Wow. Long time now write. I apologize, but like a lot of people life has a way of limiting my creative time. This idea just kind of popped into my mind and I wanted to give it a shot to see what kind of response it got. I have several chapters written out but I will only continue with a show of support. It is rated M for later chapters.

As Lissa and I walked across the marble floor to the elevator the sound of our pumps clicking was the only thing breaking the silence. Tonight was going to be epic. I finally turned 21. That's right, the infamous rich girl Rose Hathaway is finally legal to do the things I've done since I was sixteen. I chuckled to myself. Lissa Dragomir is my best friend, always has been. I think it was because we are stark opposites. She had stunning blond hair and jade eyes that entrapped you. Combine that with her runway model body and no boy had a chance refusing her. While I was gifted with long mahogany hair and brown eyes with a body that was all curves. Our fathers are business partners and we've grown up together, attached at the hip since we were in diapers. We were the same age. So was her long time boyfriend Christian Ozera. Mental barf. Everyone accused him of being a "gold digger" but, even as much as the gross me out, I knew they loved one another deeply. He was pretty much orphaned as a child. The result of an apartment fire when he was only five. He's had an odd obsession with fire ever since. He and Liss were a perfect match with his tall, lean physique, glacier blue eyes, and raven hair. His aunt, who was only four years older than the three of us, was named Natasha. All long legs and lean bone structure that was the rave nowadays. Just like her nephew she had chilling blue eyes and solid black hair that hung in a straight sheet down her back. She was the only family had left, and as much as she annoyed me, I put up with her.

Then there were the two men in my life who were also polar opposites. Both were two years older than me at 23. Dimitri Belikov, who is my closest friend aside from Lissa, is the son of my father's head of security. He towers over everyone at six foot five and is all rippling muscles. His dark brown hair hangs to his shoulders and his deep brown eyes stare through to my core every time I catch his eyes. As I said, my very best friend and mentor to everything. And I mean EVERYTHING. I know I love him and there is no question about it. But, I've always been the kind of irresponsible person that was afraid of commitment, of feelings, and of anything that could really tear me down. That's where Adrian Ivashkov comes into the picture. Badboy, billionaire, panty chaser extraordinaire. He is the picture of rich surfer boy. Blond hair, fair eyes, and a body to kill for. He's Lissa's cousin on her mom's side. I believe him when he says that he cares about me. But I know the reason I'm with him is because Dimitri's intensity scares me. I think to some degree Adrian can read my feelings for Dimitri but he never says anything about it so neither do I. I'm always surprised Dimitri doesn't walk away from me but he never has.

The elevator dinged as we reached the top floor and we were ushered into Club Vladimir. Lissa and I waked through with ease and made our way to the bar, knowing we would find the crew there. I flashed my man-eater smile at Adrian as I caught his eye. I noticed that Mia and Eddie, who were both fair haired and eyed were standing with Dimitri, Adrian Christian. I was about to speak when I saw Mason, a red haired, ocean eyed, friend of mine who I know wanted more from me, walked over and hugged me voicing his birthday wishes loudly and I knocked him in the shoulder playfully. Adrian was next in line, hugging me while his eyes raked over my tiny black glove dress appreciatively. I smiled broadly again and was soon enveloped by all of my friends.

As the night wore on the party turned from a birthday get together to seeing who could drink the most and make it back to the bar for more. Well, all but Dimitri anyway. I knew he had had a few beers but as the bodyguard he was, he stayed alert all evening. I frowned, I wish I could get him to relax some. He had the night off but being the head of my security wasn't a job to him, it was personal interest. Eddie and Mia were the first to retire to their room at the hotel in the floors below the club. Soon after, I watched Mason leave with a fairly pretty girl. I hadn't seen Lissa and Christian for about an hour or so, so I stumbled over to Dimitri.

"Comrade, where did the love birds get off to?" He chuckled softly as he caught me and brought me to his chest. "They went to their suite Roza." I felt him inhale the scent from my hair and sigh. I smiled. Before long Adrian and I were being escorted by Dimitri down to my suite that my father had reserved for my outing. Dimitri smiled down at me as he opened the door for us to stumble through. I noticed it didn't reach his eyes though. As Adrian stumbled into the bedroom I stood on my toes and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you Dimitri." This time when he smiled it went far beyond his eyes. He returned the gesture. "No thanks needed Roza. Goodnight." He closed the door, where I had no doubt he would guard his post all night and drive me home in the morning.

I walked through the door to the bedroom and was immediately encroached in Adrian's arms. I smiled. I did care for him deeply. Not as much as Dimitri true, but still deeply. I kissed him back feverishly back, pushing him to the bed as I did so. He may not be a russian god but Ivashkov could certainly hold his own. All night was spent bringing my birthday to a close in a true Rose Hathaway fashion.

I cursed as I opened my eyes to the blinding light spilling through the window beside the bed. I groaned and rolled over, connecting with a muscled body. I kissed whatever part I connected with, effectively waking Adrian and little Adrian up. I giggled. "Little Heiress, I believe you have caused quit a problem." He blinded me with his poster boy smile and rolled me over. He kissed me, cutting all giggling off. I pushed him off and dashed to the shower in the adjacent bathroom knowing he wouldn't be far behind. I squealed as strong arms threw my body up over his shoulder as he marched into the shower and turned the water on. I screamed again as the water, cold at first, connected with my flushed body. I smacked his bare behind and felt him growl.

I dressed quickly with the clothes I had packed for my over night stay and walked to the small kitchen space to see Dimitri sitting at the bar, staring at the sprawling city skyline that the full length windows provided. Before I could even make a noise he shifted from stone guard and turned to face me. "Good Morning Roza." I smiled without even thinking about it. "Good morning Comrade." He hmmed and turned back to his silent thoughts. A bag laying on the counter caught my attention and just like I predicted it had my favorite: chocolate glazed donuts. I moaned as I took a bight from one and if I didn't know better Dimitri tensed. I shook my head. No he was in full body guard mode. I downed my orange juice along with a few of the tylenol Dimitri knowingly set out. I grinned.

Soon I was kissing Adrian goodbye for the day and saying farewell to my friends to make the hour journey out of the city to my father's manor house. We drove in comfortable silence and I sighed gratefully. My spring semester just ended for college and it was nice to relax for a small second. I know, I'm not really the type for school but if I'm to heir the business my father has created I have to have some knowledge. I glance at my companion and can see the dark circles that ring his eyes. I wondered if he had slept at all the afternoon before my outing. I frowned. He has no thought of self preservation, only concern for the people he cares about.

We pulled up in front of the mansion and Dimitri stepped around to open my door for me. I shook my head and he chuckled. "You really do spoil me comrade" He smiled another brilliant smile only people close to him got to see. "That's my goal Roza." I shook my head again and made my way up the staircase to the front door. I could hear the servants grabbing some of my bags Dimitri must have packed from my city apartment. I took in a deep breath as Dimtri reached over me to push to door open and usher me in.

"Kiz!" I braced myself as my father swooped in for a bear hug, making me giggle. "Hey old man. Whats hangin'?" He laughed and shook his head as we made our way to our den. Eric Dragomir pulled me into another fatherly embrace and kissed my cheek. "Rose, school seems to agree with you." I blushed and thanked him. As him and my father carried on with whatever business conversation that had been having I wondered briefly if Liss would be staying at home with her parents or if she would stay in the city. I made a mental note to txt her when I got to my room. I was pulled from my thoughts when Eric and my father turned their attention to my waining bodyguard.

"Abraham, who will be traveling with us on your yacht?" My father seemed to ponder the question for a little while. I had almost forgotten. My father and Eric were due for their yearly yacht trip to some pacific island. "I know Maksim will be with us but i haven't thought about who else yet. Why do you ask?" I could tell by the way Eric's eyes were assessing Dimitri he knew he needed a break. "I think Maks' son here would do wonderfully." Called it. I wasn't sure how I liked his proposition. I knew it was selfish and that Dimitri could use the getaway at sea, but I didn't want to not have him by my side. My father nodded, also taking in Dimitri's haggard appearance. "I agree Eric. What do you say Dimitri? It looks like you could use the vacation." The decision was hard for Dimitri, I could tell. He didn't want to leave me, but also knew he didn't want to be on Zmey's bad side. Threrefore, he nodded. My father clapped. "Wonderful. Nothing like a father son trip." He was officially smug. Dimitri glanced at me from his spot by the door, guilt seeping through his mask. I knew I would have to relieve his conscious when we were alone.

Finally I was excused and made quick work scurrying up to my room. I needed the pool or the hot tub or both. I sighed. I grabbed the hem of my tank and made to peel it over my head when strong hands stopped me mid abdomen. "You'd better not." I looked up into my favorite pools of brown. I bit down the retort of nothing he hadn't seen before and grabbed him in a hug. "Its ok that you go with them. I understand." He slumped in relief and hugged me back. "I'll only be gone two weeks tops and then I'll be back." He sounded so fierce that I giggled. "I'll be fine. Besides if I didn't like you so much I would complain that nothing ever happened to threaten me anyway." Dimitri flashed a small smile and shook his head. "Comrade, unless you want to see me change you may want to continue this conversation facing the other way." I smirked as his eyes widened to saucers when I grabbed my shirt again and he whirled away from me. Always the gentleman, but that's why you love him, my subconscious sneered at me and I mentally glared at her.

I made my way down to the pool area of the house. I flopped down in one of the many chairs that littered the sides of the pool and pulled my phone out, sending a quick text to Liss to see what her plans were for the summer. I felt rather than saw Dimitri's presence behind me. I jumped up and stood in front of him. "Go to your room." His eyebrows shot up. Wow, I sounded like his mother. He chuckled at my face and sat down in the chair beside the one I had just vacated. "Here, I will nap while you lay out." He held up his pinky to me. "Pinky promise." I sighed and threaded my pinky with his. He really did take guarding me too seriously.

I sat as he stretched his long frame out on the chair, dwarfing it. My phone pinged and I looked at it.

I chuckled and sent her a text back telling her to come over when she got home. I assumed it would be towards the end of the week before she had everything packed. I looked up to see Viktoria, Dimitri's sister walking towards me. I waved and she sat down and chatted with me as I let her ridiculous brother nap beside me. The whole Belikov family stayed in our mansion. We have plenty of room with just the two of us and the servants so we offered a wing to the family. Dimitri, however, stayed in my wing. I had my own kitchen, game room, theater, den, and work out room in my wing along with three bedrooms. The workout room was mainly for Dimitri but he insisted I work out with him at least twice a week. Olena cooked for most of the house as she was the best cook around. Dimitri's sisters had a cafe in a small town down the road but still lived here. Vikki was a year younger than I was and was always in between jobs but dreamed of being in the fashion business and I felt that she was waiting for Liss to graduate with her business degree to collaborate with her. I smiled as I thought about how much I was blessed with.

At dinner Dimitri sat to my right and my father sat to my left, like every day. Conversation was steady between all of us and before long we were all in the living room. My father and Maks in conversation about who knows what as Vikki talked to the other ladies in the house about fashion and spurring arguments through difference of opinions. Dimitri and I played pool on my fathers ridiculously expensive table. I smiled as I struck the last of the stripes in the left corner pocket and took aim on the 8 ball. Dimitri shook his head. He was just jealous because he still had two solids left. I sunk the 8 ball and yelled a victory cry as Dimitri chuckled loudly. I noticed Olena's attention fixed on us and blushed, looking at my feet. Dimitri and I said our goodnights and walked side by side to our wing of the house. He stopped at my door and I kissed him on the cheek, like every night, before bidding him sweet dreams. I sighed as I closed the door behind me. What was I going to do without him for two weeks?

By the end of the week my nerves for the yacht trip were killing me. Dimitri and I rode in silence the whole time to the dock, neither having any words. My replacement bodyguard Mikhail Tanner sat in the driver seat and waited patiently as I said my goodbyes to every prominent male figure in my life. I had no idea why it was harder to let them go than normal. Maybe it was because Dimitri wouldn't be here to keep me from going crazy in my big house.

"Be careful. Call me as soon as you make it back to the dock. Don't do anything dumb. Relax. Have a good time. Be safe Dimitri." All tumbled from my mouth before I could stop to regain my bearings. He chuckled. "Two weeks Roza." He kissed my cheek and climbed aboard The Sea Heir. I let out a shaky breath and without a glance backwards jumped into the SUV with Mikhail and he took us on the route back home as I dialed Adrian's number, telling him to come and keep me company.