He's quiet, holding me against his strong frame.
"Is that stupid? I wanted my nightmare to be over, so we could go to dinner?" I ask.
"No, Claudia."
With effort, I steady my breathing and stop shaking. Petr is patient and quiet, allowing me time to recover.
"I've never been drawn to someone like I am you, Petr," I say when I'm calm enough once more. "You've been so good to Todd, and you've been so patient with me."
He chuckles. "You're worth waiting for."
I twist in his lap to see his face. A shadow hangs over his features, and there's anger in his gaze. He manages to smile at me. I touch his scruffy cheek.
"I'm sorry if I upset you," I whisper, admiring his profile.
"Thank you for telling me." He touches his forehead to mine. "Thank you for trusting me."
"I want an us, too, Petr. This is the first step."
"I'm sorry for your pain, Claudia. I won't let anything happen to you again. Ever."
I smile at him. I'm raw once more, in turmoil after reliving the nightmare of Jake and so filled with warm, joyous emotion towards Petr, I can't process it. I don't like feeling vulnerable or out of control, but with Petr, I feel safe.
Our relationship is beginning and already feels permanent and too natural not to last.
He holds me for a while longer. I can tell what I've revealed troubles him. I don't know what to tell him to make it better when it disturbs me equally as much. The only victory I have is knowing The Monster will be in jail come Monday, and my life will Petr begins today.
"Can you ice skate?" Petr asks in a lighter tone.
"No."
"I'll teach you."
I start to smile, giddy at the idea of spending the weekend with him.
An hour later, we're out of bed and walking hand in hand through the mansion. He stops me to sneak kisses, and I hug him readily, unable to take my hands off him when we're so close. Some of the houseguests are up while the majority are either still in bed on the snowy Christmas morning or congregating in the common rooms.
We head out back only to find another foot of snow blocking the ice rink. Petr pauses beside a blazing bonfire on the veranda, and we gaze out over the snow-covered backyard.
"I'll never get used to the cold," I complain and shiver.
His arms encircle me instinctively, and I lean back against him, enjoying his warmth. "I feel like I know everything about you and nothing at all. Where are you from originally?" he asks.