Page 19 of Mastered By Lust

She hasn’t completely moved in with me. She’s still treating my penthouse as a way station.

Our server drops off dessert—a peach tart for us to share.

I wait for her to take a bite before I speak. “Tell me about Dmitri. You’re friends, obviously. How did you meet?”

“Dmitri?” She coughs, chews, swallows. Her cheeks are a faint pink. “Through my best friend, Danica. He’s her older brother.”

That explains both his protectiveness and his barely-veiled lust for her.

“And you were living with him, because…” I wait for her to finish the sentence.

“Because things went bad with my ex, so I moved out.” Her eyes gaze past me, a haunted look in them as she remembers. “I thought I had somewhere to go, but it fell through. Danica strong-armed Dmitri to take me in.”

I bet Danica didn’t have to exert much pressure. No doubt Dmitri was secretly thrilled, despite any outward protests.

“I have a request.” I put down my fork and gesture for her to finish the last bites of the tart. “I want to move your things from Dmitri’s garage to my apartment.”

“Oh.” Her eyebrows go up in surprise. “Yeah, that’s…thanks. I’d like to have more of my stuff, since I’m really moving in and all. I’ll ask Dmitri when I can swing by.”

“Let me know if I can help. I can hire a truck, movers, whatever you need.”

“Thanks. I’ll let you know.”

She doesn’t commit to my offer. I wish she would allow me to spoil her. At the very least, she needs to accept help. I applaud her independence, but I have a need to provide for her, to protect her.

The black-clad host leads two new diners into the room. I give a start of recognition at one of them. It’s as if saying his name has summoned him.

Dmitri is here with a guy about his age.

He doesn’t see us yet.

Two weeks ago, I would have been delighted at this happenstance—the young man seeing me with the woman he desires.

A part of me wants to continue playing games with his lust and obvious need for her. But my first inclination is to quickly wrap up my date with Leah, to spare her the drama.

I signal the waiter for the check.

The movement of my wave catches Dmitri’s eye.

Unfortunate.

Wherever Dmitri was going, he changes direction to stalk toward us. His expression is friendly, but there’s a storm building in his eyes.

6

Dmitri

Patrick talked me into coming to Abdul’s with him.

“It’s research on restaurant decor,” he said.

“Abdul’s has the best atmosphere of any place in SE,” he said.

“Granddad will be there,” is something he definitely didnotsay.

I nearly walked out when I saw my grandfather sitting alone at a table set for three.

And then, before I could reach Granddad, I sawthem.

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