by K. S. Ruff
“You have to be working for the Ukrainian government in some formal capacity in order to negotiate these deals. Can you make that happen?”
“Is your meeting with Senator Rockefeller over?” he countered.
“No. I stepped out of the meeting so I could call you. It’s beyond rude for me to walk out of a meeting like this, but I… I just wanted to warn you. Senator Rockefeller plans to attend the meeting with Secretary Gates. I think they’d both like to work with you, but you need to proceed in some formal capacity.”
“I’ll call you back.”
I gaped at the phone. Maxim had ended the call.
“What happened?” Jase asked.
“He’s calling me back.” My voice turned shrill. “Why is he calling me back?”
Jase shrugged. “Maybe he had another call.”
I stood frozen with indecision. “What time is it in Ukraine?”
He glanced at his phone. “It’s twelve-thirty. They’re seven hours ahead of us, so it’s seven-thirty in the evening in Kyiv.”
I frowned. “Their government offices are closed. There’s no way he can get this problem resolved now.”
Jase stepped aside when I started toward the door. “Where are you going?”
“I can’t keep the Senator waiting.” Sadly, I hadn’t a clue how to handle the rest of the meeting.
My phone vibrated with an incoming call by the time I reached Jamie’s desk. I stopped just outside the Senator’s office. “Yes?”
Maxim’s voice slid through me like a salve. “Leonid Kozhara has appointed me the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. This position does not require a presidential nomination or approval by the Ukrainian Parliament.”
The tension eased from my shoulders. “Thank God.” I grabbed Jamie’s business card from the card holder on her desk. “Can you ask Mr. Kozhara to fax confirmation of this appointment to 202-224-6384 on official government letterhead as soon as possible?”
A low growl emanated from the phone.
“Please, Maxim?” I persisted sweetly.
“You will have documentation shortly.” Maxim disconnected the call.
I stepped inside the Senator’s office. “I’m sorry for the interruption.”
He stood and beckoned me toward our chairs. “Is Mr. Markov working for the Ukrainian government?”
I stuffed a rainbow roll inside my mouth. “Yes. Mr. Markov is currently working as Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.”
He reclined against the back of his chair. “How long has he been working in this capacity?”
I bit back a smile. “He’s been serving as Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for approximately five minutes.”
My revelation was met with a hearty laugh. “Well played, Ms. Stone.”
I smiled. “Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs will be faxing written confirmation of this appointment to your office within the hour.”
Senator Rockefeller rose from his chair. “I’ll attend the meeting with Secretary Gates this afternoon. I can’t make any promises about the economic aid, but I’ll see what I can do.”
I shoved the empty sushi containers back inside the bag. “Thank you so much for meeting with him… and me.”
He walked me to the door. “Thank you, Ms. Stone. Next time, lunch is on me.”
* * * * *
My eyes flashed open in the darkened room.
“It’s me,” Rafael whispered soothingly. He pulled a long-sleeved heather gray Henley over his head. The moonlight slipped between the blinds to dance along his chiseled abs.
I pushed up from the pillow and smoothed my wildly tangled hair. “What time is it?”
“One-thirty. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.” He kicked his jeans aside.
I burrowed into his arms, savoring his warmth, when he climbed into bed. “Why didn’t you tell me you were flying in tonight? I would have waited up for you.”
Rafael’s chest rose and fell with a tired breath. “I didn’t think I’d get my report finished in time to fly out tonight. When airports started closing along the east coast, I didn’t know if we’d be able to land here or if we’d be diverted someplace else. I didn’t want to get your hopes up.”
I snuggled a little closer. “Is it still snowing outside?”
He tucked the covers beneath my chin while nuzzling the top of my head. “There’s a foot of snow on the ground, and it doesn’t look like this storm is going to end anytime soon.”
“Good. I hope we get buried under mountains of snow so you can’t fly back to Portugal.” I tried not to yawn. “God, I’ve missed this… and you. I’m so happy you’re home.”
“Me too,” Rafael murmured sleepily. Within seconds, he was snoring softly.
I pressed my nose to his neck, sighing contentedly when I smelled the cloves from his spicy cologne. I whispered a small prayer of thanksgiving before surrendering to sleep. The snow continued to fall while we slumbered safely in each other’s arms.
* * * * *
I kissed the stubble shadowing Rafael’s jaw. “I can’t believe you’re really here.” I assumed I’d been dreaming the night before. When I discovered him lying next to me, I woke with a burst of energy and in an insanely good mood.
He smiled without opening his eyes.
I climbed on top of him. “Are you still sleeping?” I lifted one of his eyelids.
His chest vibrated when he chuckled. “Not anymore.”
“Why are you still sleeping? Isn’t it like two o’clock in the afternoon in Portugal?” I leaned back, still straddling his lap.
“I’m jet lagged,” he complained. “Why are you so awake? Did you sneak out for coffee?”
“No. I’m just excited you’re home.” My smile faded. “When do you have to fly back to Portugal?”
His warm brown eyes sought mine. “I fly back Tuesday night.”
Four days wasn’t nearly enough. I forced another smile. “You said something about a report last night. Did you catch one of the bad guys?”
“Yes, a wealthy businessman.” He shook his head. “I still can’t believe he asked me to secure the child for him.”
“Not bad for your first ten days on the job,” I stated admiringly.
His hands caressed my thighs before settling on my hips. “Any idea how the meeting went between Maxim and Secretary Gates?”
I shrugged uncertainly. “Kadyn said the meeting went well. Everyone’s mulling over the possibilities, but they haven’t agreed to anything. Maxim left after the meeting. He had to get back to Ukraine and campaign. Kadyn confirmed Maxim’s flight and returned home last night.”
Rafael nodded. “Jase told me, well, he texted me last night. I suppose we should head downstairs so I can meet the infamous Oni.”
I bit my lip. “I don’t want to go downstairs.”
“Why?” Curiosity and hope sparked in his eyes.
I pressed my lips to his ear. “I need to feel you inside of me.”
His fingers gripped my hips. “I don’t know. Once we start we may never stop.”
My tongue traced a circle just behind his ear. “Please?” I whispered.
“Kristine,” he groaned. His body hardened right where I needed him most.
I let the full weight of my body settle against his. He rolled over, pinning me beneath him before thoroughly ravishing me with a kiss. I managed to wiggle out of my sleep shorts without breaking the kiss. He slid his boxer briefs off.
We both moaned when his deliciously naked body settled against mine. Need pinged across every nerve ending and pooled between my legs.
I was forced to break the kiss when Rafael lifted the camisole over my head. His warm, wet tongue circled my breasts. He drew them deep inside his mouth. My body arched, demanding more, while pleasure pulsed deep and low. I was already dangerously close to climaxing. “Now,” I whispered pleadingly.
His lips forged a trail along my collarbone, shoulder, and neck. He pinned me with his gaze before filling m
e inch by glorious inch. “Is this what you need?”
“Yes,” I whispered. I loved the way he forced my body to accommodate him despite his intimidating size. I breathed a sigh of relief when our hips finally met. The tension eased and the pain subsided with that one, single breath.
With a groan, he pulled us even closer. “You’re so tight. I love how your body tries to resist mine.” Our lips met in a heated kiss. His fingers coaxed my breasts into sensitive peaks; tugging, twisting, and pinching until I lie writhing beneath him.
My knees lifted instinctively, allowing him greater access as he thrust. He demanded more with every stroke. The room wavered in and out of focus. Rafael pushed me to the edge in long, slow strokes, tore me away, then sent me back again. Three times he denied my release. “Please,” I whimpered shamelessly.
He slowed even more. “Open your eyes.” His arms shook while he fought for control.
My heart stalled when I saw the determination in his eyes.
His eyes darkened as he began to swell. With impossible precision, he thrust once… twice… three times. The room exploded when he struck my womb. A million jagged stars danced between us.
Rafael swallowed my scream as we found our release. He pulsed inside of me, anchoring his seed with a searing heat. My body trembled as he wrung every last bit of pleasure from me.
I sprawled face down in the pillows too sated to move when he rolled me over. He blanketed my body, chest to my back, grasped my hands, and pushed inside of me again. His thick limbs held me in place. There was no questioning this man’s strength or his power over me. I found that thought soothing. Rafael moved deep and slow. He took his time, savoring every move, while he stitched our bodies together. With hands still clasped, he sent us careening toward an exquisite end.
When our bodies finally quieted, Rafael scooped me up and carried me to the shower. He turned all twelve jets on while cradling me in his arms. Steam enveloped us as we stepped inside. We took turns washing each other’s hair, lathering each other up, kissing, and holding one another while the jets sent the soap spiraling down the drain.
Rafael wrapped me in a thick, cotton towel before drying himself off. We both donned sweats, long-sleeved shirts, and thick socks before heading downstairs.
“Feeling better?” Jase inquired when we stepped inside the kitchen. He was perched on a stool at the center island.
“Lots,” I boasted. I’d gone to bed without dinner the night before, although I couldn’t say whether it was fatigue or depression that had sent me there. The meeting with the Senator had left me feeling drained, and I was missing Rafael terribly.
Rafael crossed the kitchen, poured two cups of coffee, and handed one to me. “You two are welcome to stay, but don’t feel like you have to stick around here today. You’ve been working twenty-four seven. I’m sure you would enjoy some time off.”
Brady glanced up from his spot in front of the television. He’d been hunched over, watching the screen intently, when we walked into the kitchen. “Have you looked outside the window recently?”
Rafael and I exchanged glances. “No.”
Jase laughed. “There’s two and half feet of snow out there. Most of the roads have yet to be plowed, so emergency travel only.”
I pulled the blinds up on the window and was nearly blinded by the sun. “Maybe you’ll get snowed in after all.”
Brady nodded toward the television. “The snow has slowed, but they’re expecting it to pick up again this afternoon. Hey! Check this out.”
Rafael, Jase, and I joined him on the sectional.
“They’re having a snowball fight on King Street in front of City Hall,” Rafael noted with a hint of envy.
Jase burst out laughing. Someone off screen had just beamed the reporter upside the head with a snowball.
The four of us exchanged glances. Brady was the first to move. “Let’s go.”
Oni yelped when he bolted past her. “What’s wrong?”
“Oni, Rafael, Rafael, Oni,” I said excitedly. I pulled her toward the television so she could see the snowball fight. “Get your coat. We’re going to play in the snow.”
We giggled and plotted like nine year olds as we trekked up King Street. We had to walk in the middle of the street because the plows had forced all of the snow up onto the sidewalks. We stopped and made snowballs along the way, piling them inside plastic bags. Our gloves were sticky with snow by the time we arrived at City Hall.
Brady and Jase wasted no time jumping into the melee. They pelted every man standing. Rafael hung back, seemingly conflicted. I could tell he wanted to join Brady and Jase, but he also wanted to protect us.
I nudged Oni, who was staring slack-jawed at the crowd. “Ready?”
Her eyes were bright, her cheeks flushed from the cold. “No.”
I piled a bunch of snowballs into her arms. “I’ll never pull it off alone.”
She shoved a few snowballs into her coat pockets before grinning. “Okay.”
We ran opposite one another while attacking Rafael. “Take that,” I yelled.
“Hey! You’re not supposed to attack your own team,” he protested laughingly. He ducked and danced between the ammunition but refused to throw a snowball.
One of Oni’s snowballs hit Rafael in the arm when he was protecting his head. I caught him in the hip.
“Girls against the boys!” Brady yelled. He beamed me in the chest with a snowball, then danced on his toes like he’d just scored the winning touchdown.
“Hey! That’s my girl!” Rafael threw his first snowball, nailing Brady in the head.
Jase came to Brady’s rescue, throwing snowballs rapid fire toward Rafael, Oni, and me. We returned fire, instinctively forming our own team.
It wasn’t long before we collapsed in a heap, caked in snow.
“They’re handing out free hot chocolate at Bread and Chocolate,” a well-bundled woman shared excitedly on her way up the street.
The five of us exchanged glances. Rafael laughed. “Let’s go.”
Oni and I strolled arm in arm, flanked by the three rambunctious men. “Are you okay?” I asked when she suddenly grew quiet.
She nodded. “I really miss my family and friends in Ukraine, but this is nice. I think I might be okay.”
“I’m sorry, Oni. I’ve been so focused on helping Maxim, I’m afraid I’ve been neglecting you. We’ll get you square with the metro and school, just as soon as the snow clears. You’re going to make all kinds of friends once school begins.” I gave her a hug.
She brushed away a tear with her snow encrusted glove. “I still can’t believe I’m here. How will I ever repay you?”
“You don’t repay friends,” I said, repeating Rafael’s words from long ago.
Rafael slowed. “I love you,” he whispered when Oni’s attention was diverted.
I sighed contentedly as the world righted itself. “I’m so happy you’re home.”
* * * * *
I sampled the borshch. Oni insisted on cooking after we toured the campus and rode the metro. Rafael mapped her bus and metro routes so she’d know how to travel between the Ukrainian embassy and the campus for work. She was understandably nervous about her commute. “Are those dumplings?”
“Varenyky.” She handed me the plate. “They’re filled with mashed potatoes, sautéed onions, and mushrooms.”
I added the varenyky to my plate before passing the platter to Rafael.
“Pierogis,” Rafael murmured appreciatively. He popped another pampushky into his mouth. “I love Ukrainian food.”
“Oni, you’re an amazing cook.” I followed her lead and dipped the little garlic ball into the savory soup. “Oh, that reminds me, are you going to be around for the Super Bowl?”
Rafael’s spoon paused just above his soup. “When’s the Super Bowl?”
“Three weeks from today. Cenia’s hosting her second annual chili cook-off. The men compete for best chili. The women bring appetizers and dessert.” I glanced at Oni. “You�
��re invited too.”
Her eyes grew round. “Who’s Cenia?”
I smiled. I absolutely adored Cenia and her spunky attitude. “Cenia’s a very good friend of mine. She used to serve in the Air Force with Kadyn. She works for the Department of Defense now.”
She glanced shyly from her soup. “Will Kadyn be there?”
My heart stalled, recognizing the look. “Yes. Kadyn will be there.”
Rafael’s gaze slid seamlessly between Oni and me. “Does Kadyn make you nervous?”
“No.” She blushed. “Well, maybe. A little. I was just curious if he was going.”
I fought to remain impartial while countless emotions rioted inside of me. “Kadyn is one of my dearest friends.” I admired Oni, but I questioned whether any woman was good enough for Kadyn, including me.
Oni simply nodded.
Rafael cleared his throat. “I’m not sure I’ll be free for the Super Bowl. It depends on how long my next assignment is in town.” By “town,” he meant Lisbon. He didn’t want Oni to know he was working in Portugal.
“I’ll RSVP for all three of us just in case.” I tried the varenyky. “Is the embassy open tomorrow?”
Oni nodded. “Yes. Konstantin assured me the embassy will be open tomorrow. He offered to drive me to work since it’s my first day. I think he is staying down the street with Shae tonight.
“What kind of work will you be doing for the embassy?” Rafael inquired curiously.
Her eyes lit with mischief. “Officially? I will be working in the press room. Unofficially? I will be campaigning for Maxim.”
“Maxim certainly knew what he was doing when he positioned Konstantin at the embassy,” Rafael mused. “Between Konstantin, Kadyn, and Kri, he has established some surprisingly useful connections in the United States. It’s almost as if he knew he’d be running for president.”
My spoon stalled right in front of my mouth. I wasn’t one to buy into conspiracy theories, but Rafael’s point sent goosebumps rocketing down my spine. Maxim researched me. He knew I worked as a policy advisor for Senator Rockefeller before he pursued a relationship with me. Had his interest been politically motivated? What about his decision to help Kadyn?
“Maxim has established similar connections in Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Germany, and Great Britain. He has helped a lot of people, who now owe him favors. If he wasn’t collecting on those favors to strengthen his campaign, he’d be using those favors to help Ukraine in some other way,” Oni explained.