Olivia leaned against the door after Fedor left. She shut her eyes and wrapped her arms around herself. She longed for Fedor to be her lover again. Gosh, she wanted nothing more than to go to bed with him each night, and wake up in his arms each morning, but she could not see sense in foolishly lusting after Fedor, nor was she persuaded that there existed, the element of security in a future, with Fedor, for her and Rebecca. Fedor was too good looking, too powerful, too wealthy, too ___ much! Could little her satisfy Fedor, with her meager offerings, for ___forever? Yes, life offered no guarantees, considering sky high divorce statistics in every country, but should she subject Rebecca to the emotional roller coaster? Was Rebecca not safer, with just the two of them, as opposed to having a non-permanent Fedor in their lives? Olivia did not want Rebecca growing up, hating her for introducing a father into her life, who may disappear after a few years. She did not want a hurting Rebecca in her teenage years, blaming her, for a father who may abandon them, when he finds a new love interest in a younger, female and then forget all about Rebecca. From her observation, teenagers could be emotional time bombs. Teenagers blamed their parents and hated the world for all their all-consuming emotional turbulence. Olivia did not have all the answers as a parent. There was no standard parenting rule book, that could produce role model children. Olivia very much wanted Fedor to play a hands-on parental role in Rebecca's life. She wanted her baby to see and enjoy her daddy every day, but it frightened her. The uncertainty terrified her. Her heart told her to jump in, marry Fedor, see where the future takes her, but was that wise? Was she swayed by her own lustful desire or was she taking into consideration, Rebecca's best interest? She silently screamed at her inability to be decisive and dragged herself to bed.

The following week, Fedor approached Olivia to take some time off, for them to go to Russia. He wanted his parents to meet Rebecca. His enthusiasm was infectious. Olivia was curious for Rebecca to meet her paternal grandparents. So, she'd emailed her boss and requested some leave time.

It was a Saturday morning. They were on Fedor's private jet to Russia. It would be an event less four-hour flight for Rebecca. Environmental and global warming concerns guiltily aside, Olivia was thankful, that the transit time would be expedient. Being a mother of an infant, she was thankful for small mercies and conveniences that would otherwise present too much of a challenge, with limited options to pacify a child, at ten thousand kilometers above Terra firma.

It had been a tearful goodbye with Sophia. She had given Olivia instructions on what Rebecca's favourite foods were, how best to coax Rebecca to her afternoon nap, and there was a bagful of Rebecca's favourite toys and story books. Thank heavens they had no luggage limitations. Olivia had just the one bag for herself, but there were three for Rebecca, all weather clothes took two bags, and another for, books and toys. Olivia had been pleasantly surprised when Fedor gave her an envelope to hand to Sophia. It contained more than two weeks pay. When Olivia protested, that Fedor did not need to offer so much, Fedor had been gracious when he'd murmured to her tenderly, that Rebecca was his responsibility too.

'Are you comfortable?'

Fedor knelt down in front of Olivia. He boldly kissed her cheek. She ignored the heated intent in his eyes. She was going crazy with her own need for him and he knew it, felt it and saw the evidence in her own eyes. She shut her eyes for a second, dampening the desire

'Yes. Off course,' Olivia smiled. 'Champagne, caviar, seafood, all my favourites treats and all the unhealthy snacks you have spread out for Rebecca, what can One, complain about?' Her eyes shifted for a second to Rebecca, on the floor, content with a bagful of her toys.

Fedor looked away guiltily, his cheekbones a glowing red. 'It's just to distract her during the flight. I won't go overboard, when we arrive at home,' he grinned, then stopped when he observed Olivia's raised eyebrows.

Fedor stood up and took the seat next to Olivia. He took her hands into his. 'I apologize,' he spoke softly,' his eyes focused on her hands that looked tiny, enveloped within his. 'I know Rebecca's home is with you in London. What I meant was, whichever home we are in together is home for you and Rebecca too.'

And Fedor had many homes. One palatial home in Moscow, and another beautiful and luxurious country home in picturesque Staritsa, which his parents occupied. The country home was Fedor's favourite. It was where they were heading to. Fedor had homes all over Europe. Spain, Italy, France and Switzerland, were the ones she knew of, from their previous relationship. 'When we get married,' he continued cheekily, 'everything I own will be yours equally and will be handed down to Rebecca and our future children,' he grinned mischievously.

'I didn't say I am marrying you,' she whispered, her eyes distracted by the stewardess smiling at Rebecca, and playfully talking to Pingu, as if Pingu would respond. 'And who said anything about more children? Rebecca is ___ a handful,' she lied.

The naughty grin disappeared from Fedor's face. 'You will marry me. I demand it,' he ordered.

Olivia laughed. Her eyes raked over his face hungrily. She longed to kiss him. Perhaps when they were at his home in the country, she will sleep with him.

'Will you really not give me more children?'

The subdued look he gave her, made her want to drag him to the nearest bed and have non-stop wild, crazy sex, until he impregnated her. Why the hell can't she have sex with him? She loved him. He wants to marry her. They were madly attracted to each other.

'Your daughter needs her lunch. Go!' she instructed, picking up her novel to read.

Fedor laughed. He cupped her chin, turning her face to his and  pressed his lips to hers. 'I can't wait to make love with you again,' he whispered in her ear. He rose to tend to Rebecca and did not see Olivia's face become inflamed, like a beetroot.

A short one-hour helicopter flight from Moscow and they were in scenic Staritsa, on the banks of the mighty Volga River. Staritsa is majestic with its seven-hundred-year history, a sixteenth century monastery and magnificent age-old mansions.

Fedor did not travel lightly, and again they were in convoy, with all his body guards in two four by four vehicles. Olivia had been most surprised to see Timur smiling. Whilst Fedor assisted her out of the helicopter, it was Timur who had been smitten by Rebecca. She'd had a set of headphones on, in the helicopter, and used every opportunity to talk, just to enjoy speaking into the headphones. Just when Olivia wanted to respond to a question that Rebecca had asked, it was Timur who had answered her in a soft, gentle voice, something Olivia would never have associated with the normally unsmiling Timur. So Olivia had allowed it to play out, observing with interest, Timur's spontaneous interaction with Rebecca. She had wanted to assist her daughter out of the helicopter, but Timur had beat her to it, and was cradling her in his arms as he led her to their four by four. So Olivia allowed Fedor to usher her into the vehicle.

Staritsa is breathtaking to view and even more spectacular in the winter. Water leaks form amazing art like stalagmites. It is off the beaten paths, with unspoiled nature. Lake Seliger is a large system of lakes and many small islands surrounded by natural variety of berries, mushrooms and pine wood forests. The winding road to Fedor's country home, was laced with pine trees and a fresh water stream that attracted natural flora and quenched the thirst of fauna of the region and visiting birds. The property was like a beautiful botanical garden...
We could live here. Rebecca would love it.

Finally, they arrived in the courtyard, and Fedor's parents, Arseny and Ilia Zykov were outside, patiently awaiting their arrival. Novel, with a big grin on his face, opened the door for Olivia.

'Dobro pozhalovat' obratno v Staritsu'...
Welcome back to Staritsa, Novel grinned.

Olivia rolled her eyes at Novel. 'Spasibo. Vy goverite po-angliyski v sovershenstve!' ...
Thank you. You speak English perfectly!

'A ty govorish' po-russki, sovershenneye' ...
And you speak Russian, more perfectly... he grinned.

'Olivia!' Fedor's mother smiled welcomingly, distracting her from her conversation with Novel.

'Ilia. Hi,' Olivia smiled, looking around for Rebecca and found her in Fedor's arms.

'Lovely to see you again,' Ilia wrapped her arms tightly around Olivia, hugging her to death.

'Mama. Meet my daughter, Rebecca,' Fedor beamed, in Russian.

'She is beautiful, like her mamma,' Arseny responded in Russian, laughing, as he placed an arm around Olivia, and kissed her cheek.

'Hi Arseny,' Olivia greeted Fedor's dad. She watched her daughter with interest, as Rebecca listened curiously to all the talking she could not understand. 'Rebecca does not understand Russian ___ yet,' Olivia smiled.
'May we speak English in her presence please?'

'Yes. Yes,' they chorused.

'Hello Rebecca. You are beautiful,' Ilia smiled fondly, opening her arms to Rebecca, who was still nestled in the comfort of her daddy's arms.

Rebecca extended her arms to Ilia. 'Dobroye utro.' She smiled into Ilia's surprised face.

'Everybody laughed, impressed at Rebecca's attempt at Russian.

'That is a good start, even if it is afternoon,' Ilia embraced Rebecca.

Olivia observed Timur in a whispered conversation with Fedor, who nodded, and the armed service, departed to a fancy wing of the property. She knew it was a more than respectable quarters where Fedor's body guards rested and relaxed when off duty.

'Can we take this inside. My family is exhausted,' Fedor complained and led everybody towards the entrance.

Ilia looked sideways at Olivia, who rolled her eyes mockingly. She grinned and raised her eyebrows at Ilia.

'You can ask?' Olivia invited.

'You're already married, without us present?'

Olivia's eyes shot to Fedor, just ahead of her. Arseny had his arm around Fedor's shoulder, he was speaking softly to his son, which extracted a wide grin from Fedor.

'No, we're not married ___yet.' Olivia breathed heavily.

'So, what I am hearing and what you are not saying is that my son has proposed, but you do not believe that he is able to stay away from all the pretty girls, that can't keep their distance,' Ilia uttered in her very thick Russian accented voice.

'I would like to give Rebecca a bath. Can you show me to the rooms, you've allocated for us?'

Ilia smiled, as they caught up with the men at the door, who were awaiting them. Fedor smiled and allowed Olivia and his mum to precede them inside.

'The bedroom next to Fedor is lovely and warm,' Ilia smiled, guiding Olivia away. 'It does have the inter-leading door into the main bedroom, and the sun comes through in the morning. Rebecca will love it.'

Olivia remembered Fedor's suite, when she had been in a relationship with him previously. His suite has a little kitchenette and an adjoining office. She had slept there, in Fedor's room and in his bed. It was awkward now to offer any explanation to Ilia. Perhaps it is best she assumes, that she and Fedor had resumed their sexual relationship.

'That will be lovely. Thank you,' Olivia smiled politely. She looked at Fedor and he immediately responded to her silent call.

'He's so well trained,' Ilia murmured under her breath.

Olivia laughed. 'You've brought him up well then.'

'Mmmm,' was all the response Ilia offered.

'How can I help?' Fedor kissed Olivia's cheek.

'Can I please have Rebecca's luggage. 'I'm going to bathe her.'

'I'll bring it up, right away,' Fedor hastily stepped away.

'So well trained,' Ilia repeated, following Olivia into the bathroom.

Olivia laughed again. 'Don't you have supper to do or the garden to tend to or something?'

She knew both of Fedor's parents passionately loved gardening. They often attended garden shows around Europe and brought back samples to add to their garden.

'If you really want supper at three in the afternoon, it can be served,' Ilia offered, as she ran the bath, whilst Olivia undressed a tired and sleepy Rebecca.

Olivia tested the water and lowered Rebecca beneath the foamy suds. It looked luxurious and inviting. She was tempted to slide in herself.

'We had a lovely lunch on the plane, not so long ago,' Olivia smiled. 'I think we're good for a few hours. Rebecca will nap now for about two hours. She washed Rebecca's hair and face, and sponged down her body and feet.

'Rebecca is strikingly beautiful. Arseny is correct,' Ilia grinned.

'Thank you.' Olivia acknowledged. 'Rebecca is so good, and she has an excellent day mom,' she accepted the towel Ilia handed to her.

As Olivia toweled down Rebecca, Ilia unplug the drain, and cleaned up the bath with practiced ease. Though they had an adequate supply of hired help, Ilia was not immune to doing domestic chores. She found purpose and joy in all tasks she completed. Olivia tucked Rebecca into bed.

'Pingu,' Rebecca whispered sleepily.

Olivia looked around, found Pingu conspicuously attached to her own handbag. Clever boy. Thank you Fedor. She tucked the bear into Rebecca's arms and kissed her cheek as Rebecca breathed softly and fell into deep sleep.

'I'd love a drink,' Olivia requested.

'Sure. Shall I leave the door ajar?' Ilia whispered.

'Yes, please and thank you for cleaning up after Rebecca's bath.'

'Mmmm. That's what families do,' Ilia winked.

She was no spring chicken, but Ilia looked youthful, dressed in very trendy and chic attire and had an affable personality. Olivia smiled as they entered the lounge. Fedor stood up.

'Vodka?' he offered.

When in Russia... Why the hell not? 'Yes. Thank you.'

It would be her first, in like four years. They'd had a few drinks. Arseny and Ilia chatted about the cities they'd recently visited and the interesting food they'd sampled. When Olivia went to check on Rebecca, she found her awake in bed and having an animated conversation with Pingu.

'You're awake darling!' Olivia smiled.

'Pingu want to play,' Rebecca smiled at her mom.

'I don't see why not?' Olivia laughed softly. 'Grandma has a lovely garden.'

'Ganma?'

'Yes,' Olivia put a jacket on for Rebecca and gathered her into her arms. 'Grandma and grandpa too. There is also a beautiful garden for you to play in.'

'That was a quick nap,' Ilia smiled.

'There's grandma and grandpa,' Olivia placed Rebecca on the floor and pointed to Fedor's parents.

Rebecca looked shyly at the adults. 'Dad?' Rebecca lifted her arms to Fedor.

He felt ten feet taller. His heart beat erratically. There was no sound more beautiful, than his child addressing him as "dad".

'Dad... gadin,' Rebecca pointed outside.

'Okay. Let's have a look,' Fedor smiled, his eyes inviting Olivia to join him outside.

Rebecca slid down, off Fedor's arms. She was running about, her arms outstretched. She was mumbling words, a mile a minute, unintelligently to Ilia.

'Speak slowly darling. Grandma can't understand you.'

'Ganma?' Rebecca smiled at Ilia.

'Yes. I am grandma,' Ilia nodded smilingly.

'Ganma look.' Rebecca pointed to a flower, then a shrub. 'Ganma look!' She pointed her tiny finger to a bird in the tree.

'That's a beautiful bird,' Ilia nodded.

Rebecca continued to run about curiously. The adults followed her with interest. They walked around the garden. Arseny was showing off the latest additions to his expansive collection in their garden.

'Ganma?'

'Da, moy dorogoy?' ...Yes my darling. 'I know your mum says speak English, but you make me so happy. Russian comes naturally.'

Olivia smiled. Rebecca would enjoy her grandparents, as they seem to be enjoying her. Rebecca plucked a colorful flower and handed it to Ilia. She smiled joyously at her grandma, crossed her hands behind her back and swayed happily.

Supper was an informal affair. Arseny and ilia did not bother with seating arrangements. Fedor's parents sat next to each other and placed Rebecca's high chair between theirs. Olivia tried to be unaffected by Fedor's commanding presence, even though she tried very hard, she could not keep her eyes off him, and each time she looked, his desire filled eyes, were trained on her. Tonight, he wasn't the hard-headed businessman, that she knew. Instead, he was all sexy, taut muscled, sinew and flesh that she was all too intimately familiar with. And she craved him like a drug addict craved their next fix.

Long after supper and drinks and extra play time for Rebecca, Fedor's parents retired for the night. After reading Rebecca a story, Fedor kissed Rebecca and then Olivia on the cheek and bid them goodnight and departed to his suite. She could hear Fedor's shower running and decided to take her own shower. Olivia climbed into bed, next to her daughter and smiled at her beautiful baby who was tucked in and fast asleep.

Olivia's ears were attuned to Fedor in the next room. She could hear his soft footsteps as he moved about his suite. The whiff of his cologne drifted to her nostrils.
She closed her eyes. All the memories came flooding back. Four years later, and she could still remember his erotic touch, could feel his hair roughened skin, over her body, could taste his kisses.

As if in a trance, she opened the inter-leading door between their rooms. The light was of, but the moonlight filtered through sufficiently for her to recognize that everything in his room, was familiar and as it had been four years ago. She covered the few steps to his bed, and found he was still awake.

His upper body lifted to the sound of her uninvited presence. She knew he was naked beneath the sheets. His bare chest looked appealing. She wanted to rake her fingers over the fine curly hairs, and rediscover the masculine lines of his tempting upper torso. She could not bear the ache any longer. She was burning for his possession.

'Fedor, I want you.'

She lifted her sleep shirt over her head and let it drop to the floor.
His eyes feasted over her naked body. She was as beautiful, as she had been four ago. No evidence of her having had a baby. Her breasts were pleasing, a little fuller, but her hourglass shape, was the same. He knew her firm curves hid his view of a very tight, rounded behind. Olivia expelled a shaky breath.

For a long moment their eyes stayed locked. Her ears were attuned to his fractured breathing. He lifted the sheets and she stumbled to the bed, sliding in, next to him.

'If I touch you, I won't stop, till I make you mine again,' he vowed.

Too afraid to speak, in case the explosive spell broke, she nodded, as his warm breath, caressed her cheek.
The scent of Fedor swept through her every pore. Her breasts felt heavy. A throbbing in her lower abdomen shot its way between her thighs. Arousal tingled her skin. She was mesmerised by the burning heat in his hungry stare. Primal need coursed through her. A pain she couldn't control spiked through her insides. Her tight pouting pink nipples glistened.
A pulse of lust slammed through Fedor's body. Olivia's nose filled with the scent of his male arousal. His fingers traced the dip of her waist, the sexy curve of her hips. Her slender, toned legs excited him. Every inch of her body was an invitation of divine pleasure, just as he remembered... His lips pressed against hers. His heavy-lidded eyes held her passion-drugged gaze.
Her arm curved around his neck.
Her mouth opened, hungrily, capturing his. She groaned, a long moan, wrenched from her throat. Her other arm wrapped around him, her fingers, wildly, spearing through his silky hair. Her breasts pressed against the wall of his muscular upper body.

'I want you Fedor. I want you,' she pleaded unashamedly.

He lowered her onto his pillow. She pulled him onto her body. Fedor struggled to control the burning hunger, roaring through his body. She writhed beneath his weight. He kissed her with slow sensuality then, spurred by her impatience, with driving hunger. His tongue traced a sensuous path up from her stomach to her tender nipples. His fingers caressed her sensitized breasts. Desired stabbed through her inner mound. Her body trembled with need. She gasped and whimpered, with his slow progress. She moaned, shook her head from side to side, lifting her pelvis suggestively. She lifted her palms, allowing it to glide over his skin. His hand slid between her legs, his fingers torturous over her inner thighs. Her legs parted invitingly. Her pelvis pushed into his hand.

'Fedor....'

'You are beautiful and hot, as I remember,' he growled near her ear.

She pushed him away a little from her, to curve her palm around the engorged shaft of his erection.

'Don't rush me, darling. It's been so long,' he groaned.

'I can't wait,' she pleaded, applying added pressure to his erection.

'Olivia,' he moaned helplessly, with a guttural sigh and slid deep into her.

Her muscles tensed. It had been a while, but like muscle memory, she relaxed, closed her eyes and felt all of him rumbling inside her. It was pure bless. Her arms tightened around him, her pelvis lifted, as he slowly moved deeper into her. She sobbed with joy, whispering her pleasure, begging him not to stop. He withdrew himself again and again, then thrusted deeper and harder, driving her to a state of euphoria and an unforgettable, star-studded climax, that brought tears to her eyes. Fedor groaned loudly, exploding, and filling her completely. His lungs burned, but he held her tightly, kissed the hot tears, sliding down her cheek.

'That was out of this world,' he smiled, kissing her tenderly, not allowing her out of his arms.

'You were beautiful,' she whispered, cupping his face.

'Thank you for coming to me,' his tone was husky.

'You're hard to resist,' she whispered, kissing him again, moulding him in position, not allowing him to slide of her.

'Could have fooled me, darling' he teased thinking of the four years, they'd been apart.

'Shut up,' she murmured, her tongue caressing his throat.

His mouth closed over her nipple, his tongue laved the tip, exciting her arousal all over again. Her thighs tightened around him, her pelvis pressing against his. He was still inside her, she could feel his erection pulsating again. His eyes locked with hers.

'Yes. Yes,' she whispered, kissing him wildly, hungrily again.

            -end chapter ten-