“I’m concerned about leaving your friend at the bar, alone, with dozens of men looking to take advantage of a pretty young woman.”
His words burn through me. “If you like her that much, you take her home.” I stalk away from him for the bathroom.
The room sways as I walk, and Dmitri spins me around to face him, his hands firm on my shoulders. “Why are you fighting with me?”
“I don’t need your pity.” I fold my arms across my chest, putting up all barriers around myself and my heart.
“Do you think that’s what I’m doing, pitying you? For what? Losing your job?”
I didn’t come to the bar tonight to find Dmitri and fight with him. “I’m going home,” I say, and shuffle away from him toward Clare.
“Are we leaving?” she asks, glancing at me, seeming to have overheard a little of the conversation. Or she’s astute as hell.
“Yes,” I say, and grab her arm, linking ours together.
“Subway or cab?” Clare asks.
I didn’t drive tonight. I dropped my car off at my apartment and took the subway here. “Subway,” I say. “How’d you get here?”
“Same, but I’m taking a cab home.”
Dmitri is right behind us, following every step of the way. He opens the door for Clare, and we slide out through the front entrance together. She tosses up an arm, hailing a cab. It takes a minute before one pulls up at the corner.
“Do you want to share a ride?” she asks.
Dmitri steps toward the cab. “I’ll get her home safely.”
Clare pins me with a silent stare, waiting for my acceptance. “I’ll be fine.”
“Text me when you get home and have fun,” Clare says with a wave, shuffling into the back of the cab. Dmitri shuts the back door for her once she’s inside.
“Cab or subway?” he asks.
“I’m taking the subway.” I stalk down the sidewalk, and he’s right at my hip, like a shadow that won’t disappear.
“Me too,” Dmitri says. He follows me two blocks and down the stairs.
“I’ll be fine.” I insist that he doesn’t need to accompany me if that’s what he’s doing.
Maybe I should be concerned that he’s following me, but he could quickly head in the opposite direction when we head inside, or he could take a different train.
“Of course you will. How about I walk you home?” His arm falls around my waist, holding me close and tight. For a man who’s made it clear that he’s not interested in me, I can’t help but wonder why he’s nestled at my hip.
Is he worried that I’ll find someone else to go home with?
Is he trying to claim me as his own?
I head down to the platform, and he’s at my side. He can’t go back to the hotel without paying for a room. “I don’t need a bodyguard.”
“Even so, I’d feel more comfortable making sure that you get home.”
I glance him over. Tattoos cover his arms and peek out beneath his shirt at his neck. I trip over my feet, and he clutches me against him, keeping me from falling on my face or, worse, onto the train tracks.
“That’s it. I’m not taking no for an answer.” He’s firm in his decision.
I don’t argue. My body sways as the train arrives, and he helps me aboard. He stands behind me, one arm around my waist, the other holding the metal bar as we stand on the train.
The doors close, and I nearly fall on my ass. Thankfully, Dmitri is nestled against my bottom, keeping me safe. His hold on me tightens. “Don’t ever think for a second that I don’t find you attractive,Malishka,” he whispers. “It takes every ounce of self-control not to bend you over and fuck you right here for everyone to see.”