Page 31 of Shatter Me

“The existing documentation meets industry standards,” I say through clenched teeth. “But if the board requires additional verification, I will arrange it.”

“See that you do.” He doesn’t even look up from his phone as he dismisses my months of research.

I dig my nails into my palms under the table, fighting to maintain my professional facade. The other board members drone on about budgets and logistics, but I can only focus on Dmitri’s complete indifference. The casual way he’s erased every heated moment between us.

His cologne drifts across the table—the same scent on my skin last night. I shuffle my papers, remembering how his perfectly manicured fingers traced patterns on my bare skin.

“Moving on to the next item,” he says smoothly like he can’t see me falling apart across the table.

I storm out of the boardroom when the meeting ends, my heels clicking against the marble as I march to my office, fumbling with the door handle.

“Running away, Ms. Blackwood?” Dmitri’s voice carries down the hallway.

I slam my office door, but he catches it before it closes. The lock clicks behind him as he steps inside.

“What kind of game are you playing?” I whirl to face him. “You completely undermined my work in there.”

“I was merely doing my job as a board member.” His perfect mask stays in place, but I catch his jaw twitching.

“Bullshit.” I step closer, jabbing a finger at his chest. “You’re punishing me because I made you lose control last night.”

“Don’t flatter yourself.” His voice drops to an icy tone. “This is business.”

“You’re a coward, Dmitri Ivanov.”

His eyes flash dark. In two strides, he crowds me against my desk, hands gripping the edge on both sides of me. “What did you call me?”

“A coward.” I lift my chin. “You’re terrified because, for once, your perfect control slipped. Because you actually felt something real.”

His breath comes faster, the mask cracking. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t I?” I press closer, watching his pupils dilate. “The great Dmitri Ivanov, so scared of his own feelings, has to hide behind board meetings and corporate politics.”

His fingers dig into the wood. “Natasha...” It’s a warning.

“At least I dare to admit what happened between us meant something.”

A muscle jumps in his jaw. The cool facade shatters completely as he crushes his mouth to mine.

His mouth claims mine with bruising force for just a moment, but I shove him back. “No. You don’t get to do this. You left me sleeping in my office like some dirty secret.”

“I had to change.” His voice comes out rough, those ice-blue eyes blazing. “And I brought you coffee.”

“Coffee?” I laugh, the sound sharp and bitter. “That’s your excuse? God, you really are a piece of work.”

“What did you expect? A love note?” He runs a hand through his perfect hair, messing it up. “This isn’t some romance novel, Natasha.”

“I expected basic human decency.” I grip the edge of my desk. “You could have woken me up. Instead, I had to sneak around my own office like?—”

“Like what?” He steps closer, his cologne making my head spin. “Like someone who let me fuck her on that very desk?”

A surge of heat fills my cheeks. “Don’t you dare try to shame me for last night.”

“I’m not.” He lowers his voice, sending shivers down my spine. “I’m reminding you what happens when we’re alone together.”

“That’s not going to work this time.” But my body betrays me, responding to his proximity. “You can’t just kiss me and make this go away.”

His eyes track down to my lips. “No?”

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