Page 68 of Vitaly

“I haven’t beenavoidingyou, Vitaly,” I chuckle condescendingly, like he’s a small child who knows nothing ofthis world. “I have a lot of responsibilities around here. I’ve been busy.”

He blinks but doesn’t say anything. Like he can see right through the lie. Because it’s obvious.

I look away as I suck in a breath. “Look… What happened between us was… Umm. It wasnice, but we can’t do it again. Ever.”

Why not?I imagine him asking like I’ve pictured this conversation a hundred times.

I have my answer fully formed in my head.

Because,Vitaly, I would befuckingkilled for it. You would befuckingkilled for it.

And I am not dying for Vitaly Petrov.

What happened was stupid.Beyondreckless. If Alik had followed us and seen…

It can never happen again.

It doesn’t matter if Nikita orders me to lather myself in Cool Whip and serve myself to Vitaly for dinner. If I look like I enjoy it, I’m a traitorous whore. I am still Nikita’s, even if he hardly wants me.

“I agree,” Vitaly says, pausing my heart.

It takes me a moment to find a word. “What?”

Vitaly pours steaming soup into a bowl before going to a drawer to get a spoon. He glances at me like he’s barely keeping up with the conversation. “I don’t think we should kiss again.”

“Why?” My tone is quizzical instead of whiny, and I thank the universe for it.

He looks so nonchalant. So … indifferent.

My heart falls. The bastard actually manages to make my heart fall.

Why? Why must I want him more than he wants me?

He shrugs. “It could be dangerous.”

Itcouldbe dangerous?

Couldbe?!

I hate him. His apathy, his cool demeanor, his tattoos that draw my eyes. I hate him so much right now that my head feels like it’s overheating, but I still can’t walk away. Because the thing I hate most about him is how I can’t hate him enough.

Leave me alone. Get away.

Come closer. Chase me.

How can I feel all of these things at the same time?

“Yes, it is,” I say in response toit could be dangerous.How fucking observant of him. As if we haven’t played with fire every day since he stepped foot in Vegas. “Alik told Nikita you’re interested in Alexa Volcov, so thankfully, the heat is off me for now, but… Yes, it would be a terrible idea to make him think otherwise.”

Vitaly blows on a spoonful of soup, sending the cabbage aroma my way. It’s shchi, a dish I haven’t had since I was a kid. Vitaly puts the spoonful in his mouth and seems to think as he chews. Or he just loves annoying me.

When he swallows, he nods. “I shouldn’t be surprised. Alik is a good guy.”

“What?” I ask, rearing my head back as my nose wrinkles.

“Alik knows there’s nothing going on between me and Alexa. He lied for you.”

I shake my head. “Ifhe lied, it wasn’t forme. It was for himself.”

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