Page 40 of Bound By Longing

“This is one of the best restaurants in the city,” Dimitri says, opening the door for me. It’s a steakhouse with low lighting and elegant furnishings. The perfect place for a date.

Except …

“I don’t really eat meat,” I tell him.

He pauses, a small frown forming on his lips. “Oh. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I just didn’t think of it. Sorry.”

“No. No. Don’t apologize for not eating meat. Even though I think it is a little weird.”

I take a small step away from him. “Why is it weird?”

Dimitri shrugs and opens and closes his mouth. “It just … is.”

“Um, there’s a park across the street. We could go for a walk.”

“It’s cold outside.”

“Then it’s a good thing we have jackets on.” I brush past him and leave the restaurant. After a second, he follows.

“So,” he says as we begin our walk through the beautiful old park. “Who are you, Mila? What are your favorite things? Your least favorite things?”

“I’m still figuring that out. I used to dance ballet, but it was never a passion. I tried my hand at other things, but nothing ever stuck. Though, I do like drawing. I’ve been doing that a lot lately, being stuck inside all day.”

“I heard about that. For your own protection, yes?”

I sigh. “Yes. But even that didn’t work because I still got kidnapped.”

Dimitri gently grabs my arm and looks down at me with intense eyes. “I would never let you get hurt, Mila. Never. I promise.”

“I appreciate it.” The feeling of Dimitri’s hand on my arm is … fine. Nothing electric. Not like when Damien touched me. “But you shouldn’t make a promise like that. In the world we live in, nothing is ever certain.”

“That is true, but I will try my best to keep you safe.”

“Thank you, Dimitri.” I truly mean it.

We continue to walk.

“So, who are you?” I ask. “What are things you enjoy?”

“I love my job. I took it up after my father died. He worked with Mikhail, so now, I do. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

“That’s wonderful, Dimitri. Do you have any hobbies?”

“Like not eating meat?” He nudges me with a smile. I try to smile back, but it feels forced.

“Does that bother you that I don’t?”

“No,” he says, way too quickly, in my opinion.

“Ok. Good.”

We walk on in silence until it becomes unbearable. I open my mouth to speak when I stop.

Because Damien is standing at the park entrance, watching Dimitri and me.

I don’t have time to process it before he’s approaching us. “Mila. Nice to see you made it home safely. And who is this?” He looks at Dimitri casually, but there’s an undercurrent of anger radiating off him. You’d have to be blind not to notice it.

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