Dmitry's Closet by Nelson, S. (read people like a book .txt) 📕

Royal said, observing the nice new leather carrying case for his blackberry.

“Dah. This was a very thoughtful gift. Spasiba. I love you almost as much as I love my phone.” He smiled at her.

“Well, I knew that you needed a new one. You’re old one was starting to look bad.”

“You know, you always seem to get me the things that I can really use and that I appreciate it.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Dmitry repeated. “I am thinking that one day, you might get me a son or even daughter.” He looked at her.

“You have your order mixed up. The cart is not supposed to go before the horse.” She rolled her eyes.

“You seem sensitive about it tonight.”

“I have my reasons.” There was silence as they walked.

Dmitry stopped and turned to her. “This expression horse and cart refers to marriage right?”

“Right.”

“You’re very sensitive about that too.”

“Most women are.”

“No one is as sensitive about it as you.”

Royal could feel the heat of her skin. How dare he? She tried to stay calm but it was not easy. She took deep breaths and focused on the beauty around her. No reason to ruin the night.

Dmitry observed her anger. He knew her well by now.

“Why are you so sure that you’re missing out on something?”

“You wouldn’t understand.” Tears pricked at her eyes. She held them back.

“Understand? What is there to understand? Tell me.”

“Every time I turn around, you’re giving me diamonds, and at first, I didn’t understand your generosity.  But now I think I’ve finally gotten you figured out.  You shower me with all these diamonds for my neck and my ears and my wrist, because you want to take my mind away from the one I really want on my finger.”

She turned and started to walk again.

“I’m not avoiding it. I think of it probably more than you do.”

“Why would you? You have the milk, no need to buy the cow now?”

“What? What is this about a cow? Horses now cows. I’m confused.”

“I’m not playing, Dmitry. It depresses me. It…pisses me off. It makes me feel less than a woman.”

Dmitry took her arm and looked into her eyes. “I would never want to make you feel less than a woman. That is not my intention at all, Royal Stone.”

“But it is your intention to keep me a kept woman?”

“By whosestandards are you kept. I don’t believe in the world’s social norms. I live by another set. One that has ruled me since I was a boy.”

“And does this society of yours have wives?”

“No.”

“That’s what I thought. As much as I love you, don’t you ever ask yourself if all of this will end? If I can’t be your wife, then I can’t be in your life forever.”

And there it was, Royal’s ultimatum.

Dmitry shook his head. It had taken her longer than he had first expected.

“Yes. You can. You belong to me.  Tell me that you can't feel it?  We have a covenant...you and I.  Whether there is a ring on your finger or not, I will always be your husband.  You gave me your virginity...I gave you my entire life.”

“And I’m grateful. I mean, if it were my place, I’d have already asked you to marry me.” She sighed. “But it’s not my place, because I’m not the man in this relationship.”

“Thank God.”

Dmitry smiled. Clever little girl. She was determined to get what she wanted. She looked up at him and rolled her eyes.

He reverted back to his previous discussion knowing that it would only irritate her more. “So cow, children with you is not out of question?” he asked, holding in a chuckle.

“At this point, I’m damned certain that they are in the picture.” Royal had learned not to expect Dmitry’s constant questions to go anywhere. Sometimes, he just wanted to know. “I just want to be married first. And if you call me a cow again, I’ll climb up your lanky body and kick you in the balls.”

He did chuckle that time and put his hand over his groin.

“Whoa,horsey. I hope that we have a whole house full of babies with their keptmomma. And they can have your last name. I like it more.”

Royal was incensed. She snatched her arm away. “You pompous asshole!” Shaking her head, she stormed off. “How I could even wait on baited breath for you to ask is beyond me. I’m an idiot! Just as much of an idiot as you are. We deserve each other. We’re both ridiculous!”

Dmitry stopped walking and watched her pout her way down the street.

“Royal. Royal come back,” he called after her.

“No!”

“How about now?” he asked, smiling.

“How about now what?”

Royal stopped walking and whipped around. Her heart stopped. Dmitry was on one knee under a street light. His grin was even more devious that ever. He had a look of utter accomplishment on his face.

As she walked closer to him, he took off his gray wool skull cap, revealing his blonde curly locks. He looked up at her, still nearly as tall on one knee as she was standing. His eyes sparkled.

“Hi,” he said softly. His dimples created creases in his jaw line.

“Hi,” Royal whispered with her hands over her mouth in disbelief. “You really got my goat this time. Didn’t you.”

“Goats, horses, cows. This is why I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Dmitry cleared his throat. “Some people do this after dinner in crowded restaurants. I prefer privacy. We are here in the city that I was born, the city that created what I am, whether it’s good or bad.” He looked around and sighed. “So much has happened in the last few weeks, things that have come to fruition that have completed my legacy. It is time for me to move on with my life. I have worked hard enough, and I want to start this new life with you – the woman that I love, and a woman that is pure but is not all ignorant of the world. No man can ask for more.”

Tears ran down Royal’s cheeks. No longer cold