Romance The Ice in Russia

"Do you go to church at home?" Anatoli asked and grinned at her when she turned her face his way.

"No, but I want to experience everything I can while I'm here," she told him. "If I'm not sleeping, I'd love to come with you all."

Irina smiled and reached out to pat Lena on the shoulder. "She's lovely, ever so much more than that Natasha," she said to Anatoli in Russian. "You are a lucky boy, Anatoli."

Anatoli looked away from Lena's curious stare and scowled at his brother and cousin who snickered at Irina's comment.

"What happens tomorrow?" Lena asked in another minute when no one said anything.

"We have a big dinner all together," Vlad said, spreading his arms and opening his eyes very wide to demonstrate just how large a meal it would be. "And we skate in the morning."

"Skate?" Lena repeated.

"Yes," Anatoli stepped in, taking the few steps to her chair and perching on the arm next to her. He sent a triumphant look to his brother when Lena leaned towards him. "We all meet some friends and have a hockey game every year that I am home at this time."

"Sounds like fun," Lena replied.

Anatoli chuckled at her tone. Whatever she might say out loud, her tone told him that she thought it was the furthest thing from fun.

"It is!" Maksim exclaimed and laughed. "They all play like animals and we watch with our hot drinks and laugh at them."

Lena grinned at his words. "That definitely sounds like fun!"

Anatoli laughed as well, slinging his arm across the back of Lena's chair and making himself comfortable as they all chatted. He and Vlad served as translators when necessary, but Lena insisted on learning some words and phrases. Everyone patiently helped her with pronunciation of a few common phrases like, 'how much for the taxi ride?' or 'which way to the washroom?' She was a quick learner but her accent was so terrible that they were all laughing by the end of the afternoon. She took it well, blushing and laughing along with them.

"Who is hungry?" Irina announced as the sun sank out of sight beyond the windows.

Anatoli yawned and turned his face when he saw Lena doing the same out of the corner of his eye. He winked at her and she smiled in reply, her eyes glassy with exhaustion.

"Are you hungry?" he asked her quietly as his mother hurried off to the kitchen to make dinner.

"A little bit," she replied. "Mostly I'm just tired."

"Me too," he admitted. "My mother will just make a light dinner tonight. We can eat and sleep before church."

"When do we leave for church?"

"Not until later. Ten, I think," Anatoli replied and asked his father in Russian if he was correct. His father nodded briskly before returning to his conversation with Vlad and Pavel.

"Oh good," Lena said and smiled.

Anatoli returned the smile and felt himself leaning closer to her. A blush spread across her cheeks but she didn't move away from him. Vlad laughed at something his father said, startling Anatoli and Lena, and Anatoli jerked away from her.

"Time to eat!" Irina shouted from the kitchen.

Anatoli stood up and held a hand out towards Lena. She placed her smaller hand in his and smiled as he helped her to her feet. Vlad gave him a smirk as he passed by and Anatoli chose to ignore it. Together, they all walked into the kitchen where Irina had some soup and biscuits prepared.

Lena couldn't sleep following the light dinner. She went to her little room and lay down on the bed, but her mind was spinning from everything she'd seen and experienced since she'd left Washington. She didn't know what rated higher at the moment; meeting Anatoli or arriving in Russia. Happily, they seemed to coincide.

She smiled at the ceiling as she lay on her back on the bed. Anatoli had been most attentive since arriving at his family's home, helping her translate and teaching her some simple phrases. In fact, the entire family had been more than welcoming and understanding about the language barrier. She wished she'd had more time to study at least a little Russian, but her great aunt had given her barely two weeks notice before the flight left.

She must have dozed off because the next thing she could recall was a light knocking at her door. Jumping from bed, she hurried over and yanked the door open to see Anatoli standing there, a smile on his handsome face.

"Hi," she said, her voice husky from sleep.

"Hi," he replied and leaned one shoulder against the door frame, looming over her. "We're getting ready for church now."

"OK," she said with a nod and looked back towards her room. "I guess I'll change. Uh, what should I wear?" She asked after a moment, glancing back at Anatoli.

He shrugged one shoulder. "Something nice. You have a dress?"

She nodded and turned away, heading for the suitcase she'd set down in the corner earlier. She hadn't bothered unpacking right away, preferring to spend time with the family instead. Lifting it to the bed, she opened the flap and flicked through some of her clothes. Looking up, she noticed that Anatoli had walked into the room with her.

"That looks good," he commented as he reached out to grab the edge of a blouse.

"It's just a top," she replied and took it from his hands. She met his gaze and flushed at the bright look in his eyes.

"How about this?" he tried again, grasping something else and pulling it out.

"That's just a shirt too," she said and yanked it from his fingers just as he was about to lift it out of her reach.

Oh God, she thought, blushing to the roots of her hair. He's going to find my underwear soon if this keeps up.

As he reached for something else, she took decisive action, slapping the suitcase closed and glaring half-heartedly at him. Laughing, he held his hands up in surrender and backed out of the room.

"I'll let you get dressed," he told her at the doorway. With a wink, he turned and left her alone.

Sighing, Lena rubbed her face and walked over to shut the door behind him. She leaned her back against it and breathed deeply for a few seconds, trying to calm herself down. It had been a long time since a man had made her feel so... unbalanced.

After another few seconds, she strode back to her suitcase and selected a modest, full-length dress; the one dress she'd packed. Changing quickly, she checked her hair and make-up and then hurried downstairs to join the family. They were all ready, standing and talking near the front door as she came down the steps. They all turned to look at her as she descended.

"You look beautiful, Lena," Irina spoke first, grinning and pulling her into a warm hug.

"Thank you," Lena replied, flushing from the praise. She met Anatoli's gaze over his mother's shoulder and he winked at her.

A few minutes later, they were all bundled together into the family vehicle, heading through mostly quiet streets towards the church. It was a beautiful building, made almost entirely of stone and dotted all over with stained glass windows. Lena gaped at it as they emerged from the car. She stood so long in the chilly night that Anatoli had to get her attention.

"Lena?" he spoke her name softly and she turned her head, seeing him close at her side, leaning low so he could look into her eyes.

"Sorry," she replied and slipped her hand through the arm he offered, shivering when he gave her fingers a squeeze with his hand. "I was just admiring the building."

"It is pretty," he agreed.

"It's beautiful," she replied, gazing upwards as they walked inside.

They didn't say anything else as Anatoli led her inside. He took her coat and hung it up for her while she gazed around the interior of the church. The ceiling was vaulted, with large stone pillars lining the outer edges of the rows of pews. There were quite a few people already sitting down and several called out warm greetings to the family as they made their way to an empty pew.

Lena smiled shyly as the people stared curiously at her but relaxed as Anatoli took her elbow to help her to her seat.

"Do you know everyone here?" she asked quietly, leaning close to him. She was glad that he'd sat next to her.

He shook his head as he looked around, waving occasionally. "Not everyone. Mostly they are friends of my parents."

Lena nodded and continued to look around until the priest moved to the altar and the service began. She tried to follow and hummed along with the hymns as best as she could, but didn't embarrass herself by trying to pray or sing in Russian. Before she knew it, the service was ending and everyone was filing out of the church.

"Did you like it?" Anatoli asked as they made their way back to the coat room.

"It was lovely," she said with a smile. "Even if I didn't understand all of it."

"I could have translated for you," Anatoli said with a laugh, grasping her elbow as the crowd pressed close.

"It's all right. Besides, you're not supposed to talk in church, or didn't your mother ever tell you that?"

Anatoli chuckled, his blue eyes sparkling. "I don't always do as I'm told."

Something in his tone made Lena look up at him. She swallowed hard as his eyes darkened and he leaned closer. Then Vlad called their names and they looked over to see Irina waving at them. Glancing back at Anatoli, she saw the disappointment she felt mirrored on his face.

Irina gave her shoulders a squeeze as Lena approached the older woman and waited patiently as Irina introduced her to some friends. One of the older ladies before her said something to Lena in Russian, clearly asking a question, but Lena had no idea what it was.

"She is asking how long you are staying," Anatoli spoke quietly into her ear.

Shivering, Lena glanced back to see him leaning close. "Oh, can you tell her?"

Anatoli nodded and replied to the older lady in Russian. She said something else and patted Irina's hand, before smiling again at Lena and walking away. Lena looked back at Anatoli to find out what her parting comment had been, but Anatoli wouldn't meet her eyes. And... did she see a flush in his cheeks?

Irina laughed and hugged Lena, as she translated instead. "She says you are a good woman for Anatoli."

"What?" Lena exclaimed, feeling her cheeks flame.

"You are friendly and pretty," Irina said, as though that explained everything, and she hurried away to collect her coat from her husband.

"Is she serious?" Lena asked, looking up at Anatoli.

"Yes," Anatoli replied and smiled at her. "She is my mother's old friend and always talks about me settling down and getting married."

"She thought that's why I'm here?" Lena asked and laughed.

Anatoli merely shrugged and held his arm out for her to take. Smiling, Lena slid her hand through the crook of his elbow and walked with him to get their coats. A few minutes later, they were all in the car again, traveling back through town to the house.

Back at home, Irina and Maksim excused themselves, saying they were too old and tired to stay awake any longer. Lena thanked them profusely for allowing her into their home and they smiled and hugged her good night. Pavel went off to his room and Vlad and Anatoli wandered into the kitchen to look for something to eat. Lena took herself up to her room to change out of the dress.

She was a little surprised that she didn't feel tired. Her little nap before church had restored her. After changing into some relaxed clothes - sweats and a tank top - she headed back downstairs to join the brothers in the kitchen. They were chattering away in Russian when she walked in, but switched to English for her benefit.

"You guys didn't have to do that," she commented and accepted a glass of juice from Anatoli.

"If we keep speaking in Russian, you won't know what we're saying," Anatoli replied.

She shrugged as she sat down at the table with them. "It's all right. How else am I supposed to learn?"

Vlad said something to Anatoli that made Anatoli punch him in the shoulder; hard. Vlad laughed and stood up. He said 'good night' to them and walked out of the kitchen, leaving Lena alone with Anatoli.

"Are you tired?" she asked. She wanted to ask what Vlad had said before leaving, but figured there were some things that were just between brothers.

"No," he replied with a chuckle. "Not really. You?"

"Nope."

They smiled at one another until Lena was forced to look away. She drank her juice and gazed around the kitchen. "This is a lovely home," she said.

"It is," he agreed, still watching her. Even though she wasn't looking his way, she could feel the weight of his gaze, like a shaft of sunlight.

"It must have been a wonderful place to grow up in."

"It was," he replied and Lena heard the sound if his chair scraping across the floor.

She glanced over in time to see him move to his chair right next to her. Her heart thudded dully in her chest and she swallowed hard. He was smiling at her and she couldn't help but smile back.

He shifted so he was resting one arm across the back of her chair and sliding his hand across the table until it brushed her wrist. She held herself completely still but found herself unable to look away from his clear blue eyes. He hadn't shaved in a couple days. She noticed that there was a light layer of dark whiskers along his jaw, over his cheeks and across his upper lip. Unconsciously, her tongue swept along her lip. She felt something inside of her loosen when she saw his pupils grow large.

Then he was kissing her; no light brushing of lips, but a real, devouring, bone-melting kiss. The hand on her chair moved to cup the back of her neck and she moaned against his mouth, tilting her head back without even thinking about it. She parted her lips under his and trembled when his tongue swept inside her mouth.

Time slowed and Lena forgot that she was in a foreign country and that she'd just met Anatoli.

God, if I'd known he kissed like this, I would have done it on the plane, she thought, feeling giddy and light-headed.

He pulled his lips from hers as he cupped her face with his other hand. His eyes flashed through her for one second before he lowered his head to suck her lower lip into his mouth. Then he moved on, trailing hot, moist kisses down the column of her throat.

She was breathing hard and only then realized she was clutching his biceps; his nicely shaped biceps, that flexed as he tilted her head one way and then the other, continuing his slow assault on her. His lips were now nibbling at the soft skin beneath one ear and there was definite moisture pooling between her legs.

He drew his head back to look into her face and their eyes met. Then he was kissing her again and it was a different kiss; less exploratory and more dominating. He devoured her and Lena moaned, wrapping her arms around his neck and hauling her body against his. One of his hands dropped to slide around her waist and he dug his fingers into her flesh where it peeked out from between her top and pants. He buried his other hand in her hair as he angled his mouth over hers and took the kiss deeper.

Lena bowed against his body, savoring the feeling of his arms around her and his tongue inside her mouth. He tasted so good to her and felt so good under her hands. She could feel how tense he was against her, and how he held himself back from doing more. Lena was torn between respect for him, and the urge to force him to lay her down on the kitchen table right now.

She was saved from any decisions when loud footsteps clambered down the stairs.

As she broke away from Anatoli, she was breathing hard and her heart was pounding way too fast inside her chest. She leapt to her feet before the newcomer appeared in the kitchen and walked across to the sink. She braced her hands against the counter and looked around just as Pavel wandered in.

He mumbled something that sounded like a greeting and offered a smile that she returned, just barely. Before anyone could say anything else, and before Anatoli had even moved from his seat, Lena said 'good night' and hurried from the kitchen. As she went upstairs, she thought she heard the two men talking but she didn't stop until she was safe in her own room.

She closed the door and leaned her back against it, holding her throat with one hand. The blush was creeping up her skin and she felt the heat rising swiftly; as if she wasn't already hot enough from what had just happened.

What was I thinking? she wondered, squeezing her eyes shut.

A knock on the door right by her head made her yelp in surprise. She bolted across the room and whirled to face the door, her heart hammering against her ribs. Anatoli's soft voice carried through the door and she kicked herself mentally for her reaction. She quickly crossed back to the door and opened it a crack.

"Are you all right, Lena?" Anatoli asked her, his expression concerned.

"I'm fine," she replied, looking down. She could still feel the flush heating her cheeks and couldn't bring herself to look at him.

"I'm sorry if I... if what I did... upset you," he said, his speech hesitant.

She did look up then and saw him smiling sheepishly at her. Even in the dim light from her room, she could see the twinkle in his eyes and knew he wasn't sorry; not really.

"I'm not sorry," she said, surprising herself.

His face split into that grin that turned her insides into mush. "I'm so glad," he told her, leaning close, close enough that all Lena could see was his eyes. "Because I'd like to do it again."

She laughed and nodded, opening the door a little wider. "I'd like that too," she replied, barely getting the words out before he kissed her.

His lips were warm and she leaned against him, putting her palms on his broad chest. His heart beat a steady rhythm under her hand and she smiled against his lips, making him draw back to look at her.

"What is funny?" he asked, a smile playing on his lips.

Before she could answer, he kissed her again, his tongue pushing between her lips. She yielded without protest, sighing a little as he delved inside her mouth, sliding his tongue over hers, sending little shock-waves through her system. His hands were on her body now, pulling her hips closer to his and she went with him, feeling her knees quake when she felt the rigid evidence of his desire against her belly.

Still he kissed her, lazily exploring her mouth and taking his time tasting her. She was helpless in his arms and didn't care at all if he never let her go.

I want to do this all night. This and so much more, she thought, shocking herself.

It was enough of a shock that she broke the kiss and spent a few seconds trying to catch her breath. She wasn't alone in that; she could feel Anatoli's rapid breaths brushing the hair over her forehead. Lifting her eyes, she met his dark blue gaze and felt more of her insides come unglued.

"I..." she started, and stopped when her voice came out as nothing more than a croak. She cleared her throat and smiled as he chuckled deeply. She tried again. "I can't stay up."

A strange look crossed his features and he stepped back, dropping his hands from her waist. "I'm sorry for keeping you awake," he replied, still smiling in spite of his obvious disappointment. "I should let you sleep."

Lena knew she should let him go back to his room for the night. He was doing the right thing letting her go, putting some distance between them. But something had shifted inside her and she knew she didn't want to sleep alone tonight.

With a grin, she reached for his hand, sliding her little fingers inside his bigger hand. He squeezed her fingers, his eyes still on her face, still dark with yearning.

"I'm not tired," she told him.

"No?" he replied, his voice barely loud enough for her to hear.

She shook her head and gave his hand a little tug as she stepped backwards into her room. His eyes widened before he followed her inside. Reaching back with one hand, he shut the door.

Alone in the room with him, Lena realized how much he filled the space. He literally dominated the room, and when he stepped closer to her, lifting his hands to cup her face, her heart banged harshly inside her chest. She swallowed and offered him a tremulous smile. He grinned back, his eyes dark.

Should I be doing this? she asked herself. I just met him today. Or... last night. God, I don't even know what day I'm on!

Anatoli must have seen the indecision on her face because he smiled and pressed a sweet kiss to her lips before taking a step back. He dropped his hands from her face and closed his fingers around one wrist in a soft caress. Lena shivered, looking down at their hands.

"Lena," he murmured. "I want to stay here with you."

Lena smiled at his honesty and nodded at him.

"If you want me to," he added.

"I do," she whispered back and closed the gap between them, reaching up to put her arms around his neck.

"Are you sure? We just met," Anatoli replied with a chuckle. Even as he spoke, he closed his arms around her waist, running his palm over the small of her back and lower.

Lena bit her lip, her resolve slipping away. She was desperately attracted to him but she didn't want to force him if he wasn't comfortable with it. Or was that just an excuse?

Drawing in a deep breath, Lena looked up into his face and smiled. She ran the back of her fingers across the side of his neck and drew his face close to hers. Without a word, she pressed their lips together, letting the gesture speak while she couldn't speak out loud. Anatoli's arms tightened around her and she was drawn right up against the full length of his body. He took over the kiss, grasping the back of her head and tilting his mouth over hers as his tongue drove inside her mouth.

She sighed in relief as he took control, loving the feeling of his mouth on hers. It had been mere minutes since he'd first kissed her and she already felt like she knew his taste better than anything else. A brief picture of Eddy flashed through her mind and she pushed it away, wondering why she'd think of him now. It had been an entire day since she'd even given Eddy a passing thought.

I can't be comparing them to each other, she thought, shivering as Anatoli stroked his tongue along the side of hers. No, there's no comparison between these two men.

Another minute passed with Anatoli deftly exploring her mouth as his hands clenched her body to his. Lena felt his legs move against hers and she was practically dragged backwards until she felt the bed behind her knees. Anatoli stopped there and just kissed her, making her feel weak all over.

Before she could blink or even move, he closed his hands on her hips and lifted her onto the bed. She fell away from him with a gasp and looked up as he crawled over top of her. Her breath left her in a whoosh and she laid her head back as Anatoli lowered his mouth to her throat. She held onto his shoulders as he licked her skin, his breath hot.

"Mmm, you taste like..." Anatoli murmured against her neck. He didn't finish the sentence, letting it hang between them as he sucked on the pulse point beneath her chin.

She laughed, the laugh turning quickly into a moan. Her fingers dug into his shoulders until he lifted his head at last. He grinned down at her, his eyes dark. She blinked a few times, feeling a little dazed by everything. Then she smiled back at him, moving her hand to run her fingers through his hair.

"I taste like what?" she asked in a hoarse whisper.

He lifted an eyebrow at her before grinning wickedly. Her heart leapt within her chest and she squeaked in surprise as he moved off her. She sat up and giggled when he reached for her shirt, jerking it up and over her head. Then he was pulling at the waist of her sweat pants, sliding them down her legs. It was all happening so quickly, that Lena didn't have time to feel self-conscious.

Anatoli put his hands on either side of her head after discarding her pants and looked into her eyes as he lowered his lips to hers. This time, his kiss was gentle, but still hot. Lena melted against him, lifting her hands to his shoulders and lying down under him. His hands moved from her head to her shoulders as her eyes drifted shut. He skimmed his thumbs along the sides of her breasts and then moved them lower. Before she knew what he was doing, he'd hooked his thumbs in the elastic waist of her panties and was pulling them down.

The kiss broke off abruptly and Lena's eyes fluttered open to see Anatoli pulling his shirt off. Lena was already breathing hard, but at the sight of his broad chest, her breathing grew positively ragged. Anatoli must have heard the change because he met her eyes and winked before leaning over her again. He kissed her lips before moving on to her cheeks, her neck and the swell of her breasts.

Just as Lena was adjusting to the feel of his whiskery lips on her breasts, he was moving on, his tongue gliding across the skin of her belly. When she realized his destination, Lena felt a shudder run through her body. Searing heat coursed through her and settled between her legs at the moment Anatoli parted her thighs, slipping his fingers between them.

Her head fell back on the bed and her hands clenched into fists. Anatoli stroked her once, twice and then his breath slid across her upper thigh. Lena was trembling all over and barely stifled her cry of shock when his mouth closed over her. She clamped a hand over her mouth, breathing hard through her nose as Anatoli slid his tongue down and then back up, raising her temperature by at least a hundred degrees.

Then the tip of his tongue dipped inside, sliding along the edge of her wet lips and drawing a strangled noise from deep in her throat. He did it again, coupling it with a stroke above with one long finger. Then she felt him slide his fingers down and spread her open. His tongue swirled around the hard nub of her desire and he pushed two fingers inside of her. He slid them out a second later only to plunge them right back in. All the while, he sucked on her, his hot breath making her tingle. The tingling increased in intensity as he played with her, teasing her, until he closed his lips around her and sucked hard. A ragged moan escaped her as she convulsed, her orgasm sweeping through her and leaving her absolutely breathless.

He lifted his head after another long moment and idly stroked her with two fingers, just playing with her soft opening as he looked up at her. She swallowed as she met his blue eyes and wondered if she looked as stunned as she felt.

"You taste sweet," he murmured, his voice husky.

His words sank in and then a blush spread over Lena's entire body. She giggled helplessly, covering her face with both hands.

Chuckling, Anatoli reached up to pull her hands away.. Lena couldn't look at him. She felt so exposed and knew it was ridiculous, but no one had ever made her feel this way. Eddy had been her most experienced lover. They'd been together for almost a year and had been lovers for most of that time, but he'd never once made her come like that.

"Lena, don't hide," Anatoli whispered to her, moving over her and pressing a hot kiss to her collarbone. "You're beautiful."

"No, I'm not," she muttered but let him pull her hands away from her face.

"Yes, you are," he insisted and kissed her on the lips. His tongue and lips tasted different, which brought a fresh blush to her cheeks.

Then she yawned, her mouth opening wide. "Oh, excuse me," she murmured.

"You're tired," Anatoli said and lay down beside her.

"A little," she confessed and went willingly when he closed his arms around her shoulders. With a sigh, she settled herself against his body, her head fitting just under his chin.

"Sleep, Lena," he urged her before groaning out his own broad yawn.

Jet lag is a bitch, she thought before falling swiftly asleep.

Anatoli couldn't believe the woman was still in his arms the following morning. He awoke with warmth beside him and opened his eyes to see Lena's slumbering face. Smiling, Anatoli rubbed his nose against her bed-tangled hair and inhaled. Memories from the previous night flooded his senses and he hardened instantly.

God, she'd come so easily for him, effortlessly. He squeezed her close to his side and breathed her in again, the scent of her surrounding him. Unconsciously he licked his lips, remembering how she'd tasted.

He was shocked when an image of Natasha pushed into his thoughts. He lifted his head and scowled at the ceiling.

Why the hell am I thinking of her? he wondered.

Maybe it was because she'd never liked to have him between her legs, as he'd done with Lena last night. Natasha used to say that she didn't want to 'owe him anything.' She had always been keeping score. Every time he left Russia to play in Washington, she'd remind him that he owed her three weeks before the end of the year. It had always been that way with her.

Sighing, Anatoli shook his head to rid himself of the useless thoughts. The woman in his arms stirred and he told himself that it didn't matter what Natasha had been like, because she was no longer a part of his life. If she was, he'd never have had this opportunity with Lena.

He looked down as she lifted her face and blinked her eyes open. She frowned for a second and then smiled, snuggling close to him again.

"Good morning," she murmured, her voice thick from sleep.

"Good morning, Lena," Anatoli replied, squeezing his arms around her. He recalled that she'd fallen asleep naked. His cock hardened even more.

"What time is it?" she asked.

Glancing at the clock on his side of the bed, Anatoli told her. "It's seven," he said, then swore. "The game is in an hour!"

"Game?" Lena repeated in confusion.

"The hockey game," Anatoli said and groaned when he untangled their limbs.

She laughed but let him go, watching as he searched the dark room for his discarded shirt.

"Do we eat breakfast before we go?" Lena asked, keeping her head on the pillow they'd shared.

Anatoli had to force himself to walk further away from her as he answered. She looked entirely too attractive in the bed just then. "Something light," he told her. "Then a big dinner after."

"Sounds great," she murmured and yawned, lifting one hand to cover her mouth. She dislodged the blanket from her body as she lifted her arm, revealing soft, creamy skin and the sexy curve of one breast.

Anatoli felt his blood start to hum and he took a step closer. Then he heard a door open somewhere in the house and knew he had to leave the room immediately. Smiling weakly at Lena, he darted out into the hallway, running right into his brother Vlad. He froze, meeting his brother's curious gaze and cringing when Vlad grinned. Neither of them spoke. They both moved down the hall and continued downstairs to the kitchen before speaking.

"Sleep well?" Vlad inquired casually as he moved around to the sink.

"Yes, I did," Anatoli replied, deciding that he had nothing to hide. He was a grown man and Lena was most assuredly a grown woman. They'd done nothing wrong.

Vlad said nothing else, merely quirking at eyebrow at his brother. He downed a full glass of water as he stared at Anatoli and then shrugged.

"Just be careful, brother," Vlad said. "You don't know anything about Lena."

Anatoli snorted and moved around to the refrigerator to get a drink for himself. "I know enough."

"She doesn't even know you're a hockey player, does she?"

Anatoli shrugged as he poured himself some juice. "She might."

"Don't be stupid. Natasha knew the life you led before you started dating and she still didn't want to be with you."

Slamming the fridge door, Anatoli threw a glare at his brother. "Thanks, Vlad."

"If you like Lena, you should be honest with her," Vlad told him. "If you want to make any sort of relationship with her work, you have to confess before you leave in three days."

"What difference does it make?" Anatoli demanded, beginning to feel frustrated; with his brother for destroying his morning buzz and with himself for knowing Vlad was right. "She knows I work in Washington, so it shouldn't come as a surprise when I have to go back after the holidays."

"No, but it will come as a surprise when she sees your name in the newspapers in a week for that charity event you're sponsoring," Vlad replied with a smirk.

Anatoli didn't say anything for a long minute. He drank his juice and glared at his brother, wondering if Lena would care about his career as Natasha had. In the end, it has been the breaking point between them. He did like Lena, however short a time they'd known each other, and he didn't like to think that he could be destroying a relationship before it even started. Sighing, he set his glass down and rubbed his closed eyes. Vlad walked around the room to pat him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, brother," he said quietly. "It'll all work out."

Anatoli nodded, not entirely sure.

"Come on, we have to leave for the rink," Vlad said, slapping him hard on the back before walking away.

Anatoli trailed after him to get dressed and pack their equipment. He thought about Lena and telling her the truth, and decided that he'd talk to her that night after dinner. The family always went to bed early after the enormous meal his mother prepared. He'd be able to go to her room again. Smiling to himself at the thought, he hurried to leave the house with Vlad and Pavel to go play hockey.

"Lena?" Maksim's tentative voice came from the other side of her door. "Are you awake?"

"Yes," she called out and hurried over to answer the door. She was already fully dressed and extremely excited to go watch this hockey game. "Good morning!"

"Good morning," Maksim replied with a grin. "If you'd like to eat, come down. We leave for the rink in ten minutes."

"All right," she agreed and followed him down to the kitchen.

Irina was already hard at work preparing the meal for that evening. She grinned at Lena, giving her a hug in greeting.

"Merry Western Christmas," Lena said to her.

"And to you," Irina replied with a cheerful laugh.

The older woman gave her a bowl of oatmeal, which Lena downed quickly. Soon she and Maksim were driving to a nearby ice rink. He explained the tradition of the game as best as he could in his broken English. He said that ever since his oldest son Sergei had died in a car accident, the family and many friends had gathered to play, in order to honor him. Hockey had been his favorite sport. The day varied, depending on how the players' lives had changed but it was always during the holiday season.

"That's a wonderful tradition," Lena told him.

They arrived at the rink a few minutes later and Lena excitedly followed Maksim inside. The players were all skating around, warming up. Lena could hear them shouting and laughing at one another as she took a seat with Maksim. She was about to ask which one Anatoli was but she spotted him without assistance.

He was an enormous presence on the ice that she easily picked him out from the rest of the men. As Lena watched him skate past and flick the puck towards the net, she felt goosebumps rise on her arms. His pace picked up and he soared around behind the net, scooping up another puck and flinging it around into the white netting. Lena was on her feet clapping before she could stop herself.

While Maksim laughed heartily, Anatoli looked over and waved at her. Then he skated towards his bench and Lena could see the guys speaking to him. Over the ice she heard the deep rumble of laughter and figured they were giving him a hard time. Flushing, she sat back down.

A few minutes later a referee skated out and the first group of players took to the ice. Everyone lined up, taking their places on and around the center circle, and the puck was dropped.

Lena had never really followed hockey. She'd watched games with her father as a kid, but she'd never been able to summon any enthusiasm for it. She had no idea who the big players were and she had absolutely no idea how to tell a good player from a not so good one. Sitting there in the chilly arena, Maksim muttering beside her in Russian, Lena couldn't take her eyes off of Anatoli.

He dominated on the ice. His mere presence was enough to increase Lena's heart rate and give her an unexpected appreciation for the game. This was a fun, friendly game and over the sound of blades cutting the ice, she could hear raucous laughter. It all brought a smile to her face. She laughed when Anatoli lost his balance as he took a swipe at the puck, ending up on his backside. The puck sailed wide of the net and his team razzed him from the bench.

"He is such a..." Maksim started to say and paused, waving his hand in the air as he searched for the right word.

Lena glanced at him before seeing Anatoli leap to his feet and skate for the puck, pulling a move that could only be described as acrobatic. She laughed and clapped her hands even as the puck went past the net again.

"Show off!" she shouted at the top of her lungs.

"That's it!" Maksim exclaimed with a laugh, touching her arm. "He is a show off."

"He's so amazing," Lena added with a breathless laugh. "He must play a lot."

Maksim gave her a strange look and smiled. "You live in Washington, yes?"

"That's right."

"Don't you go to hockey games?"

Laughing, Lena glanced over at him. "Never," she told him. "I grew up with two sisters and we were all into dancing and playing with dolls more than hockey."

Maksim chuckled. "Maybe when you go home, you will go to a game."

"I think I might," Lena said. Anatoli skated past and bumped into the glass as he did. Lena waved with a smile. "It wouldn't be as interesting as watching Anatoli."

Maksim laughed and clapped a hand on her shoulder. Lena turned to him with a surprised smile.

"You don't know?" he said and laughed again at her blank expression.

"What? I don't know what?"

"Who my son is? What he does?"

Lena blushed and looked back towards the ice as Anatoli skated off for a break. "No," she murmured, feeling her stomach clench. Is he someone important? Too important to see me or speak to me when we get home? she wondered to herself.

"He is Anatoli Oborotenski," Maksim said. "Hockey player for the Washington Capitals."

Lena blinked at him. She recognized the team name but she knew nothing of players. She looked back towards the bench where Anatoli was laughing with one of his teammates.

"Well," she said with a light laugh. "I guess that answers my question."

"Question?"

"Yes. I was wondering if he plays hockey in Washington."

Maksim laughed again and she joined him. They settled back and watched the game. Lena cheered for Anatoli and forgot to be embarrassed about not knowing who he was. She fell in love with hockey that day and she would forever blame Anatoli for it.

Later, Anatoli, Vlad and Pavel came home together from the rink while Lena tried to help Irina in the kitchen. It was well past noon when the guys walked in, loud and boisterous from the game. When they banged through the house with their gear, Irina ran from the kitchen and shouted at them in Russian. Lena assumed she was ordering them to put their gear away and wash before coming in the kitchen.

Lena continued stirring the soup Irina had left her with. She hummed to herself and was caught by surprise when strong arms went around her waist, pulling her against a hard body.

"Merry Christmas, Lena," Anatoli's deep voice whispered in her ear, his warm breath tickling her.

"Merry Christmas, Anatoli," she replied, feeling inexplicably shy. His hands on her body - and his lips moving on her neck - reminded her of what had happened between them the night before. She wasn't sure what shocked her more; that he was holding her close again or that his hold on her was making her weak in the knees.​