20. Zara

20

ZARA

I’m so sorry, sladkaya zhizn’ .

The words ring in my ears all night as I try my best to sleep, if only to stop myself from going into Dimitri’s room and climbing into bed beside him.

I know I had no right to go snooping through his office, so I can’t blame Dimitri for being angry at me. But it still hurt to see him turn so cold toward me after opening up to him like I did.

I’ve never shared the truth about my assault with anyone before, not even with Emily or Bianca, so it took a lot for me to feel comfortable enough to share it with him.

But the man I saw yesterday was not the same man I have come to trust.

He might be sorry, but it’s going to take a lot more than a few whispered words to make me forgive him.

I head downstairs the following morning to find an enormous box on the kitchen counter addressed to me alongside a huge bouquet of lilac roses, just like the ones at our wedding .

I bite my lip as I pick up the note on top of the box and read the contents.

My beautiful wife,

I hope you’ll let me show you how sorry I am.

Be ready at 7.

Dimitri x

I hate how my heart flutters at his words.

Sinking my teeth into my lip, I tear open the box and gasp at the sight of the emerald satin gown.

“Dimitri…” I whisper as I skim my fingers over the fabric.

It feels expensive, and I’m almost scared to lift it out of the box in case I ruin it. But curiosity gets the better of me, so I gently lift the dress out of the box.

It’s stunning, with an open back, and the dark green color will compliment my eyes perfectly.

“You do have great taste…” I mutter as I hold the dress up to myself.

After my wedding dress, it’s the most luxurious item of clothing I own, and I can’t deny that I’m excited to get all dressed up and spend the evening with Dimitri.

I have hours until I need to be ready, but I decide to make the most of the day and truly pamper myself. If I’m going to be wearing a gown that costs more than the rent of my old apartment, I need to take care of a few things first.

Tucking the dress back into the box, along with the note, I head back up to my room to start the long process of getting ready.

At five minutes to seven, I carefully make my way down the stairs, clutching the skirt of my dress in my hand so as not to stick a heel through the lining.

I’m so busy looking down to stop myself from tripping that I don’t notice Dimitri perched on the arm of the couch until I reach the bottom step and look up.

“Oh, my god!” I clutch a hand to my chest. “You scared me.”

“You’re dressed.” He gets to his feet.

“You said to be ready by seven.” I frown down at my attire.

Was this not what he wanted?

I slipped on some gold stilettos and kept my hair in loose curls around my shoulders if only to cover up a bit more.

The dress is extremely low cut at the back and the top shows ample amounts of my cleavage, which I’m sure Dimitri is happy about from the way he eyes my chest.

“I was worried you would toss the dress in the trash and tell me to go to hell.” He tucks his hands into his pockets.

“I considered it, but it’s too nice of a dress.”

His lips twitch as he steps closer to me.

I silently curse him for looking so delicious in his black suit and shirt.

He’s left the top two buttons of his shirt undone, and I itch to run my hands over the tanned skin of his chest. His dark hair is parted neatly, with a few stray curls framing his face, softening his chiseled cheekbones .

“So, what are we doing this evening?” I try my best not to eye fuck Dimitri as he takes another step toward me. I catch a waft of his cologne, so musky and rich, and have to bite back a moan.

Why does he always smell so damn good?

“Well, initially, I had planned on taking you to dinner, but seeing you in that dress makes me want to cancel so I can spend the night tearing it right off you and fucking you on this couch.”

My cheeks burn at his filthy words.

“That sounds like the perfect evening…” I bite the inside of my cheek as I glance up at Dimitri under my lashes.

My nipples pebble against the silky material, and Dimitri’s eyes flash with need, no doubt noticing.

“Maybe that can be the end to our perfect evening.” He winks at me.

He holds out his hand, and I entwine my fingers with his, letting him slowly rub his thumb back and forth over my knuckles.

“But first, I’m going to wine and dine you.”

Dimitri doesn’t give anything away about where we’re going, no matter how much I beg him.

Nervous butterflies fill my stomach as I sit in the passenger seat of his car, hating how hot he looks with one hand on the wheel, the other still entwined with mine. He refuses to let go of my hand, as if he’s scared I’ll run the moment he lets me go.

An easy silence fills the car as we drive, and I stare out of the window in awe at the sight of the sun setting over the city. It’s breathtaking, just like the man beside me.

After fifteen minutes, Dimitri turns off the engine and faces me. “We’re here. ”

He brings our entwined hands up to his lips and gently presses a kiss to my knuckles.

I let out a gasp at the feeling of his lips against my skin and he grins.

“Someone’s getting ahead of themselves.”

I shrug as my cheeks burn. “You only have yourself to blame.”

He chuckles, the sound low and deep as his dark eyes flick down to my chest. “I’m more than okay with that.”

I roll my eyes, but my cheeks warm as Dimitri squeezes my fingers. “I think you’re going to like what I have planned.” He reaches down to unbuckle my seatbelt.

Dimitri helps me out of the car and hands the keys to a waiting valet before leading me inside the restaurant.

My heart flutters as I read the name on the front door. As a food lover, I know most of the Michelin star restaurants in the city, though I’ve never been able to afford to dine at any of them, until now.

I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face as Dimitri holds open the door to the restaurant, and I step inside.

But nothing could have prepared me for what is waiting for me.

“Dimitri,” I gasp as I stare around the restaurant. Every table has been cleared away and replaced by hundreds of candles of every size, filling the room with the most beautiful orange glow. Except for one table for two in the very center. “You did all of this for me?”

“Of course, I did.” He wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me against him as I take in the room.

“It’s…beautiful.”

“Just like you,” he adds, pressing a soft kiss to my neck.

I shiver at the feeling of his lips against my skin, my eyes fluttering closed for a moment as I revel in the feeling of being encased by his strong arms.

When I open my eyes, I turn in his arms and sigh as I let my hands run over his broad chest.

“This must have cost a fortune.” I bite my lip.

“The cost is irrelevant.” He runs his thumb along my lower lip.

“But—”

“Zara, I would spend every dollar to my name if it meant you would forgive me.”

I shake my head, clutching at the soft material of his shirt as I glance up at his beautiful face.

“Of course, I forgive you.”

“You shouldn’t.” His jaw flexes as he looks down at me. “I was completely out of order. I just—” His voice cracks, and he looks away, his brows pinching together as he tries to fight whatever words were about to spill from his lips.

I reach up to cup his cheek, brushing my thumb over the slight stubble coating his jaw. “I’m sure you had your reasons.”

“It doesn’t excuse how I treated you.”

“No, but maybe if you talked about it, it would help me understand…”

“This evening is all about showing you how sorry I am.” His eyes flick to mine.

I don’t miss the sadness reflected in them, but I choose to not push him.

Dimitri will talk when he’s ready, and I only hope I can offer him the same amount of support and comfort that he’s shown me.

I never imagined Dimitri Koslov being the candle lit dinner type, but this evening is turning out to be more than perfect .

He asked the head chef to create a unique seven-course tasting menu just for me, with wine pairings to match. The conversation is easy and light, and I find myself laughing more than I have done in a long time.

“Are you enjoying yourself?”

“I think this is better than our wedding day.” I take a sip of my wine.

“Don’t tell Alexei that. I think he’ll be paying off our wedding for the rest of his life.” Dimitri chuckles.

“He offered! If he wants to blame someone, he can blame Bianca. She’s the one who planned the whole thing.”

“That is very true.”

I take another sip of my wine, watching Dimitri curiously.

“What?” His lips twitch.

“Tell me something no one else knows.” I set my glass back down on the table.

Dimitri narrows his eyes. “I’ll be pushed to find something that not even my brothers know.”

“Ok. Well, how about something that I would never guess about you.”

I bite the inside of my cheek as Dimitri takes a deep breath, the muscle in his jaw flexing as he thinks.

“I used to play the trombone in middle school because I thought it was cool,” he mutters, his cheeks reddening.

My chin hits the floor as I stare at him.

“You can’t laugh.” He points his finger at me, his eyes twinkling at the look on my face.

“I’m not, I swear! I just… Wow, I was not expecting that to come out of your mouth.”

“What can I say? I’m a man of many talents.” He flashes me a wink, and now it’s my turn for my cheeks to redden.

I only hope that he’ll honor his promise of taking me on the couch the moment we’re home because the way his dark eyes are devouring me in the candle light has me almost panting with need.

He tilts his chin at me. “Now it’s your turn.”

I pick up my glass of wine and take a sip, deciding which story he’ll enjoy the most.

“Summer after junior year of college, Bianca and I went backpacking across South America.”

“Alone?”

“Yeah…” I bite my lip.

“Zara,” Dimitri groans, running a hand over his face.

“It was fine! We only got caught in one drug raid.” I break out into a fit of giggles as Dimitri’s eyebrows shoot up as he stares at me, his mouth ajar.

“You are a menace.”

I shrug, feeling the liquid courage start to kick in as I take a bite of my ice cream. “What are you going to do about it?”

Dimitri lets out a breathy laugh as he leans forward, his eyes flashing with need as he watches me slowly lick my spoon clean.

“There’re many things I could do,” he whispers, his tongue darting out to wet his lower lip.

I swallow, trying not to think about how good it feels to have his tongue between my thighs, licking me over and over…

I cross my legs as a throbbing ache starts to build. My mouth goes dry. “Like what?”

“Unfortunately, they’ll have to wait until we get home.”

“Are you sure?”

“ Zara .” The way he drags my name tells me I’m having the desired effect.

“Because I’m good to go?—”

Dimitri’s on his feet in an instant, coming around the table and pulling out my chair.

“Let’s go, now .” His voice rasps as he fights his arousal. Warmth pools in my lower belly as I glance up at him under my lashes.

“But you haven’t even touched your dessert.”

“That’s because you’re my dessert.”