautiful?"

Blushing, Rose turned to see her hunk of a husband standing in the doorway, a grin on his face and loving look in his eyes as he looked her up and down. Dimitri. Giggling, a little girl with thick brown hair rushed past his legs, running towards Rose at top speed. When the child reached her, Rose bent down to pick her up, swinging her up onto her right hip.

"Hi gorgeous girl!" Rose greeted her, planting a gentle kiss to her cheek. "Did you and Daddy have a good time with Babushka and your aunts?"

The girl nodded excitedly.

"Yes Mama! Babushka taught Zoya, Katya and I how to bake black bread just like daddy can!"

"Mmm, my favourite."

The little girl wiggled her way out of Rose's arms before running in the direction of her bedroom, presumably off to play. Chuckling, Dimitri made his way over to his wife, kissing her lovingly on the lips and resting his palm on her belly.

"How are two of my most important people doing today?" He asked, tucking a stray strand of hair behind Rose's ear.

"We're good," she stated, leaning into his soft touch. "Your child is very wriggly today."

"You definitely think it's him that you're feeling now?"

Rose nodded.

"It's stronger than yesterday. I think it might be about another week and you'll be able to feel him too."

"I can't wait."

"You know, we're calling him a he but we don't even know what sex he is yet."

Dimitri shrugged.

"Babushka said it's a boy and you know she's going to be right. She was right about Milana being a girl."

"I suppose. I do have the feeling he's a boy so she's probably right as always."

"Me too," Dimitri concurred, before leaning down and attaching his lips to hers, pulling her close to him by her waist.

Just as they began to deepen the kiss, however, a sweet voice called from the next room over.

"Mama come and play with me!"

Dimitri and Rose both laughed, stepping apart.

"Go on, Milaya, duty calls," Dimitri joked, tapping her playfully on the ass as she walked past him towards the bedroom door.

Rose giggled, mock saluting him. "Yes, Sir!"

Dimitri simply rolled his eyes.

"Just because you're pregnant doesn't mean you won't pay for that later."

"Mmm. I'm counting on it."

Rose startled awake, sitting up in the darkness of Dimitri's bedroom, her eyes wide in shock at her unexpected dream. It wasn't unusual for her to dream of Dimitri, but these dreams often involved orgasms, and lots of them. Marriage, children and love, had never been in the mix before! Talking about children with Dimitri earlier that morning had obviously been in the back of her mind, prompting her to dream about their future.

No.

Not their future.

Dimitri had made it clear that it would only ever be sex between them. No marriage. No children. No relationship.

He was far too damaged for that – he believed he wasn't 'worthy'. Fuck Tasha for hurting him so badly!

But was that really what Rose wanted? Was the scenario in her dream something she longed for deep down? She had felt herself falling for him, but convinced herself that it would only ever be casual. The dynamic between them would only ever be based on lust, not love.

Dimitri was a means of getting over Mason. He was a meant for a good time, not a long time.

So why did that thought make Rose's heart feel as though it would shatter into a million shards of glass?

I've got to get out of here, she thought. Her mind was quickly spiralling out of control, repressed thoughts and emotions bubbling their way to the surface. It had to be the early hours of the morning, but she couldn't bring herself to care. Dimitri's apartment was the last place she wanted to be right now!

As silently as she could manage, Rose slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb the man sleeping contentedly beside her. Fighting back the heavy, choked feeling in her chest, she hastily pulled on her clothes, grabbed the belongings she had with her, and tiptoed out of the apartment to make her way home.

She wasn't sure what time it was by the time she fell asleep in her own bed, her mind racing with thoughts of Dimitri and her confusion about how she felt for him. All she knew for certain was that she just needed to be home. She needed to be away from him, for now.

Hours later, Rose startled awake for the second time that morning, to the shrill sound of her phone ringing on the nightstand beside her. Groaning, she reached out, picking it up and answering without even checking the caller ID. She was far too tired for that.

"Roza? Rose?"

Dimitri. Of course.

"Dimitri?"

"Where are you?" He sounded frantic, almost panicked.

"I'm at home," she told him, hiding any hint of emotion from her tone of voice.

She heard him sigh on the other end of the phone – a sigh of relief or frustration, she wasn't sure. "I woke up and you were just gone. I was worried something happened."

Rose wasn't sure what to say to him.

"I'm sorry."

"Why did you leave?"

"Lissa had an emergency," she lied. "She needed me."

"Oh. Is everything okay now?"

"Yeah," she mumbled, ignoring the sting of tears as they gathered behind her tired eyes. "Everything's fine."

Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter! I don't seem to be receiving emails from fanfiction for some reason - is that the same for everyone else? My view count was down slightly for the last chapter so I'm wondering if people aren't getting notifications about updates!

Please remember to leave a quick comment, I always love to know your thoughts and views on what you're reading! We're starting to get intense here, so I want to get your take on the things happening.

Also, I came across a rumour that fanfiction . net may be taken down - I don't know how factual that is, as it was just a facebook rumour. But even so, I have just cross-posted my stories onto AO3 just in case. You can find me at hayles3108.