Her Russian

Chapter 26-You Look Beautiful

Ilia stared at his reflection in the mirror. He'd taken a shower, trimmed his facial hair and dressed. He was wearing his grey suit with Galina's favorite tie, his dark purple one.

She had taken the first step in them talking. They ended up talking for almost two hours last night and now he was thirty minutes away from seeing her for the first time in two months, not counting his cousin's funeral.

Walking downstairs to his study, he tied up a few lose ends, while fishing for his cigarette pack in this jacket pocket. Finally finding one, he took it out and lit it.

"You ready, boss?" Max said, sticking his head into his study. Stubbing out his cigarette, Ilia walked towards Maxim and said "Let's go."

As they got closer, Ilia looked over to his left, out the car window, as they passed Galina's house. He noticed that she had tidied up the front yard, put out some decorations on the porch and it just looked so much like her that he smiled a little smile.

Maxim got them pulled up along side the curb at Zoom Cafe. Ilia noted that the cafe was busy and his heart stopped when he looked through the window and saw her. His life, his heart.

He still had five minutes so he continued to sit there and observe. He watched her genuinely smile at each and every customer she served. He watched her tend to an older couple so they didn't have to get up.

Then she got a break. Everyone had been taken care of and he watched her blow a breath out that moved her hair a bit. Oh she was beautiful.

Two minutes. He straightened his tie and waited for Maxim to get his door. When the little bell tinkled, signaling a customer's arrival, she looked up at him, their eyes met. She bit her lower lip and then a very slow, sexy smile spread across her face, reaching her eyes.

There was a taller, brunette standing behind her and Galina had turned around and handed her the apron that was around her body. Ilia watched the brunette wink at Galina while she just rolled her eyes at the girl.

"Hi" she said coming to him, her voice breathy. His hand reached for her cheek, his thumb rubbing and caressing her skin smoothly and said "You look beautiful."

The smile she gave him was enough to make his world stop spinning on its axis. "Can I buy you a cup of coffee?" she asked, winking at him. Her joke made him chuckle as he responded "Please and thank you."

He watched her walk behind the counter, making him a special cup of coffee, grinning while she prepared it. Ilia wondered if when they first saw each other, after all this time, if she felt like someone had taken all the air from the room.

She finished with his coffee in no time, walked back around to him and handed it to him. Slowly blowing on the hot, steamy liquid, he put it to his lips and took a sip. Closing his eyes, he savored the wonderful flavors that were dancing in his cup.

"Vodka" he started, she smiled and nodded. "Kahlua" he added another ingredient, she nodded. "And a hint of amaretto?" he asked. She smiled and nodded.

"Your tongue is very sensitive to different tastes, isn't it Mr. Savin?" now she was flirting with him big time. Since she opened the door...

"Yes and as of late, my tastes have become very singular" he flirted right back, loving that he could make her blush.

"Come on" she said to him softly.  "My favorite table is right out here."  She was right.  It was a little two-seat table sitting underneath a beautiful tree with purple blooms.

Ilia pulled out her chair, his thumb grazing against her shoulder.  When he seated himself across from her, both of them just broke out into smiles.

"So" they both said at the same time.  Giggling, Galina said "Why don't you go first."  He nodded, smiling at her.

"So, it would seem that you have made quite a splash around here" he said.  Galina blushed and said "I have.  I've met a lot of really nice people and I love serving them plus Tori and I have a blast."

Looking at him, Galina asked how he was doing since the funeral and other things.  His countenance fell a little but he answered honestly.

"It's not been easy, little kot.  It's been hard not having you in my life, having someone like you by my side.  I've missed you so much" he told her.

Galina looked at him for a moment, then she slid her hand across the table and let it rest on top of Ilia's.

"I've missed you too, Ilia" he closed his eyes at her words.  "Come with me" she smiled, taking his hand.

They got up and walked around the corner when Galina stopped their forward motion.  She turned and looked up at Ilia.

He watched her close the distance between them, put her palms on his chest and looked up at him.

"Ilia please" she begged.  "Kiss me."  She would never have to ask again.

Taking her face in his hands, he lowered his mouth to hers.  He moaned.  "Oh God, your lips" he mumbled.

Galina couldn't help the sounds coming from her mouth as he consumed her lips and thoughts.  "Ilia, I" she couldn't finish as he tasted her again.

"Come" Ilia said.  "I'm sure you have to go back to work but before you do, stay the night with me."

Galina got lost in his eyes, not able to speak, she just nodded.  Ilia couldn't help but look relieved at her answer.

"I get off at eight" she said.  "Come by the house or you can wait for me here and bring me home to pack."

"I'll be here at eight, baby.  Can I take you to dinner?" Ilia asked.  Nodding, she shyly reached up for his face, caressed it for a moment, then kissed him.

Ilia didn't care who saw, he kissed her very loudly before letting her go.

"Eight.  Don't forget" she killed him with that smile.  "Try keeping me away, baby" he smiled back.