I would deal with my dad when I saw him next; although I knew he wouldn't be happy. I would be stupid if I lied to myself. He’d probably be very mad and disappointed.
It can’t be helped. I love Dimitry Alexeyev.
Those thoughts were loud in my head. As long as he didn’t hurt innocent people, I could live with his past. And I trusted his words when he said he didn’t hurt innocents.
Placing a soft kiss on his chest, I took a deep breath, relishing in his warmth. He must have pulled the duvet cover from the bed and covered us up. It was time I got back to my normal routine, as much as I could. There was no better time than now.
I gently wiggled out of his arms, when his hand pressed tighter around me. “Where are you going?”
His instincts were truly sharp. His eyes still closed, I pressed my lips gently on his cheek. “I want to get back to my jogging. I haven’t run in almost three weeks. My joints are getting stiff.”
“I could help you with that.” His offer was oh so tempting.
I pushed myself away from him, otherwise I’d fall to temptation. “You can help me later, but I have to do this.”
He attempted to grumble a little bit. “Okay, I’m coming too.”
I watched him suspiciously. “Are you a runner?”
“I usually run on the treadmill.”
I tried to think how best to tell him without sounding like I didn’t want him to come along. “Um, why don’t you stay in bed… or rather in front of the fireplace since we haven’t made it into bed, and I won’t take long.”
“I don’t want you roaming the streets alone.” He was fully awake, and the resolution in his eyes told me it was not for negotiation.
“Dimitry, it is not that I don’t want you to come along,” I started explaining. “But I really prefer to jog alone. And I won’t leave the property. This place is big enough, I’d get my miles in.”
He didn’t answer, his gaze lingering on me. I quickly continued, “It has always been something I liked to do alone. It helps me clear my head, you know.”
He nodded. “Okay, but stay on the property. I’ll let the guards know to keep an eye on you from a distance.”
I had a feeling it was a big deal for him to back off and let me do this alone. The fact that I’d stay within the compound was probably the only reason he agreed. I didn’t mind his overbearing ways though. I knew he did it to keep me safe… who could complain about that?
I quickly brushed my teeth, washed my face, and changed into running shorts and a loose shirt, pulling on my sneakers. Before I left the room, I went to Dimitry and smacked my lips against his.
“I’ll see you in a little bit.”
He gently smacked my butt. “Run fast, milaya.”
Laughing, I left him behind in our bedroom and rushed through the house. As soon as I stepped outside, the chill in the air caused goosebumps all over my body.
“Brrr,” I muttered to myself, rubbing my arms.
Ignoring the cold, I stretched my legs and my back before I started my jog slowly. It was something I had done since I was twelve, recommended by my therapist after the abduction. I danced six days a week before the abduction, and then afterwards I couldn’t do it anymore. My therapist thought I had cooped up too much physical energy and it was making my mental state worse. She was right when she recommended it, although I couldn’t fathom why it would help. Each time my foot connected with the ground, it brought another layer of peace and my mind was clearer. It was the best therapy.
With my headphones blasting music into my ears, I felt my body and mind relaxing with each mile behind me. I loved the unique feeling running brought on, clear head and calmness.
Lost in that feeling, I didn’t even realize a whole hour went by and I had eight miles behind me. When I got back to the house, I found Dimitry with a coffee mug on the cabin porch. He wore jeans and an unbuttoned white shirt, his tats playing peekaboo with me. I had a hard time looking away from his chest, his abs and muscles tantalizing me.
Ugh, the man was hot.
“Hey there handsome. Waiting for me?” I asked him, my voice breathless.
He grinned, and I loved being the cause for it. “You know it, milaya. How was your jog?”
I came up the steps and right into his arms. “Great! Best therapy ever.”
“Is running therapy for you?” He handed me a bottle of water and I gratefully gulped it down.