Page 8 of The Pucking Arrangement

“I know where you guys are going with this,” I say, arms folding tight like that alone can keep the thought at bay. Then I sigh, already losing the battle. “And I shouldn’t.”

Jenna snorts. “You don’t find him hot? Are you blind, woman?”

I shake my head. “That’s definitely not the problem.”

Sophie arches a brow, grinning. “Then what is?”

I exhale sharply. “He’s not a casual kind of guy. And I…” I hesitate, pressing my lips together before finally admitting the rest. “I don’t do serious. I’m not looking for forever—I’m barely looking for next week.”

Sophie hums, her smirk deepening. “So, what you’re saying is, you want to tap that ass, just not get attached.”

I glare. “That’s not what I?—”

“That’s exactly what you’re saying,” Jenna cuts in, grinning.

I open my mouth to argue, then snap it shut. Because they’re not wrong.

Dmitri Sokolov isn’t the kind of man you have a fling with. He’s the kind of man who makes you forget where you were headed. The kind who doesn’t just slip into your life—he settles in. He builds things.

But maybe, for a little while, he’d be ok with something casual.

I mean, he’s a guy. And guys don’t usually want attachment, right? Especially single dads with a million responsibilities.

So maybe…just maybe…

I could have him. For a little while.

If I don’t get greedy.

I say it to myself like a promise.

And then…

I feel it.

That slow, crawling heat against my skin.

Like being watched.

I don’t want to look. Ishouldn’tlook.

But I do.

And Dmitri…

He’s watching me.

Not casually. Not indifferently.

It’s intense.Dark and smoldering. A promise wrapped in slow, deliberate possession.

My stomach plummets.

My entire body buzzes.

Oh, I need to stay so far away from this man.

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