Page 28 of Wrapped in Perfection

I take a sip. The semi-sweet notes, full of blackberry and cherry, burst on my tongue. "It's delicious."

He glances at my lips, says something to the waitress, and she fills the rest of my glass and his. He turns, has another conversation I don't understand, and she disappears.

Food arrives quickly. One dish after another is set in front of us until the table is full. Dmitri has me try everything first, feeding me, grazing his hands the entire time on my thigh or back. I don't know what anything is. I've never had Russian food. He tells me the name of each item, but I don't remember any of it.

He makes me feel good about myself and I laugh throughout the night, and it's the first time in a long time I've genuinely felt happy. He never takes his gaze off me, often brushing his lips against my ear as he talks. By the time dinner is over, my body is throbbing and hot.

All I want is for him to kiss me. But he never does.

I've never met anyone and had sex with them right away, or even knew I wanted to. But I know I do with Dmitri. I'm burning for him, aching to have his hands all over me. And I see how much he wants me, in his eyes.

We leave the restaurant. He slides me on his lap and we stare at each other's lips. I think he's finally going to kiss me, but my phone rings, pulling me out of my trance. He yanks it out of his pocket then glances at it. His jaw clenches. He hands me the phone.

Mitch and my face light up the screen. It was taken a few months after we started dating, and we look happy in it.

I hit the button to ignore the call, and he calls again. I do the same thing, and text messages pop up. I turn off my phone. "Sorry," I say, but it sounds weak and pathetic, even to my own ears.

Dmitri says nothing, only scowls and turns toward the window.

I'm not sure how to get us back to where we were. I don't know why I had to bring my phone.

We go back to Dmitri's place. He avoids my eyes. I'm not sure what to do. When we get inside, he goes into the bedroom and brings my bag and purse out. His face is hard. Hurt and annoyance are in his eyes. "I'll take you home now, Anna." He hands me my license and wallet.

I step forward and put my hand on his cheek.

He stares at the ceiling.

"Dmitri," I quietly say.

He glances down. "I'm not playing this game, Anna."

"What game?" I ask, confused.

"Where I'm in second, and you go back and forth between us."

"I would never do that," I claim.

"No?"

"No."

"But you've not told me you aren't going back to him. And he still calls you."

"I told him not to anymore."

"But he still is."

"He's never listened."

"Then block him."

Mitch will be so pissed.

My heart pounds in my chest. I should pick up my phone, turn it on, and block Mitch. But I don't. I only stare at Dmitri with my insides quivering.

He shakes his head. "I want you in my bed. All night...until the morning sun is shining so bright, we're forced to get up. But until you tell me it's over and you aren't going back to him, it's not happening."

I'm not sure why I can't tell Dmitri it's over between Mitch and me or block Mitch out of my life forever. I know Mitch isn't who I should be with and don't want him anymore. Dmitri is who I want.

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