Page 25 of Wrapped in Perfection

"Yes."

In a teasing tone, she says, "I was really calling to see if you were coming home tonight."

"What?"

"For dinner," she adds, but I know she's insinuating more.

"No. I just got ready. I probably should let you go so I don't keep him waiting."

"Are you wearing the red dress?"

"Yes."

"And you took the black stilettos?"

"Yes."

"Good. Where is he taking you?"

"I don't know, but you're making me nervous."

She laughs. "Okay. I won't wait up. Should I cover for you with Chase?"

I groan. "I'm not in high school."

"Yeah, but do you want fifty questions when you get home?"

"God, no."

"Okay, then let me do my wifely duty tonight."

"Too much info. Don't want to think about you and my brother."

She laughs. "Have fun. See you in the morning."

I hang up and assess myself in the full-length mirror then turn and stare at my ass, wishing it could magically get smaller.

The longer I look at my reflection, the more nervous I get.

Crap! I forgot a handbag.

I clutch my phone and take my wallet out of my purse. I open the door and step out.

The lights are dim, softly glowing around the ceiling's edge, intensifying the penthouse's provocativeness. Darkness has set in, and stars light up the night sky over the lake, along with lit-up buildings. A woman's voice seductively sings in Russian.

Dmitri is at the window with his back to me. The fabric of his black, long-sleeve shirt stretches across his shoulders, outlining his muscular physique, and is tucked into his belted black pants.

He's on the phone, speaking in Russian. His voice sounds angry. I've not heard it sound rough before except when he threatened Mitch at the bar, and even that was subdued compared to this. I take a few steps backward.

What am I doing here?

My shoes clatter on the wood, and he spins.

His eyes morph from dark to light then to confused. He says something else and hangs up. As he comes toward me, I take more steps back.

He freezes. "Anna, why are you retreating from me?"

My heart is pounding too fast. My lungs seize up. I try to catch my breath.

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