Dimitri Read Free Page B

believe
how pathetic I sounded.
    "Sure," Dimitri replied gently, "but that mess
downstairs proved to me that it's time for me to go."
    "I don’t understand."
    "I shouldn't have gotten involved with you and
Johnny this evening. Every time I do, he gets nasty with you. I try
to help you but I'm only making things worse."
    "That's not true. I know you've gotten Johnny
out of some bad scrapes." He started to protest but I shook my
head. "I hear things, Dimitri. I know you've put your ass on the
line for him once or twice. I don't…I don't know what I'd do if I
didn't have you here."
    "Even if I'm not living here, I'll always be
there for you and Johnny."
    It was a small comfort but it didn't ease the
painful ache surrounding my heart. "I worry Johnny is going to get
into real trouble one of these days."
    Dimitri exhaled slowly. "Becoming a man isn't
an easy thing, Benny. Some men find it easier than others. If
Johnny wants to play grown-up, let him deal with the
consequences."
    The idea of Johnny getting hurt made my belly
ache. "I don't know if I can."
    "You have to cut the apron strings." He made a
scissor-like gesture. "You have enough on your plate without
worrying about Johnny too. God, Benny, you deserve to have a life
of your own."
    I snorted softly. "A life? I can't even
remember what that was like." Loose-lipped from the wine, I
confessed, "I haven't had a date in nearly two years. Hell, I can't
even remember the last time I was kissed or had sex."
    The second my embarrassing confession escaped
my lips, I wanted to die. I dropped my gaze to my lap and wished a
hole would open up and swallow me.
    I held my breath as Dimitri moved. I prayed he
wouldn’t say something trite or make an awkward joke to ease my
uncomfortable gaffe. When his fingers closed around my wine glass,
I let him take it away. The message was pretty clear. He was
cutting me off.
    But then he did the most shocking thing. He
slid so close our thighs touched. Those big, strong hands cupped my
face and forced me to meet his gaze. I felt the air rush out of my
lungs as we stared at one another.
    "We just broke your streak."
    I blinked. "What?"
    His thumb made lazy circles on my skin. "We
just had a date."
    Feeling a bit dizzy, I asked, "Did
we?"
    His lips twitched with amusement. "We
did."
    And then he kissed me.
    I held my breath as his lips moved against
mine, the kiss so tender and sweet it stunned me. Imaginary
fireworks burst around me as Dimitri deepened the kiss, daring to
swipe his tongue against my lips and coaxing me to let him inside.
I clutched at his arms as he plundered my mouth, kissing me like no
other man ever had. I melted into his warm embrace and prayed the
moment would never end.
    When it did, I experienced a quiver of
embarrassment as the reality of what he'd done hit me. I couldn't
meet his gaze. "You didn't have to do that."
    "Do what?" he asked softly and brushed his
fingers through the ends of my ponytail.
    Face aflame, I said, "I don't need your pity
kisses, Dimitri."
    He grasped my chin and lifted my gaze. I was
surprised by the frustration written so clearly on his handsome
face. "Is that what you think? That I pity you?"
    I gaped at him. "I don't know. I mean—look at
you. You're, like, so far out of my league."
    "League?" He growled with disgust. "Jesus
Christ, Benny, is that what you think? That I don’t find you
attractive?"
    "I—"
    He cut me off with another kiss, this one
punishing and demanding. I gasped as he grabbed me by the waist and
dragged me onto his lap. The way he so easily manhandled me made my
belly clench. His hands rode the curve of my back to settle on my
bottom.
    I inhaled a shuddery breath as he clasped my
backside. Suddenly my jeans felt incredibly thin.
"Dimitri…"
    "Hush," he whispered and kissed me again. "Do
you know what I see when I look at you?"
    Feeling totally out of my depth and completely
off-kilter, I simply shook my head.
    "I see the prettiest brown eyes and the most
tempting lips." He