Page 14 of Dimitri
"I will in a minute. Don't be a stranger."
Leaning his head back, Dimitri contemplated the intricate pattern of the arched ceiling and allowed the guilt full rein. It was true, he had not given his family a second thought, perhaps just some fleeting ones. He had been busy since landing in this country and coming to the farm. His days were filled from dusk to dawn. He had been here a week already and it seemed much more than that.
Picking up the sponge, he applied it to his chest, where the hairs grew in a dense pattern before narrowing towards his stomach.
*****
If she hadn't stayed overtime at the firm, she would have noticed the dress. And if she hadn't stumbled in exhausted and irritated, with just enough time to get ready for the bloody party she didn't want to go to. She had just finished with her shower, when she padded towards the bed where the package was. The shoes were ankle breakers and had her sighing resignedly. Damn her! Lifting the top of the box, she stared at the glittery material before lifting it out. Plopping on the side of the bed, she studied the scrap of material posing as a dress and started cussing long and loud.
When she saw the back, she grabbed the phone and dialed her friend's number. It went straight to voicemail, and she unleashed her fury. "You do well not to answer, you sadistic bitch! It's cold as a bitch out there and you expect me to wear this, this. Oh! I'm going to kill you, Jessica. I swear it up anddown this room. I hate you. Consider our friendship over. Don't call, text or email, we're done."
Flinging the phone aside, she marched over to her closet and started leafing through to see if she could find something suitable. When it became hopeless, she marched back to the bed and picked up the dratted dress. Her former friend had included a scrap of lace posing as panties and the only underwear she was going to be able to put on.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, she creamed her skin and thought up all sorts of punishment for when she next saw Jessica. With a resigned sigh, she reluctantly picked up the dress and put it on.
*****
"Babushka, this is quite a party." Dimitri with his grandmother's hand tucked securely through his arm, made the observation. The area designated for the event was a large ballroom with windows, floor to soaring ceiling overlooking the sparkling pond and the pergola. A large chandelier dripped from the center of the ceiling to hang majestically in the middle, dazzling lights competing with the flames glowing in the massive hearth that took up an entire section of the room. People were already milling around with servers offering seemingly endless glasses of champagne. A bar had been erected on a makeshift dais and shared space with a live band playing several upbeat songs.
Several women had already made their interests known to him and one, a newly divorced blond with a stunning body poured into black silk had invited him back to her place.
"I think we should get to know each other better," she suggested, an alluring smile on lips painted a fire engine red.
He had simply kissed her hand and left without saying anything.
"Only the best for you, darling."
He noticed she seemed distracted and wondered why.
"Is everything all right?"
"Just. Ah, here she comes." Her distraction magically disappeared to be replaced by a pleased smile.
"Who?" The rest of the words stuck inside his throat as he lifted his head and saw the object of his grandmother's attention. The lust was like a slow, roiling ball slamming into his midsection. She was all legs, he thought dazedly. From head to the toe of her black patent shoes, she was perfection. The dress clung and dipped into her curves, the color a striking contrast to the most beautiful caramel complexion he had ever seen. Her hair, he wasnot certain of the style, dozens of thick coils raining down her back. Colored stones were at three places on her lobes, and a complicated series of triangles at the first piercing.
"Allison Trent." Elizabeth had already seen the reaction on her grandson's face and was pleased by it. Pressing her fingers against his arm, she led him towards Allison who had just accepted a glass of champagne from a very besotted server.
She was attracting a lot of attention, something she had been hoping to avoid. It was the damn dress, she thought darkly, her expression softening as her hostess came gliding forward, on the arm of a tall dark-haired man.
"My dear." Letting go of Dimitri's arm, she extended both hands to Allison and drew her in for a kiss. "You look spectacular."
"And you're the queen of the ball." Allison's lips spread in a smile as she took in the lovely teal blue chiffon the woman wore with such elegance.
"This is my grandson, Dimitri Petrov." The pride in the woman's voice was unmistakable.
Bracing herself and annoyed that even though she was wearing heels, she only came up to his chin, Allison offered a polite smile,her dislike immediate. She had him pegged. Too damn gorgeous and too rich and completely sure of himself. His smile was slow and flirtatious as if he expected her to simply fall at his feet. He was in for a bloody surprise.
"Mr. Petrov." Her smile could have frosted the air and had him lifting a brow.
"I feel as if we already know each other. Dimitri will do. And you're Allison. My grandparents told me so much about you."
"I will leave you two to get acquainted." Elizabeth considered her goal accomplished. "Don't run off without saying goodbye," she admonished Allison before turning to greet some people who had just arrived.
"I don't need taking care of, so you can just run along now." She started to move towards the corner of the room when he took her arm. Politeness and good manners prevented her from yanking her arm away. And the fact that they were being watched.
"My grandmother would be sorely disappointed if I shirked my duty as a host." He led her towards a comfortable sofa and planted himself next to her.
"I thought Alvin was the host."
