Chapter 13 - Tia

I can't believe I had sex with him on my desk, in my office. It was far too risky, and anyone could have walked in.

It also annoys the hell out of me because I know it was just physical for him. I mean, he didn't even say a word afterwards—just that stupid satisfied grin—before he turned and walked away.

Okay, but that isn't even the most annoying part. The most annoying part is that I can't stop thinking about it.

I want more.

I so desperately want more. Holy fuck, it felt incredible. I've never been so turned on in my life, and the way he moved inside me—

There is a knock at my office door, and I sit up straight at my desk. It's been two days since that happened, and I keep finding myself drifting off in a daydream about it. Every time someone knocks on my door, I hope it's him, ready for another round.

But it's not Yefim.

I feel my face pulling into bitch mode and try and hide it at least a little, for the sake of being professional.

"Zoey. What can I do for you?" I say as politely as I can, but it's nearly impossible to hide my dislike for this woman.

She saunters into my office, her long, shapely legs, slender waist and supermodel figure, childishly makes me hate her even more. Of course, Yefim would take any chance he got with her. She's fucking gorgeous. She's the tall, thin girl in the magazines, and I'm the frumpy, chubby girl he got stuck marrying.

I sigh loudly and sit up straighter, pulling my stomach in a little.

Zoey puts some paperwork on my desk. "Yefim asked me to hand these over to you. They're the documents we were working on last night, after everyone else had left." She grins—a smile I do not appreciate.

Of course, yes, I do think that she will or already has successfully seduced Yefim. She throws herself at him and he doesn't exactly tell her not to. He clearly likes sex—that is obvious from what he did to me on the desk.

I sigh again as Zoey leans her perfect body up against my desk. "Will you do the shipment sections for these clients?"

I pick up the stack of documents, stapled together at the top corner. I glance at them, not really looking, just not wanting to look at how gorgeous Zoey is anymore.

"Sure."

"Okay, thanks. Yefim and I might work late again tonight."

My eyes raise up towards her, shooting fire and anger.

"Yefim and I have plans," I snap angrily.

"Oh," she says, cool and casual. "He didn't mention them. Perhaps he forgot."

We don't actually have plans.

I just hate the idea of them spending another late night alone here.

Besides, he is the one who was always telling me we aren't allowed to work late. I roll my eyes at myself.

It's a marriage of convenience. Nothing else. I don't know why I'm getting so worked up.

"Is that all?" I snap at Zoey, who is still grinning at me.

"Yes, that's all," she sing-songs, and then strides her long, gorgeous legs out of my office.

Just as I am about to tell myself out loud that I'm being ridiculous, there is another knock at my door. I turn towards it to tell Zoey I'm busy and she should go the hell away—but it's not Zoey.

"Wow, Tia, you look like hell warmed up," Anya says, walking through the doorway. "What's wrong?"

Anya and I have been getting on really well lately. She's funny, laid back, a little snobbish, but she makes me laugh no stop. I think her brothers have spoiled her rotten her entire life, especially after they lost their parents.

"I'm just over everything," I shrug.

"Everything?" she tilts her head towards me.

"I need to get out or something. With work—school—I don't know. My nerves feel frayed."

"Alright. I know exactly what you need. Aren't you on lunch now?"

"I don't really take lunch—"

"Rubbish. Let's go." She grabs my hand and drags me out of my office chair.

I quickly grab my phone and handbag and walk briskly to keep up with her.

She sticks her head into Yefim's office, and I hold back a loud snarl when I see Zoey leaning over him, her cleavage in his face. He is staring down at his laptop and doesn't seem to notice, but still—it's fucking annoying how obvious she makes it.

"Yes, I'm stealing Tia," Anya says loudly, then drags me away from the door.

"Hey, wait," Yefim shouts after her, getting up to follow us as Anya leads me away.

"Where are you two going?"

"Shopping. She needs a break," Anya says, leaving no room for negotiation.

"Where?"

"Oh, stop worrying. We're just going to the mall down the road."

Yefim nods, tight-lipped, as he watches us walk away.

***

At the mall, I realize that this is exactly what I needed. I needed to get out of that office, away from Zoey, get a change of scenery.

Anya and I are having a laugh, and I don't even realize that we've been out way past the hour I'm allowed for lunch.

When I do glance at my watch, I have a mini heart attack. "Anya, I have to get back," I say in horror.

"No, you don't. I already messaged Yefim ages ago and told him you have the whole day off," she giggles.

"Oh my word, you are going to get me in trouble."

"Actually, he told me to spoil you. So let's go to that shoe shop we walked past with those killer pink heels."

Anya grabs my arm and pulls me in the opposite direction.

But both of us freeze mid-step as our eyes land on Yefim.

"Oh shit." Anya chuckles. "Maybe you are in trouble."

Yefim strides over to us, all tall and sexy and toned, and holy fuck, how does he always look so incredible?

"Are you girls having fun?"

"We are," Anya answers quickly for both of us. "Why are you disturbing us?"

"I thought I would treat both of you to some jewelry. Something glittering and beautiful." His eyes are on me as he speaks, his voice sending delightful shivers down my spine. I'm watching his lips as he speaks and picturing the way he kissed me, the way he pushed me up against my desk—

"Well, we can't turn that down," Anya laughs.

She walks just ahead of us, leading the way to the jewelry store.

She seems completely fine with this. I'm not so sure.

Inside the store, I can't help but notice the prices. One necklace would have paid a year's worth of my rent for my apartment. I bite my lip.

Anya is happily browsing and chatting to the jeweler about different colors in the stones. I can't bring myself to even touch one of them in case I break it somehow.

"What's wrong?" Yefim asks, standing much closer than he needs to, his chest almost pressed up against my back, the heat of his body flaming against my skin in ways that make me think of how good he felt inside me.

"Nothing. This is—this is just too expensive," I shrug, trying to pull my thoughts together.

He wraps his arm over my shoulder, his fingers tracing over my neck. Flashes of his hand locked around my throat have my skin flushing pink.

"Imagine how provocative a diamond necklace would look, glittering on your skin, with you wearing nothing else…" His voice is deep against my ear, his fingers leaving trails of fire over my chest.

"I would love nothing more than to see your naked body, sitting on top of me, with these gorgeous stones shining and catching the light as you thrust against—"

"I like this one." Anya comes marching over, and Yefim chuckles as I jump in fright. I was completely lost in his voice, drawn into the image of riding him wearing nothing but the glittering jewels displayed in front of me.

"Which one do you like, Tia?"

"Tia is deciding between these two." Yefim points at two ridiculously overdone necklaces on display.

Anya waves the jeweler over to us. "My friend would like to try on these two."

"No, wait. I prefer this one." I point to one that is still over-the-top, but less so. My insides churn when I see the price.

The jeweler pulls it out of the glass case and hands it to me.

Yefim takes it, clipping it behind my neck while I hold my hair out of the way. He moves me in front of the mirror while he stands behind me, staring into my eyes. "Is that the one you like?"

I nod. All I can think about is how he feels against my body, his hand is resting on my hip.

He gestures towards the jeweler. "We'll take this one and the matching bracelet and earrings."

***

With the purchase completed, I'm holding the jewelry bag in my hand, wondering why he would spend that much on me.

Anya, Yefim and I head over to a coffee shop for a little snack, and Anya and Yefim are chatting away. I'm still lost in thought, overthinking what it could mean that he bought me this while he's being seduced by that annoying PA of his brother's, and getting annoyed with myself because I can't stop thinking about how much I want to be with him again.

"Tia?"

"Mm?"

"Were you listening at all?" Anya laughs.

"No, sorry, I must have zoned out."

"Okay, well, that's because my annoying brother is here and interrupting our girls' time. Yefim, it's time for you to go." She gently pushes Yefim, and he laughs as he stands up from the coffee shop chair.

"Alright, alright, I know when I'm not wanted." His gorgeous smile makes my heart beat faster. He looks down at me, touching my cheek. "I'll see you at home later," he says gently.

I nod, confused. Wishing, oddly, that our marriage wasn't so fake.

"I'll see you later." I smile tightly, worrying that my heart is already slipping and I'm going to end up getting hurt.

Yefim leaves and Anya turns towards me.

"He is literally obsessed with you." Anya laughs, shaking her head.

"I doubt it." I reply, confused, dipping my head to the side. Why would she say that?

"Are you kidding me? I've never seen him look at someone the way he looks at you. And he's always looking at you. Haven't you noticed? At the office, he doesn't take his eyes off you for a second. I don't know how he gets any work done. Since he met you, he hasn't even spared a second glance for any other girl."

I pick up my coffee, sipping it, trying to run through my memories of the time I've spent with Yefim. I think about each time I've walked in on that annoying Zoey throwing herself at him. He hasn't shown any interest in return. I've never seen him encouraging her in any way.

In fact, the only person he really does look at is me.

I think Anya is right.

I've just never paid enough attention to notice it.

But what does it actually mean?

Does it mean he likes me? Or is he just attracted to me?

Obsessed—that's the word Anya used. Is he obsessed with me?

For the rest of my afternoon with Anya, we have an absolute blast, shopping and trying on clothes, looking at all sorts of things I can't afford, but she insists on buying for me because Yefim told her to spoil me, and I can't stop thinking about the word she used. Obsessed .

How do I feel about him?

I know I feel an intense attraction, but is it more than that?

I shake my head. No, that's just silly. If I go thinking things like that, I'll get my heart broken. I'm asking for trouble by reading too much into what she said.

I need to keep my head on straight.

Work hard. Pay my debts. Stay out of trouble. That's all I need to do.