Page 45 of Dancing With Desire

She searches my eyes and then exhales heavily before nodding. She places her hands over my own. “Do not leave my side, Dmitry.”

“You are my queen, my future, my everything. I will never be responsible for your heartache again,” I reassure her.

“I need to hear you tell me that you won’t leave me alone with the wolves.”

“Marshall will be there too. You will never be left alone. There will be conversations that you will not be privy to, but that does not mean that I won’t confide in you once we’re home, okay?”

“Okay,” she whispers.

“Poppy, you ready?”Victoria shouts up the stairs as we wait patiently by the door. Waiting for her teenage sister to get ready is far worse than any woman I’ve ever spent time with.

I pull out my phone to check the time. I like to be efficient, and this is so out of character for me. Victoria turns to me and mouths ‘sorry’, and I give her a wink to reassure her I’m fine. I don’t want her to feel any more stress than she has recently, so keeping my own intolerances in check is an absolute must.

“Ugh . . . I’m coming,” Poppy shrieks as she makes her way down the stairs. I smirk as her attitude reminds me of a certain someone as she storms past us and out of the front door.

“Who does she remind you of?” I tease as I fall in step with Victoria, placing my hand in the small of her back. She hits me playfully. “I remember a certain someone throwing a tantrum when she couldn’t get her own way.”

She laughs. “Shush your noise.”

We reach the bottom of the steps just as Marshall rushes to the passenger door to open it for Poppy, but before he gets a chance, she pulls it open herself, scowling in his direction. “I’m quite capable of opening my own door.” I arch an eyebrow at Victoria, smirking.

“I said shush,” she repeats, laughing as she slides in behind her.

Marshall grins at me. “Wonder where she gets it from, boss?”

We pullup outside Repton Elite School for Girls, and I get out and open the door for them both while wondering if I will be met with scowls. But it seems Poppy’s mood has done a three-sixty in the short car ride it took to get here. She climbs out and cranes her neck to look up at the looming building.

“Tori, pinch me,” she says, her mouth hanging wide open as she takes it all in. Victoria reaches over and pinches the skin on her arm. “Ouch,” she shouts, jumping back and frowning at Victoria.

“You asked me to pinch you,” Victoria says with a shrug. Watching their fun interaction warms my heart.

I put my arm out, gesturing for her to move forward. “After you, Poppy.”

As she makes her way up the steps, I lean in close to Victoria. “Is this how all teenagers are?” I ask, keeping my voice to a whisper.

“Only those related to me,” she whispers back, laughing and grabbing my hand.

At the top of the steps, we’re greeted by an older gentleman and we shake hands. “You must be Mr. Volkov. Lovely to meet you.”

“This is my fiancée, Victoria, and her younger sister, Poppy,” I reply.

He takes Victoria’s hand and then Poppy’s. “I’m Mr. Walton, the headmaster here at Repton Elite. It’s a pleasure to have you in our company.”

He opens the large glass doors, gesturing for us to enter, and as we do, Poppy’s eyes light up in astonishment as she takes in the luxurious foyer.

“Wow, this place is stunning,” she whispers.

“It really is,” Victoria adds.

“I’ve heard you’re a very intelligent and hardworking student, Miss Harding,” Mr. Walton says. “We’ve received your files and feel you will be a perfect match to study here with us.”

Poppy straightens her shoulders, proud of everything she has achieved, and smiles. “Thank you.”

“Why don’t I get Miss Taylor to show you around while Mr. Volkov and I discuss all the boring stuff,” he suggests, gesturing to the young female standing in the doorway.

“We would love that, thank you,” Victoria answers, grabbing her sister’s hand, eager to take a look around. I manage to grab a quick peck on her cheek before they rush off excitedly.

“This way, Mr. Volkov.” He opens the door to his office, and I follow.

---