Anything for Her - Complete

Chapter 13

"I'll check us in," Dimitri said as Rose pulled up at a hotel one and a half hours drive away from St. Vlad's. They could have pushed through and arrived in the middle of the Moroi night, but neither wanted to.

The last week and a bit had been a learning experience for them both. They'd stayed at hotels a couple of times on the way to St. Vlad's, but they'd found once they were used to it, sleeping in the van was cheap, surprisingly comfortable and convenient. The tight quarters helped Dimitri get more familiar with tending to Lara, and while they had yet to be intimate again, Rose didn't object to Dimitri being as close as possible when they slept, so they didn't miss a larger bed.

"Any requests?" Dimitri asked before heading to reception to secure a room.

"A bathtub would be good," Rose moaned hopefully. It had been a few days since they'd stayed at a hotel, and they would all benefit from a bath. Lara was slowly getting accustomed to showers, but a nice long soak would relax them all.

"I'll see what I can do," Dimitri replied, winking playfully as he climbed out of the van.

Over their week and a half driving, Rose and Dimitri had several heart to hearts, including a lengthy discussion about Dimitri's reaction to first seeing Lara. It had taken a while, but eventually Rose had teased out the underlying source of Dimitri's response. Just as Rose had always worried Dimitri would regret choosing her over the opportunity to father a child of his own, Dimitri had worried Rose would feel the same. After lots of words, and finally some shouting, Dimitri had admitted his reaction was so extreme because he was disappointed a biological child belonging to both of them was an impossibility. He was a man in love and ready to start a family – he hated the fact he couldn't give Rose a baby of their own, and Dimitri was devastated when he thought someone else had given Rose the child he couldn't.

Acknowledging the reality of their situation had been liberating, and they both felt happier now they'd discussed their feelings. That didn't mean Rose wasn't still giving Dimitri hell about his reaction – and he was still sucking up big time.

"It's a bit extra, but we've saved so much sleeping in the van along the way I got us the spa suite," Dimitri grinned climbing back into the passenger seat and directing Rose to drive to the far end of the hotel. Not expecting much from such an out of the way place, Rose was surprised when the spa suite was just that – a comfortable suite of rooms with a bathroom that included a large corner spa that was easily big enough for the three of them.

"That looks so good," Rose moaned, as Dimitri carried their bags then Lara's bassinette inside. Rose was already imagining herself relaxing in the spa. The suite had two main rooms, a small living room with sofas, a small table and a kitchenette, the other a king-sized bedroom. Dimitri looked at Rose quizzically, wondering where to place Lara's bassinette.

"I fancy watching a movie," Rose said disingenuously, gesturing to the flat screen at the foot of the bed. "Maybe you should set up Lara's bassinette in the other room? I'd hate the lights or sound to keep her up."

While Rose's instructions seemed innocent enough, Dimitri couldn't help but hope Rose had an ulterior motive for her arrangements. Over the last few days, the affection between them had been steadily increasing. The occasional touch while driving was now a constant hand resting on an arm or leg as the other drove. And at night? Well – the last few evenings had been torture! They'd laid curled against one another on the single mattress in the back of the van, pressed as close as could be. Each pretending to believe the other was asleep, their hands had explored and caressed. Last night, Dimitri had finally fallen asleep, his lips pressed against Rose's neck, desperately trying to disguise his arousal as he cuddled against the woman he loved.