The incomprehension on Luba's face was interesting to observe. Her face first registered shock, next her eyes expanded like saucers, then her entire face contorted with fury. It was Olivia's turn to raise her eyebrows as Luba burst out laughing. Then she stopped as she saw Olivia looking at her curiously.

Luba was shocked to hear Olivia utter those words. Clearly Olivia was delusional. She could never be anything to Fedor. She had never seen this woman prior to their meetings which started almost two weeks ago. Prior to that she had known of every woman who had been in Fedor's bed, since she'd started working for him two years ago, and she had made sure to acquire that intelligence. Luba was so incensed, she began speaking in Russian.

'That is impossible!' She spat out venomously.

'Mmm.'Olivia pondered aloud in Russian. 'According to the Oxford Russian-English dictionary, that means it cannot happen or be achieved. Why would you think that? And I am speaking in your language so nothing is lost in translation!'

Luba glared at Olivia with pure hatred. Her murderous eyes fell to Olivia's tummy. 'You cannot be pregnant with Fedor child!'

Olivia smiled. 'You are correct. I am not pregnant.'

Luba's eyes bulged again. 'You cannot have a baby that is Fedor's. He has not been with you in the last two years. I know every woman he's been with in the last two years.'

'And there were so many too!' Olivia looked at her watch with a bored expression. 'Can we commence work, or should I ask hotel security to have you removed?'

'This is not over, you bitch!' Luba hissed in Russian. 'You will never get Fedor!'

Olivia smiled. 'But Fedor is clearly not interested in you!'

'He's mine. I went to bed with him. He will be mine.'

That was news to Olivia as she looked at her watch again and look out her glass kiosk. There was an irritation on Fedor's face as he waited for them, so he could start.

'The attendees are awaiting us,' Olivia stated. 'I need to work. You sort yourself out with Fedor,' Olivia purposefully slipped on her headphones and nodded to Fedor. At the corner of her eye, she watched Luba leave her kiosk. She watched with curiosity as Luba smiled at Fedor and whispered in his ear.

Fedor looked blankly at Luba as she swung her hips smilingly, as she approached his chair. He was annoyed at Luba for wasting his time and the team's. He wanted to send her on the next plane back to Russia, but she was an integral part of his team. She was legal wise. She perfected the art of finding loopholes in negotiating contracts that traversed international law. She held information at her fingertips and understood the clauses of contracts without him needing to flip pages to reference what he needed to. She could quote a paragraph verbatim and tell you on which page it appeared. So for strategic reasons, he needed Luba at his side.

'That bitch won't bother you again,' Luba smirked. 'I told her you and I are lovers.'

The expression on Fedor's face did not change as he digested Luba's comment. Not that he owed Luba an explanation or had any intention of justifying himself to her. Again, he cursed himself for weakly bedding her. He had felt an instinct to say no to Luba, but had foolishly ignored it.

Fedor, switched on his mike and spoke in English that he was ready to commence the day's work.

Olivia was curious about the look in Fedor's eyes as he met hers, indicating they were ready to begin. She nodded, cleared her mind and commanded her professional temperament to the fore.

At the end of the day, Olivia silently complimented herself on the success of the engagements. It had been an emotional roller coaster dealing with Fedor and the obnoxious Luba. Fedor stood up and shook hands with his counterparts, wishing them a good evening. He politely declined their invitation to join them for supper. As the Germans exited the room, Luba sunk her claws on Fedor's person.

'I have made dinner reservations for you and I,' she purred. 'Let's get out of here.'

Fedor removed her fingers that were clutched round his arm. 'I have plans,' he lied.

Luba's eyes narrowed angrily. 'Why are you chasing her?' She spat. 'You know that bitch is lying about having your baby.'

Fedor's face was calm but his tone furious. 'I will remind you again, you can return to Russia, if you cannot conduct yourself in a professional manner. I can call any one of ten people to replace you. Good afternoon Luba.' Fedor's eyes bore into Luba's as he stood his ground, waiting for her to depart. She gathered her stuff and strutted away. When Olivia came down from her kiosk, Fedor was grinning, his arms folded, looking very sexy.

'You couldn't resist telling Luba, you are the mother of my child.'

'Mmm. I believe she wants you back in her bed!'

Fedor had the grace to squirm. 'I have not been celibate since you and I were lovers, Olivia, but if you take me back, you can be assured of my fidelity.'

She tightly clutched the straps of the handbag on her shoulder, contemplating his comment. Having Fedor as her lover had been wonderful. It had been amazing, but Fedor was not a man who falls in love. He sleeps with women, but his obsession is work. At a moment's notice he would be flying from one continent to another. She wanted stability for herself and more so for Rebecca. Fedor was incapable of providing that. Olivia was stunned when she felt Fedor's arms lightly at her waist.

'Don't take liberties Fedor,' nervously her eyes lifted to his. Her lips ached for his kisses, his love. Her hands were tempted to wrap around his neck.

'I want you Olivia,' he murmured gruffly. 'I want to make love with you.'

'No.'

'Come home with me,' he urged passionately. His arms tightened round her.

So he had not sold the home they'd lived in? He'd kept it! He was not staying in a hotel? She shook her head. She could not go back there. She could never go back there. There were too many painful memories.

'I can't,' she shook her head again. 'I can't go back there.'

'I have to go back there each day,' he hissed, his fingers painfully digging into her flesh at her waist. 'I have to sleep in the bed we made love in every night. Every room reminds me of you,' he growled. 'The memories come back of what we ___.'

'Just stop Fedor!' She pushed him away.

His eyes met hers, dark, passionate, aroused. She could read him like a book, but she was not sleeping with him ...tonight. He inhaled heavily, just drinking her in. He lifted his hands into the air, then gently touched her arms.

'Invite me for dinner,' he smirked, 'and don't say no.'

She laughed, mentally racking her brain, as to what was in her refrigerator to offer him for supper.

'Olivia?'

'Yes?'

'Can you hug me?'

She knew it would be trouble with a capital T, to be in Fedor's arms, but she found herself lifting her arms and all the familiar sensations came flooding back, the appealing scent of his flesh, the strength and comfort she found in his arms, the irresistible desire to shed her clothes and get intimate with him. She felt his arms grip her body tightly, felt his erection press against her pelvis. Her eyes lifted to his.

'I already confessed to you I want to make love with you,' he whispered.

'Not going to happen,' she murmured, dropping her hands and creating some distance between her and him. She had to confess, even silently, it had been sixty seconds of pure bliss, being in his arms.

'Come,' he guided her by the elbow. 'I can give you a lift, seeing you are giving me dinner.'

'I did not say yes.'

'You did not say no,' he offered her a sexy smile.

As Fedor led her out, Olivia recognized two of his many bodyguards, Timur Dubov and Novel Genkin. Due to the nature of Fedor's business and him needing security staff at all hours, many were on twelve- hour rotational duty. Olivia had liked Novel. He had always been friendly, good-mannered and he smiled. She had never seen Timur smile. He never spoke either, unless she first initiated a conversation, and then only received monosyllabic responses.

'Good afternoon,' she greeted both his security. She got a nod from Timur and a smile and a greeting from Novel.

'Lovely to see you again, Olivia,' Novel greeted in Russian.

'And you too,' Olivia responded back in Russian.

'I see Fedor is smiling again these days,' Novel grinned.

Olivia looked at Fedor, he was in conversation with Timur. Fedor was speaking rather rapidly. Timur's hand gestures were animated and he was shaking his head vigorously. Fedor stopped talking, his face stoic. Timur was handing a set of keys to Fedor, very reluctantly, it seemed. Olivia's eyes returned to Novel.

'Oh, I can show you on Google, Fedor has been smiling a lot in the last year,' she murmured unsmilingly.

Olivia barely heard Novel mumble under his breath, something to the effect that appearances, can be deceptive, when Fedor came to where she stood. He led her to one of the four by four vehicles and opened the door for her. She somehow surmised now, Timur may had been insistent on chauffeuring Fedor to his destination. One thing she can attest to about all of Fedor's security personnel, they took their jobs seriously and their boss's protection, even more so.

'I take it Timur does not like your driving skills,' Olivia questioned, as Fedor slid into the driver's seat.

Fedor side-eyed her. 'I gave them the afternoon off, but he refused and further insisted on following us.'

Olivia looked over her shoulder and true as Bob, the second four by four, was right behind them. She was comfortable with Fedor driving. He had always been mindful of traffic laws and a courteous driver. When they arrived at Olivia's apartment, Sophie and Rebecca were watching television. Rebecca was rather engrossed, she did not even bother to acknowledge her mum. Sophie stood up, smilingly, as she observed Fedor, tall and handsome, behind Olivia.

'Hi,' Sophie greeted with a very wide grin.

'Hey Sophie,' Olivia smiled. 'I'd like you to meet Fedor Zykov, Rebecca's dad.

'Fedor, this is Sophie Mason, Rebecca's nanny.'

'Hi again,' Sophie smiled.

'Lovely to meet you,' Fedor responded in his very accented voice, as he extended his hand in greeting.

Sophie was swooning just from Fedor's smile and sexy accent. 'Are you going out for supper? I can take Rebecca with me upstairs.'

'No. I'm giving Fedor last night's left overs.'

'There are no left overs,' Sophie spoke directly to Fedor, winking conspirationally.

'Bye,' Olivia dismissed Sophie. 'Jack's waiting for you.'

'Right,' Sophie waved goodbye. 'Rebecca stills needs her supper. Bye Rebecca,' Sophie threw a kiss to Rebecca, before she departed.

Olivia and Fedor started at each other, before, Olivia turned around to greet her baby.

'Hi Rebecca.'

'Hi Mum,' Rebecca greeted, her eyes still on the television.

'How was your day darling?' Olivia lifted Rebecca into her arms and kissed her chubby cheek.

'Beat Bugs,' Rebecca pointed to the television, trying to deflect her mum's attention.

'Can you greet mummy?' Olivia held Rebecca tightly in her arms.

'Hi mum,' Rebecca smiled, finally distracted sufficiently, to also notice the adult male in the room. She smiled shyly at Fedor.

'Darling, this is ___ your daddy. Say hi to daddy.'

Olivia heard the muffled sound escape Fedor's lips, saw his shoulders heave, his eyes become moist.

'Daddy?' Rebecca questioned.

'Yes,' Olivia smiled. 'Can you give your daddy a hug?'

'Okay,' Rebecca nodded, extending her tiny arms to Fedor.

'Hello Rebecca,' Fedor hugged his daughter. He greeted her in Russian, telling her how beautiful she was and that he was so happy to meet her.

'She can say good morning and good night,' Olivia smiled.

'You're teaching our daughter Russian?'

And French. Olivia smiled, shrugging her shoulders.

Rebecca began relating to her dad about Beat Bugs, pointing to the television.

'I'm going to put something in the oven for dinner,' Olivia announced.

'Want some help?' Fedor offered.

'You can keep Rebecca company.'

'Thank you for telling Rebecca I'm her dad.'

Olivia met Fedor's eyes. It had been a spontaneous thing. Perhaps it was best she inform her daughter who this sexy, hot stud was, as he was clearly going to insist on making future trips to their apartment. She shrugged again and went to her kitchen, leaving Fedor in the lounge with Rebecca. Olivia put some chicken in the oven to grill. She was busy preparing a salad. She could hear Rebecca opening her toy cabinet and talking to Fedor. She smiled, suspecting, every toy was now strewn around the lounge. She was adding dressing to the salad when Fedor walked into her kitchen with Rebecca in his arms. She looked up questioningly.

'Everything okay?'

'Yes,' he smiled, nodding simultaneously.

'You having fun darling,' Olivia smiled at Rebecca, handing her a carrot stick.

'Tank you,' Rebecca reached for the carrot. 'Dad?' She pointed to Fedor, wanting one for him as well.

Oh wow! 'Sure,' Olivia handed one to Fedor as well.

'Thank you. She's been saying "dad' not stop,' Fedor's eyes were moist.

Olivia looked away. She placed a lid over the salad, checked on the chicken and poured some wine into glasses for her and Fedor. She knew he would have preferred vodka, but she refused to stock his preferred drink.

'Olivia, I was wondering if you would be okay with celebrating Rebecca's birthday at the children's home. She could make lots of friends.'

Olivia looked up, pleasantly surprised at Fedor's suggestion. Although Rebecca's birthday was still a few months away, it was a wonderful idea for Rebecca to make friends.

'I'm sure Rebecca would love that,' Olivia smiled. 'It is an excellent idea.'

'Thank you,' Fedor smiled back. 'Shall I confirm it with the principal?'

'Yes. Luckily Rebecca's birthday is on a Sunday.'

In the month that followed, Fedor was coming over quite frequently. Some nights he stayed for supper. Some nights he bought supper for them. Olivia saw the joy and love in his eyes every time Rebecca called him "dad". The relationship between them was developing quite rapidly. Rebecca had clearly bonded with her father rather naturally. The nights when Fedor was at the door, Rebecca would go sprinting to the door, loudly chanting, "dad...dad". Sometimes he came bearing shopping bags, Rebecca would throw her tiny arms around his legs, wanting him to pick her up. Fedor would hastily place the bags on the counter and scoop her into his arms...like tonight.

'Dobryy vecher. Kak ty moy Malysh?' ...Good evening. How are you my Little Baby?

'Dobroye utro?' ... good morning.

Olivia and Fedor both chuckled at Rebecca. Fedor gripped her tighter in his arms and pressed his lips to her cheek.

'It is evening darling,' Olivia smiled, correcting her daughter. ' Dobryy vecher.'

Rebecca repeated the phrase with much difficulty. Olivia unpacked the bags Fedor had brought, some fruit, snacks and a box of chocolate truffles for her. He used to buy her those, when they were together. She looked over now to see Fedor and Rebecca smiling happily. Rebecca was wrapping Fedor's tie around her fingers. She was mumbling something to him, that he did not seem to understand, then she turned his head, to her toy cabinet and Fedor laughed comprehendingly. He had a sexy laugh Olivia thought. In fact everything about him was sexy and she was finding him more and more irresistible. There were moments, when Rebecca had been put to bed, their eyes would lock, Olivia craved his touch, ached to kiss him... and more. She'd read the desire in his eyes, heard his hiss of breath, felt the sexual tension between them, but Fedor had refused to act on his desire. He wanted her to know he was to build his relationship with Rebecca and not to take advantage and get into her bed. She dragged her mind back to the present, to deal with a matter that was tearing at her heart.

'Are you returning to Russia, Fedor?'

Their negotiations with the Germans were over. Fedor could claim, it had been very successful for him. But what were his future intentions? Was he staying in London, or going back home? Fedor looked up from playing with Rebecca and her new favourite toy, Pingu, but his mind was elsewhere, his face blank.

'Fedor?'

He handed the toy to Rebecca and stood up, his eyes focused squarely on Olivia's.

'The last time you asked me that, you walked out of my life,' he murmured.

She looked away. The memories too painful. The wasted time, foolish egos, the fear from both of them to speak about a future together. She directed her eyes back to him.

'Your work is over here... My manager has emailed me, my new assignment for next week. Rebecca is developing a bond with you. It's not fair on her, if you are in her life during intermittent intervals.'

Fedor stared at her, then dragged his eyes to Rebecca. He inhaled heavily, his eyes unreadable, his face a blank canvas.

-end chapter eight-