I angled my chin up as I shrugged into the robe. “Yes, sir.”
Dimitri’s jaw bunched, but he said nothing as he turned and marched over to the door, which he pulled open so hard that I was surprised it didn’t fly off the hinges.
Refusing to show any sign of intimidation, I sashayed by him and into the hall, where the remaining guard stood watch. “Which way, gentlemen?”
A firm hand at my elbow shoved me to the right.
“This way,” Dimitri growled. “And keep your mouth shut.”
I glanced at the fuming man beside me. “You told me to look and act natural.”
“And flirting with anything that breathes is natural?”
“You should know,mon monstre.Up until today, youlovedthe way I flirted.”
Dimitri threw open a large door. “Get in.”
“Ooh, I do love this strongman thing you have going on. So alpha,” I said, running a hand up his arm, playing my part. “So domineering.”
Dimitri directed me to a long table and pulled out a seat at the head. “Then you’rereallygoing to love this.”
He was right, I did like that.The gesture felt considerate, gentlemanly, and for a second I almost forgot we were at odds—until he grabbed my wrist and slapped a cuff around it.
“What are you?—”
He hooked the other side of the cuff to the arm of the chair and leaned down behind me.
“I’m securing you. But as far as my staff is concerned, you are to play the part of my love slave. Got it?”
I pulled my arm up, testing the restraint. The metal rattled against the wood. “This is a little excessive, don’t you think?”
“Not at all,” Dimitri said by my ear. “You’re a traitor, and I’m going to do whatever I have to in order to make sure you don’tstealfrom me again.”
I turned my head until we were practically nose to nose. “Aw, you admit it, then. I stole your heart.”
Dimitri scanned my face, his expression cold as he straightened to his full height. “I don’t have a heart.”
He moved around to the other end of the table and took his seat, and my chest tightened at the distance. It was only feet, but it suddenly felt like there were miles between us.
“I don’t believe that. I think I even caught a glimpse of it the night we went dancing. You know, the night you did something for me because you wanted to.”
“Don’t you mean for Gabriele?”
“Aw, don’t be like that.” I leaned across the table and lowered my voice. “If you think about it, the fact I used my real name with you is a compliment.”
Dimitri arched a brow. “I can’t wait to hear your reasoning behind this.”
“Why, it was the orgasms, of course. I didn’t want you to be shouting someone else’s name.” I shuddered at the idea. “EvenIhave my limits.”
I shut my mouth as a man in a chef’s outfit brought in two bowls on a plate and set them down in front of us. Dimitri thanked him, and as the man disappeared out the door, I noticed the soup spoon sitting on the table.
“Minestrone,” Dimitri said, as if I couldn’t tell from looking at it. “Get used to it. The likelihood I ever give you a meal requiring a knife and fork again is miniscule.”
“Really? Someone likeyouis afraid of little old me?” I asked, picking up my spoon. “Next thing you’re going to tell me is you’re going to handcuff me to the bed.”
“Cut it out, no one is here to see you.”
“See me what?” I scooped up some soup and brought it to my mouth.
