I shake my head. “Let’s not label it and just see where it goes.”
Especially once she returns to her everyday life. Then only will we see if what she feels is real or whether this is all because of our forced proximity.
ARIANA
I wake up alone and even more confused. I swear, it feels like I’m stuck on a rollercoaster ride from hell.
I go through my morning routine on automatic pilot, unable to focus on anything long enough to try and make sense of it.
Last night when Demitri kissed me, I had a moment’s relief. It was so primal and intense I couldn’t think of anything but how he tasted and felt. He dominated every part of me, and I wouldn’t have stopped him if he took things further.
Stopping by my bedroom door, I just stare at it for a moment.
With my life going to hell at the speed of light, this thing… the attraction I feel for Demitri… it’s become the only good thing I have right now.
The horror swirling around me amplifies the safety I feel when he holds me.
It’s as if all my emotions have been set to full blast.
I take a couple of deep breaths, trying to regain some control, but it’s useless.
My shoulders slump as I open the door. I make my way to the kitchen, and the second my eyes land on Demitri, where he’s standing by the stove, it feels like I can take an actual breath.
Alexei glances at me from where he’s sitting by the island. “Morning.”
“Morning,” I whisper, still not sure what to make of Alexei.
I prepare a cup of coffee, and just like yesterday morning, Demitri takes hold of my chin and forces me to look up at him. His eyes search mine, then he asks, “How are you holding up?”
I shrug, and this time I’m unable to lie and say I’m okay.
His thumb brushes over my skin, and then he gives me a quick hug before he moves back to the stove.
Taking my cup of coffee, I sit down on the opposite side of the island, so the slab of marble is between Alexei and me.
I feel him staring at me and taking a sip of my beverage, I swallow hard on the warm liquid.
Even though I don’t have the strength and all I want to do is slink down to the floor, I force my eyes up to meet Alexei’s.
“So you grew up in Seattle?” he asks.
I just nod, wrapping both my hands around the mug.
“Tell me about yourself,” he orders.
I shrug. “I’m just a normal twenty-three-year-old.”
Alexei shakes his head. “Tell me.”
I lower my eyes to the mug. “Up until my life went to hell, I was a make-up artist who’s struggling to get my business off the ground. I only have acquaintances, and I visit my mom every Saturday.”
“So you’re a loner?” Alexei asks.
“You could say so,” I mutter.
“Boyfriends?”
A frown begins to form on my forehead. Lifting my eyes, I meet Alexei’s intimidating gaze. “Why are you asking me all these questions?”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “Just making small talk.”
Raising an eyebrow at him, I throw his order back at him, “Tell me about yourself.”
His mouth lifts into a smirk. “You’re traumatized enough without me adding to it.”
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Alexei rises to his feet, and then it’s as if he flips a switch. His demeanor morphs from predatory to relaxed as he saunters closer to me. When he gives me an actual friendly smile, there’s even a freaking twinkle in his eye.
My frown deepens as I try to figure out what he’s up to.
He takes the seat next to me, and resting his elbows on the marble top, he gives me a look that can be mistaken as interest.
Then he lifts his hand, and bringing it to my face, he gently tucks some hair behind my ear.
“So?” he asks, leaning closer to me, “Are you single?”
What. The. Hell?
I begin to blink, having no idea how to handle this situation.
The next second, Demitri grabs hold of my hips, and I gasp as I’m lifted and moved to another chair, and then he sits down between Alexei and me. Demitri assumes the same position as Alexei and then warns him with a bite to his voice, “Don’t go there.”
Alexei leans back, letting out an amused chuckle. “Christ, you make it so easy to fuck with you.”
My eyes dart between the two men. “I’m lost right now.”
“Ignore him,” Demitri snaps at me, and then he gets up again. He places a plate with eggs and bacon down in front of me. “You better eat everything.”
I glare up at Demitri. “Yes, Sir.”
Alexei bursts out laughing, and the sudden sound startles me.
“God, I’m going to love every second of this.” He grins as his eyes flit between Demitri and me.