9. Eight
Eight
A couple of days later, Beth's heart pounded as she stepped off the plane at Minsk National Airport. The butterflies in her stomach had morphed into full-fledged eagles during the flight. Now, they were threatening to carry her away entirely.
She clutched her carry-on bag, eyes scanning the crowd. And then, suddenly, there he was.
Yuri stood near the arrivals gate, a bouquet of sunflowers in one hand and a sign that read "My American Solnyshko" in the other. His dark hair was slightly tousled, his blue eyes bright with anticipation. He was even more handsome in person, if that was possible.
Their eyes met across the terminal. For a moment, time seemed to stand still.
Then Beth was moving, half-walking, half-running towards him. Yuri's face broke into a wide grin as he opened his arms.
She collided with him, breathing in the scent of his cologne. His arms wrapped around her, strong and sure, and her nerves suddenly melted away. This felt right. This felt like coming home.
"Privet, moye solnyshko," Yuri murmured into her hair. "Welcome to Belarus."
Beth pulled back slightly, looking up at him. "Hi," she breathed, suddenly feeling shy.
Yuri's eyes crinkled as he smiled down at her. "Hi yourself. You know, you're even more beautiful in person. I didn't think that was possible."
Beth felt her cheeks warm. "Flatterer. You're not so bad yourself, Mr. Minsk."
They stood there for a moment, just drinking each other in. Then Yuri seemed to remember the flowers. "Oh! These are for you. I hope you like sunflowers."
"They're perfect," Beth said, accepting the bouquet. "Thank you."
As she buried her nose in the flowers, Yuri reached out and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. The simple touch sent a shiver down her spine.
"So," he said, his voice low and warm, "shall we get out of here? If you’re not too jet lagged, I have a whole day planned for us."
Beth nodded eagerly. "Lead the way. I'm running on pure adrenaline and excitement right now."
Yuri chuckled, taking her hand. The warmth of his palm against hers felt electric. "Well then, let's make the most of it. First stop; introducing you to real Belarusian cuisine."
As they made their way out of the airport, Beth couldn't help but notice the appreciative glances Yuri was getting from other women. She felt a mix of pride and possessiveness. This gorgeous man was here with her.
In the taxi, Yuri kept stealing glances at her as if he couldn't quite believe she was real. Beth felt the same way. After weeks of screens and messages, being able to reach out and touch him was almost overwhelming.
"So," Beth said, trying to break the charged silence, "what's on the menu for this culinary adventure?"
Yuri's eyes lit up. "Ah, I thought we'd start with some draniki – potato pancakes. And maybe some machanka, which is a pork stew. Oh, and you have to try our kvass!"
As he enthusiastically described Belarusian cuisine, Beth was captivated not just by his words but also by how his hands moved as he talked, the curve of his lips, and the spark in his eyes.
Suddenly, Yuri paused mid-sentence. "What?" he asked, a slight smirk on his lips. "Do I have something on my face?"
Beth realized she'd been staring. She felt her cheeks heat up. "No, I just... I still can't believe I'm here. With you. It feels like a dream."
Yuri's expression softened. He reached out, cupping her cheek with his hand. "If it's a dream," he said softly, "then I don't ever want to wake up."
The air between them crackled with tension. Beth's eyes flicked to Yuri's lips, then back to his eyes. He was leaning in ever so slowly...
The taxi came to an abrupt stop, jerking them apart. "We're here," the driver announced in heavily accented English.
Beth let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Yuri cleared his throat, looking both frustrated and amused.
"Perfect timing," he muttered, then louder, "Shall we, moye solnyshko?"
As they stepped out onto the snowy streets of Minsk, Beth gasped. The city was a winter wonderland, strings of lights twinkling in the early evening darkness.
"It's beautiful," she breathed.
"Yes, it is," Yuri agreed, but when Beth turned to look at him, he was staring at her, not the scenery.
He held out his hand. "Ready for your first taste of Belarus?"
Beth laced her fingers through his, marveling at how perfectly they fit together. "Ready as I'll ever be."
As Yuri led her into a cozy-looking restaurant, Beth felt a thrill of excitement. This was just the beginning of their adventure. And if the electricity she felt every time Yuri touched her was any indication, it was going to be one hell of a ride.
The restaurant was warm and inviting, filled with the aroma of hearty food and the soft murmur of conversation. Yuri guided Beth to a secluded corner table, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back. Even through her coat, his touch sent sparks along her skin.
"So," Yuri said as they settled into their seats, "what do you think of Minsk so far?"
Beth smiled, taking in the rustic decor and the twinkling lights strung across the ceiling. "It's magical- like stepping into a fairy tale."
"Just wait until you try the food," Yuri winked. He rattled off an order in rapid-fire Russian, the words rolling off his tongue in a way that made Beth's stomach do a little flip.
As they waited for their food, conversation flowed easily between them, punctuated by lingering glances and 'accidental' brushes of hands across the table. It was as if all those weeks of virtual communication had laid a foundation, and now they were building something real and tangible on top of it.
When the food arrived, Beth's eyes widened at the spread before them. "Wow," she breathed, "I hope you plan to help me eat all this."
Yuri's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Oh, I plan to help you with a lot of things during your stay, moye solnyshko."
Beth nearly choked on her kvass, the implications of his words sending a rush of heat through her body. Two could play that game.
She leaned forward, deliberately letting her foot brush against his leg under the table. "I'm counting on it, Mr. Minsk."
Yuri's eyes darkened, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed hard. For a moment, the air between them was thick with unspoken desire.
Then Beth broke the tension with a laugh. "Now, are you going to teach me how to eat these potato pancakes properly, or do I have to figure it out myself?"
As the meal progressed, Beth found herself falling even harder for Yuri. His laugh, the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled, the gentle teasing in his voice – it was all so much more potent in person. And the way he looked at her... like she was the most fascinating thing he'd ever seen.
By the time they finished dessert – a decadent honey cake that Yuri insisted was "just like his babushka used to make" – Beth was feeling warm and slightly giddy, though whether from the food, the company, or the subtle flirting, she couldn't be sure.
As they stepped back out into the snowy night, Yuri took her hand again. "So, what next? Are you up for a little adventure, or would you prefer to rest?"
Beth squeezed his hand, feeling bold. "I'm up for anything, as long as it's with you."
Yuri's answering smile was brilliant. "In that case, I know just the place. Do you trust me?"
"Completely," Beth said, surprised to find she meant it wholeheartedly.
Yuri's expression softened. He brought her hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles. "Then let's go make some memories, moye solnyshko."
As they set off down the twinkling streets of Minsk, hand in hand, Beth felt a sense of anticipation building. Whatever Yuri had planned, she knew one thing for certain: this would be a night – and a trip – she'd never forget.