Chapter 5

The shelling began, as always, just as dawn resolved into dull daylight, the distant, shuddering thuds and booms waking a restless and feverish Nikolai Koulikov from uncomfortable dreams. Dreams of soft, gentle hands on his trembling body, mingled with terrifying images of mangled, bloated corpses floating lazily in dirty eddies in a bloody river.

He woke with a start, disorientated.

Dammit, he was sore! Every inch of his body felt beaten and bruised, he had a blinding headache and his whole left side was on fire. He shifted slightly, trying to ease the screaming ache in his side and gasped with pain, stitches pulling against the flexing of muscles.

Well, Nikolai Koulikov, that was bloody silly, he thought, lie still, you idiot …

He tried relaxing his muscles, but that didn’t work – and it was then he became aware of another discomfort, one he hadn’t bargained on. He realised he was tremendously aroused, his manhood pushing against the restrictions of his longjohns, hard and hot, desperate for relief. Now how the hell did that happen?? He felt a movement against his good side and discovered to his dismay that Rivka was curled against his arm, head resting against his shoulder. What was even worse was the feel of her hand lying flat on the bare skin of his belly.

He tried desperately to shift a little and bit back a cry as the agony shot through him, and Rivka murmured softly, her hand making soothing movements over the flat muscles, trying to ease him though the pain even in sleep. Nikolai realised to his horror he was stuck.

Looking down at the woman sleeping beside him he saw that her old nightgown had the top two buttons undone and the worn material gaped away from Rivka’s body. A silken soft breast was visible, the dark, pert nipple pressing against his arm as she slumbered unknowingly beside him. He groaned quietly, and once again the hand began rubbing the skin just above his navel. Dear God, what he would give for that hand to drift lower and curl around his aroused shaft, stroking, smoothing, teasing, his mouth desperate to suckle on that tender, luscious nipple – NO!!! No, he couldn’t start thinking like that!

His erection was now straining away from his body, clearly visible through the sheet over his battered frame. Where the hell were the blankets?? Panic began to set in as he noticed the blankets rumpled in a heap at the bottom of the bed, and he vaguely remembered being hot and uncomfortable through the night. Memories of Rivka, wide awake this time, flitted through his mind, memories of the warmth of her voice as she tried to calm him in his fevered pain. Folding back the blankets, she had gently held him as he shuddered through some awful nightmare, her arms cradling him for long moments as he tried to ride through the agony, his face turning instinctively to nuzzle against the swell of her breast. She had not objected, he remembered, and he had heard the soft croon of strange words as she tried to ease him into sleep.

But that was hours ago, and now he was cold, in pain and as aroused as hell. It was no good – he had to move, get out of bed. If he could only sit up and swing his legs over the side of the bed, the pressure would ease, and he would be free of Rivka’s deliciously tormenting touch. But how to do it without waking her …

His good right arm was trapped by her warm body, but he managed to shift his hand slowly and without waking her he caught hold of her wrist and very gently moved her hand from his over-sensitive skin. Rivka muttered in her sleep, but thankfully didn’t waken. Steeling himself, he began to ease himself upright, his wounds burning with agony, the stitches objecting to the movement. His erection chafed against the longjohns, and he knew then and there that if he had stayed beside Rivka for much longer he would have spontaneously ejaculated – an absolute disaster, if ever there was one.

Shifting sideways he managed to free his arm and Rivka stirred, murmuring softly. For what seemed an eternity, Nikolai froze. He was leaning on his wounded side and he held his breath for long moments, the agony in his body making black spots swim before his eyes. Nausea made his stomach rebel, and he swallowed bile, desperately trying to stop either throwing up or passing out – and he was in imminent danger of doing both.

Rivka finally settled down once more, her lean body snuggling into the warm hollow left by Nikolai’s big frame. He was committed – he had to get out of the bed now, or trap Rivka under him – not an unpleasant thought, he had to admit, but not a situation he wished to be caught up in, considering his present aroused condition. He eased his body sideways a little more, and then tried untangling his legs from the sheet, the material now clinging treacherously to his longjohns. Damn, the sheet wouldn’t shift – he gave the material one final jerk and this time couldn’t contain the loud yelp of pain the movement wrung out of him.

Rivka awoke. She was aware of movement beside her and the cry of agony that had shaken her from her slumber. It had been a long, uneasy night, and she was still very tired, but her eyes adjusted to the light in the room and she was horrified to see Nikolai attempting to haul his big frame out of bed. What the hell did he think he was doing??? She blearily sat up and began to reach out to touch his arm – his back was towards her, and she was shaken once more to see the deep bruising all over his left side.

“Major?” She straightened as Nikolai groaned, his shoulders hunched against the pain, and she leaned forward to help support him. But he pulled away, the action costing him dearly, and Rivka finally caught a glimpse of the bulge under the sheet at his groin. Her eyes widened. What on earth …? But Nikolai, using his last remaining reserves of strength, managed to unceremoniously haul one of the blankets from the bottom of the bed and cover his lap.

But her curiosity was forgotten as Rivka saw Nikolai swing his legs out of the bed and sit up, ribcage heaving with the effort and face white with pain. The big fool was going to try and stand up! Was he insane?? She scrambled out of the bed and was by his side in a moment.

“Major Koulikov – get back into that bed this instant! What are you doing? Are you trying to make yourself even sicker, you big ox??”

But her heart went out to him even as she railed at him, seeing his unhappy and pain-ridden face. He had his left arm tight against his wounded side, his broad frame trembling with the effort of sitting upright on the edge of the bed. She knew he was precious close to losing what little he had in his stomach, his body objecting to the disturbance after so many hours lying in bed. She relented a little, her voice softening in compassion.

“Come on now – back into bed with you. I’ll help you - ”

“I can’t.”

The words were a pained but forceful growl.

Rivka scowled. The man was just too much!

“What do you mean, you can’t??” Rivka couldn’t imagine what would drive a man out of bed in such dire circumstances, wounded as he was, unless … her eyebrows lifted in sudden understanding. “Ohhh … I see. You need …” she cleared her throat in embarrassment. “You, ah, need to … to relieve yourself.”

Nikolai snorted in amusement then groaned as his side objected. God, he felt awful.

“No, Missus. That’s not it.”

Now Rivka was mystified. He was sore, sick and very, very uncomfortable, and the fool was trying to get out of bed when he should be asleep and letting his body heal. Well, whatever it was, it could wait. He was getting back into bed whether he liked it or not.

“Well, Major, it will wait until you feel a little better. Now then, I’ll help you …”

Without giving Nikolai a chance to protest she leaned over and moved to help him lift his long legs back into the warmth and comfort of the feather bed, knowing he would take all day to recover from his efforts.

“Please, Missus …” Nikolai’s voice broke with the pain. He was so weak he couldn’t stop himself lying back on the bed, and he finally had to let go of the blanket on his lap and use his good arm to steady himself.

Before he could stop it, the blanket slid from his lap onto the floor.

“OH!” Rivka’s voice was riven with shock.

Nikolai groaned in horror. He was done for.

Rivka saw the blanket fall from his lap, and at last saw the rigid outline of his arousal through his worn longjohns. She was aware of the flush rising in Nikolai’s face, but she couldn’t keep her eyes away from his groin, the swell of his manhood drawing her gaze with shocked fascination. She was instantly transported back to the memory of him asleep in the tub, his long powerful body soaking in the heat of the water. She also remembered the vague outline of his maleness and once again felt the strange, pooling heat in her loins.

What on earth was happening to her? He was a man, and the only experience she had of men in the physical sense had been Gavri. All he had done was assault her, hurt her – he hadn’t even undressed, just flung her on the bed and rucked up her dress, groping for her in the dark. She had felt his hardness, felt the pain as he pushed into her, and heard his cry as he finished seconds later. Whatever had happened to him he hadn’t managed to love her properly, and she had felt nothing but pain and frustration.

But here was a man who was trying desperately to avoid embarrassing not just himself but Rivka also, and she was astounded. Why would he do that? Why on earth was he aroused in the first place?

Nikolai was apologising, for once in his life stammering with embarrassment.

“Sorry, Missus … I … I … well, I never meant … I mean - God, what do I mean? Oh, bugger, I honestly couldn’t … no, er, that’s not what I’m trying to say, I … um … well, it just, oh dammit …”

Distracted by her thoughts, Rivka bent over to pick up the blanket, giving Nikolai untold discomfort as he caught a glimpse of her firm breasts through the gaping neck of the nightgown. God Almighty, what she was doing to him was killing him …

Rivka finally caught his gaze and looked down. The truth of what was happening to Nikolai hit her like a hammer. It was her. She was the one that had caused him arousal and discomfort! Her hand reached up to button the gown, but for some unaccountable reason, she hesitated. It was her body he was reacting to, her physical presence. She was stunned by the revelation. She had had a feeling the Major liked her, and truth be told, she enjoyed his company, even when he teased her. She liked the softness in his voice when he spoke to her, and she had been amazed at the righteous anger in the big sniper when he had saved her from the soldiers.

God help her, she liked the big idiot.

She snapped back into reality as Nikolai’s voice changed from mortified stammering to a hiss of pain. Whatever was she doing, daydreaming about something she had never envisioned happening to her would have to be put aside.

She dropped the blanket on the bed and helped Nikolai, his face twisted with pain as he eased back onto the pillows. Rivka pulled the sheet back over his trembling body and gently covered him with the warm blankets, concerned and discomfited that he was in so much pain because of her presence. Her heart lurched as she sat beside him, nightgown forgotten, worried at the feverish glitter in his blue-on-blue gaze. He had pushed himself too far, and she hoped he hadn’t caused himself more hurt, because in truth she wouldn’t forgive herself if she had done so.

Nikolai lay shivering, pain roaring through him like a tide, waiting for his body to stop falling apart at the seams and let him relax. His erection was subsiding finally, thankfully, the pain driving any thoughts of Rivka’s glorious body from his mind. The nausea was still roiling in his gut, and he felt just bloody dreadful. But he felt a hand clasp his and he rolled his head on the pillow to see Rivka watching him intently, nothing but concern in the brown eyes. God, she was beautiful! Her black hair fell around her shoulders, and her gown, old and worn as it was, accentuated her figure.

“I’m sorry, Missus - ”

“Shush, Major. Sleep now.” Rivka watched him through fathomless eyes, and Nikolai thought she was quietly bluffing her way through the situation.

Well, Nikolai you fool, you’ve managed to balls that one up, he thought, she’s just being polite. You haven’t got a cat in hell’s chance of getting on her good side now – not that you ever had a chance with her in the first place, you silly bastard …

His thoughts meandered wilfully through his mind as his body finally allowed him enough freedom from discomfort and let him slip quietly into sleep.

Rivka sat for long moments, watching his face become unlined as the pain subsided, and she felt the fingers of his big, capable hand relax in her grasp. She was caught by the length of those fingers, noting the big-boned joints and knuckles, knowing that for their size they were deft and agile. She turned the hand over and studied the palm, running her own finger over the calluses and lines, watching the pulse of the blood in his wrist. Nice hands … deadly hands. But they were hands she was sure could bring great pleasure to a woman. She sighed thoughtfully.

This Major Nikolai Koulikov was an enigma. Big and brawny, his earthy humour made her smile despite herself. He was kind and gentle, but he had a temper that would frighten a lion. He had roared to her defence, and made short work of those who would harm her. He cared about her.

Get a grip, woman. He’s a soldier. He could get killed at any moment – you’d be a fool to get involved … as if you need a man anyway …

Rivka sighed once more, laid the big, lax hand back on the bed and tucked the blankets around the sleeping man, and was surprised at the warmth she felt in her chest as she studied him.

Looking at her old clock she realised it was nearly six in the morning – her usual waking time. It wasn’t worth going back to bed, although the thought of lying next to Nikolai’s broad, warm frame made her smile, so she gathered up her clothes and began to dress.

****************
 

Nikolai slept intermittently through the day, Rivka allowing him to take his recovery at his own pace, but checking that he wasn’t trying to push himself too hard. By the middle of the afternoon he was fractious, needing to sit up and take notice of his surroundings. Rivka had tried for a few moments to keep him quiet and still, but it became fairly obvious he wasn’t going to acquiesce, so she propped him up with pillows and let him sit up for the first time since his wounding.

They spoke to each other only when they needed to, the harrowing early-morning awakening still haunting Nikolai’s thoughts. There was a mild argument over bathroom arrangements, Nikolai finally needing to relieve his bladder and Rivka refusing to let him out of bed to do so. Her production of a purloined bed-pan turned him into an indignant bully, but he was no match for Rivka, who merely threatened to tie him to the bed and let him lie in his own mess if he didn’t agree. Muttering dire threats and reddening once more in embarrassment, Nikolai gave in and used the bed-pan.

He was managing to eat a bowl of broth and some bread in the evening when there came a rapping at the door. It was Vassili. A very worried Vassili, his face set with concern, despite his obvious relief that Nikolai looked better and was apparently on the road to recovery.

Nikolai waited patiently for Vassili to explain what was bothering him.

“It’s the Germans.” Vassili blurted the words out, the worry twisting his handsome face.

Nikolai snorted.

“Isn’t it always, boy – so what makes it so different this time?”

Rivka silently handed Vassili a bowl of soup and waited for the lad to continue.

“They’ll be at the Volga in days, Nikolai – we’re having problems holding them back at Mamaev and the Tractor Factory, and we’re pulling back over the river. We have reinforcements on the way and we will push them back, but for the meantime we’re falling back. You and Mrs Velonina have to leave here within a couple of days, I should think. Four at the most. It’s not safe here anymore.”

There was a long silence as the three of them pondered the problem.

“No.”

The two soldiers turned at the determination in Rivka’s voice.

Vassili paled.

“But Mrs Velonina – you can’t stay, it’s not safe!!! If you don’t mind me saying so, but you’re Jewish – do you think the Germans will leave you alone here? You’ll end up in a concentration camp … or worse still - ”

“No, Vassili. This is my home and I’m not moving. Do you think I’m any safer with our own troops?? The Major knows what I mean. I’m staying. I’ll be safe enough, I have my ways and means of hiding.”

“Nikolai, you tell her! Tell her she has to leave - ”

“No lad, I’ll do no such thing.”

Rivka’s eyebrows raised at the vehemence in Nikolai’s voice.

“If the Missus says she’s staying, then that’s fine by me.”

“But - ”

“No ‘buts’, lad. We’ll be just fine.”

Rivka’s eyebrows shot up.

“Major - ”

“I’m staying too, Missus. I can’t move much, and I’ll just be a hindrance to the doctors. Leave me here, Vassili. If the Missus says we’ll be safe, then we’ll be safe. I trust her, lad. I trust her with my life.”

Vassili looked at them both with undisguised shock. They were both crazy.

“Are you insane, Nikolai? If they find you - ”

Nikolai knew exactly what would happen if the Germans discovered them, but he knew if Rivka said they would be safe, then so be it.

Rivka smiled, touched by Nikolai’s words. He trusted her. She touched his arm in thanks, and Nikolai patted her fingers absently. Vassili shook his head in bewilderment, his pale eyes confused. But he knew there was nothing he could say or do that would change their minds, and he sighed in defeat.

“All right, all right. Are you sure you’ll be safe? What can I get for you? Rations? Medical supplies? I’ve brought that sulfa powder I promised, and I have some blankets I found going spare …”

Rivka kept the young soldier occupied for the next few minutes as she listed items she needed, and one or two things she thought Nikolai would want. The big sniper lay in the bed, exhausted with doing nothing, and listened to Rivka make decisions for both of them. He liked that. It was almost as though they were a couple.

But he dismissed the thought from his mind – she wasn’t for him. He was just a rough old soldier, too set in his ways and not the handsomest chap in the world. She wouldn’t think of him twice in that way, he was sure. Still, she liked him, he could tell. She had cared for him, nursed him, seen him at his most vulnerable, and she still cared. She was a very special woman indeed. He smiled to himself. No matter what came in the future, at least he would have these few days to treasure, days where at least someone cared if he lived or died. He would remember them for the rest of his life.

Vassili stayed for another hour, then left to see Tania and organise the supplies for Rivka.

Alone once more, Nikolai sleepily watched her bustle about the room, planning storage space and sorting out the blankets.

“Where, may I ask Missus, are we going to hide?”

Rivka smiled furtively.

“I have my ways, Major. We’ll go over it in the morning, I promise. But right now I want you to go to sleep and get plenty of rest. You had a rough night last night, and you need to catch up. I promise I’ll discuss it with you in the morning. Oh, and Major?”

“Yes, Missus?” Nikolai was barely awake now, his eyes drooping.

“Thank you for staying. You didn’t have to, you know.”

Nikolai let a small grin creep onto his face.

“I know. But with you, Missus … with you, I feel safe …” His eyes closed and he drifted into a quiet and peaceful sleep.

Rivka watched him for a moment.

“Well, Major – I must admit, I would miss you if you weren’t here.” Her voice was no higher than a whisper, so as not to disturb him.

Leaving him to sleep, she carried on with her work.

*******************

In the early hours of the morning, a cold and miserable Rivka Velonina arose from her place in the old armchair and crept silently to the big bed. Easing off Nikolai’s greatcoat, she lifted the blankets and slid in between the sheets, her body shivering as she relaxed in the comfort.

She lay awake for a few moments listening to Nikolai’s steady, gentle breathing, and was calmed. He would sleep better this night, his fever having gone and the pain lessened. The warm solidity of his brawny frame reassured her, and she curled onto her side and looked at his profile in the fire-lit darkness, his face looking younger and relaxed as he slept.

She was unaccountably happy to know he was there beside her, and she closed her eyes. In moments she was sound asleep.