13. Zara

13

ZARA

If I knew a honeymoon was going to be so relaxing, I would have gotten married years ago.

I’ve been lounging around Dimitri’s penthouse for the last three days, enjoying some much needed time off work.

It was Dimitri’s idea for me to take some time off to ensure that the marriage seemed believable, though my ‘honeymoon’ is far from traditional. Firstly, Dimitri has been gone almost the entire time, leaving me to fend for myself.

I thought I would get lonely being by myself in his enormous penthouse, but it turns out I’m having the time of my life. I can’t remember the last time I took a vacation, and I’ve made sure to use my time wisely.

I’ve read three books, caught up on the latest seasons of my favorite reality shows, and eaten far too much takeout, courtesy of Dimitri who left me his credit card to use as I pleased.

Initially, I felt weird using his card, but considering the amount of money it must have cost to furnish his apartment, I realized a few orders to the local Chinese won’t make too much of a dent in his bank balance.

I’m not exactly excited about the prospect of going back to work tomorrow. I can’t shake the feeling that Giovanni isn’t going to be put off by the sight of a ring on my finger.

If he had any sense, he would stay the hell away from me considering who my husband is. But being a Koslov might simply level up the game in his eyes.

He’s not one to back down. When he sees something or someone he wants, he doesn’t stop. He’s already proved that to me once.

“You’re not thinking about work,” I state out loud, shaking my head. I let out a breath and get up off the couch, deciding that a nice dip in the hot tub with an ice cold glass of wine is the best way to celebrate the last night of my honeymoon.

It’s almost seven, and the summer sun is just starting to set over the city, casting a soft orange glow over the entire skyline.

I shuffle over to the kitchen and open up the wine fridge that is hidden away beneath the island. It’s fully stocked with my favorite rosé, courtesy of my very attentive husband, so I pull out a bottle and root through the cupboards to find a glass

Once my wine is secured, I head up the stairs into my bedroom to go in search of some swimwear. I set my wine glass down on my bedside table and stalk into my enormous closet that I was surprised to find had not only been stocked with my actual clothes that I had brought from my old apartment, but with some added extras…

Bypassing the rows of dresses and drawers of skimpy underwear, I fish out a neon pink bikini and quickly change. After sliding on some flip flops, I quickly grab a towel from my bathroom and sling it over my shoulder.

An hour in the hot tub with some wine is exactly what I need.

Picking up my glass, I head out of my room and take the stairs up to the rooftop terrace.

I still can’t believe I live here now.

As I step out onto the deck, a laugh escapes me as I take in the incredible view of the city.

Dimitri has done an amazing job with the terrace.

Pale wooden decking covers the entire area with lights built into the floor around the edges. At one end, there’s ample seating surrounding a huge fire pit that’s sunk into the floor as well as a fully stocked bar and stools. At the other is the hot tub and lounge chairs where I plan on spending the majority of my time while I’m here.

I walk over to the hot tub and set down my glass of wine in one of the built-in cup holders. Tossing my towel on one of the lounge chairs, I climb the steps and sink myself into the water until it comes up to my neck, letting out a sigh of relief as my body starts to relax.

“Think I need the jets on,” I mutter, reaching over the edge to switch them on.

Bubbles instantly appear, causing a layer of foam to cover the top of the water, and I lie back and rest my head against the edge, letting my eyes close for a moment as the water begins to loosen up my tense muscles.

Once I’m back at work, I can definitely see myself sneaking up here every night to unwind. The sounds of the bustling city below might be off-putting to some people, but I find it oddly comforting.

Growing up in Queens, I wanted nothing more than to move to the big city and live out the fantasy of the corporate working girl who had it all. I loved how fast paced life seemed to be. How I had everything at my fingertips. Nothing felt impossible anymore.

Until I met him .

After the incident, I honestly considered packing up and moving back home. Experiencing trauma like that changed how I viewed everything.

I suddenly no longer saw the city as exciting. Instead, it was terrifying. Every man I passed was an enemy. Every accidental brush of my shoulder on the subway had me breaking out in a sweat. I could barely stand to be around people.

But eventually, I started to heal just enough that I no longer saw his face in every man I came across. Eventually, I fell back in love with the city and no longer blamed it for what happened to me.

Only he can take that blame.

I open my eyes and reach for my wine, taking a sip as I look out at the city.

It doesn’t take long for my skin to turn pink and for a thin sheen of sweat to coat my brow from the heat of the water. I’m sure there’s rules about how long you should stay in a hot tub to stop yourself from slow cooking, but my rule is that I stay in until the wine runs out.

Deciding it’s a good idea to go and pour myself another glass, I get to my feet and am about to climb out when the door creaking open catches my attention.

“Enjoying yourself?” Dimitri chuckles.

I freeze, my empty wine glass in hand, as Dimitri steps out onto the deck.

His eyes roam over my very wet, almost naked body. My breasts are practically spilling out of the bikini top, the material just about covering my nipples, and the bottoms aren’t much better. If I knew he would be joining me, I would have perhaps chosen a more full-coverage bathing suit. But there’s not much I can do about that now.

“You told me to make myself at home.” I bite my lip.

“I did indeed…” His eyes darken with lust as they linger on my chest.

His throat bobs as his tongue darts out to wet his lower lip, and I have to fight the urge to rub my thighs together.

I glance down and gasp at the sight of the very obvious bulge in the front of his pants, the outline of his cock straining against his zipper.

This time, I can’t stop myself from clenching my thighs as I remember how well he filled me. The thought of doing it again has my blood heating. Thankfully, my cheeks are already flushed from the water so I can cover up how much the sight of his hardened cock turns me on.

“Is there room for me?” His lips pull up into a smirk.

I shrug, doing my best to not seem affected by the very apparent sight of his arousal. “Sure, so long as you put a swimsuit on.”

Dimitri chuckles, the sound low and seductive. “I’ll be right back.”

The second he disappears back down the stairs into the penthouse, I exhale the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

The thought of Dimitri’s hard, wet body in this hot tub has my nipples pebbling.

I can’t deny my attraction to him, but we made a promise to keep things platonic for a reason.

My head is a mess, and I’m in no way ready for what he obviously wants.

I sink back down into the water, setting my glass into the cup holder as I wait for Dimitri .

“Oh, my god,” I choke as Dimitri appears a few minutes later wearing nothing but a pair of boxers.

“Turns out I don’t have a swimsuit and seeing as I’m not allowed to be naked…” He glances down at his very prominent erection.

My mouth goes dry as Dimitri reaches down and rubs his palm along his length.

My pussy clenches as I imagine climbing onto his lap right here in the hot tub and sinking down onto his thick length.

“How can you not have a bathing suit?” I force my eyes to look anywhere but at his cock.

“I normally like to take my dips naked.”

The thought of him dripping wet and hard has me choking back a moan. This is exactly the sort of situation I was trying to avoid.

“I think your very skimpy bathing suit is to blame here. It doesn’t seem to want to go back down.” He chuckles as he strolls over the hot tub.

Every inch of his body ripples with muscle from his broad shoulders to his thick thighs. Knowing what it’s like to feel him on top of me, to have his strong arms wrapped around me, makes me desperately want to give in to my body’s urges.

I felt so safe and protected when he touched me. In the moment, nothing else mattered apart from him and the way he made me feel.

I want nothing more than to experience that again, but I know that the second it’s over, I’ll fall into a dark spiral.

“I assumed you wouldn’t be home until later.” I wrap my arms around myself to try and cover up my breasts.

“So did I.” He climbs into the water. “Though if I knew you were out here wearing that, I would have been home a lot sooner.”

Dimitri takes a seat beside me, resting his arm along the back of the tub behind me.

“Have you enjoyed having some time off the last few days?”

“Uh huh…” My chest is tight.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t hang out with you that much. It seems Alexei doesn’t fully understand the meaning of a honeymoon.”

I can barely hear him. It’s too hot and my heart is starting to race.

I try my best to breathe deeply, but all I can focus on is the feeling of Dimitri next to me. How his thigh brushes against mine, how his fingers gently graze the skin on my shoulder.

I flinch at the touch, my hand going to my heart as the panic starts to build out of nowhere.

“Zara? Is everything okay?”

You can’t do this here.

“I-I’m sorry.” I stumble, getting to my feet. “I… I have to go.”

“Zara—”

“I promised I’d call my sister,” I lie, avoiding Dimitri’s eyes.

I quickly climb out of the hot tub and grab my towel off the lounger, throwing it around my waist to try and shield myself. I keep my back to Dimitri so he can’t see the panic on my face as I hurry to the door and disappear down the stairs.

I only pray that he decides to leave me alone because I don’t think I have the strength to stop the truth about what happened in my past from spilling from my lips. Because once it all comes out, he’ll never look at me the same again.