Chapter Twenty Seven

He followed her into the room.  It was almost dark with only a faint glow coming from the window.  She took a deep breath. It was their last night and she felt as anxious as if it was her first time.  She felt his hands slide across her stomach as he enveloped her in a lengthy hug.  She leaned back against him, closing her eyes wanting to commit every touch to memory.  He brushed his lips across her neck lightly. She loved the feel of his warm breath on her skin. She loved the feel of his strong arms around her. She loved him, her heart cried.  He released her slightly and she turned to face him.  He was smiling that smile, the one that made her heart jump in her chest. She took his face in her hands and kissed him.  She kissed him hard and urgently.  She needed him. She needed him to chase away the pain that threatened to take her over. She refused to let him see how much she was hurting.

His hands rested on her shoulder and pushed her away slightly.  She looked up into his eyes bewildered.

“I want to go slow,” he whispered against her lips.

He brushed his fingers across her forehead, placing a lock of hair behind her ear. They continued their journey down her jaw and chin. She swallowed hard and bit her lip.  His hand travelled down her neck and across her collar bone and lingered there momentarily.  He fumbled with the top button on her blouse. She watched him lick his lips, that one simple action that aroused her like nothing else. He unbuttoned each button painfully slow, brushing the back of his fingers across her bare skin as he went. She tried to pull his t-shirt up, but he stilled her hands.  She had to be content with resting her hands on his hips.  Finally, he pushed the blouse from her and gently kissed her shoulder. He took his time running his hands across her skin, down her back and across her sides and stomach. She ran her own across his abdomen and tried again to remove his t-shirt.  He allowed it this time. She rested her small hands against his chest, feeling the warmth and strength in those muscles. She kissed him lightly between his pectoral muscles. She felt his nipples harden and smiled against him.  He kissed the top of her head and pushed against her again.  He ran his hands up her back again and squeezed the clasp of her bra together releasing it.  He slid his fingers across her shoulders, pushing the straps down her arms.  The tips of his fingers brushed against her stomach again on their way to her breasts.  She could hardly contain her gasp when he finally brushed his thumb across her nipple.  She tried to do the same to him and he grabbed her hand and held it against his chest. He shook his head at her with a crooked grin, denying her once more.  He didn’t give her long to be frustrated with him. He swept her up into his arms and lay her on the bed.  He kissed her hard and deep at first, then he slowed and his kiss became soft and gentle.  She wanted him now more than ever. Yet still he tortured her with his leisurely caresses. He kissed his way down her chest and toyed with her breasts one after the other. He slowly grazed his tongue across her nipple sending shivers up her spine.  She slid her foot behind his knee and he allowed her to pull his between her legs.  He sucked her nipple into his mouth and rubbed his hand up her thigh and under her skirt.  She reached for the button on his jeans, but he stopped her once again.  It was almost more than she could stand. How could he be content to fondle her when all she wanted was to have him inside her!  She whimpered his name as his kisses continued over her stomach. She felt him chuckle against her skin. It was maddening how much patience he had and how much he enjoyed tormenting her.  He ran his hand across her knee and pulled it toward him as he angled his hips toward her.  It continued its journey up her leg and he squeezed her buttocks.  He kissed her breasts one last time and stood up before her.  He grabbed the waistband of her skirt and pulled it from her hips and tossed it to the floor.  Her panties joined them shortly after.  He began unbuttoning his jeans and she sat up to help. He placed a hand on her shoulder and pushed her gently back down on the bed.  She took a deep breath. He was so absolutely frustrating!  He went back to what remained of his clothes and she watched as he dropped them to his ankles.  She let her eyes devour him, traveling over every inch of his naked body.  He was a feast. 

He climbed over her, straddling her with his arms and sliding his hips between her legs. She could feel how hard he was against her, but he did not continue. He looked down at her with a smirk on his face. His eyes traveled across her face and her body and back to her eyes again.  She reached for him, but he grabbed her hand and pinned it to the bed above her head. 

“Alex, please,” she whispered.

He shushed her while he trailed his fingers down her body again. He moved her knee and slid his hand up her inner thigh.  He leaned over her and kissed her neck again.   He was making her crazy with desire. She wanted to touch him so bad. She struggled against his hands, but he wouldn’t release her. He kissed her breasts again, squeezing them and kneading them while his fingers explored the softness between her legs.  He caressed her with his tongue and fingers until she was nearly incapable of coherent thought.  He finally released his grip on her wrist and raised himself up on his arms again.  He thrust his hips against her, entering her after what seemed an eternity of waiting.  She gasped and moaned with pleasure. Once having complete control over her hands, she quickly plunged them into his hair and pulled his mouth down onto hers.  She was so hungry for him, but he continued to kiss her softly and slowly in rhythm with his hips.  She kissed his neck and across his shoulders, enjoying the smell of him, the taste of him, the softness of his skin.  She wrapped her hands around his strong back and held him tight. She closed her eyes, concentrating on every kiss, every sensation he gave to her.  He had his fingers entwined in her hair now. His breath was coming shorter against her neck. She could feel his heart pounding in his chest.  It was keeping time with hers.  She felt her climax shake her body, felt him catch his breath as his own shot through him and her simultaneously.

“Zoey,” he breathed heavily in her ear. He kissed her neck and buried his face in her hair.

“Oh, Alex,” she sighed.

I love you, I love you so much! her heart screamed, but her mouth couldn’t form the words.

Chapter Twenty Six

She studied his face, the thick brows, the whiskers on his chin, the way his bottom lip was fuller than the top, the way his eyelashes seemed to sparkle in the sun. She loved the smell of him, the sound of his laugh, the magnetic aura that surrounded him. She wanted to remember everything. He was quiet, sitting on the grass at the Clean Ponds. She found the name humorous. It used to be referred to as the Dirty Ponds when residents used to through trash and waste into it in the 17^th century. But Prince Menshikov cleaned it up and rechristened it with its new name.  There were swans and ducks floating quietly on the water today.  Zoey looked up at the blue sky. There were very few white puffy clouds scattered upon it.  The tiny breeze ruffled the leaves. The water in the pond was a smooth and still as it would be in the winter when it froze over. She could imagine kids of all ages skating here on the frozen pond.  She could see the snow piled up around the bank in her mind. She could see Alex skating here as a child, bundled up in a huge coat that could somehow made him look small. He lay there in the grass next to her, too huge now for any coat to have that effect. He was lying on his side, propped up on his elbow, turning a leaf over in his hands. He seemed to be studying the veins sprouting out from the stem.

“Are we going to talk about Budapest?” he asked, surprising her.  She didn’t want to talk about Budapest. She didn’t want to think about it.

“I leave tomorrow afternoon,” she said, matter-of-factly, trying to hide her discomfort over the subject.  “You will go back to the States soon?”

He looked up at her, studying her face for a second. He tossed aside the leaf he’d been playing with.

“Yes, I will go soon,” he said quietly. “I have a commercial to shoot in New York City before training camp.”

“A commercial?  Really? For what?”

“Reebok. Shoes,” he said dismissively.  

“Do you do lots of commercials?” she asked. They’d never really talked about that part of his life before. She found it interesting, as well as distracting.

“Some.”

“You don’t sound very enthused about it.”

“It is not something that I like to do so much. You know, it just part of my job. I do some here in Russia, too. It’s good thing you don’t have to be pretty for hockey ads.”

She looked at him, trying to decide if he were kidding or not.

“You are very pretty.”

“You have eyes,” he chuckled.  “I have seen them. They are chocolate brown and very pretty. Can you not see from them?”

“I see you very well, Alexander.”

She brushed her fingers gently down his cheek and looked into those beautiful eyes that she loved so much. She kissed him quickly before her sadness was able to take hold of her.

Chapter Twenty-five

Her room was dark and quiet except for the sounds of his soft breathing next to her.  She slowly rolled over and kissed his shoulder softly.  Carefully, she slid out from under the blanket and out of bed.  She quietly tip-toed to the chair where he had left his t-shirt and pulled it on over her head.   It smelled like him and she breathed deeply and smiled.  She continued padding softly to the door of the balcony and went outside, careful not to let in much light so she wouldn’t wake him.  It was only 3 am, but since the sun never really went down at this time of year, it was light enough to see the city around her. The air was clear and crisp and a bit damp. It seemed a bit foggy with the damp mist settling on the streets below. She couldn’t sleep. Her mind kept racing.  She stood with her hands on the railing and breathed deeply.  She shivered slightly and moved to the lounge chair. She wrapped herself in a blanket and snuggled into the chair.  She stared out toward the Kremlin, but didn’t really see it. Her mind kept playing back images in her head. Alex, the first time she saw him; Alex, leaning against the car when she took his picture; Alex, in the pond with Mishka; Alex, sitting on the grass in St. Petersburg.  She kept seeing his face, the way he looked at her, the way he smiled at her just before he kissed her.  Did it all really mean nothing?  Would he move on and forget all about her?  After tomorrow, would she ever look into his eyes again?   It couldn’t be.  She’d been completely careless.  She’d fallen in love with him.  She didn’t even know it was happening until it was too late.   She’d never expected someone like him to come along. She was unprepared.  And now, she was lost.  She was leaving for Budapest and he was going back to a whole other world that she knew nothing about.  He was a superstar in the hockey world, a huge celebrity.  She didn’t know anything about that man.  All she knew was that she loved that kind and gentle man sleeping in her bed just inside. That man laughed at everything, took joy in everything, held her close and kissed her tenderly. She would lose him. Was he different with the whole hockey world at his feet?  Would she still love him?  She couldn’t believe that he could look at her the way he did and not have some real feelings for her.  She didn’t want to believe that she was just some girl to him, that he didn’t really care.  She didn’t want to believe that he didn’t love her.  She didn’t want to go back to the woman she was before, completely competent, but lonely, so lonely that she didn’t even remember what she was missing.  He’d changed her. He treated her like no man had ever done before.  He made her feel like she was something special.

Did he make everyone feel that way? Was she just a fool? Was she just some stupid girl to allow herself to believe that there was more?  Maybe he did this every summer. Maybe he chose some random female and seduced her until she would do anything for him and then left.  No, she didn’t believe that! She would never believe that he didn’t care for her!  Why did it matter that she wasn’t Russian?  She loved him. Why couldn’t she have the chance to make him happy because she was born across the pond? Why wasn’t he allowed to love her back?   

She could fight it all she wanted, scream against it in her head, but it didn’t change anything. He would leave and she would have to go on.  It would be over.  She shivered in the cold and caught her breath.  She brushed away her tears with the back of her hand.  She hadn’t even realized she had started to cry.

“Kroshka?” he called.  She jumped and made sure her eyes were dry as she rushed to the door.

“I’m here,” she said in a voice forced to be steady.

“What are you doing out here?” he said, meeting her at the door.

“I couldn’t sleep. I… I didn’t want to wake you.”

“You are freezing,” he said, wrapping his arms around her. “Come back to bed. You should not be out there in the cold.”

She snuggled her head into his warm chest and allowed him to walk her back to the bed.  He took her blanket, tossed it on the chair beside the bed and ushered her under the covers.  It was still warm from where he had been lying.  He crawled in next to her and pulled her into his arms again. He kissed her forehead and rubbed the chill from her arms.

“Why you couldn’t sleep?”

“I don’t know,” she lied. She reached up and brushed the hair from his brow. She looked into the blue of his eyes, barely visible in the small light of the room.  She brushed her lips across his and watched as they curled up into a smile.

“I know a way to get you warm quick,” he said.

“Oh, you do?” she smiled and bit her lip.

“Uh huh,” he mumbled and kissed her neck.  She guided his mouth to find hers and kissed him deeply.  He was here and she made a decision. She refused to mourn his loss before he was actually gone.

Chapter Twenty four

The next couple of days passed so quickly for Zoey.  She was with Alex constantly.  She even worked out with him once, though, she had a hard time keeping up with him.  He finally stopped his regular workout and invited her into a kick boxing ring.  He took his time finding her boxing gloves small enough to fit snuggly.  She gazed up at him, uncertain that she wanted to get into the ring against him.  He approached the whole thing with a big grin that she felt was cause for concern.  He was going to have much too much fun with this. 

“I be easy with you, Kroshka,” he leaned over and whispered in her ear.  But he was snickering.   She slipped off her shoes and climbed into the ring with him.  She watched him bounce around slightly and punch the air.  His biceps would give anyone reason to think twice. Why did she agree to get into this ring?  He was standing across the ring now, with a big grin on his face.  He held his gloves palms up and waved his wrists enticing her to come at him.  Her lips widened into a smile. Well, he asked for it.  She moved closer to him, boucing herself up on her toes.  They danced around the ring for a few seconds.

“Come on,” he waved his gloves at her again. “You a chicken?”

“CHICKEN?” she exclaimed.  She moved closer and threw a punch.  He blocked her easily.

“Oh, come on. You not even trying.”

Her eyes narrowed as she glared at him.  She threw a quick right and followed up with a left.  He still managed to block both shots. He kept laughing.  She was beginning to get annoyed. He dodged or blocked every attempt and did it all with a grin or a giggle. She found herself getting incredibly frustrated and lunged at him with both gloves at his chest.  He laughed, grabbing her around the waist and picked her up in his arms.

“Put me down. You aren’t even trying!”

“I not hit you, Kroshka.”

“What?” she exclaimed.

“I not hit girls,” he said laughing.

“Then why are we in here? Why did you want to box with me?”

“It fun.  You get mad. You have fire, Kroshka. I like it,” he said laughing.  He set her back on her feet, but she did not removed her hand from around his neck.

“What now?” she asked.

“We could wrestle.”

Mishka had invited them over that same afternoon. A group of Alex’s childhood friends were getting together for a game of street hockey where they used to play as children.  Zoey met Mishka’s girlfriend, Olga, outside their apartment.  She was a tall, blonde Russian, with a sly smile.  Four more friends of Alex’s were already playing and Alex went directly out to join them. Zoey sat on the top step in front of the apartment building. She laughed as Mishka and Alex wrestled in the street. Mishka was defending against Alex.  It seemed he was the only one willing to take on this job.  Zoey quickly understood why.  Alex used his impressive size against his friend. Though Mishka tried, he could not gain any ground on the Superstar. Olga sat on the step next to Zoey.

“Sasha is a show off,” she laughed.

Zoey just smiled at her and went on watching the guys. She would have agreed, but as he seemed to be showing off for her, she just smiled.

“You really have never seen him play before?” Olga asked skeptically.

“No,” Zoey replied. “I was never really into sports. I spend so much of my time travelling. I guess now I’ll have to find the time to watch.”

She was actually looking forward to seeing him play. He approached everything with such passion. His true love was hockey. She could imagine how explosive he would be on the ice.

“You think so?” Olga asked. There was a tone in her voice that held a foreboding that Zoey didn’t quite understand. 

Zoey looked at her questioningly, “Why wouldn’t I?  He loves hockey so much. It must be incredible to see him play.”

“Ah, well, naturally you would feel this way now, but when you go your separate ways, you may not care to.”

Zoey felt her heart drop to the pit of her stomach. Go their separate ways?  She hadn’t really thought about that.  She had been enjoying his company so much that she had forgotten that she only had three more days in Moscow.  Zoey looked back at the friends laughing in the street.  She swallowed hard.

“You are very pretty and nice girl, Zoey, I am sure. But Sasha, he is Russian. American girl cannot ever know how to care for a Russian man. You have to know this.”

“What makes you think that?”  Zoey asked, doing her best to keep her voice level so as not to betray her feelings.

“You must be realistic, Zoey. This is just a fling for Sasha. He needs a Russian girl,” Olga scoffed. “Tell me, are you really willing to give up your life, your career with pictures, to wait on a man, even one such as Sasha, hand and foot?  Make his meals, wash his clothes, care for his children alone, while he is travelling around the country playing hockey. This is what it means to love a Russian man.”

Zoey was quiet.  Give up her career?  Sit and wait for him while he was gone? She wasn’t sure that was something she’d ever consider.  Would he really expect her to give up her life’s passion while he lived his?  She looked down at her hands. Was she really just some summer fling to him, just someone to pass the time with?

He shook her from her thoughts as he bounded over and sat down next to her. He was breathing heavily through his smile and he reached for her cheek trying to kiss her.

“Ugh. You’re all sweaty!” she said, pushing against his chest, hiding her feelings behind a laugh.

“Of course, you play hard, you sweat. Surely, you know this by now,” he grinned at her devilishly. He tried to kiss her again and she allowed it this time. Whether it was a fling or not, he was irresistible to her.  There was a tremble in her lips she hoped he would take for passion.

“You okay?” he asked. “You look funny?”

She took his face in her hands and kissed him again.

“I am absolutely fine,” she said, looking at him with dreamy eyes and, subconsciously, she began to count his kisses until the last.

Chapter Twenty-three

Zoey stood outside the metal rails at the Rally carousel in Gorky Park. It was a very warm day in Moscow. Alex had surprised her again with an adventure. He had decided that a little excitement would be good to punctuate their trip back home. Gorky Park was her surprise. She stood watching the brightly colored cars wisk the children around and around in circles. She found herself smiling at their laughter despite her discomfort.  Alex appeared at her side and handed her a soda.

“The bubbles will make you feel better,” he said, not doing a very good job hiding his grin. 

She scowled at him and sipped the drink which tasted much like ginger ale. 

“Why is everything at an amusement park designed to make you puke?” she grumbled, lifting her hand to wipe the dampness from her brow.   

“You are stronger than the Eurostar. You did not puke,” he laughed at her.

“Well, I’m not sure I’ve completely conquered the feeling yet. Why would anyone want to ride something that makes you feel like you are in a blender?”

Alex laughed at her again and put his arm across her shoulders pulling her toward him.  He kissed her gently on the forehead.

“I told you that it was not a good idea,” she scolded him. 

“Kroshka,” he whispered in her ear. She could still hear the amusement in his voice. “You did not say you would get sick. Do you need to sit down?”

“No, I am fine,” she said quietly embarrassed. She looked up at him wondering how he managed to get her on a ride the plummeted 50 feet and twirled its riders 360 degrees.  The smile on his face made her think that he could persuade her into just about anything. Was that his magnetism or her weakness?  

The ride in front of them winded down and the children began to scatter. A small boy, about 5 years old, walked over to the rail near them.  The exit was on the opposite side of the ride and he seemed to be lost.  His face was slowly becoming more and more distressed.

Zoey was about to reach out her hand to him when Alex climbed over the rail and kneeled down in front of the boy.  He spoke softly and gently and Zoey watched the boy nod back at him. Alex held out his huge palm in front of him.  Zoey watched a tiny hand with plump little fingers come to rest on top of it and watched Alex’s lips grow into a smile.  He stood slowly and walked with the little boy to the other side of the ride. It made an amazing picture for Zoey’s memory, a tiny little boy reaching high holding onto this huge man’s hand.  It was not one she would catch on film, but one she would always hold in her heart. The boy saw his mother and ran to her, stopped short and ran back to Alex wrapping his arms around Alex’s leg in a quick hug and ran off again. She watched Alex lift his hand in a wave.

He returned to her with a big smile on his face and she threw her arms around his neck. She squeezed him hard and grabbed his face in her hands, planting a big kiss on his lips. He was slightly taken aback by her reaction, but accepted her kiss gratefully. 

“Not to complain, but what was that for?” he asked, as she looked adoringly up into his big blue eyes.

“You were so sweet with him, Alex.”

“No, I am not sweet. Don’t spread rumors about me,” he laughed at her.

“You are sweet and amazing and wonderful.”

“You would not say such things if you knew me better,” he whispered in her ear and nibbled her neck.

“You can’t fool me, Alex.  I see who you are.”

He rolled his eyes at her, “don’t tell anyone. Sweet is not what a hockey player is supposed to be.”

Chapter Twenty-two

“Stop, stop,” she cried, between laughing and tears.   

He released her slowly, letting his eyes wander over her body. He sat back on his knees, reaching behind his neck and tugging his t-shirt over his head. He watched her eyes admire his toned body.  Hockey was a rough sport. To be his best, he had to work out and take care of himself. She made it very clear that she appreciated his hard work. He loved how she ran her hands across his chest and across his shoulders. Her need to touch everything certainly didn’t bother him at all.  She licked her lips and reached for him. He was only too willing to oblige. He placed his hands on either side of her shoulders and enjoyed her fingertips as they traced the muscles in his arms, lingering over his biceps and continuing their journey across to his shoulders. She looked at him as if her were a delicious morsel that she couldn’t wait to taste. She sat up slightly, supporting her weight on her elbow and ran her right hand across his shoulder to the back of his neck. Her soft lips nibbled at the base of his neck.  He felt that spark of electricity as she nibbled his ear lobe. It felt so good. Everything about her felt so good. She sat up even more, putting gentle pressure on his chest, pushing him away.

“Lie down Alex,” she purred with a seductive smile. 

He lifted his eyebrows ever so slightly and did as she asked.  He rolled over on his back stretching out across the king-sized bed. He wondered exactly just what she had in mind.  She lay on her side next to him, her fingers caressing every inch of his chest. She began licking and sucking his nipple, adding tiny nibbles every so often that made his cock tingle.  The tips of her fingers were driving him mad as she ran them along his lower abdomen and toyed with the band of his jeans. She unfastened the button and slid the zipper down slowly. She played with the fabric of his briefs before she moved down to stand at his feet.  She urged him to remove his pants and his cock sprang to life, being freed from its confines. She had that look in her eye again, as if she were ready to devour him. He breath quickened.

He watched her shimmy out of her own pants and stood before him in only a red thong.  He took a deep breath, drinking in her beauty.  He wanted her so bad, but was content to let her do as she pleased. She began rubbing the instep and ball of his foot, gently but firmly. It was very relaxing and surprisingly seductive. He had never had his feet massaged in such a way by a woman before.  She concentrated on his ankles and achillies tendon gently massaging away and soreness that may have ever lingered there. She kneaded his calf muscles over and over making him groan, not only from the massage, but also in anticipation of what was to come. She spent ages, it seemed, on his hamstrings and quadriceps until his cock was screaming to be touched. When she started kissing his inner thigh, he moaned a soft, “Please, Zoey.”

She smiled and took his penis firmly in her hand. She squeezed gently, rubbing up and down the shaft until he was dripping. She slowly licked the precum from the tip and he moaned deep in his throat. She teased the tip and all around the head of his cock with her soft tongue, licking up and down the shaft. Just when he thought he could no longer take it, she finally took as much of him in her mouth as she could and he cried out. She went down on him over and over, squeezing the base of his cock with her hand, sucking the tip with her beautiful mouth. Her hair fell across his hips as she continued and he pulled it away from her face. The only thing better than watching her full, rosy lips go down on him was actually feeling it. That familiar tingle began at the base of his balls. He wanted so bad to grab her head and fuck her mouth so hard, but he was so far gone, he was afraid he might hurt her. He satisfied himself with twisting his fingers in her long, soft hair until he erupted finally with an incredible orgasm. She drank him in until he was completely spent. He caught her smiling as she licked her lips and he grabbed her and pulled her down on top of him. He kissed her hard.

“God, Zoey,” he grunted, holding her close in his arms.

He rolled her quickly over on her back and slid his hand between her knees. He pulled her legs apart as he rubbed his fingers up her inner thigh.  He intended to make her as crazy as she just made him.  He stroked her clit lightly.  Her gasp was music to his ears. Then he rubbed his hands down her other thigh. He smiled to himself as he heard a soft whimper.  He teased her over and over. He would rub her softly and stop, kiss her breast, then stop. He watched her bite her lip as he sucked his own finger and left a trail of moisture down her stomach and between her legs yet again.  Her breathing was coming quick now. He slid his finger inside her and she raised her hips to him. He buried his face in her hair and kissed her neck up and down and he pumped his finger in and out.  He added his thumb to the party rubbing her clit as he continued to fuck her with his fingers.  She was moaning more rapidly now. He loved to make her moan.  He loved that she was completely at his mercy. She grabbed his face and kissed him hard. He could feel her chest rise against his as her breath became shorter and shorter. He knew she was close now. Just another minute and she would be moaning his name over and over. It was music to his ears. He sucked her nipple into his mouth and pinched her clit lightly and she erupted against him. He loved feeling her body convulse in pleasure. 

“Alex, oh God, Alex,” she cried breathlessly against his chest.  Her entire body trembled against him. He held her close and kissed her softly.  She sighed softly snuggling into his arms.

“Don’t get too comfortable. I am not done with you yet,” he said.

Chapter Twenty-one

The day in St. Petersburg became a night as well.  When their boat tour was over, Alex took her hand and they walked down a tree filled street. A large hotel, with balconies covered with tiny lights came into view as they turned the corner.  It was a lovely very large building with beautiful detail over each of the infinite number of windows.  Zoey commented on how grand it was.  Alex stopped at the front doors and she looked at him questioningly.

“It is too late to drive back to Moscow tonight. We should just stay here.”

“Stay here?” she exclaimed in disbelief.

“We already have room. We stay if you want.”

“When did you get a room for us?”

“This morning, when I got the boat,” he smiled slyly.  She proceeded him inside and stood in awe of the sight before her.  The lobby was a rich red with wood paneling and a turn of the century feel that left Zoey breathless.  A young woman approached them both as Alex stopped at Zoey’s side.  She was tall, thin and absolutely beautiful, with a long, blonde hair pulled back in a classic ponytail. She was dressed in a dark, pinstripe suit jacket and skirt, with a delicate white blouse beneath.

“Г-н Овечкин, Добро пожаловать в Гранд Отеле,” her lips lifted in an exquisite smile and she nodded to Zoey and addressed her as госпожа.

“Спасибо,” he replied and turned to Zoey with a smile.  “This is the Grand Hotel.”

“Ваша комната готова,” she handed him a pass card while shaking his hand warmly. “Если вам требуется что-нибудь вообще, меня зовут Лара. Я в вашем распоряжении.”

He thanked her again and led Zoey up the red carpeted steps to the elevator. 

“What did she say?” Zoey asked.

“Oh, only that if we need anything, the same in every hotel.”

“She was very pretty,” Zoey commented innocently.

“Oh? Yes, I suppose,” he answered. Zoey looked at him, but he didn’t seem to be acting for her benefit. 

He opened the door to their room and ushered her inside.  For the second time, she stood in awe.  The first thing she noticed was the huge window and terrace just opposite her.  They were on the top floor of the hotel. She passed the huge king sized bed with its cream color duvet and many pastel pillows and stood in the doorway to the terrace.  The view was incredible. She could see for miles.  The room faced the Arts Square and the Russian Museum. She even had an incredible view of the Church on Spilled Blood.  Even though it was late, the white night illuminated enough of the landscape for her get a beautiful picture of the city. 

“Alex, this is just amazing.”

He smiled at her and moved out on the terrace with her.  He stood at the rail and looked over the side.

“Is it a very long way down?” she asked, suddenly nervous.

“No, not so much. Come here, Kroshka.”  He held out his hand for her. She hesitated and he waved his hand at her impatiently.

“I really don’t like heights so much, Alex,” she said and offered a small smile.

“Look this rail. No chance for you to fall. Beside, I would not let that happen.” 

He stood there with his hand still outstretched, waiting.  She let out a nervous breath and moved to him, taking his hand.  She joined him close to the rail and he put his arm across her shoulders again.  It was a long way down to her and she quickly turned her focus from the street below to the man beside her. 

“You are not scared?” he asked.

“Just prefer other sights,” she said, biting her lip slightly.  His mouth was on hers in an instant. He brushed his fingers across her cheek to the back of her neck and held her tightly around the waist.  If the street below didn’t make her dizzy, his kiss certainly did. She caught her breath as he finally pulled away from her.

“I want you so bad all day,” he whispered in her ear.  She couldn’t keep a whimper from escaping her lips.  His large fingers brushed down the front of her shirt, fumbling with the buttons on her blouse.  She lifted his t-shirt and placed her hands against his skin. He was so warm.

“You tickling me,” he warned.

She grinned up at him with a gleam in her eye.

“Ah, no,” he ordered, laughing as she continued with the torture.  He wrapped his arms around her and picked her up holding her tight to keep her hands still.  He kissed her again, hard and all thoughts of tickling him flew out of her head. He slid his hands down to her buttocks and pulled her legs up around him.  He carried her back inside and lay her on the bed.

“You think you can tickle me and get away with it?” he said, smirking at her.  He pulled her shirt away from her and relieved her of her bra.  He gazed down on her and licked his lips. Then he grabbed her wrists, held them above her head and proceeded to tickle her bare skin unmercifully.