His tongue thoroughly explored her mouth in gratitude. “Thank you, baby.”
Sasha smiled warmly, resting her head on his shoulder with her arms wrapped around his neck. Dmitri pulled her even closer to him, his fingers caressing the soft skin around her hips and waist. Together, they fell into a deep slumber, comforted by the knowledge that they were not alone.
Chapter Thirteen
The knock she created on the door made her jump in her shoes. Her heart was stuttering with her increased nervousness as she heard his footsteps reaching the front door. As soon as it opened, she looked up into Dmitri’s familiar dark eyes with a tentative smile. She held out her arms, offering the bowl of muffins she had baked in the hopes of squashing the tension between her and Nadia.
Dmitri looked inquisitively at the bowl with a slight frown on his face. “What is this for?”
Not wanting to admit her fear of seeing his younger sister, Sasha simply shrugged and walked past him into his living room. “I was feeling the need to bake and made some muffins. Teagan ate most of them but these were left over.”
“…okay.” He bent down and gently gave her a peck on the lips. As soon as they made contact, Dmitri held back a groan of frustration, lingering against the warmth of her lips as his body reacted passionately to the simplest contact he had with her. Knowing Nadia was in the next room was the only reason he eventually parted from her.
Sasha dreamily opened her eyes as Dmitri separated himself. Her hold on the bowl prevented her arms from reaching out to pull him right back. Instead, she looked away shyly with a small smile, passionate memories ran through her mind.
“We can’t, Sasha,” he said knowing without hesitation that she felt similar stirrings of lust. “Thank you for coming; Nadia has been…difficult. I think a womanly interference may help.”
While she didn’t believe her presence would in any way effect what Dmitri planned to say to his younger sibling, she felt obligated to be there for him. She had seen with her own eyes the effect his sister’s condition had put upon his health and stress levels. While he had never taken it out on her, he was more than sarcastic and snappy with his employees when she visited him at his office. Of course, no one would ever say that Dmitri normally bestowed upon others a happy-go-lucky and pleasant exterior, but it seemed as if things had taken a dramatic turn for the worst.
As she followed him into the living room she was more determined than ever to rid the strain Nadia’s presence had put upon his life. It was time, after so many weeks, that Nadia sought help from a professional.
Nadia was lying comfortably on Dmitri’s pristine white couch when Sasha and Dmitri entered the room. She looked up and her eyes widened slightly in surprise to see the short black woman once again. She had hoped that her comments on their last encounter had scared her off- after all, Sasha hadn’t visited the condo for weeks.
“What are you doing here?”
Sasha could hear the disdain in the young woman’s voice as she placed emphasis on the word ‘you. ’ Deciding to ignore her comment, Sasha stated simply, “I brought blueberry muffins if you would like to partake.” She placed the bowl of pastries on the nearby glass table.
Dmitri took a seat beside his younger sister, motioning with a tilt of his head for Sasha to join him. “I asked Sasha to join us because I thought it would be good for you to hear from someone…you could relate to as a young woman. Sasha is only a few years older than you and so I relayed to her some information about…our dilemma.”
Nadia looked immediately appalled. “Dmitri! How could you? This is my life-my problems. You have no right to be blabbing to every 'nobody' you come across about what has nothing to do with you or her! Especially her! You’re too ashamed about your relationship with her to even claim her in public. And you really think that I’m just going to sit her and listen to what she has to say?”
She stood up and pointed accusingly at the pair. “I came to you because I missed you, Dmitri! Not for you to ‘fix’ me. So you,” she glared at Sasha, “and this bitch can both go to hell!”
Before Nadia could stampede from the living room, Dmitri grabbed her forearm aggressively and pulled her back down to the couch. Having never been handled in such a way, Nadia was in complete shock. Dmitri’s eyes were frighteningly dark as he gazed upon her; she had never seen him so angry. At least not directed at her person. If possible, she felt even more dejected. He was supposed to be her hero- the one person always on her side!
“Listen to me! You will never speak to Sasha in that way-ever! Do you understand me, Nadia?” He spoke through gritted teeth, obviously seething with anger. When she did not immediately respond, he shook her. “Do you?”
“Yes!” Nadia yelled resentfully.
“As your older brother, I have every right to do all I can to save you, Nadia. I will not just sit back and allow you to kill yourself. So if that means going against you or disappointing you to the point that you never speak to me again…well that’s just the price I have to pay. And I am more than willing to do it. Don’t you ever doubt that. And since you seem so eager to leave, I’ll cut through the bullshit. Sasha is here because we both thought over what would be best for you. And, as of today, you are out of here.”
Nadia tore her arm from Dmitri’s strong hand. Once she had ripped herself away, she distanced herself from them both by standing. “What?” Her wisp of a question laid testament to her sincere shock.
Taking in a deep breath, Dmitri followed her actions by standing as well. “Nadia, being here is not helping you. It took me some time to finally admit it but I can’t let my pride get in the way of your health. How can I help someone who won’t even authentically admit that they have a problem? I’ve watched you for weeks lie to me about trying to get better but you’re not! I want you to enroll in a rehabilitation center. I have a list of the best in the country and I am willing to pay whatever price I need for you to just give this a chance. Please, Nadia.”
There was silence between the three of them. Sasha cleared her throat softly before she spoke, “I know you don’t particularly like me, Nadia. But I want you to know that Dmitri loves you so much and he has been beside himself ever since you first moved in. I know for a fact that he doesn’t want to see you go. After all, you only just re-entered his life. But in order for you to have a future, you have to seek help.”
Dmitri looked into the eyes so familiar to his own, desperately awaiting her response. Dominic’s advice had continually rung in his head till this very moment. He couldn’t fathom Nadia falling back into the poisonous clutches of his father and step-mother. Though she would no longer be with him, Dmitri was happy knowing that at least at a rehab center she would be watched over properly by trained professionals. And, unlike the past five years, he wouldn’t be forbidden from seeing her.
Sasha could sense so clearly the frightened tension in Dmitri’s body. While he had been angry only a few minutes ago, that had all disappeared as he waited to see if he would lose Nadia once again. To her shock, Sasha became just as anxious. She wrung her hands in her lap and eyed Nadia intensely.
Nadia’s hands were fisted at her sides, her gaze connected to her brother’s. Memories of following him with complete adoration and attachment as a young girl ran through her mind. He had been the only one she could ever speak to without fear of judgment or punishment. Dmitri had been more than just an older brother and losing him had hurt more than she had ever been able to fathom.
“Fuck you,” she enunciated clearly. “You betrayed me, Dmitri. And I never want to see you again.”
Sasha gasped and her eyes immediately settled upon Dmitri. He stood almost unnaturally still; his gaze still resting upon his sister. Nadia turned from them and disappeared into the back room. He stood there for several more minutes before slowly taking a seat at Sasha’s side. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around his neck and gently cuddled against his shoulder.
“It’s okay, Dmitri. It’s okay,” she continually repeated
. Her worrying was growing as he continued to be unresponsive.
It was a while until they heard Nadia walking to the front door with her luggage.
“Nadia,” Dmitri called out softly. They heard her pause at the door. “You were wrong. I’m not ashamed of my romantic relationship with Sasha. I’m ashamed of you.”
With a resounding click, he heard the door shut close.
“Dmitri?” Sasha whispered.
Finally, he broke his physical stillness enough to look upon her. Despite the worry obviously evident in his eyes, he smiled down at her. Simultaneously, they leaned toward each other until their foreheads rested together. In that moment, it was final for Sasha.
‘This is the man I’ll spend the rest of my life with,’ she promised herself.
Sasha stood with both Dina and Teagan as all three women eyed themselves critically in the mirror. It was a big night. Dmitri with the help of his friend Slade had apparently completed one of the biggest projects in his company’s history. Such success could help launch them toward more international clientele and their firm was having a celebration on their behalf, despite the success they had already achieved in Europe and Latin America. Sasha had been more than delighted to have Dmitri ask her to accompany him. It was a step in the right direction after feeling like a closeted girlfriend for so long. Sasha felt vindicated; Dmitri was showing her through his actions that she was an important part of his life and it made her even more certain about her growing love for him.
While it would take time for him to completely heal from the devastation of Nadia’s rejection, he seemed to be handling it well. He never displaced Nadia completely from his thoughts. Immediately after she had departed, Dmitri had called Dominic to ensure her safety. Sasha realized through his ordeal that she enjoyed being the shoulder he sought to pacify his sadness. He was quite forward about needing her and, consequently she felt more certain that a future together was possible. Tonight, she planned to say as much; she wanted him to know that she loved him. And she could only hope that he would reciprocate.
For such a special occasion, she had done something she rarely did: frivolously spent money. She had not only needed to buy a more appropriate dress but had bought shoes, make-up, and gotten her nails and hair done. Her locs, newly tightened, were slightly curled as they fell to her mid-back in their thick abundance. The skintight midnight blue dress she wore was a relatively simple sleeveless design accentuated by an open back and v-shaped cleavage; the push-up bra she wore helped to make her breasts more round and perky.
All she could think of as she gave herself a double-take was her excitement at the look on Dmitri’s face when he saw her. She had reluctantly promised him that she would never wear something like this without him present and tonight she fulfilled it. She had gone so far as to wear black stilettos that were already killing her feet. But the pain was worth the definition she gained in her legs, she told herself. Tonight was going to be the first time he ever publicly recognized her as more than a friend directly to his friends and colleagues. She couldn’t wait!
“Sasha!” Teagan tore her from her daydreaming. “Are you sure it’s okay if we accompany you?” she asked, referring to herself and Dina.
Sasha nodded her head. “Yup. Dmitri told me he thought it would be nice if I invited friends because it should be a really fun night.”
“How sweet!” Dina smiled.
Sasha paused when looking at Dina. Not only because of how beautiful she looked in the black cocktail dress, but because of her history with Slade. “Um…I hope it’s okay for you. Slade will be there.”
Dina shrugged with a slight grimace. “The man never called me again after one date more than a month ago. Trust me, I’ll be fine. This will be a chance to bag me a man.”
Teagan high-fived her. “You and me both, girl!”
Her two friends laughed with excitement at the prospects. The celebration was taking place at the Ritz Carlton hotel in the grand ballroom. Needless to say, they knew they were going to be meeting some of the richest and most influential people in all of Boston.
Together, they made their way to Dina’s car outside their tiny apartment. As they drove, Sasha noticed her hands were beginning to shake and her stomach was overcome with butterflies. She almost wished she had been able to enter with Dmitri but he had been forced to work late that night. Instead, he encouraged her to arrive with her friends and promised that he would be there to greet her.
It wasn’t until they arrived in front of the hotel and Dina handed her car keys over to the valet that a sense of foreboding ran through her. They were led to the ballroom and held back gasps of awe at the crystal chandeliers that hung brilliantly from the ceiling and the silk covering of the chairs surrounding the dinner tables.
Teagan grasped her hand roughly and squealed with excitement. “Oh my god, Sasha! Have you ever seen anything like this?”
At a loss for words, she only shook her head. Immediately, she searched in desperation for Dmitri. Many people had already taken their seats while others were conversing quietly at various corners of the room. She immediately spotted his tall frame in a fitted suit surrounded by Slade, his executive assistant Jeremy, and a few others she was not familiar with.
Sasha indicated with a tilt of her head that she was going over to speak with him. Dina and Teagan simply nodded their heads as they went to the bar to get champagne.
She approached Dmitri nervously, wringing her hands in front of her. A part of her hoped he didn’t disappoint again by referencing her as just another one of his ‘friends.’ She didn’t think she would be able to hold in her anger if he did.
Dmitri was in the middle of speaking with Slade when he felt someone come up and stand next to him. He looked over to find his woman in a stunning dress that accentuated her curves beautifully. Noticing Slade’s appreciative smile, Dmitri eagerly reached over and rested a possessive hand around her waist.
“Sasha, you made it.” He bent down to place a soft kiss upon her cheek.
She couldn’t contain her happiness at his warm greeting. “Of course, Dmitri. It’s nice to see you again, Slade. I don’t know if you remember me.”
Slade glanced quickly between Dmitri and Sasha, shocked by the PDA his friend displayed. Quickly tamping down his surprise, he gave a welcoming smile. “Of course I remember. Al’s Diner, correct?” At her nod, he continued, “Are you two…?”
Sasha decided it would be best for Dmitri to answer. She held her breath.
“Yes, Sasha and I have been seeing each other for going on…two months now.”
“Really?” At that, Slade couldn’t help but exclaim his astonishment. He remembered vaguely Dmitri complaining about his infatuation over the young lady and his subsequent lecture about long-term relationships, but he honestly had no idea his friend had taken his advice and begun dating the server from the diner. It was a pleasant surprise nonetheless; it showed that Dmitri had finally given someone a chance. “That is wonderful news, Dmitri. I wish you had told me sooner.”
Dmitri shrugged nonchalantly.
And so it continued throughout the night. Dmitri led her around the room, speaking with his colleagues and friends; he never once hesitated to claim her as his woman. She was completely in awe of him and her love clearly showed through her eyes. Dmitri saw it as well but preferred not to broach the subject just yet. He took comfort in knowing Sasha would be too shy to voice it herself.
They were slow-dancing on the ballroom floor when they finally got the opportunity to speak privately. Sasha was thankful for the high heels she wore as she was now able to interlock her fingers behind his neck as he gently caressed the silky fabric surrounding her waist.
“You look beautiful tonight, Sasha.”
A smile that shone from her eyes spread across her face at his compliment. “And you are the most handsome man here.” She rested her cheek against the breast of his suit. “I am the luckiest woman.”
Dmitri didn’t know what to say at her co
nfession. But he did feel his heart almost stutter, overcome by raw emotion. Swallowing it down with effort, he cleared his throat and strayed his thoughts away from what he knew to be true. ‘Not yet’, he told himself.
“Oh,” she brought her head up suddenly. “Just a reminder, I’m in stilettos for the first time ever so please let me rest my feet at some point. I’d rather not disfigure myself.”
He laughed out loud at the comical expression that crossed her face as she declared this. “Don’t worry, baby. I’ll take care of you,” he promised. Satisfied, she returned her cheek to his chest with a contented sigh.
Dina and Teagan were standing at the bar scouting for potential hook-ups while slyly looking after Sasha. They both smiled as their friend swayed with the music in Dmitri’s arms.
“They are very adorable together. I’m so happy for her,” Dina whispered to Teagan.
“Leave it to Sasha to go without any male attention for most of her life and then out of nowhere land the hottest bachelor in Boston.”
“Second hottest,” Dina couldn’t help but correct as she caught sight of Slade walking through the ballroom. He had yet to notice her and if she was honest with herself she would admit that she was more than a tad bit disappointed. A week after their first date, she had taken up the courage to simply ask him out and was more than floored when he politely declined. Since then, they had not spoken and he had not showed up at the diner for lunch as was his usual routine.
Teagan followed Dina’s gaze to Slade and shrugged. “If you’re into that. I think I’m going to take a walk on the dark side.”
Dina spewed champagne from her lips as she laughed uncontrollably at Teagan’s comment. “What?” she was finally able to get out through harsh breaths.
The redhead shook her head as if she were chastising Dina. “Both you and Sasha are dating outside of your race. This may sound inappropriate but now I’m curious. I’ve only ever dated white guys and I think that may be my problem. I always go for the same type- maybe it’s time to spice things up a bit while I’m still young and gorgeous.”
Sasha: The Wallflower (The Wallflower Series Book 1) Page 13