From Russia With Love

Dominika sat next to Gerard quietly as the people sharing their table chattered without inhibition around them, the large hall humming with the sound of conversation that almost seemed to reverberate around the walls. Despite the abundance of company, the pair only had eyes for each other, and Gerard's hand soon found Dominika's knee and frustratingly to him, every inch of her legs cloaked in her beautiful yet restrictive dress. Soft pink blushed her cheeks as his hand worked its way slowly to her mid-thigh, now resting in the crease between her legs, close enough to make her skin tingle. Her eyes darted to his for a moment and they exchanged a knowing look, each completely aware of what the other was thinking.

Gerard broke their eye contact to lean down close enough that his lips brushed her ear, his voice deep and husky.

"Just you wait till I get you alone"

Dominika's face deepened in color, almost to crimson as she threaded her fingers through his below the table, struggling to obscure the view of her bright red cheeks with her hair. He winked at her knowingly as the corner of his mouth tugged up into a smile, his eyes bright. Dominika's eyes flicked to each corner of the room, taking in their surroundings as her fingers played with Gerard's softly beneath the table. Somehow the anxiety she felt surrounding these highly public and social events seemed lessened with Gerard there, and she began to relax with the presence of his hand reassuringly resting upon her knee.

"This must be the what? The thousandth time you've been dragged along to be shown off at one of these" Gerard said quietly, leaning closer towards her to ensure their conversation was private.

"When we're married I promise you'll only have to go when you want to" he continued "I'd prefer to keep you all to myself, anyway"

Dominika smiled up at him as she squeezed his hand in her lap and as she looked at him she considered leaning up to kiss him, although that thought was soon quashed by the reminder of the mass of people around them. She may have no longer been in Russia, but Dominika had not forgotten her childhood, raised with a strict emphasis on modesty and keeping one's own business to oneself, and she had every intention in upholding those values in America too. After all, she was now the only royal representation for her battered country, and she wanted to make both her people and her late parents proud of her. There was no reason to contribute to the sensationalism that had been the reports of their relationship in the media so far.

As the background music around them slowly drifted into softer notes with a dreamy edge Dominika noticed the atmosphere around them shift and change, and more and more couples were drawn to the previously empty floor, clearly compelled to dance. She watched them as they moved in perfect formation, perhaps longing to join them herself.

Gerard was suddenly on his feet beside her, his hand extended to her as he stood there, still looking perfectly polished in his suit. Dominika stared at him quizzically.

"Are you asking me to dance?"

"Yes, Princess" he laughed, shaking his outstretched hand impatiently for emphasis "that's exactly what I'm doing"

"I didn't know you could dance" Dominika said warily, rising to her feet and pushing her chair back into the table.

"There's lots of things you don't know about me, kid. Turns out they make you learn some pretty strange things in the military"

Dominika clasped his hand confidently then, sure she was in for yet another surprise. Gerard seemed to have a plethora of hidden talents she knew nothing about, and even now he continued to impress her with the things he could do. He led her out onto the dance floor, into a shadowy corner away from the main bulk of people that dominated the space. The music floated around them without interruption and Dominika suddenly felt tranquil and calm, Gerard's arm finding her waist and pulling her gently closer towards him. She slid her forearm over his shoulder and found his other hand with her own, twining their fingers together.

They moved slowly, leisurely around a small circle of their own making to the music, a pace all their own, and all Dominika could think in that moment was how strange the juxtaposition was between now and her pre-invasion attitude. Back then, she had immediately tried to shoot down any attempt by her parents to "buddy" them up as partners for official events, and now she simply would not have attended such an occasion without Gerard by her side.

They remained that way for the majority of the evening, still acutely aware of all the pairs of eyes that watched them silently, and as the final notes of the music tapered off, Gerard's hands found Dominika's waist again discreetly and he led her back to their table. The overhead lights were switched on shortly after they had taken their seats and Dominika squinted uncomfortably in the bright light as a well-dressed waiter set a small glass filled with clear liquid in front of her.

"What is that?" she hissed to Gerard, eyeing the glass in front of her warily. Gerard picked up his own identical drink, holding it out to her expectantly.

"Vodka, kid. Your favorite. Apparently we've adopted it as our own"

Dominika wrinkled her nose up in protest, recalling the rather unpleasant memories of her first encounter with vodka back in the abandoned warehouse in her old city. They had been on the run then, fearing for their lives, and Dominika tended to associate that particular memory with negative connotations rather than positive ones. Gerard seemed to pick up on the shift in her demeanor instantly, and he nudged her with his elbow gently, encouraging her to look at him.

"What's up?" he asked softly "you've gone all quiet"

"Nothing" she replied, shaking her head "memories, that's all. I'm trying to forget about it"

Gerard's eyes searched her own for a moment, picking up the emotion that simmered behind them. Without speaking he reached out and plucked the glass from in front of her, setting it on the table behind his arm so it was no longer visible.

"There" he said "its gone. Its soda for you, Princess"
Dominika rolled her eyes dramatically before she leaned over him, retrieving the glass in one swift motion.

"I think I can handle it"

It was Gerard's turn to roll his eyes as Dominika downed the glass in one go, setting it back, empty on the pale tablecloth in front of her.

"You never cease to amaze me" he said, shaking his head in disbelief. Dominika grinned at him, clearly happy with herself, and her smile only beamed brighter as the same waiter appeared out of nowhere, snatching away the empty glass and replacing it with a second, full one before he sauntered away once more.

"Take it easy, kid" Gerard warned, his voice low as he watched her stare down the glass. He tossed his own drink down quickly, followed by the second provided by the attentive waiter. Glancing at him sideways, Dominika followed suit and within moments both their glasses were empty.

Just as they finished their third drinks only a few minutes later, Gerard signaled silently to a figure in the shadows, and then he was on his feet, pulling her jacket quickly from the back of her chair.

"It's time to go" he said, a sudden edge of urgency to his voice "the car is waiting"

Dominika stood hastily and gripped Gerard's hand as he led her away through the foyer and out into the cold, dark streets of D.C to where John's dark car idled against the curb, steam billowing out of the exhaust in the wintry night air.

Gerard opened the backseat door as soon as they approached, gesturing for her to enter first, and he bundled himself right in after her, slamming the door behind them.

"Evening" John greeted from the front seat, turning to glance at the road behind them briefly as he pulled out into the sparse traffic "why are we in such a rush? I was halfway through the Nix game"

"I don't know" Gerard replied honestly "head of security indicated they wanted us out of there quickly. I wasn't gonna question it"

"Fair call" John retorted "hold tight. I know a shortcut"

The alcohol seemed to finally take its effect over Dominika as she sat beside Gerard there in the backseat, watching the long, dark shadows cast over his face as they sped through the back streets of D.C, her hand fumbling in the darkness to find his. Her face was hot and flustered as she lent over the space between him to rest her head on his shoulder, seeking the comfort of his touch. He looked down at her, a smile playing at the edges of his mouth as he took in the hazy look in her eyes.

"Feeling it now, kid?" he whispered softly, playing with her hair with his free hand. She nodded in agreement and then without knowing what she was really doing, her lips were on his, her actions filled with desire.

Gerard was surprised by her directness at first but quickly melted into their kiss, his lips moving against hers in unison. His hands tangled into her long hair and urged her closer to him, every fiber of his being longing for their closeness. They made out there in the darkness of the backseat as if they were the only souls around for miles, freeing all the bridled tension that had pent up in the pressure of being in such a public setting where it felt as if every action they took was scrutinized.

Dominika was breathless as she pulled away, pressing her forehead against his, electricity pulsing through every nerve ending in her body. She stroked the side of his face appreciatively, her eyes closed as she took in the unbridled lust that had just transpired between them.

John cleared his throat awkwardly and they broke apart from the intimate exchange, Dominika's cheeks flushing brightly once more. She looked around at their surrounds and realized they were parked in front of Gerard's family home, every window dark save for that of the entrance.

"Thank you, John" Gerard muttered, his attention suddenly turned to trying to find the door handle in the shadows.

"My pleasure. Sleep well"

As Gerard and Dominika scrambled out of the car and ended up on the sidewalk in front of the Way mansion, he spread his arm across her shoulder, and they waved off John's vintage Bentley for a moment as it ambled away down the driveway.

Just as Dominika turned to make her way back to into the mansion, Gerard stopped her, and his hands were at her waist again.

"Sleep in my bed again tonight" he urged, his voice husky and low "no messing around, I promise"

Dominika held his gaze for a moment before a mischievous smile Gerard had never seen before spread across her features.

"But what if I want to mess around?"

Notes

Great news guys! I've been given a brand new desktop computer continue my writing! Much easier to use than my tiny iPad mini. Enjoy this extra-long chapter :D
Thanks for reading, love your comments xo