Page 13 of Sinful Lies

I’ve had enough of overbearing alpha types for one week. I go to yell, but his strong arms are on either side of me, trapping me between him and my car, and all words seem to leave me.

“Talk to me,” he murmurs, his dark eyes flicking down to my lips.

“About what?” I can barely think when he’s this close, which is exactly why he’s doing it.

A deep crease appears between his eyebrows, and he dips his head so that he’s almost resting his forehead against my own.

If I took a deep enough breath, my chest would brush against his. Just the thought of running my hands over his broad chest, feeling the heat of his body beneath my fingertips has me almost melting.

Dimitri Koslov is intoxicating, which is exactly why I make such an effort to keep my walls firmly in place whenever he’s around.

He’s the worst type of playboy. He makes you feel special, as if you’re the only girl to ever catch his eye. Then once he’s had his fix, he’ll leave you to wake up alone, wondering if you dreamed the whole thing.

Most of the time, I can convince myself that sleeping with him wouldn’t be worth the emotional damage. But right now, I barely have the energy to keep my eyes open, sowhen he looks at me like I’m the only girl to walk the earth, I’m tempted to walk straight into the trap.

“Is your boss still bothering you?” His breath tickles my cheek. He smells of bergamot mixed with alcohol, and I want to smother myself in it.

“Dimitri…”

My voice trails off as he reaches out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his fingertips grazing my cheek.

“Zara, I know you, and this isn’t you.”

I sink my teeth into my lower lip as tears start to prick my eyes. I’m emotionally spent, and it’s clear I’m not doing a very good job of hiding it.

“So, I’ll say it again. Talk to me, Zara.”

“I don’t want to talk about this anymore, Dimitri.” I lean back against the car door. “I’m tired.”

“I know,pcholka.”

“Don’t…call me that.” I frown, folding my arms across my chest. I don’t even know what he is calling me.

“I can call you my girlfriend if you prefer?”

I roll my eyes, and he chuckles, the sound causing a shiver to run down my spine.

“I must say, I quite enjoyed playing the role of overprotective boyfriend.”

“Is that so?”

I don’t know why I’m engaging with him. I should just get in my car and drive back to the city. But there’s something about being around Dimitri that has my shoulders loosening and the weight on my chest lifting.

He has the sort of ease about him that I wish I could bottle up and pour on my morning cereal.

“It’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about.”

“If you’re going to ask me on a date, the answer is no, Koslov.”

“Ouch.” Dimitri laughs, taking a hand and pressing it to his heart. “That cut deep.”

“I’m sure you have no shortage of women willing to go out with you, so I don’t feel bad for turning you down.”

“I wasn’t going to ask you on a date, Zara.” He drops his other hand from beside my head, folding them across his broad chest. His light blue shirt sleeves are rolled to the elbows, and I can’t help but stare at his muscular forearms. “But I have a proposition for you.”

“This ought to be good…” I glance up and feel the breath catch in my throat as Dimitri flashes me that signature smirk that I know has most girls turning into a puddle of hormones on the ground.

From the way my skin prickles, I wouldn’t say I’m much better, though I’d never let him know that.

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