Chapter 13 I wake feeling more relaxed and comfortable than I've ever felt in my life. I wiggle my toes and then go to stretch, meeting a hard wall of flesh. That's when I realize the reason I'm so comfortable is because I'm snuggled into the body of another person. Dimitri's arm is around my torso, his hand on my naked belly, his fingers splayed out to cover my skin. I gasp, trying to sit up. "Milaya," he rumbles behind me. "Anna kept me up most of the night. Can you at least ease out of my bed instead of thrashing around." "I'm sorry," I cry, flipping around to look in his face. Which is when I realize my mistake. I'm naked. And he's mostly so. My skin slides over his in the most seductive way as my breasts crush to his chest. His arm around me, is now perched just above my ass and he slides the hand down to cup one cheek, pulling our hips together. I have a second to feel frightened before hot lust skitters down my spine, settling between my legs. But he must have felt my slight stiffening though, because he rolls onto his back, pulling me on top of him. His nose nuzzles into my neck. "Better?" "How did you know?" "I can feel your fear. I don't like it. I only want to make you feel better." He kisses a trail along my collarbone, his other arm wrapping around my back. My eyes flutter closed. How is this possible? How is the one man I'm supposed to hate, fear even, be the man who is patient, kind, understanding? Who is willing to take the time to help me overcome my own hangups? It's crazy, but for another moment, I just enjoy the feel of his lips, his muscles moving under my softer body. A sigh escapes my mouth as tingles flutter over my skin. "That's the noise I like to hear," he rumbles against my chest, his hands gliding up my back. I think I could have sex like this. His hands on my body, his lips moving over my skin. I arch my head back giving him more access. Dimitri's touch frightens me less and less, his hands bringing comfort, joy, not worry or anxiety. I slide my fingers into his hair, holding his head in my hands as I kiss his forehead. "Dimitri." "Say my name like that again and I'm not letting you out of this bed." I still for a moment. He makes me feel so wanted. Men have wanted me on first blush, but they didn't stick around when my real self was revealed. Not like Dimitri. "Don't tempt me," I whisper back, my eyes fluttering closed. "Are you tempted? Because if you are-" The sound of Anna crying through the monitor interrupts whatever he was about to say. My eyes fly open. "Poor thing." He lets out a long breath. "I'm sorry to have to cut this short." "Don't be," I say automatically as I slide off him. I can't resent Anna. Not only is she the cutest little girl, but maybe being a father makes him ideal for me. Patient. Kind. Willing to fit himself around my needs just like he's doing for Anna now. He gets up, nothing but his boxer briefs hugging his hips and thighs, showing off every delicious, rippling muscle. My mouth goes dry as I pull the blankets up my body. He looks like a marble statue of a god. He turns back to me, even as he tugs a pair of athletic pants up his legs. "Don't cover up. Let me see you one more time." A flush climbs up my cheeks but the ache between my thighs throbs too and I find myself slowly lowering the blankets. I'm on my side but my shoulders are flat on the mattress, the swell of my hip on full display. I watch his eyes darken, but this time, it doesn't frighten me, in fact, my breath hitches as his gaze slides down my body. "Do you know how gorgeous you are?" I must be bright red as I turn away, biting my lip. "Stop." He slides back on the bed, but he doesn't cover me, which I appreciate. Instead, he kisses my hip bone, looking up at me with an intensity that steals my breath. "I can't. I want you too much." I'm so hot, my breath is coming out in short gasps. I want him too. I want him so much. He licks at my skin, one of his hands sliding over my knee. The idea of him shifting his mouth to kiss me where I'm aching makes this pulse of need move through me. I reach down, wrapping my fingers around the back of his neck as my legs open in invitation. I feel him smile against my hip as Anna gives another cry. "The downside of sleeping with a man who has a child." Is that what we're doing? Sleeping together? "I'd fire me if I weren't the boss." And if my boss knew, I'd be out on my ass. "We can't have that." There is so much more I want to say about the future, my fears, as he pushes off the bed, pulling on a t-shirt before he heads out the bedroom door. But I have no idea what would happen if I did tell him the truth. I pull myself from the bed as well, putting my shirt and leggings back on before I pad to my own room and into the bathroom, where I turn on the shower. The guest bathroom here is more than twice the size as my bathroom at home. I've been saving every penny, but maybe it's time for me to upgrade my apartment. I basically live for work and Cadence and since coming here, I'm feeling like my life before this has been a bit hollow. I love Cadence so much. But there has been some distance between us, and I've been working harder than ever to remain close to her. I will always love her, but maybe I was choking her with how much I need her. I've been holding on so tight, even before she left. We've always gone through periods where we fall apart more than stay together. She'd disappear on some adventure, or I'd bail her out of some situation that made her resentful instead of happy. But there's been this new layer lately. She always seemed to hate that I had it all together. But the last several times we talked, she said she was worried about me. I didn't have a full enough life...I needed people beyond her. I'd dismissed her words. She was enough for me. I didn't want more people, more risk. I turn on the shower, stripping off my clothes. Turns out, she was right. Being here has brought color to my life in ways that I never dreamed. I step into the hot spray, the massaging head spraying a targeted stream of water onto my stiff muscles. I tip my head back, wetting my hair and working the shampoo through the thick strands. I can't think of Dimitri as my savior. It's just going to mean I end up hurt in the end. And Cadence. I've got to find her, bring her home safe, and tell her the truth. As much as I save her, she saves me too, forces me to see certain truths about myself. It's always been this way and, it turns out, her leaving was what I needed too. It's so crazy. An hour later, Dimitri leaves with Anna to take her to the pediatrician. I offer to go, but I'm relieved when he gently refuses. "Catch up on your other job while you've got the time." But as they leave, and I find myself alone in the apartment, I don't return to my computer. Instead, I stand outside the door of Dimitri's office, staring at the closed door. Am I really going to do this? Rifle through the private spaces of his home? I square my shoulders. This is what I came for. How else am I going to help my friend? Drawing in a deep breath, I push open the door. The room is exactly how I pictured it, a large mahogany desk sits to one end, a bank of windows behind it, displaying a stunning view of the Las Vegas skyline. File drawers are built into one wall, framed in more dark wood. Walking across the floor, I do a quick scan for any cameras. I haven't seen any evidence of them anywhere in the apartment, but I take a second look before I move behind the desk, opening the center drawer. There is nothing but pens and other office supplies. The next one holds tape and a stapler, neatly arranged. And the third holds nothing more interesting than more office supplies. Moving to the cabinets, I open a drawer to find tax documents and payroll for the various casinos. All of it screams legitimate business owner. Hands on my hips, I let out a breath. It makes sense that Dimitri doesn't leave information about criminal activity out for anyone to find. But still. I'd hoped for some small nugget. A tiny clue of what he does and where I start my search for Cadence. Or maybe I didn't. Relief makes my breath come out in a long steady stream. Searching the last drawer, I leave the office. Crossing the hall, I enter Dimitri's bedroom. I'm more comfortable here, having spent the night last night. Part of me wants to give up. I didn't find anything, and that might mean there has been some mistake. He's not the man I think he is, and I'm free to just explore what's been happening between us. But I shouldn't give up now. And besides, if Dimitri were to return home and find me in here, I'd have an excuse that I left something behind last night. There is no risk continuing my search in here. I rifle through the nightstand, my only find is the handcuffs we used last night. I touch them, my body getting hot all over, before I move to the dresser. Finally, I search the closet but find nothing more than his scent that wraps around me like a blanket and a reminder that I'm likely a shitty person. Done searching, I know I need to come up with a new plan. But in the meantime, I might as well get some real work done before Anna comes back and I'm once again taking care of a sick toddler. The stranger part is how much I'm looking forward to both Dimitri and Anna coming back. Even the short time they've been gone, I miss them. I care about them both way too much already and If I'm not careful, I'm going to get caught in my own trap.