Page 60 of Savage Little Lies

I remain silent, not wanting to piss Dmitri off even more.

“Well, I’m glad you two are suddenly so opinionated about family politics that don’t concern you,” Dmitri bites out before pointing at the door. “Go do your jobs and leave me to do mine.”

Isaak and Gabe exchange disappointed looks with each other, but they don’t argue with Dmitri. They turn and walk around me to leave the office. And just like that, Dmitri and I are alone again.

That has been dangerous lately.

“You postponed the wedding?” I ask him, breaking the silence.

Dmitri sighs and sits on the edge of his desk, dragging his fingers through his hair. “I just refused to set a date yet. I’m not fucking ready for this.”

Who would be?

As much as I need him to fail for my family’s sake, I do still feel some sympathy for him. I couldn’t imagine being in his situation, and I know that he’s doing everything that he can to postpone the inevitable and lessen the blow of a whole life with someone like Annika.

I can’t picture him ever being happy with her. He should save himself, but he needs to be brave enough to do so.

I guess that’s rich coming from me as I’m doing my father’s bidding just to get his approval and avoid the same fate of an arranged marriage. It seems like we’re both at the mercy of our families.

“I’m sorry you’re so…conflicted,” I say in a quiet voice as I move closer to him. Too close.

Dmitri lifts his eyes to mine and then rests his hands on my waist, looking defeated. Maybe even a little broken. “I’m not the least bit conflicted about how much I want you, milaya.”

“I know,” I say, letting him keep his hands on my waist. Having him hold me feels too good to make him let go just yet.

Dmitri coaxes me closer, one hand sliding up toward the back of my neck. “Let me have you. I need this.”

No one has ever needed me.

My heart pounds wildly as I gaze into his eyes, seeing the promise of euphoria in their deep blue depths. He’ll be even better than the dream version of himself. I can already tell just from the way he looks at me.

“No,” I tell him, forcing myself to speak the single word.

“There’s no wedding date on the horizon. We have more time,” Dmitri replies as his hand rests on the back of my neck. He tries to coax me forward to draw my mouth to his, but I slip away from him before our lips can touch.

“That’s not enough for me. The wedding is still happening, eventually. You’re still engaged to another woman,” I say with a firm shake of my head, putting my foot down for both of us.

Dmitri sighs heavily and asks, “What will be enough for you?”

“I shouldn’t have to say it,” I reply in an even voice. He already knows, and I’m not going to spell it out.

Dmitri rubs his temples, squeezing his eyes shut. “This morning has already been hell, and I haven’t even gotten any work done.”

“I’ll go grab us coffee. I’m sorry I was so late,” I tell him.

I turn to leave his office just as Dmitri says, “When you didn’t come in, I thought you quit. I panicked.”

He postponed his wedding not just because of our kiss, but because he thought he had lost me for good?

I walk away from him without responding because if I look at him again, I’ll give in.

The more we’re around each other, the harder it is for me to abide by my plan. Honestly, sometimes I forget the plan even exists.

Sometimes, I just feel like a woman who can’t get the thought of her gorgeous boss out of her head.

That would be easier than this war we’re playing.

And far less dangerous.