It was a reasonable question.
“I am free of any STDs, and have always used a condom,” I told her. “You are the first one ever I went bareback with.” I had to smile at that. Even when women told me they were on birth control, couldn’t have children, I have never not used a condom. With Anastasia, I wouldn’t mind getting her pregnant right away and tying her to me forever. “I will never put you at risk, Anastasia.”
There was trust in her eyes as she gazed at me and I knew I would kill, torture, start a war to keep her safe. She probably wouldn’t approve but I wasn’t asking her permission. She was mine now.
It didn’t take you long to turn selfish,my soul whispered to me. I warned her I was a selfish man.
“Okay, thank you,” her voice was soft, her eyes gleaming. “I would never put you at risk either.”
There was no doubt in my mind anymore. Anastasia Manciatti was the woman to bring me to my knees.
Chapter Thirty
Anastasia
It took another few hours of driving once we left the airport. Dimitry explained Naryan-Mar, which literally translated to red town, was a sea and river port town. The whole town was situated on the right bank of the Pechora River, which was about hundred kilometers upstream from the river’s mouth on the Barents Sea.
He pointed to the town as he drove by on the highway, the area highlighted by the city lights. It looked like a typical small port town. Another forty minutes of driving and we finally neared our destination.
Dimitry pulled up through a large gate following the road along the river on the large estate that seemed to stretch forever. I never expected the sight that showed up in front of me. A large, luxury oversize cabin came to view with its wrap around porch and it felt like a magical getaway. The large windows that stretched on the front of the house must have given a magnificent view of the river, with the full moon lighting the surface of the water. There were lights all throughout the edge of the shoreline so although it was dark, the lights and the moonlight portrayed a magical scenery.
“Wow, this is beautiful!” I exclaimed. “It must look amazing when covered in snow.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Is this yours?”
“It is,” he confirmed. “Although I rarely come to this place.”
I couldn’t imagine why he rarely came. I’d steal every moment I possibly could to get here. As we exited the vehicle, I walked to the edge of the shoreline, the sound of the river gently crashing against the shore. The breeze coming off the water was slightly chilly but the view was amazing, stretching for miles in front of us.
Dimitry stayed behind with the security escort, and although he was speaking in Russian, I was sure he was providing them security details.
I felt him as soon as he came behind me. There was something about him that made my body completely in tune with his. Without turning to him, I asked him. “What is the name of the river? What sea does it lead to?”
“It is the Pechora River and it leads to the Barents Sea. We are north of the Arctic Circle.”
“That explains the chill in September.”
“It gets cold here fast, and winters are quite bleak.” I couldn’t imagine it being bleak here. I could stare at this view for months and not get tired of it. There was something wild and beautiful about this place, just like its owner. “We might be able to go for a swim, if you want to give it a try.” He didn’t have to finish the sentence for me to eagerly nod. “I’ll check the weather for the next few days and see which day is best.”
“That is awesome. I had on my bucket list dipping in the Arctic Ocean,” I told him, feeling so alive and happy. “So this might be the closest I ever get to it.”
“That’s an odd item for a bucket list,” he retorted. “You’ll have to tell me what else is on that list. Let’s go inside.”
The inside of the cabin was no less impressive. Two story living room had an open view onto the river.
“Oh, Dimitry,” I muttered glancing around. “If I were you, I’d spend all my time here.”
Another yawn escaped me, the lack of sleep catching up to me. He took my hand and nudged me up the stairs, following right behind me.
“Okay, princess. We can do a tour of the house tomorrow. Now, we have to get you rested.”
I glanced behind me and hoped I managed a seductive smile. “We are just going to rest?”
His hand came around my waist from behind. “I might have created a monster.”
A laugh bubbled inside me and I couldn’t resist teasing him more. “Oh, I was a monster all along. You just didn’t know it.”