2. Dimitri

2

DIMITRI

I’ve never played the part of a fake boyfriend before. Hell, I’ve never played the part of a real boyfriend before, but there’s a first time for everything.

Especially, if it means getting my hands on Zara Mullens.

The girl is a firecracker, with flowing, blonde hair, curves to die for, and the brightest green eyes.

The second I saw her I knew she would give me a run for my money, and I wasn’t wrong.

The first time we met at my family’s home in Forest Hills, she shot me down and would barely give me the time of day.

And I’ve been addicted ever since.

Being the best friend of my brother’s wife, I know she’s off limits, but that doesn’t mean I can’t admire her from afar. I know I’m no good for her. I have what people call commitment issues, and I don’t plan on changing any time soon.

I’ve seen with my own eyes what can happen if you let yourself get close to someone.

My brother Alexei is living proof. His wife and unborn child were taken right out from under his nose as a bargaining tool, and it almost broke him.

Love is a weapon ready to be used against you.

I won’t let myself make the mistake of falling for anyone.

So, I always make sure to keep my distance, even if my heart is screaming at me not to.

And if Zara wants me to swoop in and save the day by playing the part of her prince charming, then I’m going to act my fucking ass off.

I don’t fake the smirk that tugs on my lips when she introduces me as her boyfriend. I quite like the sound of the word as it spills from her lips…

“Pleasure to meet you.” I reach out with my free hand, the other still clutching Zara’s small fingers tightly.

It seems she doesn’t want to let me go, and I’m not complaining about it.

“Likewise.” Giovanni’s eyes narrow as he looks at me.

I offer him an easy smile, which he doesn’t return.

I take a moment to look over this guy who was getting a little too close for comfort to Zara.

The moment I walked through the doors of the cocktail lounge, I spotted her at the bar, tanking champagne like her life depended on it. And my eyes haven’t been able to let her go since.

So, I saw when he cornered her, how her eyes went wide and her face drained of color beneath the warm orange bar lights.

I fought the urge to storm over and grab this guy by the collar and slam his face into the marble top bar. But I knew I had no right to step in, to play the hero in her story, though part of me can’t help but feel protective over her, especially considering the mess my family dragged her into almost a year ago.

I can still feel the phantom weight of her in my arms as I carried her unconscious body from the basement cell where Mario Gilanto kept her hostage. I can still smell the coppery twang of her blood as she was rushed to surgery to repair all the internal damage she had.

She had looked so fragile, lying in the hospital bed, hooked up to multiple machines and tubes.

I almost couldn’t bear to look at her. She was so far away from the strong, outspoken girl I had come to know, and I feared she would never come back. That she was going to be broken forever.

And my family would have been responsible.

Is that why she seems so frightened around this guy? Has that experience scarred her more than she ever let on?

It never should have gotten that far, and I will carry that guilt for the rest of my life.

I know she doesn’t blame us for what happened, but how could she not?

Being linked to the Koslov’s is no better than a death sentence. Which is exactly why I keep my heart locked away and only indulge in meaningless one-night stands and casual sex where I am safe in the knowledge that no one will get hurt.

“Giovanni is one of our new senior partners,” Zara explains, but I’m barely listening.

I untangle my fingers from Zara’s and wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her tightly against me.

She lets out a little gasp as I bend down to nuzzle into her hair, fighting back a moan as I’m hit with the sweetest strawberry scent .

Giovanni smirks. “I’m very much looking forward to having Zara assist me.”

I glance over at Giovanni and let my displeasure at his words reflect on my face.

He forces a smile. “She’s an asset to the company.”

“Mhmm…” I look down at Zara and flash her a wink.

Her cheeks heat, and she looks away.

Interesting…

Giovanni looks between us. “How long have you been together?”

Time to play the part of the doting boyfriend.

“A few months.” I squeeze Zara’s waist.

“Not long, then.”

I glance at Giovanni, and his eyes flash with challenge.

He honestly thinks there’s a competition here?

“No, but it only took one date for me to know she’s it for me. I’d happily put a ring on her finger tonight if she’d let me, but you know Zara. She wants to focus on her career before we start thinking about planning a wedding. This girl is something else.” I almost laugh at how easy it is for the lies to fall off my tongue.

Zara lets out a nervous laugh as she glances between me and Giovanni.

I stroke my hand up and down her waist to try and soothe her nerves.

“She sure is.” He eyes Zara with such hunger that I take a step forward, angling my body so that she’s slightly behind me.

I don’t give a fuck if this guy is her boss. If he keeps looking at her like she’s a piece of meat, I will have no issue sending my fist into the fucker’s jaw.

“I can’t believe I get to call her mine.” I reach out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear before cupping her cheek.

Zara leans into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a second, and for a moment, I forget that we’re not alone.

Giovanni clears his throat, and I flash Zara a wink.

“Do you work for Spencer & Meyers too?”

Why is this fucker still here?

I brush my thumb over Zara’s lower lip before dropping my hand and turning my attention back to her boss.

He has his arms folded across his chest, his shirt sleeve lifting enough to flash his watch.

Is he for real?

“They work for me. I’ve found the lawyers at this firm to be the most… discreet when it comes to certain business ventures.”

Giovanni’s gray eyes narrow. “What sort of business ventures?”

I don’t miss the way Zara tenses against me, so I give her waist a reassuring squeeze.

“My family likes to dip their toes in many waters. But we’re Russian, so our main business is a vodka distillery back in Moscow.”

“Is that so?”

I plaster an easy smile on my face as I let Giovanni piece together the puzzle. “Like I said, we have many business ventures.”

“It seems your girl has more of a champagne taste rather than vodka.”

Zara forces a laugh as she leans in closer to me.

“I’ll give her whatever she wants. Whatever she needs. Meeting her changed my life. I still remember the first time I saw her.”

“You do?” Zara whispers, glancing up at me, her green eyes wide as I look down at her.

“It’s carved into my memory.” I let her hear the sincerity in my voice.

I watch her throat bob and her cheeks redden, and I know she remembers it too.

She wouldn’t give me the time of day. That mixed with her smart mouth and sexy curves had me almost on my knees, drooling with need.

It’s rare that a woman doesn’t throw herself at me the moment I flash her a smile.

But not Zara. She wasn’t impressed by my charm or my wealth. If anything, she was repulsed by it.

“She’s going to be working long hours over the next few months. You probably won’t be seeing much of her.” Giovanni raises his eyebrows at me in challenge.

I force a smile. “We’ll make it work. I support my woman having a career.”

Zara tugs on my arm. “We should really be going. It’s been a long day.”

“Let’s get you home to bed,” I tease. “Well, it was a pleasure meeting you, Giuseppe.”

‘It’s Giovanni.”

“Right, sorry.” I shrug. I bite the inside of my cheek to stop from smiling at the look of fury on the douchebag's face.

“See you on Monday, Zara.” He flashes her a smile that has me seeing red.

Zara nods once, her grip tightening on my arm as Giovanni’s eyes flick over her once more before he turns and leaves.

“He was pissed.” Zara steps away from me the moment he disappears from sight, running her hands through her long hair. “I’m going to pay for that on Monday.”

“Chill out, it worked. Your boss is off your back,” I try to ignore how much I miss having her leaning into me.

Zara folds her arms across her chest and frowns. “For now.”

I watch as she pulls her lower lip between her teeth, looking around as if she’s worried this guy is going to jump her the moment I step away.

“What’s the deal with this guy anyway? He seems a little too interested in you.”

Zara shrugs, tightening her arms across her chest. “Nothing. He’s like that with everyone.”

“Bullshit.” Her eyes flick up to mine, and I blink at the haunted look behind them. “Zara.”

“I said it’s nothing .” She looks away.

Her throat bobs, and I fight the urge to reach out and wrap my arms around her.

“It sure as hell didn’t seem like nothing. I don’t like the way he was looking at you. If he’s going to be a problem?—”

“He’s not. Besides, he’s my boss. Sometimes, you have to put up with crap at work.”

“There’s putting up with crap and there’s being harrassed by some asshole who thinks he can use his power to get into some girl's panties.”

Zara flinches at my words, but she needs to hear the truth.

“You need to watch your back. Guys like him are everywhere, and they don’t like taking no for an answer.”

“I can handle myself.”

“I know you can. I’m just saying?—”

“Dimitri, please, just stop .” She throws her hands up in the air. “I can’t talk about this right now. I’m tired, and I just want to go home.”

“Let me at least drive you.”

“No, thanks. I’ve got it covered.”

I run my hands through my hair, feeling torn.

I know Zara can handle herself, and I have absolutely no right to barge my way into her life again and start throwing my weight around. But fuck if I didn’t love playing the part of her overprotective boyfriend…

“I’m fine, Dimitri.” She forces a smile that doesn’t meet her eyes. “You don’t need to worry about me.”

Before I have a chance to say anything else, she’s walking away, but I don’t fail to notice the way her shoulders slump as if in defeat, and fuck if it doesn’t make my chest ache.

I shake off the feeling.

This is exactly the sort of thing I’m trying to avoid. So, as much as I want to go running after Zara and force her into the passenger seat of my car so I can drive her home myself, I turn my back on her and go in search of another drink.

I think about finding someone to warm my bed for the night, but after being with Zara, no woman here can compare.