Page 49 of Between Desire and Denial
And about my eyes traveling up and down his abs. And about me wanting him when I should have been trying to find a not messy date.
“That hard to throw an article together about how good it will be to have more offices nearby?”
“It should be snappy and cute, Dimitri. The whole magazine is that way. The information you sent me was not. Plus, people won’t just be entertained with your data.” I hated that Lucille was right that they would probably enjoy a family piece more. I busied myself by going to check for breakfast food in the refrigerator. “Want me to make breakfast? I need to stop at the grocery store—"
“Isn’t there a delivery service for residents?” He shrugged. “I’ll have coffee for now. And you did read the email I sent,right? It’s a green energy building with mostly companies that HEAT supports which are all reputable. Anyone moving into the condos for work will contribute to local consumerism.”
“Most everyone who lives here doesn’t care about a few stores in your strip mall.”
“Plaza of boutiques.” He rolled his eyes and grabbed the coffee pot to pour some into a mug. “Anyway, spin the narrative then. Those working there will mingle, be a part of the damn country club, and offer investment opportunities.” Then he smiled and side-eyed me. “Or put you and me on the front and talk about what we want for our new family.”
“Stop.” I held up a hand. “Not in the morning.” He was laughing at, I’m sure, what looked like disgust on my face.
“Kids in the morningarea little difficult, but we’d make it work, Honeybee.” Then he sipped his coffee while he looked over the mug with his green eyes staring at me.
“I’m not even going to respond to that. Yourfirstidea might just work. This town was always mulling over money.”
His eyes twinkled with mischief still. “My second idea would work better.”
“You’re incorrigible.” I stared into the fridge like there was something really interesting in there before announcing, “I’m going to go to the grocery store and maybe for a walk so I can consider options to write about.”
“A walk without me? We’re supposed to go together.” He set down the mug and stood next to me until I had no other choice but to close the fridge and meet his eyes. He pulled at a loose curl that must have escaped my ponytail and came to stand beside me so we were both leaning on the counter, looking out over the island toward the living room window. His bare shoulder touched mine and I almost gasped at how electrifying it felt after being against him in bed this morning. Then he murmured, “Ourwalks are supposed to be every day together. We’re supposed to be holding hands, kissing in the streets.”
My heart picked up speed, but I shook my head fast. “I don’t think our PDA needs to be that intense. I’m doing a good job establishing us by just talking to people around town. Reggie even stopped me the other day to tell me he was actually happy with the security measures you’ve implemented.”
“As he should be since he’s the sheriff. If you’re going to the store, maybe we can go to the furniture one and—”
With him this close, I didn’t want to do anything but jump his bones. “Iam going to the grocery store by myself. And I already ordered a bed frame and mattress for upstairs and a desk. I’ll move right up there when they come and be out of your way.”
He hummed and walked over to his briefcase near the couch to pull out his laptop and sat down there. Still without a shirt on. “Who said you’re in my way?”
“When I moved in here, Dimitri, I told you I would live upstairs.” Sliding on my shoes, I rearranged my sweater and made a mental note that we needed a mirror in here too. “Then you’ll get the bed back to yourself and—”
“But then I won’t get to wake up with you right against me,” he said without even looking up from his laptop.
I froze. “What?”
“You told me you don’t like cuddling, Honeybee, but I wake up at sunrise to your body plastered against mine. I’ve always been an early riser. But did you know I go back to sleep with you against me every morning?”
“I… I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I murmured, backing away from him. I needed to leave right now because if I didn’t, I knew I’d do something I’d regret like straddle him on that couch. “I have to go.”
“Take my car if you’re getting groceries,” he yelled after me as I rushed to grab my purse.
“What car?” I glanced outside and didn’t see anything in the driveway or on the street. All I saw was Lucille digging a very large hole in her backyard.
“The one I had brought in for when I got back from the airport.” He shrugged. “It’s in the garage.”
I wasn’t staying to talk to him for a second longer. I needed to find another man and not try to make Dimitri fill Rufford’s shoes. Or I needed to be on my own. I flicked on the lights and gasped when I saw the most expensive-looking car I’d ever laid eyes on. And I’d been in a Rolls-Royce, a Bugatti, a Porsche, you name it. This was something else though.
I grabbed the keys from the hook. I circled the front and then back. It was a sleek matte black, and every angle was a curve of perfection. My parents always had nice cars, but this was one of a kind. I pulled the handle and the door freaking lifted into the air.
When I got in, I let out a sigh of pure ecstasy as I brushed a hand over the white leather. All custom interior with lighting along the dashboard that turned on when I pressed the ignition.
“You like it?” Dimitri said, standing in the doorway.
“Maybe. What is it?” I rubbed my hand over the wheel.
“A Pagani Utopia.”
