“You really want to know?”

“Yes. I asked.” The glint of his watch gives me something else to focus on other than his face, because right now I can’t look him in the eye.

“One of your men stepped away from his post when I climbed down… I was able to text from his phone.”

To my surprise, Dimitri’s face lights up. “That’s interesting, but you’re not fooling me. You have had a chance to escape many times since then. Why stay, Ms. Knight? Even now, you could have gone with them. Pressed charges for kidnapping. You’re a lawyer in training. I’m sure you could have found some way to bring me to justice.” He’s playing with me, and I know it. There’s no way I’m stupid enough to think he doesn’t have inside connections with the Chicago police department.

Shrugging, I tap the side of my wine glass, mulling it over. “I went with my instincts. Aiden was too kind to me. It’s obvious he wants something from me. Isn’t it weird, don’t you think?”

“Yes. From your perspective I can see how it is. The thing is, you haven’t explained how you know Aiden. Who the fuck is the guy?” Dimitri questions, and I press my eyes shut, realizing I’m only giving him piecemeal information.

“He’s Jackson’s lawyer and handling all his will and affairs of the Wisconsin estate. He’s the one who contacted me about his death and told me about the property.”

“I see.” Dimitri’s face doesn’t hold much expression as he drains the rest of his whisky, and I’m thinking for now that’s a good thing. Oddly, I thought I would be more terrified of him in this situation, but I’m not. The more I speak, the more at ease with him I feel.

“He sought me out at the funeral, even though all I had to do with him was sign the documents and the title over. He even stepped in when other developers and all these other local businesspeople started propositioning me about the property.”

“Okay. And you thought he would be the safest person to call to leave here?”

“Yes. I did. At the time.”

“And now?”

“And now, I think he was kind to me because he’s trying to manipulate the situation to his benefit. Maybe he was waiting for Jackson to die just like you were, but the difference is, at least you’re transparent about what you intend to do with Raven’s Peak.”

“Yes. I don’t have any reason to lie to you. I want what I want, and I’ve made it clear,” Dimitri adds plainly, which I can only respect.

“Right. There you go.” Taking a small sip of my wine, I feel it going to my head, easing my nerves. “I chose to stay because….” I swallow, looking up at him, his blue eyes blazing. “There’s people like you said. I know they’re going to be after me and what’s mine.”

We stare, locking eyes for what feels like an eternity. I’m turning into liquid. Dimitri eases his powerful thigh between mylegs, his hand rubbing back and forth on mine. My mouth parts as a charge so great short circuits through my body. I want to be with him in a way I’ve never wanted to be with someone. Those eyes could cut diamonds the way they slice through me.

“You made the right decision to stay, Ava. I’m going to have no problem keeping you safe.” His cool whisky-tainted breath whispers against my flushed cheek as his textured mouth pries my lips apart. The tenderness of his kiss spins me out because it’s not what I imagined from him. Gently his tongue finds its place slowly tossing over and under with mine, the ice melting between us. Leaning in for more, I moan into his mouth, my breasts tingling, wanting him to touch me in every way possible. I might not have drunk the whisky, but I’m drunk from the power of his kiss and the swirl of his tongue. I’m barely able to breathe as he demonstrates his strength by picking up the chair and slamming it in front of him with a grin.

Giggling, I place a hand on the ridged outline of his chest to steady myself. “What are you doing?”

He nestles his mouth into the crook of my neck trailing delicious kisses down the underside of my throat, my body on fire with a desire I’ve never experienced before. “I need you closer to me, Ava. You’re a beautiful woman, Ms. Knight. I’m not sorry about not keeping my mouth to myself.”

“I like how you call me Ms. Knight,” I admit, the alcohol helping with my courage. I wrap my hands around the base of his neck, letting my fingers spread out across his neck. The closer Dimitri is to me, the more I feel as if I’m being pulled into some hypnotic whirlpool I won’t be able to escape. Overwhelmed by all the new sensations I’m experiencing, I pull back.

Blinking hard, I shallow breathe, wondering what’s coming over me all of sudden. “Are you okay?” Dimitri’squestion floats in the air, his sapphire-blue eyes seeking answers.

“Umm yeah, I’m fine. Shit. I just kissed you. I—ah let you kiss me,” I blubber, and Dimitri’s grin grows wider as he holds eye contact withdrawing his knee from between my trembling thighs.

“Yes. I did kiss you. Did I take it too far? Felt right.”

Smiling, I gather my breath quietly. “No. You didn’t take it too far. I just think I need a little to eat, that’s all.”

“We can talk some more,” he offers, but the thick bulge I notice in his pants hints that he’s ready to do more than talk. “I’m glad you’ve decided to trust me. It’s a smart decision. I like the way you handled yourself,” he praises with a devastating smile, my body electrified. God, my mouth is tingling still from the illicit kiss.

“What part?” I watch as Dimitri rings in an order from the cordless phone. I don’t care what it is, it’s just more of a buying time to figure out what I’m feeling. He places the phone down, leaning forward over the counter, his sculpted shoulders covering up most of the marble bar.

“All of it. Calling the cops. The story you told them when they got here to send them away. You’re almost as cunning as I used to be. By the way I’ve already gotten rid of your little friend, Aiden, so don’t think of coming up with any more tricks.” He winks and I think I might faint again, and this time it won’t be from exhaustion.

Shit. He got rid of himthatfast. Dimitri’s a mouthwatering, hazardous mistake, and I can’tdohim—but then again…. God, maybe I could. It might help seal the deal. Flip-flopping through my feelings, a twinge niggles inside me as he rounds the bar, pouring me another glass of wine and himselfa whisky. He pulls a remote down from the side of the bar, and a moment later the room is filled with soft house music and finger food.

“Used to be?”

“Hmm, I’m more subdued these days. Strategic. As you know,” he adds softly, his eyebrow arching.