The pavement is wet and everything around us not in headlights is dark as death. Everything is now eerily silent too. Ivan takes the gun out of my hands and returns it back into his shoulder holster. Now that he doesn't have to worry so much he has time to actually reach it and put the weapon back in its place. He reaches over to me and fists my hair in his hands pulling me to him and I can tell this kiss is going to melt my panties. But I never get it.
Street lights hit my eyes and both of us suddenly remember the other group of SUVs. "It's me. Don't shoot you Russian son-of-a-bitch." Ace's voice crackles on the box that is now hanging off the dash with only a wire connecting it.
"You are Russian too, Sasha." Ivan smiles. Both of us get out to meet the sports car Ace is driving.
"Oh hell no, I told you never to use that nickname around me again. You might have to shoot me now because I'm going to kick your ass."
More lights come over a hill. Ace pulls up next to us and looks back. "Back up from Archer. They took out one of the SUVs for us." In other words, don't shoot them either.
"Stay close to me, Kat. We will be back at the farmhouse soon." I can barely stand from shaking so hard and Ivan doesn't release his death grip on the knot of hair at the back of my head. Instead, he uses it to pull me closer to him so that I can hide my face in his chest and try to block out what happened as best as I can.
Jim is out of the automobile shouting orders before the thing actually comes to a complete stop. I'm not sure if my eyes are playing tricks on me or the night has gotten to me but I think he's dressed as one of the waiters from the Senator's house. He tells one of his guys to take Ivan's car and helps me, Ana, and Ivan into the back of one of the cars that look bigger and more amped up than the little sports cars. As soon as I'm in I realize I have never been around so many guns in my life. Everyone in the car has one either laying across their lap or tucked in a holster.
The ride back to the farmhouse is so quiet it's eerie, especially after all of the gunfire, squealing tires, and the roar of motors. Ivan doesn't say anything to me the entire time we are in the car together. I can't tell if he's mad at me or if he's thinking about new ways to kill the Senator. The only thing that keeps me from losing my ever-loving mind is the grip Ivan has on my hand as he holds it close to him.
Once we pull up at the house and the others come in behind us I am pretty sure I have lost Ivan for the night. He's going to want to spend time with these men and talk about ways to harm all of the people shooting at us tonight. I can't say I blame him. I killed a man tonight. I try not to think about it. If I don't dwell on it maybe I can forget all about it. I'm going to need so much therapy once all of this is over.
Ivan surprises me because as soon as we hit the door he is telling everyone that he doesn't want to be disturbed for the night and that he will be back down in the morning to talk over plans to kill anyone that needs killing. Something about him has changed tonight. I can't really put my finger on it but something is different.
I can't imagine a time when Ivan would want to do anything other than focus on what needed to be done. He pulls me up the stairs and down the hall to the room we both slept in last night. The door closes and the lock snaps into place. When I turn he is still standing in front of the door. I feel like there is something I should say but I don't have a clue what. Is there a book that tells you what to say after you've been in a shootout - a What To Do When You Are Shot At For Dummies book.
Ivan snarls before coming towards me. "Fuck it." I don't really understand what he's talking about but when he wraps his hands in my hair again I want to find out. "You killed for me tonight, Kitten."
"Yes." And I would do it again.
"I...," his eyes sweep over me and something almost feral in his ice-blue eyes glows back at me. "Fuck it."
He pushes me back and I bounce a little on the mattress, Ivan's eyes taking in my bouncing breasts. Before I can say a word he is on top of me. His hands are everywhere and his mouth is following the path his hands set out for him. One minute his lips are at my breasts sucking and then they are gone replaced by the sensation of his mouth on my neck sucking and nipping. His grunts and growls aren't the only things in the room now. I'm making just as much noise and normally I would worry about who is listening but tonight I don't care.
Tonight I just want Ivan. He goes back to my breasts as he runs his hands down my body and under the slit at my thigh and finds my pussy. I'm dripping wet.
"We are going to have to talk about this, Kitten. I really want to believe this is for me and not for the excitement in killing a man but I have my doubts." He grins and takes all the bite out of his words. His smile is everything.
"It's all for you, Lyubimiy." Ivan pulls back from me and stares down at my face. "It's the surprise I wanted to give you. The one I told you about earlier tonight."
"Kat, do you understand what that means." His eyes are the turbulent blue of an ocean right before a storm breaks. No longer ice cold but burning up now that I said what I said.
"Yes, Ana told me and helped me learn to pronounce it right. I told her what I wanted to say though. And I meant what I said, you are my love. I will never love anyone but you. Ever."
Ivan stares at me for long minutes until I start to think he isn't going to say anything. He kisses me hard again and then takes the top of my gown in his hands and gives it a quick, vicious yank. The sound of tearing material fills the room along with my excited little gasp. I wasn't expecting him to rip my clothes off of me but now that he's done it, it is hot as hell.
"No more waiting. I need you too much to wait a second longer."
My body feels like I just reached out and touched a live wire. Ivan is on me with his lips and tongue and my body melts for him. Hell yes, I want this. I've wanted this ever since the man took me to the ground in the café and told me to keep up with him or he's leaving me. It's only gotten worse since then.
His fingers trail down my belly making the skin there jump and quiver with anticipation about what those hands are going to do to me later. His lips are on my throat and I am sure by the pressure I'm going to have a mark there tomorrow and I don't give one shit if everybody knows I was with Ivan tonight. My fingertips trail down his back and each swirl and dip of scars that have been on him throughout his life is a reminder to me I am lucky to have him in my arms now.
I can't imagine what his life was like before I first saw him in the café but by the marks on his body, I can tell it was a rough one. I want to give Ivan something better, something he's never had. I want to offer him solace when he needs it and always be there to patch him up when he does something stupid to hurt himself. I want to show him that love is a good thing and I will love him unconditionally if he just gives me a chance. God, I hope he gives me the chance. He seemed happy when I called him my love so I have to believe that he wants me as much as I want him.