Chapter 29 - Ivan
For the first time in my life, I favored peace over violence—diplomacy over fists.
It was a strange thought, but in hindsight, it seemed that change was gradual from the moment Daria started influencing me in ways I never would've imagined.
While she managed to tame some of that rage in me, it also helped that Rurik had been handled completely. After everything, there was no chance for him to slip away or cause her any more harm.
In his absence, Daria had the chance to really move on and live differently. She could breathe, and I had the pleasure of watching that happen.
At the same time, I witnessed the growth of her body...the way she slowly started to show, letting the whole world know that she was carrying my child.
A thrill moved through me at the sight of her standing beside me, wearing a chic jumpsuit that gave her a sophisticated air and accentuated her bump.
Just seeing her in that state, glowing and looking more alive than ever before while she chatted, talking about her art and explaining some of her processes to the others in attendance. In quiet solidarity, I slowly rubbed circles against the small of her back and watched with pride simmering in my chest.
Beyond the occasional contribution, there wasn’t much I needed to say. Daria looked completely in her element while she connected with others who shared an interest in her work, and I was more than happy to observe while she rightfully took the lead.
There was something incredibly sexy about the way she seemed to take absolute control of the event, allowing her passion to leave her freely. And it wasn’t just because of her visible bump—although, that certainly helped.
Despite me hanging off her every word, I could feel myself slipping into a daze while she smiled and spoke with her hands, giving those around us her complete attention, and in turn, they looked completely enthralled by what she had to say.
Whether she knew it or not, Daria had a way with people, and while that wouldn’t have mattered to me once before, it made me feel wrapped around her finger even tighter than usual.
In the wake of Rurik’s death, my wife had many thoughts and feelings to sort through, and to process it all, she focused even more of her attention on painting. For the first while, she stayed in the home studio while she came to terms with everything. But with time, she started to branch out and return to the loft. Despite the trauma she endured there, it seemed that braving those memories helped her find a sense of closure.
That was a difficult process for me, too…trying to not be too controlling by forcing her to stay home. Having her taken out from under me had been scarring to a degree, and while I trusted her completely, I was somewhat paranoid about the possibilities. Instinctively, I didn’t want to let her stray too far from me after I got her back.
But, I knew I had to. She needed freedom, and I needed to learn how to give up more control.
In the end, she managed to put together an entire collection featured in that gallery, and I couldn’t be more proud of her.
To celebrate the opening night, I put together a party with Veronica and Daria’s help and invited the whole family. With more of the public in attendance, too, the place was busy and far more of a success than I believed she anticipated.
I knew from the state it would be the case, and I also knew that she deserved every moment of it.
“Careful now…your wife is overshadowing you,” Aleks said with a glint of amusement in his eyes while he approached with champagne in his hand. Dima followed, and the three of us glanced over to where Daria was chatting with another group.
Huffing out an amused sound, I kept my eyes on her for another moment. “Let her…it suits her more than me anyway.”
“You’re learning fast,” Dima added with a chuckle. “Everything runs smoothly when we step back and keep our mouths shut.”
Aleks nodded with a grin. “You’re right about that.”
“Even if you’ve gone a bit soft, I’m glad you have someone who can rein you in,” Dima said with a hint of teasing in his voice while he put a playful hand on my shoulder.
I scoffed, not sounding all too convincing. “I haven’t gone soft.”
“Yes, you have,” they both said in near unison.
Sighing, I shook my head and watched while Daria wrapped up a conversation with someone else before Olivia eventually approached her. Albeit hesitantly, the effort was still there.
I felt just as surprised as she looked, but I kept it to myself while she schooled her emotions and listened to whatever Olivia had to say.
“Am I seeing things?” Aleks asked, having followed my sightline.
“Don’t jinx it,” I mumbled, watching closely to gauge both of their expressions. We were out of earshot from our distance away, and the noise around us certainly didn’t help.
While I was incredibly curious, aware of how much Daria had been hoping for a moment like that, I knew whatever was being exchanged between them should stay that way. Part of me wanted to know what Olivia was saying, but at the same time, it seemed too personal to involve myself.
At the very least, neither of them seemed overly tense or angry, and I took that as a good sign.
When Daria managed to pull a faint smile, looking more hopeful than before, the three of us seemed to all sigh a breath of relief.
“Thank Christ…” Dima commented, sounding just as mentally done with the tension that had existed between them for far too long.
“You could say that again.”
While I understood why Olivia held that grudge against her, it had become somewhat tiresome since the tail end of her anger seemed to stem from sheer stubbornness for a while. But it seemed she finally crumbled and didn’t mind the idea of making amends again.
Fortunately, it seemed our family outings were about to get easier to sit through.
Knowing how happy it would make her to patch things up with Olivia, I was glad to see it.
Opening night continued on without a hitch, and while I wasn’t one to care about creative pursuits, there was something to watching Daria immerse herself in that world that brought me a sense of satisfaction. She seemed so fulfilled…so complete…
And I was more than willing to let her bask in it and continue chasing after her goals without getting in the way of her progress.
As it grew later, most of the crowd was already gone by the time I found her standing off on her own, smiling still despite looking exhausted on her feet.
“Finally…I get to have you all to myself again,” I murmured with a gentle grin as I slid a hand against the small of her back, pulling her into me. “I was getting worried I’d have to start fighting for your attention.”
Daria smiled in return and leaned against my side, resting her cheek against my chest. “I’m glad you managed to restrain yourself then.”
Humming, I gave her hip a light squeeze before letting my hand ghost over the swell of her stomach. “It was barely contained, mind you…especially with you looking so delectable all night.”
Her smile stretched at that. “Delectable, hm? Even while I feel like I could collapse at any moment?”
Chuckling, I nodded and kissed the top of her head. “Even then…maybe even more so because of that.”
Daria looked up at me and cocked a brow. “And why’s that?”
“Because it means you won’t slip away from me anytime soon…and it gives me even more of a reason to spoil you tonight,” I said, drinking in the sight of her before gently cupping her cheek and guiding her face closer to mine, capturing her full attention. “Not that I need a reason…”
A mutual warmth moved between us while her gaze flickered between my eyes and lips, clearly already thinking the same thing on my mind.
With a stirring in my chest, I leaned in and gently brushed my lips against hers.
It didn’t matter how many times we kissed, it always managed to send a jolt of longing through me, making me want more and more.
She turned me into a starving man just by easing into the affection and kissing me back, gracing my mouth with the softness of her own.
For better or worse, she was a walking temptation down to her core, and as dangerous as she still was because of it, I didn’t mind anymore.
Not while she was completely mine, and I was hers.