Page 20 of Dancing With Desire

“You okay?” Marshall asks, glancing back at me. “I can take you home if you need.”

I shake my head, not trusting myself to speak right now. My phone alerts me to an incoming text, so I pull it out of my handbag.

Distraction: Good luck today, my krasota. Forgive me x

He’s left me alone since our last encounter, and although it made my heart ache not getting his daily messages, I also felt like I was starting to think more clearly.

I shake my head, pushing my phone back into my handbag. Fidgeting as I gaze out the window, I run through possible questions in my mind for the interview.

“I’ll need to go around the block again. There’s no parking spaces,” Marshall says.

I look at the clock on the dashboard, well aware that I’m already cutting it close. “Just pull in here and find somewhere once I’ve gone. I can’t be late.”

“Is that such a good idea?” he asks, sounding irritated.

I scoff. “I’m literally in that building right there.” I point out the window. “They’re hardly going to kill me while I’m inside interviewing for a fucking job they know nothing about, Marshall.” The car slows, stopping in traffic, and I use the chance to pull the handle quickly and slip out.

“Fuck,” he shouts, and I let out a little laugh as I slam the car door.

I straighten my shoulders, shaking out all my nervous energy.You’ve got this, Tori.

I push open the large glass doors, my heels clicking on the marble flooring as I enter. It’s then that I seeher. Vivian is standing in the centre of the shop, speaking animatedly with her little hyenas. For a second, my world stands still, then I winceas I remember the sharpness of her slaps and the way her eyes burned into me with hatred.

I take a deep breath and tightly clutch my handbag, trying to ground myself.This was always going to happen one day, Tori. Get a hold of yourself. I was never going to avoid the bitch forever. Besides, Marshall will be in any second, and how lethal can she be without Nik or Vladimir?

I walk over to the counter with a false smile plastered on my face. I notice Vivian’s eyes tracking me, her mouth hanging slightly open in surprise.

The older woman behind the desk smiles as I introduce myself. “Good morning. I’m Victoria Harding. I’m here for an interview.”

She nods. “Please take a seat and the manager will be with you shortly.”

I close my eyes briefly, hoping Vivian pretends I don’t exist so I can at least get through this interview. I can still feel her eyes boring into the back of my head as I turn to take a seat to the left of the counter.

“Victoria, how wonderful to see you,” Vivian gushes as she approaches me with a fake smile. She makes my skin crawl as I glance around nervously, hoping Marshall bursts in any second. “How are you after your . . . ordeal?” she asks, and her bitches cackle behind her. “We didn’t expect to see you out and about so soon,” she looks around, making a point to stare at the door, “and alone.”

I bite the inside of my cheek to stop my mouth running away with me. I can see in her eyes she’s worried, but she wouldn’t have wanted to miss the opportunity to face me, so I force a smile. “I’m much better. Where’s your lap dog?”

She frowns and then it registers that I’m talking about Vladmir. She titters as if I’ve just told her a joke. “Oh, Victoria,” she says, shaking her head, “you do make me laugh. You’re so . . .brave being here alone, and then you want to taunt me?” She sneers. “What, now you’ve finished with Dmitry, you want his father?” She scoffs, rolling her eyes, and her friends laugh like cackling witches.

“Victoria Harding,” a gentleman shouts from behind me, and I’m relieved to be able to get away. I stand, placing my handbag over my shoulder. “No thanks, Vivian. I’ll let you suck his crooked little cock. I’m so over that family, but you’re welcome to them,” I whisper in her ear before I turn and walk away. I’m shaking so bad, I want to vomit. I release a long breath while I follow the man into an office.

The interview goesby in a blur. I can’t remember much of anything apart from complete fear of being in the presence of Vivian again. I spent the entire time hoping Marshall found a place to park outside so he could keep an eye on the shop. The fear that Vivian may have called Vladimir to report on my whereabouts terrifies me.

As I go back into the main shop, I spot Marshall waiting for me in the seating area and relief floods me.

He smiles, rising to his feet and straightening his jacket. “Everything okay?” he asks, falling into step beside me. I give a stiff nod. “Victoria?” he questions, sensing my unease.

“Take me to the manor,” I whisper, and he guides me out the shop and into the back seat of the car.

I secure my seatbelt and open Dmitry’s earlier text. Right now, I know what I need, and it’s him. The urge to do something stupid plagues my mind, and even the thought of the baby isn’t quashing it.

I run my hands through my hair, my thoughts racing. Maybe I should ask Marshall to turn the car around and take me home. But then a darker part of me needs this, or who knows what I’ll do when I get home.

Me: Be at the manor . . . DISTRACTION!

DMITRY

I pace the hall,almost running to the door when there’s a soft knock. To say I had been waiting patiently for Victoria would be an understatement. Ever since I had another taste of her last week, I’ve craved her touch. I’ve needed to feel her climax clinging to my cock.

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