Chapter 26

Dimitri strides across the dance floor, his men at his side, people clearing a path for him. The other Russians came out a minute ago, talked briefly, then left. My man walks right up to me as the other two men approach Mila and Ania as though they're going to escort them from the building.

"What's going on?" I ask, standing up and taking his hands.

He stares down at me with so much intensity, then leans down and kisses me with so much heat I start burning up. He wraps his arms around me, the kiss getting deeper, then breaks it off, breathing hard. "We need to leave," he tells me. "The party's over. I need… you." He shudders. "I need you so bad."

Taking my hand, he moves toward the door. The other men are getting Ania and Mila, but where's Mikhail and Mila's dad? I don't have time to question any of that. Instead of waiting for the limo, when we get outside, Dimitri whistles. From across the street, a car's lights blink, the door unlocking.

"What's that, some magic whistle tech?" I ask.

He laughs, shaking his head. "Watch out."

"Huh?"

He casually sweeps me to the side, catching the keys from the man who tossed them at him from across the street. He was just out of my field of view.

"What's happening?" I say. "It's like you're on a mission."

"I need to be with you, Lia. You're all I want. You're all I need. Pretending you were just some side piece hurt so much. It made me realize. You could never be ‘nothing' to me. You're everything."

He opens the passenger-side door.

"What about the others?" I ask.

"We'll catch up with them later."

I know exactly what he's suggesting from how he stares at me. It's like he's conquered the city, and now he wants to conquer his woman. He must be able to read my hesitation. He looks younger as he rushes forward, an adventurous glint in his intense eyes.

"Pretending not to want you made me love you even more, Lia."

When I gasp, he smiles, taking my hands in his. "Don't sound so surprised. I loved you from the first time I saw you."

"I love you too," I whisper, a tear forming in my eye.

Of all the ways I thought this stubborn need to be alone would fade, I never thought it would feel like this—so carefree, almost healing. It's like letting it go is easy.

"I need to love all of you," he says passionately, leaning in for another kiss.

My body responds with so much heat, my core throbbing, my clit pushing against my underwear. All the nerves from the party drain away as he pulls me closer.