Page 31 of Dancing With Desire

“And what? If I say yes, he’ll assume we’re all good.”

“But if you say no, you’ll miss out on having him to yourself.”

I smirk. “Right. And seeing him tonight is reminding me what it was like when it was good.”

“Stop punishing yourself and him. Have a night together and see how you feel.”

“I don’t want to give in,” I mutter.

“It’s not giving in if you’re deciding. Just see how things feel when it’s just the two of you and no drama.”

I sigh. “I guess. Go and tell Marshall we’re leaving. I’ll grab my man,” I say with a wink.

She grins. “Oh, I have got to see this.”

DMITRY

Vivian laughs louder than necessary,throwing her head back and grabbing hold of my arm . . . again. “Dmitry, we have got to try that place. It sounds like a hoot,” she gushes with enthusiasm, and I wonder how I ever thought I’d be able tomarry this woman and not feel complete irritation at her every word.

I spot Victoria striding over with a smile on her face, and for a second, I panic. I’ve made every effort to keep Vivian from touching me, yet somehow, she’s like a damn octopus, and I’m certain Victoria is about to lose her mind. I disentangle myself from Vivian, and Victoria arches a brow. “Mykrasota,” I greet.

“The men have left,” she states, staring at me.

I glance around. “Yes,” I agree. The men I was speaking with left a few moments ago.

“So, why are you still standing here with her?” she asks, her voice dangerously low.

“I was about to come find you,” I tell her, stepping closer.

“We have businesses together,” snaps Vivian. “We have to speak.”

“Earlier, I was shocked when I saw you,” I tell her. “Now, I’m not. Keep pushing me and we’ll see how this ends.”

“Victoria,” I murmur close enough to her ear that only she can hear me.

“You said I wasn’t allowed any other man to touch me, yes?” she snaps, and I give a nod. “So, if she touches you again, break her goddamn hand, the way you broke that barman’s. Are we clear?”

“Crystal,” I mutter, anxious to take this conversation elsewhere.

“I am done watching her paw you like she owns some part of you. It ends today.”

“Okay.”

“Really, Dmitry?” snaps Vivian. “Since when do you let a woman control you?”

“It’s about respect,” I retort.

“She’s giving you orders,” she hisses, “like you’re not even important.”

Victoria steps closer to Vivian. “I’ll reward him later, don’t worry.”

“Who the fuck do you think you are?” Vivian sneers. “He’s a king in his world, and you’re treating him like a lapdog. Is that what you want, Dmitry, to be this whore’s lapdog.”

I see red as I grab Vivian by the throat, shoving her back until she’s against the wall. “Do not ever call her a whore again,” I hiss angrily. “You’re right, I am a king and she is my queen. You will treat her as such, or I will fucking end you. Do you understand?”

She gives a slight nod, tears balancing on her lower lash line. I release her and turn to Victoria, who looks smug as I grab her hand and lead her from the room. I don’t care that all eyes are on us again—it’s becoming a regular occurrence.

As we approachthe car where Marshall is waiting, she slows to a stop and the feeling of dread hits me. She’s going home alone.

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