Chapter Six

Excitement stirred inside him as Robert parked his rental car in the far corner of the lot where the lights didn’t reach. When he climbed out, the scent of late spring blossoms hung in the air, a reminder that long winter nights had passed. He leaned over and plucked a prairie crocus from the flower bed to his left, thinking the purple would look lovely against Katerina’s dark hair.

For the past two weeks, he and Katerina had fallen into a comfortable routine. Breakfast on her balcony before she left each morning, a few minutes together each night after her performance. She insisted on keeping her normal sleep schedule for fear that any changes in her physical regimen would be noticed by her director and fellow dancers.

He hadn’t been able to secure a ticket for tonight’s show, but he had utilized his free time well.

The picnic basket in the trunk of his car was filled with cold chicken, grapes, carrot sticks, and french bread. Knowing Katerina didn’t drink alcohol, he had substituted apple juice for champagne.

Sneaking her out tonight wouldn’t be easy, but he had taken every precaution he could think of. Throughout the day, he had studied every exit and contemplated the various angles from the hotel to ensure none of the balconies from Katerina’s company faced his chosen parking spot.

Everything was ready as long as Katerina was willing to step out of her comfort zone.

Twin threads of danger and anticipation raced through him when he saw the bus carrying the ballet company turn the corner. Not wanting to draw attention to himself, he continued inside and headed for the elevator.

Twirling the flower in his fingers, he made his way to his room, once again noting the distance from his door to the nearest stairwell entrance.

He dug his key from his pocket and entered, passing by his freshly made bed and crossing to the balcony door. He had already pushed his balcony furniture next to the brick wall to clear an easy path for Katerina to come his direction tonight.

He paced the small space, anxiety building as he considered the possibility that his plan might fail. Five minutes crept by. Finally, Katerina’s door opened.

He didn’t climb the railing, instead offering her the flower he held.

Her smile was instant. “Thank you.”

Robert’s eyes swept down to the soft-soled shoes she wore. His voice low, he asked, “Are those comfortable?”

“Yes, why?”

“I made plans for us tonight.”

Caution and curiosity reflected on her face. “What kind of plans?”

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes.” Her eyes met his and held. “I trust you.”

“Good. Then come with me,” Robert said. “You have tomorrow off. Let’s take advantage of you not needing to get up early in the morning.”

“Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise.”

She hesitated briefly, and Robert could see the wheels in her head turning as she worked through the risks. Finally, she glanced at the ground, tightened her grip on his hand, and lifted a leg to climb the railing.

Robert slipped his free arm around her waist, lifting her with ease and setting her down on his balcony.

“Come on.” Robert led her into his room and opened the closet. He retrieved the purchases he had made earlier in the day and handed her a bulky sweater and a knit cap. “Here. Put these on.”

She did so, but when he reached for the doorknob, she put her hand on his arm, her gaze darting up to his. “Someone will see us.”

“We’re going out a side entrance. Even if they’re watching, they won’t be able to see you clearly in the dark.” Robert took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I want to show you what’s outside of these walls. Come with me.”

Katerina drew a deep breath. “I don’t know . . .”

“Please? Trust me.”

Her eyes met his, and he couldn’t miss the fear reflected there. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”

Katerina took another deep breath and let it out in a rush. “Okay.”

Victorious, Robert led her into the hall and toward the stairwell. A few more minutes and Katerina would know what real freedom felt like.

The six flights of steps might as well have been six hundred. What was she doing? What was she thinking? Was anything worth the risk of being seen leaving the hotel?

Her hand warm in Robert’s, she tried to block the fear, but when they reached the first floor, she stopped, unable to move to the door. “Robert, wait. I can’t.”

“We’re almost there.”

Panic clawed at her throat, her breathing now shallow. “I’m sorry.” She pulled her hand from his. “I can’t.” Tears threatened, and she took a step back. “I want to go with you, I do. But the risk is too great. I could be sent back. They could keep me from ever leaving the Soviet Union again. They could keep me from seeing my family.”

Robert stared at her as though seeing her for the first time. After a long moment, he took her hand in his. “Your own people would punish you that way?”

“The first boy I ever cared about was sent to Moscow because he kissed me. I never saw him again,” Katerina said. “They will do whatever will best serve their purpose, if only to instill fear in others.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” Robert lifted both hands to her cheeks and kissed her forehead. “I should have asked you before I tried to sneak you out.”

“I need to go back to my room.”

“Can you wait here for a minute? I have something in my car I want to get. Then I’ll take you back.”

Though she feared someone knocking on her door and finding her gone, she nodded.

“Wait here.” Robert pushed the door open and disappeared into the darkness.

Katerina let the door close between them, and she drew a deep breath, struggling to fight away the worst of her fears. She had already turned off the light in her hotel room so anyone coming to check on her would think she was asleep, but she didn’t put it past Tanya to pound on the door to make sure she was indeed inside.

Three minutes after Robert disappeared, the door leading outside opened again. Robert entered carrying a wicker basket. He put his hand on her back and guided her toward the stairs. “Let’s get you back upstairs.”

They returned in silence. It wasn’t until they were both back on her balcony that Katerina forced herself to speak. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” He pulled a chair out for her before sitting beside her. “I knew the first night I met you that we were from different worlds. I never realized how different until tonight.”

“I wish I could see your world. I wish I weren’t afraid to try.”

“I didn’t understand the risks to you,” Robert said.

Her voice lowered to a whisper. “The KGB are everywhere. Most of them have both guns and diplomatic immunity.”

“That’s a scary combination.” He put a hand on hers. “Let’s not think about that tonight.”

Katerina watched him set out a feast before her. Fat, purple grapes that appeared to be straight from the vine, carrots that had been cut into sticks the size of her pinkie. “You have brought me more fresh produce in the past week than is contained in our entire market back home.”

“Then you best enjoy it while you can.”

“If I had gone with you tonight, if I hadn’t been afraid, where would we have gone?”

“We were going to drive around the city and then have a picnic by the lake,” Robert said. “I wanted to take you to see Niagara Falls, but it takes almost two hours to get there, and you need your sleep.”

“Thank you for the thought.” Katerina reached for his hand. She waited until he looked at her before she continued. “No one outside of my family has ever been so kind to me. I don’t think I will ever meet anyone else like you.”

“I know I’ll never meet anyone else like you.” Robert edged closer. His lips met hers, and his hands slid around her neck as he drew her closer. The connection between them clicked into place as though he could read her every thought, her every dream—as though she could read his.

Robert’s hand trailed along her back, sending shivers over her skin.

Her heart opened to him, the sensation freeing one moment and terrifying the next.

His kiss chased away the fears but couldn’t change reality.

“I can’t believe our time together is almost over,” she said.

“I know.” A faint frown marred his face. “Four more days isn’t enough.”

“How long would be enough?” Katerina asked, surprising herself with her boldness.

“I’m not sure. Maybe a few days past forever.”

The casual way he said the words brought a smile to her face. It faded as reality once again overtook her joy. “I wish I had forever to give.”

“So do I.”