“Nothing,” he says back. “I just hope you know what you’re doing.”
His warning is not a threat, but a reminder to simply be careful. As one friend looking out for the other.
“I hope so too.”
Ana brings us our drinks a few minutes later and when she passes by me, an idea springs to mind. I reach for her and pull her straight down on my lap, all the while, keeping my eyes on Gabriella. Only when I catch the flash of anger and jealousy overtake her face do I shift my attention to Ana, pleased to have made my point.
Ana takes full advantage of it and cozies up, pressing small kisses up my neck as her hands roam across my chest, up andaround my shoulders before caressing the nape of my neck. Normally I wouldn’t allow this kind of freedom from Ana or any other girl for that matter, but I’m tolerating it now only because I know what it’s doing to the little angel down below. Before too long, she’s going to fall right into my trap like an unknowing fly gets caught in a spider’s web. To her credit, it takes Gabriella longer than I thought, but she eventually does as I knew she would.
“Boss, you have a guest.”
I peer over Ana to rest my eyes on my little angel, come to be caught in my web.
Without looking away, I place a kiss on Ana’s cheek and then hand her over to Alexei. She falls into his lap with a giggle, having no idea that she’s simply being used in this little game I’m playing.
“May I help you, Miss DiAngelo?” I ask politely.
She straightens her spine and takes a deep breath as if to steady her nerves. “I’d like to speak with you. In private.”
I tilt my head, pursing my lips just slightly, as if I’m actually considering her words, though I already know my answer. Rising to my feet, I tower over her, even with those ridiculous heels she wears. She looks up at me, a challenge simmering in those golden depths, ready to ignite. It would only take one spark and I’m about to strike the match.
“Follow me then.”
7
Gabriella
Imust be crazy.
That’s the only thing I can think of to explain why I follow Dimitri into his office. Again. Only this time it’s not for first aid but to ask for something just as insane as coming to thePlaygroundin the first place.
Dimitri removes his jacket and slings it across his desk, revealing a dark purple vest over a black dress shirt before leaning back against the large wood furniture with his hands in his pants pockets. It should be a crime to look so handsome. A sin even. But then again, he called himself a devil the last time we spoke.
“What can I do for you, Miss DiAngelo?”
“It's Gabriella, please.”
“Gabriella.”
When he says my name out loud, it sounds even better than it does in my dreams. “I was wondering if you could help me with something.” I flush at the memory of his face, his touch...
Dimitri’s bright blue eyes narrow, having noticed my blush. “And what is that?”
I take a deep breath to prepare myself because once I say these words, there’s no taking them back. And if he’s going to take me seriously, I need to not only act it but appear it too. So, I look him dead in the eye and say, “I’d like to know more about thePlayground. And I’d like you to teach me.”
All humor vanishes from Dimitri’s face. His blue eyes grow dark as shadows overtake them and his jaw tightens hard enough that I can make out the muscles popping in response. In one swift motion, he pushes off the desk and turns away, running his hand through his hair as he walks behind it. Bowing his head, he grips the back of his chair tight enough to turn his fingers white.
I resist the urge to take back my request and wait silently.
“Why?”
His question takes me by surprise. I expected him to either laugh and deny request right away or call me a naive and childish little girl who doesn’t know what she asks. “Why?” I repeat.
“Yes, why. Why do you want to learn?” His head remains bowed and his body tense. “And why me?”
It’s clear I’ve upset him. This was a stupid idea, and he didn’t need to say anything to confirm that. I stand up and brush invisible lint from my dress as I clear my throat. “I’m sorry. It was a foolish request. I’ll leave you now.”
“And then what will you do?”