Page 23 of Dangerous Boss (Bratva Brothers 5)

Kona accompanies us, but she’s calmer and relaxed now that she’s sniffed out Dmitri and decided he’s welcome here.

“Are you—good?” I ask, stepping toward him. I sway slightly, and he reaches out, his hands on my hips, steadying me. I prefer to think of it as embracing me, that he wants me, and this isn’t him just being chivalrous. Maybe he feels he has to return the favor after I helped him. Or maybe he wants something, like a place to stay for the night since he got kicked out of the hotel room.

His brow tightens as he stares deep into my gaze. “We should get you into bed. It’s well past your bedtime.”

“You don’t know what time I go to bed.”

He nods. “True, but you’re falling over on your feet. It’s late, and you need rest.”

“I’m not drunk,” I counter, slipping out of his grasp and stalking out of the kitchen.

His hands grasp my hips from behind. He’s warm and strong, nestled up against me. “You’ve had a lot to drink,Malishka.”

I stop walking long enough to revel in the feel of his arms wrapped around me. “What’s that?” I mumble, curious about the name.

“Lead me to your bedroom. I’m going to tuck you into bed.”

I point lazily at the door down the hallway, and he escorts me to the bedroom. “Hallway and kitchen light,” I say.

“On it.” He releases his grasp and hurries to shut off the other lights while I stumble into bed. I slip off my heels, kicking them to the floor, and climb under the covers. The bed is soft, plush, and perfect as my head hits the pillow.

I don’t have a guest room. The second bedroom is Allie’s. Even if I did have a spare bedroom, I wouldn’t want Dmitri sleeping in there.

“Stay,” I whisper.

The room is in absolute darkness, and I can’t see Dmitri if he is here. After a moment, he must enter because his footsteps aren’t the least bit silent.

“Stay,” I repeat, in case he hadn’t heard me earlier.

“I don’t want to impose.”

“Just climb into bed.”

“Bossy,” he jokes, and I hear his shoes clamber to the floor. The bed dips a minute later, and the sheets rustle as he gets comfortable.

I roll onto my side, brushing against his arm while facing him. I struggle to keep my eyes open and remain awake.

He lies on his back, completely still. He’s far more of a gentleman than I thought possible. “Do you like men?” I ask.

“Excuse me?” He chokes on his words.

“You’re lying next to me in bed and haven’t tried to cop a feel. I can’t help but think it’s because you’re not attracted to me. Do you prefer to keep the company of men?”

A laugh escapes his throat, and the bed dips as he rolls onto his side. My eyes have adjusted to the darkness, and I can make out his features as he stares back at me. “The things I want to do to you are probably illegal in at least ten states. It’s late, and you’ve had too much to drink. Go to sleep,Malishka.”

My cheeks burn from his words. “I can’t.” I’m more awake than I should be. It’s probably because Dmitri is lying beside me.

He pulls me closer, tighter. I can smell his masculine aroma as it pierces through the room and blinds my senses.

He’s all I want.

All I need.

A yearning pulls me toward him, a craving I can no longer deny. My lips crash against his, and this time he’s there, rolling me onto my back with no interruptions.

His body is above mine, tangled between sheets and thin veils of fabric that keep us apart.

I’m starving for his touch and to feel him above me. My fingers tug at the blankets, pushing them down and away. Gently, I stroke the skin of his lower back, inching his boxers down and off as he raises his hips for me.

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