Page 27 of Dancing With Delusion

“We came up with a word he could use when I’m acting up. A word that makes me see I’m losing it.”

“So, me holding you back and telling you to calm the fuck down doesn’t do it, but he can say some random word and you just calm instantly and go off together laughing?”

“Did something happen with your father?” she asks cautiously.

“No, Victoria. This is about you and Marshall . . . again.”

“There is no me and Marshall, I told you.”

“But you didn’t tell me about your little secret words.” I pull the shirt on.

She crosses her legs and sighs heavily. “It’s just a word, Dmitry.”

I close the space between us, taking her throat in my hand and forcing her to lie back. Her legs open, falling either side of my thighs. “It’s not just a fucking word,” I spit. “It means something to you two. Something I am not a part of.”

She places a hand against my cheek. “It’s just a word, Dmitry,” she repeats, staring right into my eyes. “I love you.” It’s the first time she’s spoken the words in her own language, and somehow, it means more like this. I inhale sharply. “I love you,” she repeats, this time smiling.

I press my lips against hers, sweeping my tongue into her mouth. “I love you too,” I whisper against her mouth.

She grins, wrapping one leg around my hip and tugging me closer until my cock is against her opening. “I don’t have time,” I murmur.

“You’re turning me down?” she asks, pouting playfully.

I pull back before my cock takes control and begin to fasten my shirt. “Be naked when I get home, we’ll continue this.”

She props herself up on her elbows. “Where are you going?”

I don’t want to lie, but I also don’t want to ruin the moment. “Business dinner with my father.”

“And you don’t need me to come along and protect you?” she asks, pushing onto her knees and crawling towards me. She reaches up and grabs me by the shirt, tugging me closer and placing kisses over my face. My cock strains harder.

“Men only, I’m afraid,” I lie, kissing her on the lips. “Besides, I don’t want to put you through spending time with him. It’s like slow torture.”

She grins. “Now, that we can agree on.”

Dmitry

Stepping out the Range Rover fastening my suit jacket, I give Nik a nod and make my way into the restaurant. My father sits with his back to me. Vivian’s smile beams as I approach the table and she rises to her feet, leaning in for me to peck her on the cheek in greeting.

“Oh, Dmitry, it’s lovely to see you again,” she gushes, making my skin crawl. I can think of better ways to spend my evening, ways which include Victoria’s mouth sucking me dry. I smirk at the thought before pulling the chair back out for Vivian to take a seat. My father glares at me over his wine glass, choosing not to verbally acknowledge my arrival. I take a seat opposite him, giving him the same stoic stare he’s throwing my way.

“I would appreciate if we could make this quick. I have places to be,” I tell them.

My father arches his brow. “Are we keeping you from your dirty little hooker?” His voice drips in sarcasm.

Vivian reaches over the table, resting her hand on my father’s arm. “Now, now, Vladimir. He can’t help the psychotic princess has her claws in him.” She laughs, cold and calculated.

I slam my hands on the table, grabbing the attention of the nearby tables. “Enough. I will not have you disrespect my fiancée.” I hiss, my jaw ticking in frustration. “Either of you.”

Vivian throws her head back, her curls bobbing as she laughs. “Please, Dmitry, we all know you’ll be bored of her soon. She’s clearly losing it and doesn’t have a grasp on reality. You’ll tire of her moods.” She lifts her wine to her lips, a callous smirk evident behind the rim of the glass. “She’s proved that recently with her erratic behaviour.” Vivian is pushing my buttons, and she fucking knows it.

My father clears his throat, bringing my steely stare away from Vivian. “Vivian isn’t wrong, moy syn. The woman’s got a death wish if she thinks she can play with me. She isn’t going to last in this world, and deep down, you know it. She’s deranged.”

I ball my fists, restraining myself from punching the arsehole in the face for being so fucking disrespectful about my wife-to-be, but I bite my anger back. They want me to lose my shit, and I won’t give them the satisfaction. “I did not come here to talk about Victoria. This is a business meeting, is it not? I will not sit by and have you disrespect her in my presence. So, if you have nothing else to say . . .” I stand, the chair scraping along the floor, and I hold my father’s gaze.

Vivian grabs hold of my arm, and I look at where she touches with complete disdain. “Hands,” I bark, and she instinctively removes them.

“Dmitry,” she whispers softly, but it does nothing to calm the raging monster inside me right now. “Please, sit down. We’re just trying to look out for you.” She leans over the table, grabbing the bottle of wine and filling my glass. “Sit, let’s talk business.”

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