Page 31 of Ensnared
He cocked his head slightly and raised an eyebrow. "Would you believe me if I said they are happily married and living in a strange little town in Texas?"
Was he serious? She gave him a deadpan look in reply. "From what little I know of you—no."
That made him smile. "Then that only goes to show that you and I have work to do in the way of trust."
His tone was cool but she could see the challenge sparking in his blue eyes and she couldn't help herself as she replied with even more frost in her voice. "You know what would help facilitate trust? Not running off my dates and threatening my family," she supplied acidly.
The hand on her thigh moved like a snake. Down to her hem and then straight under and up her dress. Eve jumped in her seat and let out a surprised cry as his hand cupped her sex.
"Do you know what would also help?" he purred, leaning over close enough so that she could feel the gentle puffs of his breath against her ear. "You realizing you belong to me and never repeating a scenario like tonight unless you want to watch me slowly mutilate a man in front of you. Understand?"
His fingers pulsed against her in warning and Eve quickly nodded. The feeling of his large hand wedged between her thighs and his awful words made her shudder. Images of poor Brett being sliced open in the middle of the restaurant made her heart sink even as the familiar heat of arousal coiled up her spine at his fingers' actions. The two feelings together were just wrong. Eve glared back at Dimitri, determined to show him she wasn't affected by his touch.
The bastard smiled back at her. He flashed his white teeth in the dark confines of the back seat while his fingers strummed against her plump sex. He saw right through her lie. She knew he could feel her pulse thumping. Eve closed her eyes but it didn't help. She thought of that night they spent together and the endless orgasms he brought her to. Never in her life did she consider that orgasms could be a form of torture until she met him.
With her eyes still closed she started at the feel of his lips against her temple. "Good girl," he whispered and withdrew his hand from underneath her dress. Eve had to stop herself from making a noise of protest at the sudden absence. "Ah, here is the first place," he announced.
Although it was supposedly empty, the house they stopped in front of was fully illuminated. Every window was lit up as if every single light in the house was on. With his hand in hers, Dimitri guided her out of the car and up the paved path to the large double front doors.
She expected there to be a realtor or someone waiting inside. Instead, the huge bodyguard was the one to unlock the door. Inside, the place was expectedly stunning. Void of any furniture, they were able to see how impressively large the place was. Eve just assumed it had to cost a couple of million easily, with its marble floors and top-of-the-line kitchen. Slowly, they walked from room to room, silently inspecting each one.
She wanted to ask Dimitri why he even wanted a house considering he had a whole hotel at his disposal, but when she looked up at him her thoughts scattered when she found his piercing gaze staring directly at her.
"You look fucking beautiful." There was a harshness to his words that sent goosebumps down her back.
She knew he meant it, too. The way those sharp eyes of his devoured every inch of her body, she knew he was telling the truth. Licking her suddenly dry lips, Eve looked out the window overlooking the lit-up pool.
"Thank you," she murmured, doing her best to take in the features of the house and ignore the feeling of his gaze.
With each pass of his eyes, her skin inflamed and her body reacted. What was this, some sort of primitive instinct or something? Was this how the human body reacted to the presence of a predator like Dimitri? She felt suddenly very aware of her breasts. They felt heavy and tender as if they were eager for the assault the man put them through last time. Hell, some of the bruises around her nipples were still there.
Get your shit together! He is a crazy person holding you hostage. Remember that dammit!She mentally cursed at herself as they finished touring the rest of the house.
The next house wasn't far from the first but it was a stark contrast. The previous one had exhibited a clear Tuscan influence with its balconies and columns, this one was an embodiment of modernity. Every facet of the place consisted of sharp edges and sleek lines. The windows looked as if they were made out of tinted black glass while the rectangle designed building was made out of pristine white concrete. Even the towering black planter boxes framing the giant glass front doors screamed high-end luxury. But it was all nothing compared to the inside.
"Did some sort of famous rock star live here?" she asked as she awed over the black and gold living room. "It reminds me of your hotel."
Dimitri made a noise of agreement as he took in the lavish space. The foyer and living room walls were painted in a matte black. In any other space, the color would have made it feel small and depressing. But there was nothing depressing about this palatial room. Each wall was framed in ornate trim and the millwork was painted in the same matte black that reminded Eve of Victorian Gothic. Everything was just so…sumptuous. From the two huge golden chandeliers that floated above the living area to the massive smoky mirror that sat on top of the giant black fireplace filled with various sized pillar candles. Whoever designed this place was in a league of their own. Never in her life would she have thought to pair the soft chocolate sectional with the dark color palette or the pop of verdant emerald from the potted tree near the gold wall table. The place was stunning and she had only seen one room thus far.
Eve glanced up at Dimitri and gave him a confused look. "Have you not seen this place?"
Dimitri led her to the kitchen and motioned to the man who had driven them and unlocked the door to the house. "No, I had Dominic narrow down the options for me."
So, that was the giant's name—Dominic. Eve peeked back at the silent guard and quickly turned back around when she caught his dark eyes staring placidly back at her.
Eve followed Dimitri up the stairs and past the empty spare rooms until they were standing in the master bedroom. Though it was empty of furniture, the room was very big.
Dimitri watched her as she looked around the room. "What do you think?"
"It doesn't really matter what I think," she countered. Dimitri said nothing. He simply stood in front of her with a waiting expression until she finally let out a relenting sigh. "Okay, I mean it's certainly beautiful. I mean, I would have never thought to design it this way, although admittedly I have never prided myself on my design skills," she added, looking away.
Even when she lived with her ex, Eve never really did anything with their apartment. Not that he would have let her anyway, she thought bitterly. From the time she moved in with him until the time he kicked her out, she had always felt like a guest in his home. Definitely a red flag she should have noticed.
"But," she continued, "I really don't think my opinion matters, since I won't be the one living—What are you doing?!"
Dimitri dropped to one knee in front of her and snaked both of his hands up her dress. Ignoring her jump of surprise, he grabbed her panties and pulled them down to her feet.
"Dimitri! Don't-" Eve tried to push at his head, her fingers sinking into his soft whiskey-blond hair as he pushed the fabric of her dress up.
