With or Without You - Complete

Chapter 17

Not long into the movie, Lissa decided it wasn't her cup of tea, so announced her decision to retire to her suite to 'read.' Recognizing an excellent opportunity for some couple time while everyone else was occupied elsewhere, Christian followed, leaving the rest of their group to see the film through to its bloody conclusion.

"Crazy bitch! Some chicks just don't get the message, do they?" Eddie joked as the credits rolled.

"Apparently not," Celeste replied, suppressing a giggle, and pointedly not looking at Tasha.

After they'd talked with Abe, Rose revealed to Dimitri that the only people now not aware, or at least suspecting Tasha's involvement in Tatiana's murder, were Christian and possibly Grigor. Celeste and Eddie's thinly veiled comments seemed to support this conclusion. Thankfully, Tasha didn't seem to have any idea she was under suspicion.

"Let's start another movie. And sorry, Baba—I refuse to watch anything older than I am!"

After some back and forth, they decided on a Marvel movies marathon. Adrian declared they were of little interest to him, so accepted Abe's offer for conversation in his study. While, in reality, Adrian had no particular objection to the marvel movies, he could do without watching Rose and Dimitri cuddling on the sofa, even if he enjoyed seeing how much it enraged Lady Ozera.

As the second movie played, Dimitri and Rose were starting Abe's plan to devastate Tasha: part one being over the top public displays of affection. Or more aptly put hardcore make-out sessions. With no care for the movie, Rose wrapped the sofa's generous throw blanket around herself and her man, straddling Dimitri's lap and kissing him fiercely while slowly grinding her crotch against his rock-hard package. Using the cover of the throw to conceal what he was doing, Dimitri slipped his hands up under Rose's hoodie, using his thumbs to stroke her breasts through her filmy lace bra.

By the time Dimitri's lips found their way to Rose's neck, it was clear neither of them had any recollection they were on a sofa in clear view of Tasha and several Guardians who had a fair idea of what they were doing. In fact, Rose was reaching between herself and Dimitri to find the zipper on his pants to release his manhood when Eddie's amused voice interrupted her ministrations, causing Rose to quickly remove her hand from Dimitri's fly.

"Guys? While we're all thrilled to see you two back together, maybe you need to find a room?"

"Agreed. What the hell is wrong with you two?" Tasha snapped, furious at seeing the man she considered hers dry humping the bitch she thought she'd got rid of. "None of us want to see you getting it on!"

Instead of apologizing or slowing things down with Rose, Dimitri stood—holding her firmly cuddled against him, with her legs wrapped around his waist while he cradled her against his chest. His erection pressed hard against Rose's cleft felt like titanium, so he was grateful for her body and the throw wrapped around them, which concealed his excitement.

"You're right. Excuse us. Rose and I need privacy. Don't expect us down for lunch... We might be down by dinnertime." And with no further conversation, but many kisses and Rose's giggles, Rose and Dimitri adjourned upstairs, the former carefully carried by the latter. Eddie and Celeste regarded one another, both noting Tasha's incensed expression. Since neither of them liked her, it was an ideal opportunity to lay the boot in, at least a little.

"They are so into one another," Celeste declared, looking at Eddie. "I'm glad my room is on the other side of the house, cos' their suite is gonna be rocking, and I don't wanna be knocking."

"It's been that way since we arrived," Eddie scoffed. "Actually, almost since they first met. He adores her. You were there... He's always had a thing for her, even early on."