Page 63 of No Longer Mine

My pulse slammed against my ribs, but I kept my face neutral and my body loose. “Didn’t peg you for the type to sit in the dark and brood,” I murmured, shifting my weight, my brain already calculating the exits.

His lips curled, dangerous and amused. “Didn’t peg you for the type to return what you steal.”

I swallowed, forcing my feet to stay planted. “I don’t usually.”

Dimitri tilted his head. “Then why?”

The truth sat on my tongue—I didn’t fucking know. Because this damn ring was more than a possession to him, and for whatever reason, that unsettled me. Because he was obsessing over it, and I needed him off my back. Because every second I held onto it, I felt like I was playing with fire.

I should have just dropped the damn thing and walked out. But I hesitated.

A dark chuckle rumbled from his chest. “You came all this way just to return it?” He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his intensity wrapping around me like a vice. “Or were you hoping I’d catch you?”

I hated the way my stomach tightened at the way he said that. The way his voice dropped just enough to make my nerves fray.

I forced a smirk, tilting my head. “Don’t flatter yourself, Cristof.”

“I wouldn’t dare. So?” He tipped his chin in the direction of his side table.

I approached it slowly, too afraid to give him my back. I didn’t trust him at all. Even though I was the one who was breaking and entering, again. He didn’t have a gun, which was arelief, but I knew he was fast. I’d already experienced it once. I stared down at the little side table and swallowed thickly.

“Well, get on with it. I don’t have all night.”

“Are you still going to the bar with your fellow councilman?” I let the words slip before I could stop them.

I pulled the drawer open slowly, still watching him out of the corner of my eye. He was still sitting there watching me, he hadn’t moved yet. I remembered when I’d first pulled the ring free from this drawer. I’d expected to find toys, bondage equipment, and even some lube. All I’d found was a few stacks of cash, some paperwork, and underneath it all was this little velvet box. I was so surprised to find that it hadn’t been locked away in one of his other various safes.

I ran my fingers over the edge of the ring in my pocket, my pulse thrumming against my ribs. My question still hung in the air, unanswered. Was he still going to that bar?

Dimitri didn't move. Didn't blink. But something shifted. A slow and calculated smirk curled on his lips as he leaned back against the chair, his broad frame sinking into the leather. “It’s tomorrow, Little Fox. I had my eyes and ears switch my schedule around in case someone was lurking where they shouldn’t be.”

Shit. I’d walked right into this one. Of course, he was two steps ahead of me. I should have seen it all along. He wouldn’t allow me to break into his space another time. I didn’t have anything to say. There was nothing I could do to get myself out of this hole. I should have known better. I should have done better.

Dimitri’s voice was a low purr. “Go on. Put it back.”

I hated the way my body reacted to the command. The way something deep in my chest tightened. The little velvet box was sitting on top of everything this time. He hadn’t bothered with putting the cash somewhere else, and now there were a few knives mixed in the mess. The box was cool against my skin as I pulled it free. The ring fit perfectly back in the cushion.

I ran my fingers over the ring one last time before snapping the box shut. The click echoed in the silence, louder than it should have been.

But the second my hand left the box, I felt him move.

A sharp gasp tore from my throat as Dimitri’s arm shot out, snatching my wrist before I could retreat. In one fluid motion, he yanked me back, forcing me to turn before my back ever had the chance to face him.

I stumbled, colliding with his broad chest, and his other hand snaked up my throat, fingers pressing just enough to remind me who was in control.

My breath hitched.

His voice was quiet, dangerous. "Breaking into my house again, stealing, lying, and now—what? Giving back stolen goods and expecting me to just let you go?”

I swallowed, his grip tightening just slightly in response.

"You should," I whispered, my voice not nearly as steady as I wanted it to be.

His thumb traced my pulse.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Dimitri

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