Her Russian

Chapter 25-Talk vs Action

Max had disappeared sometime ago leaving Ilia to go over some more of the documents they found among Zoya's things.  All caught up in them he almost didn't notice his phone ringing.

He stared at the caller ID.  It said Galina.  Was it possible?  He hated how his heart pounded in his chest.  It was very unsettling for a man who was always in control to feel so utterly out of control at this moment.

"Galina?" his smooth voice came through loud and clear.  "Ilia?  Can we talk?" she asked.  He held his breath, wondering if he'd heard her right.

"Yes, we can talk" he replied, trying to play it cool and not wanting to come off like a crazy man that's been starved for weeks.

The line was silent at first and then Ilia said "Do you want to go first or do you want me to?"  He heard her clear her throat and while he waited, he lit a cigarette and took a large drag from it.

"I-I guess I'll start" she said sounding a little unsure.  "Did you cheat on me with Aleryia?" her first question was straight and to the point.  He liked that.

"No, Galina.  I did not cheat on you with Aleryia.  I know how it looked and I know why you thought that, but I promise that I have not been with or touched another woman, much less looked at another woman while I was with you" Ilia answered honestly.

"What about now?" her words were barely a whisper.  "Baby" he said.  "Not now.  Galina, you've invaded my head and my heart.  I couldn't get you out if I wanted you out.  Not even now.  I don't want anyone else but you and I will do whatever it takes, whatever you want from me, to get you back."

He heard her sigh and it sounded like she was sniffling.  "Galina please don't cry" he said, his heart breaking with hers.  "I'm sorry, it's just that with everything that happened and being away from you, all I could picture in my head was you leaving me for someone else or getting tired of waiting for me to come to my senses" she was still hurting and he could tell.

"My little kot" he said gently.  "I don't want anyone else.  I've only wanted you.  You challenge me and stand up to me.  You aren't afraid to speak your mind in front of me.  When everyone is else is scared of me, you aren't.  

You infuriate me and at the same time, you bewitch me.  You're sexy and sweet, beautiful and alluring.  I love how your body responds to my touch, my kiss and when you look at me, you make me feel like I'm the only one in the world that matters."

He could tell that she was taking in all that he'd told her, he knew it was a lot but when she opened that door, he stepped all the way through it.  He couldn't take a chance with her not knowing exactly how he felt about her.

That was one of the reasons they were in the situation they were in.  Never again.  It seemed like she was very amiable to them opening up communication and he would meet her half way.

"Galina, baby.  Say something please.  Anything" he begged.  "Ilia, I think I made a terrible mistake" she started out saying.  His breath hitched.  Was she referring to them?  He had to know and now.

"What do you mean?" he asked but afraid of her answer.  "I'm beginning to think I jumped to conclusions that weren't there and it started this mess."  He let out a ragged breath at her explanation.

"Galina, it's not beyond fixing or beyond repair" he assured her.  "We are taking the first steps right here, aren't we?  We're talking things through, getting them out in the open and I think it's going well" Ilia said.

"You must hate me, Ilia" she said sadly.  He scoffed at her statement.  "I could never hate you detka (baby)" he said sweetly.  He heard her laugh a little and it put him at ease that much more.

They were talking, finally talking!  Things were going well and he wanted to keep her talking, about anything and everything.

They talked about her job and he listened as her enthusiasm spilled over about her customers, her boss/friend Tori and then she got around to telling him that Valeria had visited.

"I really like your mom, Ilia.  She's got a sweet heart" Galina told him.  "Yeah" he smirked.  "She's a one-of-a-kind all right."  "Ilia" Galina said, that warning tone of hers coming through loud and clear.

"Don't be angry with her.  She only wants you to be happy and she seems to think I hold the key to making that happen" she said.  "And what do you think?" he asked her.

She sighed again.  He hadn't realized how draining this must be for her and he worried about her and her health all the time.  

"Well" she started.  "I think that I really miss you" she finished softly.  Ilia closed his eyes at her words.  "You miss me?" he asked.  "Yes" she breathed.  "So much."

"Galina, it's taking everything I have to not drop this call, jump in my car and come to you.  But I'm not.  Not until you tell me you are ready for that step again.  I don't want to do anything to drive you away from me again, because once you are back, I will not be letting you go, ever again."  

His words were final and he meant them.  He just hoped that she believed him and took him at his word.  Waiting for her to answer him was driving him crazy.

"Okay Ilia" she said.  "Will you come see me tomorrow?  At work?" she sounded shy as she asked him.  

"I would love to come see you tomorrow.  You just say what time and I'll be there" he promised.  They spoke for a few moments more, when Ilia said he had another call, that it was from Moscow and he needed to take it.

"Ten-thirty" she said.  "And Ilia?"  "Yes my love?" he answered.  "Don't be late" she told him.