Page 16 of Wrapped in Perfection

"Why did you move to Chicago?"

"My brother made me."

"Why?"

My pulse increases, and I peer out the window. "Can we not talk about this?"

He doesn't answer right away. His fingers trace over my hand. "Did I get it wrong, earlier?"

"What?"

"Are you no longer with your boyfriend?"

"No...yes... I don't know. It's...it's complicated."

His jaw clenches.

"Why does it matter anyway?" I blurt out.

He tilts his head. "Is it not obvious to you?"

"What?"

"I'm interested in you."

My pulse beats in my neck. I inhale sharply. "As your designer."

He arches an eyebrow in amusement. "And other ways."

Oh God.

I turn toward the window and focus on the blur of the buildings passing by. I'm barely out of my relationship with Mitch. My things are still in the apartment we've shared for four years. Why would he, Mr. Sex on a Stick, be interested in me?

"Have I scared you, kotik?"

I turn to him. "What does that mean?"

His eyes drift over my body and back to my face. He licks his lips. "You want me to spell it out?"

"I don't know Russian," I blurt out, though he already knows this.

Amusement crosses his face again. I'm not sure what is so funny.

"I said I'd tell you at dinner what it meant. Speaking of which, what did you pack to wear?"

"Ummm..." I shake my head, suddenly feeling overwhelmed and embarrassed. The flames on my cheeks grow hotter.

Why did I bring such a fancy dress?

I shouldn't have listened to Vivian.

Why did I bring a bag?

He drags his finger over my cheek.

I close my eyes. No one has touched me in so long. Since Mitch kept ignoring my affection for him, I'm not sure if it feels good because it's attention or because it's Dmitri.

No, it's definitely him.

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