Page 52 of Savage Little Lies

When we step out into the night, the first thing I think about isn’t the alliance.

It’s Cara.

I should be thinking about expansion. Instead, I’m thinking about her mouth, and running out of self-control.

Soon, I’m going to have to make a fucking final decision.

And I have a feeling that I won’t be choosing marriage.

20

Cara

Late in the week, Dmitri and I finally escape the office for a meeting.

Being surrounded by walls for hours hasn’t done anything but make us both restless.

His offer keeps replaying in my mind, repeatedly like a broken record. It’s hard not to imagine what would happen if I finally gave in.

But not until he calls off the engagement to Annika.

“The sun feels nice today,” I say, brushing my hair behind my shoulders as Dmitri and I sit at a small table on the outdoor patio.

Dmitri drums his fingers against the top of the metal table impatiently as he waits for the guy we’re meeting to arrive. “It’s Vegas. It’s hot.”

I lean back in my seat, letting the sun’s rays grace my skin from above as other people chat and drink nearby.

“Your hair has more of a reddish tint to it in the sunlight,” Dmitri comments.

“Oh, well, I like to experiment with different colors at the salon,” I lie after he notices my natural tint.

“I bet you would make a stunning redhead.”

My cheeks warm up as he studies me with a grin. He actually has a very nice smile. When he shows it.

“You should smile more,” I tell him as I fiddle with the straw in my ice water, attempting to quickly change the subject.

Dmitri scoffs and shakes his head. “And let people think that I’m friendly? I have a reputation to uphold. Besides, there’s not much to smile about lately.”

I nudge his ankle under the table, making him crack a grin again. “There must be some part of your life that makes you smile. You’ve got things going for you. You’re a successful businessman. You’re well respected. And feared. You have tons of money, right? And you could have anyone you wanted.”

“Not whoever I want, evidently,” Dmitri comments as he lifts his eyebrow at me.

He wants me to change the answer that I gave him. Truthfully, I want to change it too. I bet Dmitri would be mind-blowingly good in bed, but he needs to drop some baggage first.

Baggage whose love language is designer labels.

“You’re about to get married,” I say before sipping on my water, hearing him sigh in response.

“Don’t remind me,” Dmitri mutters as he stares into his drink.

“I hate that you’re stuck in this situation. I know that family is important, but at what cost?” I say as I reach out to briefly brush my hand against his.

Dmitri’s breathing quickens a hint at my simple touch. “My…position in the family is more important than anything else. That’s what I’ve been taught.”

I understand that on a personal level. I was also taught that my father’s orders come before everything, and that’s cost me a lot. Friends, boyfriends, opportunities.

“It’s worth losing your chance at true happiness?” I ask him.