His hand came around the front. He gripped my breast while I rode him faster.
Dmitri made a sound low in his throat, one I felt more than heard. I slowed and leaned back against his chest. His fingers curled around the side of my neck, guiding me gently until I was facing him. The world seemed to fall away. It was just me and the man looking at me as though nothing else existed.
Before he kissed me, I whispered into the space between us. The words slipped out before I could think too much about them. For a second, I wasn’t even sure what I was saying.
But I heard myself say what I had never spoken out loud to him. “I love you, Dmitri.”
Epilogue
Inna Grace
I stood behind Grandma witha comb in one hand, smoothing the front strands while watching her reflection in the mirror. She sat straight-backed in the chair, carrying herself with a posture that made you forget she was eighty-five until she reminded you herself.
“How do you like that?” I asked, lifting her chin lightly with two fingers.
Grandma laughed. “I told you. I’m fine with anything.”
I dropped my hands to my hips. “That is the least helpful thing you could say to me right now.” I turned to where Alessia sat on the sofa behind us with a plate of cupcakes balanced on her knee. “Alessia, I need your eyes here. Grandma refuses to give me an honest opinion.”
Alessia got to her feet, took a bite of her cupcake, and studied Grandma’s hair while she chewed. After swallowing, she nodded. “I love it. It’s beautiful. She never styles it.” Her gaze lingered another second before she nodded again. “Keep it exactly like that.”
“Great. Now, a touch of makeup.” I reached for the lip balm, but the smell of cigarettes drifted through the room and stopped me. I glanced around before my eyes landed on the open window. Walking over, I looked outside and found Rodion standing there with a man who was introduced to me as Matvet.
“Can’t they smoke somewhere else?” I muttered, shutting the window before returning to Grandma.
“What happened?” Alessia asked.
“For some reason, I can’t stand the smell of cigarettes anymore.” I bent toward Grandma again and focused on her lips.
“She had a quarrel with Dmitri about it the other day,” Grandma said, making me laugh.
She wasn’t wrong. Dmitri had stopped smoking around me entirely.
“Smoking isn’t healthy anyway,” I said.
Alessia stepped back, cradling her plate. “I’m going to get more cupcakes. These Russian cupcakes are something else. I need to find out who made them.”
“You said that about the cinnamon rolls this morning,” I called after her.
She paused in the doorway, looking over her shoulder. “Can you blame me?” Then she was gone before I could answer.
I turned back to Grandma and focused on moisturizing her lips. “When we met in New York, I didn’t even realize she was pregnant.”
“She was probably one month along. It doesn’t show at that stage.” Grandma went quiet for a moment. “I’m happy for her. I can finally have a great-grandchild.”
“You are blessed.” I stepped back, looked at her properly, and gave an approving nod. “Birthday girl is ready. You look incredible.”
Grandma patted her hair, smiling at her reflection. “The things you do to me.” She shook her head. “Don’t you see how old Iam?”
“Eighty-five isn’t old. Let’s revisit that conversation at a hundred.”
She laughed under her breath. “As if I’ll make it that far. It’s already a surprise I got here.”
“Should we make a bet?” I offered my arm. “A hundred years. I’m serious.”
“I’m old enough, child. How much longer is one supposed to go on?” She took my arm anyway. “Besides, at this age, you become a burden to everyone around you.”
“Are you talking to me? I can’t hear you.” I tilted my head in mock innocence, and she laughed again as I guided her toward the door.
