Page 37 of Dancing With Desire

“Why are we here?” I ask, looking around the hall of the manor as he places me on my feet.

“Because you need to rest.”

“I can rest at home,” I snap, annoyed that he’s blatantly stomped all over our agreement.

He brushes a hand over my cheek, and I step back. He sighs. “This is your home, Victoria.”

“No, the apartment is my home. This is your home.” His jaw is clenched in anger. He’s trying to hold it in, but his eyes blaze with fury. “Go on,” I goad, “scream at me. Tell me I’m being unreasonable and stubborn. Take me to the dungeon and punish me. But right after, you’re taking me home.”

“This is our home,” he snaps. “Ours! And from now on, this is where we will be, together.”

“We hadonenice day,” I mutter, shaking my head. “One. And now, you think you can boss me around again. The doctor said I shouldn’t be stressed, yet here you are, stressing me out.”

He relents, his jaw relaxes, and he reaches for my hand. “I’m sorry,” he says. “You’re right. I should have asked you, but tonight scared the shit out of me, Victoria, and I won’t risk you or our baby. Here, you’re safe. With me. As a family.”

Family. The word rattles around my mind. It’s what I’ve always wanted—a safe, loving family. “Okay,” I say, and he almost smiles.

He bends at the knee slightly to try and catch my eyes. “Really?”

I nod. “Yeah, you’re right, our baby deserves a family.”

He tugs me to him, wrapping me in his arms and kissing my head. “I love you, mykrasota, more than anything.”

I smile against his chest. “I love you too.”

“Let’s get you to bed to rest.”

Rest.It’s all I’ve done for the last few days, and it’s driving me mad. Dmitry stuck around for the first two days. We stayed in bed and watched movies, something he’d never done until now. I even managed to convince him to turn off his mobile for some of it. And the doctor was right, I haven’t bled at all. But as I lie in bed, watching Dmitry fasten his shirt, I can’t help but feel annoyed. He hasn’t touched me since that night. The second I try to deepen our kisses, he pulls away and finds some excuse to avoid sex. He’s scared, I get it, but a girl has needs.

“You’re pouting,” he points out.

“You’re going to work,” I state.

He grins, leaning down to place a kiss on my head. “I have to work, mykrasota. People are relying on me.”

I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him on the lips. “You went to work yesterday,” I remind him, running my tongue over his lower lip.

He sniggers. “Yes, it’s kind of a daily thing I have to do.”

I pout. “At least kiss me like you’re going to miss me.”

He does, cupping my cheek as he kisses me like his life depends on it. Then he pulls back slightly to break the connection. I remove the sheet, and he runs his eyes over my naked body. “Perfect,” he whispers, adding an extra kiss to my cheek before straightening up and grabbing his tie.

I get onto my knees, taking his tie and tugging him closer. “Let me,” I whisper, offering a seductive smile. But instead of fastening it, I pull it from his neck. He laughs, holding out his hand for me to give it over, but I hold it behind my back. “You need to kiss me again,” I say, and when he steps closer, I shakemy head. “Not here,” I say, tapping my lips. “There,” I tell him, pointing downwards.

“Mykrasota, I don’t have time for this today,” he says, arching a brow.

I smirk, lying back on the bed. “If you’re good, it shouldn’t take long,” I whisper, parting my legs.

He stares at my pussy for a few seconds. “Victoria,” he whispers, sounding pained, “this is not resting.”

I groan. “I’m not even bleeding,” I say, sounding exasperated. “And this helps me relax.”

He goes to his drawer and takes out a different tie, throwing it around his neck. “You know I love you with all my heart,” he says, smiling, “and I would love to spend my morning worshipping your body, but I have to go.”

“Fine,” I mutter, standing. He eyes me suspiciously. “I’ll take care of it myself.”

“What do you mean?” he asks, following me as I head for the door. I step out, and he rushes down the hallway after me, trying desperately to throw my silk robe around me. I snatch it and pull it on.

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