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~ Tales of Romance ~
Whispered Promises
Chapter 17
"Aleksei, are you sure you don't just want to call a carpenter?" Jordan asked for the third time in an hour as she watched her husband and Matt struggle to repair the broken front door, calmly sipping hot chocolate with her daughter.
Aleksei's negative answer was more of a grunt and she shook her head in disgust as she watched the two men discuss the best way to fix the broken portal, neither of them sounding as if they had the foggiest idea what they were talking about. But funnier still, seeing the two of them together, it was easy to see the similarities between Aleksei and Matt. Both men were too good looking for their own damn good, although their coloring was at opposite ends of the spectrum. Both were stubborn, opinionated, readily laughed at themselves and each other, and refused to give in simply for the sake of doing it to keep the peace. It also didn't seem to matter that neither of them could be classified as 'fix-it men'. In fact, to watch them, it seemed they weren't exactly certain which end of a hammer to use, but to listen to them talk, you would have thought they were architectural wizards! As Aleksei had always said, 'It's ten percent how you look and ninety percent what you say. If you sound like you know what you're talking about, people will believe just about anything!'
To a degree Jordan believed the same thing, except in her husband's case she switched the numbers around. Considering how gorgeous the idiot was; she could happily sit staring at the man for hours. It was like looking at a Rhodin sculpture; he simply left her in awe and amazement. And when it came to what he had to say, well, if he said it in Russian, it didn't matter what it was he was saying, she simply turned into a puddle of mush and the only thing she could think about was ravishing him.
Even after all these years, she felt herself swelling with emotion every time she thought about their life together. Often, she still couldn't believe she'd been so blessed to find him, let alone have him come to love her the way he had, and she smiled as memories of his smile, his kiss, his touch sent tingles throughout her body.
In the instance of Aleksei, Jordan firmly believed in miracles and after surviving the accident that should have, by all accounts, killed them both, she never took a day she had with him for granted. She understood how fickle fate was; how precarious one's very existence was, and she thanked God for each and every new day she was allowed to share with those she loved.
Now, as Jordan watched their daughter, watching Matt as he worked with Aleksei, the fluctuating emotions she saw flicker across their daughter's face simply reinforced her suspicions. With, or without wanting to, Dani had fallen fully and deeply in love with Matt!
Despite the fact the two had known each other for such a short time, Jordan couldn't deny or ignore their attraction to one another. Matt made it crystal clear he was crazy about Dani in every way imaginable: a look, a touch, his very demeanor. When the two of them were together, they practically glowed they were filled with such energy and effervescence. And if Dani's emotions were in her eyes for all to see, Matt wore his on his sleeve, every emotion out in the open.
It was more than a little disconcerting to watch your daughter fall so helplessly in love, and yet, Matt was such a solid, steady presence, so ready to laugh at himself, Jordan had no choice but to love him as much as her daughter did. A quick look toward the pair, still struggling to repair the door, and swapping suggestions, that would probably never work, it looked as if Aleksei was in the following suit. Matt was simply too likable!
"Can I call the contractor now?" Jordan asked softly, crossing her arms across her chest and shaking her head in exasperation as she watched the two men knock their heads together when Aleksei bent over the inspect the bottom hinge, just as Matt got off the floor.
"No!" the two men intoned together, rubbing their heads and stepping out of the way as they pushed the door shut, smiling like fools when it closed with a soft click and didn't fall off the hinges.
"I don't believe it!" Jordan stated in astonishment, sending her husband an amazed look.
"You actually fixed the door?" Dani asked in disbelief.
"Oh you of little faith," Aleksei teased his wife, pulling her into his arms for a smacking kiss. "I told you I could fix the door."
"The two of you fixed the door," Dani countered, sending Matt a grateful smile.
"Semantics!" Aleksei complained.
"I don't care who fixed the door, as long as it's fixed!" Jordan quipped, sending Matt a silently mouthed, "Thank you."
Matt's head dipped gallantly in the slightest of nods, acknowledging her unspoken words, but understanding the spirit with which they were given.
Dani watched her mother's silent communication with Matt and scowled, mumbling to herself as she pulled her jacket off the coat rack on the wall and slipped her arms into the sleeves. "If you all don't mind, I think I'm going to go for a short walk. With all the testosterone that's floating around in here, it's probably not safe for a female to be to it for very long!" Dani grumbled, heading for the back door.
Aleksei sent his wife a searching look, received a minute shake of her head for an answer, and scratched his head. "Wait a minute and I'll go with you," he called to her.
Leaning against the open back door, Dani cast a brave smile to her father and shook her head. "If it's all the same, Daddy. I'll take a rain check on the walk. I'm going to see if I can get a signal on this stupid cell phone and see how Emily's doing."
Aleksei's heart squeezed painfully at his daughter's downtrodden expression. Next to her mother, his daughter was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen, but at the moment, she had the saddest eyes imaginable. "Of course, baby. Next time," he suggested easily.
Dani nodded in silent agreement, and slipped through the open door, closing it quietly behind her.
"How's she going to survive losing Emily?" Aleksei quietly voiced the question to no one in particular, wishing that divine intervention could change the inevitable.
"The same way we all will; as a family," Jordan stated with determination, feeling her own spirits dip as she thought about Emily and how important the little sprite had become to all of them. As much as they hated to admit it, Emily's death was a certainty. It was simply a matter of when; 'if' had long ago been taken out of the equation.
"After I put away these tools, I think I'll go collect some firewood," Matt stated casually, slipping on his own jacket and gathering up the numerous tools they'd pulled from the shed; half of which hadn't been used.
Aleksei looked at the huge pile of wood sitting in the stand next to the fireplace. There was more than enough to last them for several days.
"I think that's a wonderful idea!" Jordan offered, sending Matt another grateful smile and receiving a jaunty wink in reply. "The best wood can be found down the path that leads to the lake."
"And that would be&ldots;"
"Straight down the trail that leads from the back door."
"Thank you, ma'am," he murmured, making his way to the back door, his arms filled with tools.
Jordan opened and held the door for him. "Thank you, Matt," she murmured quietly as he looked down into her upturned face. "And please, stop calling me ma'am! I'm not old enough to be a ma'am."
Without a moment's hesitation, he bent down, kissed her softly on her cheek and murmured, "As you wish, although that leaves me in bit of a quandary as to what I should call you," he stated with a devilish smile.
"Jordan will do just fine, thank you," she suggested, his contagious attitude and smile lifting her spirits.
"Miss Jordan it is then," Matt agreed, tipping his head to her. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll go see about that wood."
"Thank you."
"Not a problem," Matt offered with a shrug of his broad shoulders and stepped into the doorway.
"Matt?" Jordan called softly, her eyes filling with concern. "I know Dani said she wanted to be alone, but could you check on her, without being too obvious about it?"
Matt's eyes widened in feigned shock. "You're asking me to spy on your daughter?"
Jordan couldn't help the smile the crossed her lips. "I suppose that's one way to look at it," she agreed, her voice filling with humor.
"Then I'll take great pleasure in fulfilling your request. Watching your daughter is one of my favorite things to do," he replied earnestly, his tone filled with warmth.
Jordan saw the emotion in his eyes and heard it in his voice. One didn't have to be a rocket scientist to know there was as attraction growing between the two. When they looked at each other, the room practically vibrated with energy and emotion. "I don't want her hurt!" Jordan stated carefully, her warning clear in her tone.
"I have no intention of that ever happening. I swear to you, Miss Jordan, my sole intent regarding Dani is to see her smile again, and mean it. I plan on taking very good care of her."
Jordan lifted one eyebrow. "You'd better, or there won't be a safe place on this planet for you."
"I understand."
With a final jaunty smile, he made his way through the door, down the two steps, and headed off toward the shed, stopping several times to pick up tools as they slipped from his arms, and fell to the pine needle covered ground.
From the house, Aleksei and Jordan watched him as he whistled his way across the yard, picking up dropped tools as he made his way to the shed, his step light and filled with joy.
Aleksei shook his head in consternation. "Dani's right; that boy's too damn likable!"
Jordan sent her husband an indulgent look over her shoulder. "Get used to him, Rocmanov, he's going to be around for a long time!" Jordan stated knowingly.
Aleksei sighed deeply. "I know."
"He's a great guy," Jordan offered, her heart telling her she spoke the truth.
"I know. It's just&ldots;"
"What?"
"She's our baby," Aleksei murmured thickly.
"She's a woman, as much as I hate to admit it myself," Jordan countered with a little shake of her head. Images of a small, pink bundle of warmth flitted through her memory.
"God, I feel old," Aleksei growled, another deep sigh escaping his chest as he rested his chin on the top of his wife's head.
Jordan ran her hands down the sides of her husband's muscular thighs. "You don't feel old to me; you feel wonderful."
"Come with me, little girl, and I'll show you just exactly how wonderful!" he stated with a sexy smile.
"Promise?"
"Oh, yeah!"
* * * * *
Dani sat on a fallen log, having brushed away the layer of snow that lay blanketing the timber, and cast an unseeing glance at the beauty of the lake that lay spread out before her. Frustration glowed in her green eyes as she scowled at the cellular phone in her hand. "What damn good are you if you never work?" she complained, brushing away a stray tear that had slipped from one eye. Forcefully, she punched Emily's phone number into the small gadget, hoping this time, by some miracle, the call would go through and she could reassure herself everything was fine with the little girl.
Unfortunately, technology refused to work in this part of the woods at the moment.
"Shit!" Dani yelled in anger and frustration, drawing back her arm, fully prepared to launch the worthless piece of technology into the forest. If the damn thing didn't work, what was the point in even having it?
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Darlin'. The Rangers consider that littering and it carries a stiff fine," Matt suggested calmly, walking around the huge log, brushing away more snow, and sitting down beside her. One look at her tear-filled eyes had him wordlessly handing her a handkerchief, and waiting patiently as she dabbed the tears in her eyes away and struggled to regain control of her emotions.
His heart ached at the pain he saw in her eyes, and yet he knew he was powerless to alleviate the sorrow. The best he could do was simply be here for her, ready with a kind word or soft touch, ready with an open, understanding ear when she was ready to talk. As he gave her the gift of time, he got his first real look of the beauty that surrounded them and sighed at the magnificence spread before them.
The view before him took his breath away. The huge lake was the color Sapphires and nearly as smooth as glass. A thin layer of ice had already began to form along the perimeter of the lake as the shallow water had frozen. Tall pines, their branches adorned in last evening's snowfall and sparkling like diamonds as the sun shared its meager light, surrounded the lake, like sentinels guarding a treasure, offering shade and protection to the animals that lived within it protective cover.
Matt smiled at the beauty before him and breathed deeply of the chilly, clean air, filled with the fragrance of evergreens. "Nice view you've got here."
"You should see it after it the lake completely freezes and there's more than an inch of snow on the ground; it's magical," Dani murmured softly, sadness turning her voice husky.
"I bet," Matt answered quietly in return, his gaze slowly absorbing the beauty that surrounded him; Dani included.
For several moments the two of them sat silent, simply gazing at nature's beauty and magnificence, absorbing the sounds and fragrances that surrounded them; that silence that invited them to rejuvenate their energy, regain their calm, renew their faith in themselves and others, reclaim their beliefs and desires.
"I can't get a signal," Dani finally murmured, casting another dark glance at the cellular phone in her hand.
"It happens sometimes; technology isn't foolproof," Matt stated factually.
"I haven't spoken to Emily in two days. I really need to talk to her, just to know everything's okay," Dani whispered brokenly, casting a tear-filled look at Matt.
"Is there any reason she wouldn't be okay?" he asked calmly.
"Only about a million. It's amazing how much her health can change from day to day. I don't know how her mother does it all, day after day, knowing that despite everything, her daughter is going to die and she can't do a damn thing to stop it from happening!"
Matt lifted her onto his lap and enfolded her into his arms, pulling her tightly against his chest. His hands rubbed comforting circles across her back as he whispered calming words in her ear. "Suppose we find you a regular phone? I would assume the corner market has a pay phone that works," he suggested calmly, rubbing his cheek against her silken hair.
"I suppose," she agreed softly, snuggling closer against his chest, and sighing contentedly as she felt his arms close more tightly around her.
"Or, I could always drive back down and bring Emily and her mother back here so you could see for yourself all is well."
Dani leaned back, his arms releasing her just enough so she could look at him in amazement. "After all I put you through yesterday, you would do that for me?"
Matt tucked a stray auburn curl behind her ear and ran his knuckles softly down her cheek. His deep voice sent a thrill through her blood as he murmured, "Darlin', don't you know I would do anything for you?"
Dani sat frozen, afraid to move for fear she'd break the wondrous spell that seemed to enclose them in a safe bubble as she saw each emotion she felt reflected in Matt's blue-gray eyes. A sudden giddiness bloomed within her, as she allowed her heart to feel things she swore she never wanted to feel again, and she found herself wondering if she'd lost every iota of common sense she possessed. Hunter had shattered her heart, and here she was, ready to willingly lay it back on the line for Matt to do with it as he wished. Surely she was mad!
"Oh, Mr. Tanner, you don't play fair," Dani finally murmured, her eyes searching his, afraid to fully believe what she saw in their blue-gray depths.
"All's fair in love and war," Matt stated softly, running his thumb across her lower lip.
"We've already established we're not at war," Dani answered huskily, her eyes drifting closed at the riot of sensations his touch brought her.
Matt leaned forward, and placed soft kisses at the each corner of her mouth, teasing little kisses that sent her senses swirling. "Then I guess that just leaves&ldots;"
Dani's eyes drifted open to gaze at Matt; her answer was a soft whisper. "Love&ldots;"
The smile that bloomed across Matt's face could only be described as devastating; filled with joy and a sexiness that had her heart singing, she couldn't ever remember feeling as cherished as she did this moment before in her life. "Gorgeous and smart, and crazy about me! How'd I get so lucky?"
"What makes you think I'm crazy about you?" Dani teased, her fingertips tingling as she traced them across his stubble-covered jaw, her green eyes glowing with joy.
"Tell me you're not," Matt challenged.
"I'm not," Dani quipped saucily, her eyes widening in feigned innocence when he sent her a wicked scowl that told her he didn't believe her.
"Tell me you can't live without me."
"Hah!"
"Fine. Tell me you don't want to live without me," he countered.
"Maybe; some days," Dani allowed with a wicked laugh.
"Tell me I'm the most handsome man you've ever seen in your life and that I've ruined you for all others!"
"I will not! There'd be no living with you if I did that. Besides, handsome men run in my family. I'm used to be surrounded by gorgeous hunks!"
"Ah-ha! You think I'm a hunk!" He sounded entirely too pleased with himself.
"You're tolerable to look at," she answered in as blasé a tone as she could muster.
Matt's deep laugh told her he didn't believe her for one minute.
"Fine, you're a hunk!" she gave in with a sultry laugh.
"Tell me you love me!" he demanded softly with a lopsided smile.
"I love&ldots;" Her hands came up quickly to cover her mouth when she realized how close she'd come to saying the three words that would change her world. Her eyes were wide with apprehension.
Matt's hands lifted to gentle pull Dani's hands away from her mouth. Gently his kissed each of her palms before lacing his fingers with her own. "Do you love me, Dani?" he asked quietly, his eyes holding hers captive, his breath unknowingly held.
"I didn't plan to," Dani whispered.
Matt smiled gently, understanding how very frightening it was to take that leap of faith and place your heart in someone else's hands. Hell, he'd only found the courage to admit it himself recently. "I know."
"And I certainly didn't expect to," she added with an exasperated frown.
Matt nodded in understanding but remained silent.
"But you're so damned persistent and likable and infuriating and kind and understanding&ldots;"
"My apologies," he offered with a belligerent smile.
"And well mannered&ldots;"
"How long is this list?"
"And you make me totally crazy!" she stated in exasperation.
"Crazy good or crazy bad?"
"Both!"
"As it should!" Matt agreed smugly with a nod.
"And I love you to pieces and I haven't decided if I'm happy about it or not just yet!" she ended breathlessly, her green eyes flashing fire.
The breath went out of Matt and he sat in stunned silence, his mind trying to catch up with his heart. "What did you say?"
"You heard me," Dani pouted.
Matt's hands lifted to catch Dani's face; his palms rested against the silken skin of her cheeks, and her hair teased his fingertips. "Tell me again, Darliln'. Slowly," he pleaded huskily.
Dani slowly dissolved beneath the warm onslaught of Matt's gaze. Everything she felt in her heart was reflected back at her as his eyes dared hers to break the connection. With a shaky sigh, she murmured, "I love you, Matthew Tanner. As scared to death as I am about it, I love you."
"Oh, God, Dani."
The soft kiss Matt bestowed upon Dani was filled with awe and joy, and so tender, it made her want to weep with joy, and she felt her heart expand even more with the silent promises Matt made to her.
Matt scattered kisses as soft as a butterflies wings across her face, and when he pulled away to look at her, she was surprised to see his eyes shining with unshed tears and her own eyes filled emotionally.
"You are truly amazing, Danielle Rocmanov," he murmured reverently, his eyes taking in every nuance of her lovely face. "Now, when do you want to go pick up Miss Emily and her Mama?"
Dani looked into the face of the man she had fallen helplessly in love with and could only shake her head in wonder. She could hardly believe he good fortune to have found someone as kind and giving as the men she had grown up with. There were so few men who thought of other's before themselves. It was simply a fact of life; men were inherently selfish. Hunter was a prime example of the rule. Now she was seeing the exception, and her heart sang out in joy.
"Would you mind if we just sat her for a few minutes and breathed?" she asked quietly, her eyes filled with serenity and love.
Matt pulled her back against his chest, closed his eyes and sent a prayer to heaven for the gift that was in his arms. "We can sit here all day if you like. I can't think of any place I'd rather be," he answered her huskily.
The sun peeked through the clouds, sending shafts of sunlight in bright streamers through the tall pines. Diamond-like sparkles glittered in their tall branches as the sunlight reflected off the snow. The lake's surface was mirror smooth, and reflected the clouds that played tag above in the clearing blue sky. A doe and her mate sipped water quietly from the lake, before disappearing silently into the pines.
It was a time filled with wonder and peace. One small corner of the world where two became one. A magical wonderland made for lovers.
* * * * *
Jordan watched Matt and Dani leave the woods behind them and make their way toward the cottage, their hands linked together, laughing at something that had been shared and couldn't help but smile at the two. For the first time, in a long time, even from far away, she sensed a change in her daughter and knew she could thank only one person for bringing it about: Matt. Despite the fact he was a hockey slug, as Dani so aptly put it, he had put a smile back on her daughter's face and for that very small fact alone, she would be forever grateful.
"You're crazy!" Dani stated laughingly over her shoulder, coming through the door he held open for her.
"She'd love it; she's fearless," he argued, nodding a quick hello to Jordan who stood watching them.
"You're right; Emily's fearless. But I can guarantee you; her mother is never going to allow her on a motorcycle! Not even yours!"
"What's wrong with a motorcycle?" Matt asked, his hands spread beseechingly outward.
"You mean other than the fact it's like sitting on a lighted stick of dynamite?" Aleksei asked drolly, strolling out of the bedroom with an all-too-satisfied gleam in his eyes. The saucy wink he sent his daughter had her sending him a look filled with exasperation.
"Aleksei," Jordan scolded her husband teasingly, sending him a look so filled with love and adoration it warmed the room.
"It's a good thing we didn't come back any sooner, Matt, or you might have gotten to know more about my parents that you were ready to know," she stated, sending her father another censorious look.
"Dani! You're going to embarrass Matt," Jordan suggested, quietly apologizing for her daughter's frank comment.
"Not in this lifetime!" Dani grumbled, her eyes shining brightly as Matt sent her a calm look filled with thoughts of retribution.
"There's nothing to apologize for, Miss Jordan. It's nice to see a married couple who still like each other," he stated with an understanding smile.
"They certainly do. So much so they can't keep their hands off each other!" Dani mumbled to herself.
"What was that, pumpkin?" Aleksei asked his daughter. His ebony eyes twinkled so brightly she knew he'd heard her comment.
"Nothing Daddy," she answered quickly, hoping to escape without any further comments. She knew how much her father enjoyed embarrassing her whenever he had the chance, and she didn't feel like giving him any more ammunition that absolutely necessary.
Jordan shook her head at her husband and daughter, two peas in a pod that constantly sparred. "So, what's all this talk about putting Emily on a motorcycle?"
Dani sent her mother a beseeching look. "We were thinking that this would be a wonderful place for Emily and her mother to take a little break away from everything."
Jordan's eyebrows lifted in surprise.
"And we were trying to figure out the best way to get Emily and her mother up here," Dani finished in a rush.
"Do you think that's such a good idea with Andrew still running around loose?" Aleksei asked.
"The very fact he is still running around, and might target Emily and her mother, to get back at me - us - is the very reason they should be here with us!" Dani argued.
Jordan and Aleksei exchanged considering glances; then both turned their gazes on their daughter. It had been a long time since they had seen her so excited.
"She has a point," Jordan agreed.
"That still doesn't give us a specific plan on how to get them up here. For that matter, how do we know they'll even want to come?" Aleksei asked, looking at it from a different angle.
"Daddy, if spending time with you meant she'd have to camp in the middle of a junkyard, she'd happily do it," Dani stated factually. It was no secret Emily worshipped the ground Aleksei walked on.
"Oh, the other women I have to deal with," Jordan sighed dramatically, taking advantage of the chance to mercilessly tease her husband.
Matt looked baffled.
"Daddy is constantly bombarded by his adoring female fans," Dani offered with a bright laugh.
"Ah," Matt offered in such blatant, arrogant understanding that he had Dani and Jordan groaning in disbelief.
"Enough," Aleksei complained with good-natured humor. His dark eyes speared Matt with a direct look. "So, tell me about your plan for getting my worshipping princess, and her mother, up here?"
* * * * *
Thirty minutes later, Aleksei was placing a call from the small corner market's pay phone to the DuBois residence, explaining the situation and inviting the two of them up to the mountains.
"Do you really think that this Andrew Manning may come looking for Emily?" her mother asked fearfully.
"I honestly wish I could say the possibility didn't exist, but I can't," Aleksei answered truthfully, wishing he didn't have to explain everything over the phone; wishing he could spare this woman more worries. "The fact he made specific threats against our family, and friends, makes the possibility he could a reality and it's for that reason that I'm asking you to leave your home for a few days; just until he's recaptured and can't hurt you, or anyone else," Aleksei requested sincerely.
"How do I get there?" Mrs. DuBois asked quietly.
"We'll come for you," Aleksei stated cryptically, not wanting to risk giving their hiding spot away. In this day and age of technological marvels, anyone could be listening in to anything.
"You're putting yourself at risk by doing this, aren't you?" Mrs. DuBois asked.
"Not enough to keep me from doing it," Aleksei countered.
"You're a godsend Mr. Rocmanov," she offered softly.
"Hardly. Now what I want you to do is get together a small bag of whatever you think you'll need for a few days. Anything you forget, we can buy later. Then I want you to wait for your ride at the ice house; you'll be safer waiting in a public spot."
"Okay," she agreed readily. "When should I be there?"
"Matt should be there in about two hours."
"Matt?" Try as she might, she couldn't put an image with the name.
"Yeah, Dani's hockey slug," Aleksei offered humorously, casting Matt a sardonic smile. "Emily will know him; they've skated together before."
"Oh, that hockey slug," she nodded, remembering a large, man with kind eyes, a southern drawl and an easy smile. "Okay. Between the two of us, we ought to be able to find the right man."
"Just to be sure you don't wander off with the wrong man, ask him how Lila is doing," Aleksei stated firmly.
"We're using a code?"
"Consider it a safe-guard."
"Okay. Lila it is," she agreed, shaking her head in disbelief, feeling as if she'd fallen into the middle of a James Bond movie. "We'll see you soon."
"Yes you will."
* * * * *
Emily and Matt spotted each other at the same time, from across the crowded lobby of the ice house, and as he calmly made his way toward them, he found himself looking at everyone in the lobby in a different light. Was Andrew lurking somewhere in the crowded lobby, waiting for the right moment to cause havoc and harm yet another innocent person? Not that he would have known him even if he'd tripped over him. Fool that he was, he didn't have a clue what the man looked like. So much for being a great spy! Shaking his head to dispel his foolish and negative thoughts, he closed the distance between Emily and her mother and slipped into an empty seat at the small table they were sitting at..
"Rumor has it, there's a Princess looking for a ride somewhere in this building. Any idea where I might find her?" he asked Emily, sending her a dazzling smile.
"That depends on who the prince is!" Emily replied laughingly, surprising her mother with her unlikely comment.
Matt shrugged negligently. "Some Russian guy with a funny name. Roco, or Rocman. I don't know; I can't pronounce it," he teased her, sending her mother a friendly smile that put her immediately at ease.
"Maybe Rocmanov?" Emily asked on a conspiratorial whisper, her blue eyes shining brightly, her blonde curls bouncing as she tilted her head and looked at him a bit adoringly.
Matt pondered her suggestion, his face contorting humorously as he thought about her answer. Her bright laughter made his smile uncontrollable. "I don't know; maybe. Is he short, fat and bald?"
Mrs. DuBois couldn't contain her blurt of laughter. Never would she have thought to hear such words describing the magnificent Aleksei Rocmanov. As handsome as he was now, she couldn't imagine how women had survived his presence when he was younger.
"No!" Emily squealed. "He's tall and has lots of pretty black hair and he's the most handsome man in the whole world. That's why he's a prince! But he's a Grampa too!"
"Why your prince sounds much better than the one I'm thinking of. How about we go see the one you're talking about?" Matt suggested with a smile and sparkling blue-gray eyes.
"Do you know where he is?" Emily asked quietly.
"Nope, but Lila does," he stated, sending Emily's mother a sidelong glance that had her nodding in understanding and breathing a sigh of relief.
"Mommy?" Emily looked at her mother expectantly.
A gentle hand tussled her daughters pale curls. "You heard the man. Lila's going to take you to your prince!"
Picking up the small suitcase that sat on the floor, Matt scooped Emily into his arms, settled her on his hip and escorted Mrs. DuBois out of the crowded ice house, again searching the sea of faces for anyone looking less than happy to see him. If there was anyone that fit that profile, he wasn't blatantly obvious about it.
Making their way into the parking lot, Matt stopped before the sleek little black sports car. "Ladies, meet Lila," he offered happily, tossing the small suitcase into the trunk and closing the lid.
"Lila's a car?" Emily asked in amazement, scooting through the door Matt held for her and her mother, and settling in the small back seat.
Mrs. DuBois sent Matt a dubious look and slid into the passenger seat, making sure her daughter's seat belt was fastened before fastening her own. "It's a guy thing, sweetheart," she told her daughter, shaking her head as she struggled to control the urge to laugh out loud. She finally failed.
As Matt slid into his own seat, and pulled the seat belt snugly into place, he found himself smiling as Mrs. DuBois' light chuckle floated in the air. Sending her a quizzical look, she answered his silently asked question.
"Spy games, code names. I guess this makes me an official Bond girl!"
Matt sent her a smile meant to dazzle and devastate, and it did its job; she couldn't remember when she'd blushed so much. "Yes, ma'am. It surely does. And if I may say so, you're one of his prettier ones!"
"I really wish you wouldn't call me ma'am; I feel ancient enough already. Please call me Andie," Emily's mother requested, extending her hand politely.
Matt's large hand engulfed Andie's and he shook her hand in welcome. "Matthew Tanner," he stated with a broad smile. "You know, Miss Andie, you're the second lady to request I not call her ma'am today. I must be losing my touch!" Matt stated with a chagrined look and lopsided smile that just smacked of sex appeal.
"Matt, men like you never lose their touch; more's the pity!" Andie complained with a dramatic sigh, her eyes running appreciatively over his handsome face.
Matt's deep laughter filled the small car, and with the roar of the engine, and the sound of gravel crunching beneath Lila's wheels, the threesome headed off into the lengthening shadows of the day.
* * * * *
Matt glanced in his rear view mirror, and smiled as he watched Emily fight a valiant battle to stay awake. Considering she had spent the last ninety minutes trying to teach Matt every song she knew; he was amazed that she hadn't collapsed in exhaustion immediately. But through sheer determination, she could proudly say, she'd taught Matt every single verse to Three Little Fishes. Another lesson he had learned from her was exactly how tiring a road-trip with a child could be and he now understood why his family had only taken a couple of road-trip vacations. The whole ordeal was simply too exhausting! He couldn't imagine spending days on the road trapped in a tin can with kids filled with too much energy. He'd questioned whether or not he was going to survive the two hours!
Now, however, there was blessed silence.
Sending Emily's mother a gentle smile, he read relief in her tired eyes and understood how precious, and probably infrequent, these quiet moments were for her. "I can slow down and give you a chance at a real nap, if you like," he asked quietly, his eyes scanning the deserted road ahead of him, his headlights the only light in a forest of darkness.
"As tempting as it sounds, I don't nap. I might miss Emily needing something," she answered quietly, casting a gentle look at her sleeping child in the back seat.
"I'll stand watch over Emily. Take a few minutes for yourself," Matt encouraged her, surprised to see her eyes suddenly fill with tears. "Andie?"
She shook her head, trying to dispel his concern. "The day will come when I will have nothing but time to take naps and do what I want to do. Until that time, though, I'll spend it watching my daughter sleep and listening to her breathe and sing silly songs and flirt with handsome men. I'll need every memory I can manage to see me through the rest of my life without her," Andie murmured tearfully.
Matt nodded in silent understanding; grateful he didn't have to speak, fearful he wouldn't have been able to speak around the lump of emotion that squeezed his throat. Andie's sorrow and pain was palpable, and uncertain of exactly what to say or do, he simply reached over, and slipped her hand into his and gave it a comforting squeeze.
A sad little smile filled with appreciation curved Andie's lips and she clutched his hand tightly, a solid anchor in a swirling nightmare.
The miles of road dissolved beneath the comforting purr of the engine as they completed their journey, their hands linked in friendship.
* * * * *
Emily didn't even stir as Matt turned on to the gravel driveway and slowly drove over the uneven surface, carefully pulling up next to the shed.
"Em, we're here," her mother murmured softly, running a gentle hand along her daughter's sleep-flushed cheek. Other than an inelegant little snort, she didn't move.
"I'll get her," Matt offered, slipping from his car and groaning quietly as he stretched the kinks out of his back. A quick trip around the car had him assisting Andie from her seat.
The front door of the cottage opened and Dani skipped down the front steps, her father following at a more sedate pace. "Finally! I was beginning to worry something had happened to you," Dani complained, coming to a stop beside the car.
"I missed you too, Darlin'" Matt countered brightly, opened the trunk and lifted out the DuBois' small suitcase. Without any warning, he tossed it to Dani, and was surprised when she actually caught it.
"Were there any problems?" Aleksei asked, enfolding Andie into a welcoming hug.
Matt busied himself taking down Lila's leather top. "Not at all. It took me a little longer to drop off the motorcycle and then get over to the ice house because the traffic was so miserable. But once we left the city behind, it was smooth sailing.
"Good," Aleksei answered with a nod of conviction.
Dani watched Matt as he tucked the leather top into place. She couldn't figure out why he was putting the top down when the chances for more snow overnight were so good. "Matt, what are you doing?"
Andie and Aleksei knew exactly why he was doing what he was doing and exchanged conspiratorial glances.
Bending over the side of his car, Matt scooped a still-sleeping Emily into his arms and lifted her carefully out of the back seat. "We're here, peanut," he murmured softly, holding her tiny form snugly to his chest.
Sleep glazed sky-blue eyes gazed adoringly up into Matt's eyes and with a sleepy smile, she corrected him. "I'm not a peanut, I'm a Princess."
Dani nearly melted as she saw the gentle way Matt held Emily and sighed when she heard their brief exchange. The sudden mental image of him holding their own daughter flashed before her eyes and she found herself breathless and her heart skipping a beat at the vivid image.
"That's right, Princess," Aleksei agreed, with a low chuckle.
"Grampa 'Leksei," Emily murmured, reaching out her tiny arms for him. Without a complaint, Matt carefully shifted Emily into Aleksei's arms. "I got to ride in a spy car," Emily sleepily told her prince, unable to keep the huge yawn in.
"So I see," Aleksei agreed with a solemn nod.
"Does that make me a Bond girl, like Mommy?"
All the adults laughed at her outrageous question, and her mother's cheeks blushed hotly, despite the cool night air. To cover her embarrassment, and give her something to do, she took the suitcase from Dani.
"I honestly don't know. But if you ask me, five-year olds make much better princesses than Bond girls," Aleksei stated knowingly, remembering the times he and Jordan had been more than a little amorous in a vehicle. Besides, if a car, fancy or otherwise, got James Bond the girl, a car was good enough for him! After all, wasn't variety the spice of life?
"Okay," Emily agreed without question. She'd take Grampa 'Leksei's word for it. After all, he knew everything!
A gentle shiver shook Emily's small frame, and she snuggled closer to Aleksei's body, seeking his heat. "How'd you like to see our little castle, Princess Emily?" Aleksei asked softly, smiling at her affirmative nod. Directing his gaze to Dani and Matt, his deep voice majestically intoned, "If the two of you will excuse us, I'm going to show our visiting royalty their chambers." With a deep bow, that had Emily squealing with glee, Aleksei took his guests up to the cottage.
Dani and Matt watched the threesome make their way up the path to the cottage and listened to the sound of their voices, low and filled with laughter as they chatted before they disappeared inside. Sending Dani an appreciative look, his breath caught as he watched the moonlight pour over her, outlining her in soft light; turning her to a magical creature of the night. Clearing his throat, Matt dragged his eyes away from her and busied himself putting the leather top back up on his car. It was that or pull her into his arms and see exactly how magical she was.
Dani watched Matt in silence, mesmerized by his graceful, yet powerful, movements as he pulled the top back into place and snapped the latches closed. His every motion reminded her of restrained power yearning to be freed. Muscles rippled and flexed, and her fingers curled as she remembered how those muscles felt beneath her touch. Hugging herself to still the riotous thoughts that swirled through her mind, she sent him a hesitant smile. "Thank you for doing what you did," she murmured softly, over the top of the car, she on one side, he on the other.
"It was my pleasure, Darlin'."
"I don't know about that," Dani countered laughingly. "I'd say, more likely than not, it's a trip you won't soon forget."
Matt shared a sardonic smile with her. "You're probably right, and I can assure you, I won't ever forget the words to Three Little Fishes. You know, there has to be nine verses to that song?" he stated on a low chuckle.
"Please tell me she didn't sing the same song the whole time," Dani pleaded softly.
"Only for the first hour or so," Matt said with a relieved sigh, slowly making his way around the car and coming to stand before Dani.
"I'm sorry," Dani offered quietly, her eyes filled with moonlight.
Matt's hands came down on either side of her, resting on the top of Lila, blocking her between his body and the car. "Don't be; there's nothing to be sorry about," he stated in a low voice.
"You just spent the last two hours singing the same song over and over. In some places that might be considered cruel and unusual punishment," she offered laughingly.
"That particular thought did cross my mind about forty-five minutes into it and then Emily had herself a giggling fit - that I discovered is contagious - and I found myself falling in love with a five-year old, and thinking about babies," he stated in surprise.
Dani's smile filled with love. "Emily's magical. Anyone would be lucky to have a child as wonderful as Emily."
"I agree. But it wasn't Emily that I pictured having babies with," his eyes captured hers, "it was you," Matt said huskily.
Dani's eyes widened in amazement and her heart bumped giddily in her chest. Could it be, only moments ago, as he'd held Emily so carefully in his arms, the same exact thought had crossed her mind? How upside down had their world turned? "I'm not exactly sure how to respond to that statement. I've never had anyone offer to have babies with me before," she whispered with a disconcerted look.
"I can't tell you how happy I am to hear that," Matt stated calmly, bemused by her confusion. "Not that I wouldn't happily kick someone's ass for the privilege," he added arrogantly.
Dani laughed at his dark expression. "I hate to tell you this, Mr. Tanner, but if you'll notice, no one's looking to get in my knickers; to have babies or not!"
Matt took a step closer to Dani, and pushed his aroused body against her. "You're wrong about that, Darlin'," he murmured sexily, his mouth lowering to give her a kiss so devastating it left her breathless and weak and barely able to stand; clutching his forearms for support.
Dani's body hummed with need; and her eyes closed as his lips and teeth traced a heated trail down her neck, nipping and kissing a tortuous path, nudging aside the shoulder of her scoop-necked sweater to nibble her bare skin. His hands flexed against the top of his car, his body was the only thing that kept Dani from sliding to the ground in a puddle of raw feeling. Her fingers dug into his forearms; her sharp nails turned pain to pleasure as he pushed his hips against hers; urging her ever closer to pleasure.
The wind stirred around them; it's chill breath teasing tiny clouds of air from their lungs as they breathed in shallow puffs. Hot and cold collided, adding another nuance of riotous sensation to an already swirling world.
Matt's hands slipped beneath her sweater, slid up and over her ribcage; his rough palms sent currents of electricity racing through her body. His hands slipped over the silken confines of her bra, teasing the sensitive peaks of her breasts. Her sharp gasp of pleasure spoke of desire and a fiery need that had her lifting her face to the dark sky, her mouth parted as she struggled to breathe, and silently pleaded for more.
The sudden rush of cold air racing over the bare skin of her breasts, had her gasping in surprise, but was quickly replaced by the heat of his mouth as he worshipped the pale, satin flesh with his questing tongue and teeth. His motions were both torturous and soothing, leaving her begging for completion one moment and then mercy the next.
She struggled weakly to reach the source of her need; her fingers clutched numbly at the front of his jeans, and refused to relieve her torment. Her growl of disappointment had him smiling wickedly; his deep, sensual laugh spurred her even higher and she felt like howling in frustration.
His mouth returned to hers; his tongue delved deeply and hotly into her mouth, mimicking the motion his hips made against her own, pushing her ever closer to fulfillment and the blinding sensation that teased and taunted her.
"Fly for me, Darlin'," he demanded darkly, his hands caressing her breasts, his hips rocking seductively against hers, his mouth murmuring words that left her mind swirling madly with the mental images they suggested.
The wind howled around them; another animal of the night, as Dani slipped over the sharp edge of ecstasy; her soft scream mingling with Matt's low growl as he watched her fly apart in his arms. Lights flashed in her head; her heart pounded madly and her blood boiled in her veins as oblivion raced toward her and swept her away in its fiery path. Every nerve ending pulsed, every muscle in her body rippled, and she felt herself float on the breeze that teased her tangled hair.
Matt watched her drift slowly back to earth, his arms holding her safely and lovingly, his eyes dark and filled with love.
Dani's eyes drifted open to gaze shyly into his. "Oh my," she whispered, lifting one very heavy hand to gently caress his cheek. It was all she could think of at the moment.
"My sentiments exactly," he agreed huskily, kissing her swollen lips gently. "I love these front fastening bras," he commented casually, adjusting her bra and pulling her sweater back into place.
"I'm glad I could accommodate you," she quipped breathlessly.
"Not quite yet, but soon," he murmured deeply with a lopsided smile that made him look adorable. "In the meantime, a cold shower will help," he mumbled.
As if on command, the skies opened up with a cold, deluging rain that had the two of them soaked in a matter of seconds. Racing up the path to the cottage, they stood on the porch and watched as the rain changed to a full-blown snowstorm.
"It's a good thing you got the top back up on Lila," Dani offered laughingly.
Matt nodded in agreement, running his hands through his hair and sweeping the excess water off the back of his head. Looking at his car, his gaze was filled with consideration. "Of course, I don't know if I'll ever be able to look at Lila the same way," he muttered sadly.
Dani frowned in confusion. "It's just rain. Surely she's been in the rain before."
"Of course she's been in the rain before." Matt allowed, his gaze grow steadily more sensual. "It's just, now every time I look at her, all I'll see is you flying apart in my arms," he growled suggestively, his dark eyes glowing with sexual need.
"Matt&ldots;" Dani murmured huskily.
The front door of the cottage opened. "Are you two complete idiots? Come in out of the rain!" Jordan demanded, handing them towels.
Stepping into the warmth of the cottage, the two dried off in the small kitchen, each bearing chagrined expressions as Emily watched them.
"Miss Dani, have you got to ride in the spy car yet?" she asked innocently.
Matt coughed conspicuously and refused to meet Dani's glaring look.
Sending Emily a warm smile, she nodded and answered, "As a matter of fact, Princess, I have."
"Then I guess that makes you a Bond girl too!" she stated firmly.
Matt struggled to control his deep laugh and ended up sounding more like he was choking. The look that Dani sent him should have, by all rights, turned him to ash in the middle of the kitchen floor. Jordan and Aleksei exchanged befuddled looks and Mrs. DuBois blushed to the top of her head.
Dani lifted her chin confidently and with a mysterious light in her eyes, looked directly at Matt and announced, "It surely does, Princess. It surely does."*
Copyright © 2001-2002 C.E. Moynihan
*All Rights Reserved