Page 52 of Dark Truths

"Far from it, angel." He huffs, the warm breath sending a shiver down my spine. "You are arguably the most dangerous creature I know."

Maybe it's the alcohol or maybe it's the stress of school and the concern for my family that drives my mouth to ask, "Am I safe with you?"

"Always," he answers right away.

I close my eyes, needing the comfort of darkness to speak my next words. "But this is dangerous."

Dimitri freezes, and just when I fear he's going to pull away, he spins me around instead. When I open my eyes, he's close enough for me to see the black of his pupils consume the blue. My mouth parts with a soft gasp at the sight, an overwhelming feeling of need and fear consuming me. His dark gaze lands on my lips and before I take my next breath, his mouth is on mine.

My eyes flutter shut, my hands sliding up to rest on his shoulder, not caring that I leave a trail of water behind, before pulling him closer. His grip on my hair loosens and his hands fall to my waist, gripping me with a possessive firmness before he explores the naked curve of my back, heat exploding from wherever he touches me.

I tilt my head, deepening the kiss, and he groans in response, exploring my mouth with an urgency I match. My hands move to tangle in his hair, tugging him closer until my body is pressed against his and halfway out of the tub. The intoxication of his kiss blends with the haze of the alcohol in my brain until all I hear is my heart pounding wildly in my chest. My breath grows ragged until I have no choice but to pull away.Our breaths mingle in the cool air, and our eyes lock in a gaze of lust and desire.

"You're right," he says. "That was dangerous."

I pull back and he lets me go. Sinking back into the water, I need the security it provides me, suddenly feeling small and embarrassed by my lack of control and angry at my body for betraying my mind so easily.

"Gabriella," Dimitri calls out, but I focus on the bubbles the water makes instead. "Please look at me."

I can't.

"Gabriella."

I sink deeper into the water.

"Angel."

The sound of my nickname is too painful to hear and brings the burning sensation of tears to my eyes. I close them to try to keep the tears from falling.

That's when I hear shuffling and the sound of something heavy hitting the deck floor.

Opening my eyes, I catch Dimitri reach behind his head and tug his shirt up and over, exposing his dangerously sinful chest to the world. I'm too stunned to do anything but stare in silence as he slips out of all his clothes. My hot tub isn't very large, so when he joins me, I'm forced to draw my legs up to avoid tangling with his.

But apparently, that's not okay.

Dimitri reaches forward and grabs my arm before he tugs me to him. I land with my back to his chest, and he wraps an arm around my midsection to keep me nestled on his lap. It feels too intimate and familiar, but I've also never felt more safe and warm.

"What are you doing?" I whisper.

Dimitri nuzzles his face behind my ear and presses a kiss there. "Being dangerous." His hands trace up my sides to rest on my shoulders, where he slowly massages the tight muscles he finds there.

"Relax," he softly orders. His words caress my ears like a soothing melody. "Let me help you."

"But—"

"No buts," he interrupts. "Just feel."

Going against my better logic, I obey his command and lean my head against his shoulder entirely. With each squeeze, his hands work magic, erasing layers of stress and untangling knots of guilt. And before too long, his touch has me melting like butter.

Twisting my face toward his neck, I close my eyes and take a deep of his cologne lingering on his skin. “This is nice.”

Dimitri slides his hands down my arms before cupping my breasts. I arch into his touch with a moan and when he pinches my nipples; it turns into a cry. I reach out of the water and grab his hair with my hands. His hands trail deliberately south, gently parting my legs and coaxing me to wrap them tightly around his muscular thighs. One hand returns to my breast while the other dives between my folds, seeking the bundle of nerves aching for his touch. The heat combined with his touch sends a flush over my skin until I feel feverish.

“Do you think you should feel good, angel?”

“Please.”

“Do you think girls who expose themselves deserve it?”

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