by Roxie Rivera
Dimitri sat down on the bed and pulled me between his thighs. His hands caressed my back as he peppered tender kisses along my cheek and neck. "Tell me what you need, Benny. Tell me how to help you."
I cupped his face and ran my fingertips over the hard angles of his cheeks. He'd already helped me so much. "I feel like I'm the one who should be thinking of ways to help you and to repay you for everything you've done for me."
He dragged his lips along the edge of my throat and nibbled a sensitive spot there. "Helping you makes me happy." He ran his hands down my back and gripped my bottom through my jeans. His mouth teased against mine. "Let me put a smile on your face, Benny."
"Dimitri…" I moaned as his masterful hands stoked the flames of my desire. His palms glided along my hips and down my legs. A moment too late, I remembered exactly what I'd stuck in my pocket.
He went still as his hand moved over the bump there. "What is this?"
"Um…"
His long fingers dipped into my pocket. He retrieved the phone and stared at it. "Where did you get this?"
"Johnny gave it to me."
"This isn't his phone. I destroyed that one."
"No, it belongs to a friend of his. Wait." I frowned with confusion. "Why did you destroy Johnny's phone?"
"It's a temptation and way to track him. I got him a new, clean phone so he can contact you." Dimitri didn't look happy about the phone he'd taken from me. "Why did Johnny give you this?"
"It has video on it of that night. He wants me to give it to Santos."
An irritated expression crossed his face. "I thought we agreed you weren't going to get involved."
Now it was my turn to be irritated. "Did we? Because I feel like you're the one making all the decisions and I'm the one standing here, nodding my head and saying, 'Yes, Dimitri.'"
His eyes widened. Clearly taken aback, he hurriedly said, "Benny, I never meant to make you feel like I was running roughshod over you."
"I know you're trying to protect me but dropping that bomb about the lawyer tonight at Yuri's yacht? You should have told me on the drive over, Dimitri. I felt totally blindsided."
He flinched. "I'm sorry. You're right. I should have mentioned it. I swear I didn't know Yuri was going to offer to buy the building from you."
"I know you didn't. I could see it on your face."
Dimitri tossed the phone aside and slid his hands up and down my arms. "Listen, Benny, when it comes to you, I can be a bit overzealous. If I'm crossing the line, tell me. I'll try to be more self-aware but don't hesitate to tell me if I'm making you feel this way. I never want you to feel like I'm trying to be controlling." He looked sick at the very idea of it. "That's not the kind of man I am and that's not the kind of relationship I want us to have."
"It's not the sort of relationship I want either." I brushed some of the soft, stray strands of blond hair behind his ear. "I realize you're better at navigating messes like these than me and I appreciate your guidance, Dimitri. Please don’t think I'm being ungrateful."
"I don't."
"Good because I want us to be partners, like you said. I get that when it's something big and scary like this I'm better off letting you take the reins but maybe you could slow down a bit and clue me in so I'm not wandering around in the dark?"
"Definitely," he agreed. He traced my lower lip and I playfully nipped at his thumb. Smiling so sexily, he asked, "Are we okay now?"
"Yes."
"Then come here and let me make love to you." He wrapped his arms around me and dragged me on top of him as he fell back onto the bed. He sifted his fingers through my hair and tugged me down for a kiss. Straddling him, I melted into his commanding kiss. The slight hint of lemon from dessert still clung to his lips. I swiped my tongue against his because he just tasted so damn good.
With one swift, easy move, Dimitri flipped us. Crawling over me, he captured my mouth in a punishing kiss. I gripped his shoulders and rocked my hips, arching into his steely, hot body. Pinned beneath him, I let go of all the worry and emotional pain plaguing me. I surrendered to the feel of his skilled hands and that wickedly erotic mouth.
My shirt was shoved out of the way and his lips pressed searing kisses to the swell of each breast and then my belly. Dimitri unbuttoned and unzipped my jeans and jerked them down my legs. Lifting my hips, I helped him rid me of my jeans, panties and shoes.
Naked from the waist down, I shuddered with anticipation. He slid off the bed onto his knees and dragged me right to the very edge. Pushing my thighs open, he gripped the backs of my knees and held me right where he wanted me. His tongue probed my pussy and I cried out his name. He chuckled lightly, the slight vibrations rattling my throbbing clit.
With a low groan, he swirled his tongue around the little nub. I clutched at his shoulders, my nails digging into the soft flesh of his back as he drove me crazy. Flicking and suckling, Dimitri pushed me closer and closer to the edge. The things this man could do with his tongue!
"Dimitri!' I moaned and thrashed atop his bed. "Oh! Oh!"
He growled hungrily and lapped at me. The merciless speed of his tongue fluttering over the swollen kernel of my clit sent me skyrocketing into a stratosphere of ecstasy that left me trembling and panting.
When the last few jolts of climax rippled through me, Dimitri pried his mouth away and sat back on his heels. Boneless and floating on air, I watched him strip out of his clothing. I still couldn't believe this big, delicious man was all mine.
Pushing up onto my knees, I peeled out of my shirt and threw my bra on to the floor. I motioned for Dimitri to come closer. He grinned wolfishly at the realization of what I wanted to do.
Down on all fours, I reached for that magnificent cock. I stroked his hard length with just my fingertips and then curled my fingers around him. Dimitri inhaled a shaky breath and pulled his lower lip between his teeth. I leaned down and licked the fat crown of his cock. He groaned loudly and threaded his fingers through my hair.
Loving the ways I could make him react, I sucked the tip of him. The wide girth stretched my lips. I hummed quietly as I worked my mouth up and down his shaft, slicking his hot skin. I didn't have enough experience in this department to deep throat him—and he was way too long for me to even give it that old college try. He didn't seem to mind one bit.
"Benny." He murmured my name with such affection. He brushed his knuckles down my cheek before tangling his hands in my hair. I relished the tug of his fingers and the tingling heat on my scalp. He was barely in control now. To know I had that kind of power? What an aphrodisiac!
He thrust into my welcoming mouth, rubbing the length of his cock along my tongue. I tightened my lips around him, sucking him hard as he retreated. Over and over, I teased him until he'd had enough.
With a desperate growl, he popped free from my mouth. I gasped as he grasped me by the waist, flipped me over and dragged me back against him. He issued a frustrated sound before stepping away just long enough to grab a condom from the top drawer of his bedside table. In record time, he'd sheathed himself.
I glanced over my shoulder and watched him guide his cock into me. The muscles of his chest and arms were tight as breached my entrance. Overwhelmed by the delicious ache of his huge dick gliding into me, I dropped my forehead to the bed and wiggled my bottom. A split-second later, Dimitri's palm cracked my backside. "Oh!"
He chuckled and rubbed the spot he'd just smacked. "Sorry, sweetheart. I couldn't resist. You have the prettiest little ass."
After being tied up and put in his kinky sex swing, I started to wonder what other dirty penchants Dimitri might have. Pushing back to meet his thrusts, I silently showed him that having my bottom whacked in the heat of passion was a-okay with me.
He gripped my hips and pounded into me. Embracing the wanton girl inside me, I let go of my inhibitions and decided to enjoy every single second of Dimitri's wild, intense fucking. It stunned me how he could be so incredibly tender and sweet one moment and nearly feral the next.
I cried out with every forceful thrust. My lower belly wobbled with excitement. My nipples formed taut peaks that ached and throbbed. I wanted to reach down and touch myself to ease the pulsing ache between my thighs but I didn't think I could withstand the force of his rough coupling on just one hand.
As if reading my mind, Dimitri pulled free from my body and tossed me onto my back. He pounced on me, crawling between my open thighs and sliding home with one easy thrust. Head thrown back, I moaned with pure delight. He nibbled my neck and rocked into me, his big cock hitting all the right places.
"Dimitri!" I nearly lost it when his fingertips found my swollen clit. He drew tight circles around the bud while taking me with slow, deep strokes. "God!"
Holding my gaze, he brushed his mouth to mine. "Come," he urged. "Come with me."
Hearing the need in his voice sent me over the edge. My thighs gripped his waist as I rocked and shuddered beneath him. The wonderful waves of pleasure were intensified by the way he groaned my name and jerked inside me. Our tongues danced as we trembled and clutched at one another. We interlaced our fingers above my head and gazed at one another in wonder and awe.
Eyes closed, I reveled in the way Dimitri nuzzled my neck and kissed me with such love. He didn't pull away from me immediately but seemed content to stay buried inside me and joined so intimately.
"I never thought I'd have regrets when it came to you, Benny." He claimed my mouth with a kiss so thorough I was nearly dizzy when he broke away from me. "But, my God, I regret waiting so long to make my move."
I ran my fingers through his hair and cupped the back of his neck. "Maybe it wasn't the right time for us until now. Maybe we weren't ready for one another."
"Maybe." He kissed me again. "I'm glad we're together now."
"Me, too," I whispered. "I love you."
"I love you." He smiled and kissed the tip of my nose. "I'll be right back."
After he pulled away from me, I rolled onto my side to watch the sexy view of his naked ass as he made his way to the bathroom. The door closed and I let loose a long sigh.
Relaxed and happy, I rubbed my hand over the soft bedding and let my mind wander. With the bakery building sold, I would have to find a new place quickly, install all the necessary equipment, get permits and handle all the other tiny details to get us open quickly. Yuri's offer to let me stay until the new location was ready eased my worries.
Still, there were other things to consider. I had to figure out a way to keep—
A strange sound interrupted my thoughts. I held my breath and listened. I felt certain the noise had come from down below in the bakery. My heart raced when I heard another, clearer noise. There was no mistaking that sound. Shattering glass!
"Dimitri!"
The door opened a moment later. Wiping his hands on towel, he asked, "What's wrong?"
"Did you hear that?"
He shook his head. "Hear what, sweetheart?"
"I heard glass break downstairs."
He went still. "You're sure."
I nodded. "I heard a noise and I listened hard. Then I heard another noise. It was breaking glass."
Frowning, he tossed the hand towel on the counter and strode into the bedroom. He snatched up his jeans and grabbed his shirt. As he jammed his feet into his shoes, he pointed to the second drawer of his table. "Grab my gun."
I did as he asked, gripping the cold, metal piece with extreme caution. It was the first time I'd ever touched a weapon. I handed it over quickly. Dimitri shot me an amused glance before kissing my cheek. "We'll work on that. You need to be comfortable with a handgun."
"No, thank you."
"I wasn't asking." He headed toward the bedroom door. "It's probably nothing, Benny, but just in case, lock up behind me. If I'm not back in two or three minutes, call the police. Tell them we have a prowler."
Nodding, I slipped off the bed and trailed him to the front door. He slipped out into the night and I quickly locked the door behind him. I hurried back into the bedroom and tugged on my jeans and shirt.
But when I went into the bathroom to search for an elastic band for my hair, I caught a scent that stopped me cold in my tracks.
Smoke.
Chapter Sixteen
He heard the shrill screech of the smoke alarms before he caught the scent of burning drywall. A moment later, he discovered the side entrance propped open with heavy crates. Dread squeezed his chest. Was it a kitchen accident or arson?
A brief hesitation ensued. If the fire was small enough, he could put it out with one of the many fire extinguishers bolted to the bakery's walls. Knowing it was probably a bad idea, he ducked inside the building anyway.
The smoke wasn't bad in the back rooms where they kept stock but one step into the kitchen and Dimitri coughed. Thick and heavy, the smoke rolled out of the front café space of the bakery. He caught the scent of accelerant. The acrid tinge of fuel hung ripe in the smoky air. With an arm over his face, he backed out of the kitchen and turned toward the side entrance. This place was going up and it would be fast. He had to get to Benny.
As he stepped through the open doorway, a baseball bat slammed into his gut. "Oof!"
Dimitri collapsed forward as pain unlike anything he'd experienced in a hell of a long time gripped him. Movement out of the corner of his eye spurred him to action even though the pain was intense. He blocked another blow with his arm and grunted at the burst of agony as the bat made contact.
Swearing loudly, he drove his fist into the stomach of the man still hidden in the shadows. He hit something paunchy and soft and knew he'd be able to take the man, even with a burning belly and probably broken arm. His attacker doubled over and Dimitri struck. Grabbing the man's shirt, he drove his knee into the attacker's face, crunching his nose and bloodying his mouth. One good punch to the temple put the gasping man down for good.
The bat hit the pavement and rolled into the shadows. With his injured arm held tightly to his aching gut, Dimitri pushed the man over onto his back with the tip of his boot. One of the lights mounted along the building's roof illuminated the familiar face of Carl, the goon Jonah Krause had sent to scare Benny that morning.
"Dimitri! I smell smoke!"
He glanced up to see Benny coming out of the apartment with her purse in her hand. "Hurry!"
She paused halfway down the steps. "What happened to you? Are you hurt?" Her gaze dropped to the ground and Carl's unconscious form. "Who the hell is—Dimitri! Look out!"
Frantic, she pointed over his shoulder. He spun just in time to see three men coming at him. These punks wore the uniform of a gangbanger. With their sagging jeans, baggy shirts and gold chains around their neck, they looked ready for a fight. One of them held a bottle of lighter fluid in his hand. Another had a knife. The other one, the bigger one, was only armed with his fists—unless he had a gun hidden on him.
"Benny! Run!"
"I can't." Her weak reply stunned him.
He glanced over his shoulder and spotted another man coming from the opposite end of the alley. Benny had slowly backed up the steps toward the apartment as the other would-be attacker advanced on her. Soon the fire would break through to his apartment and the flames would be licking at her feet.
In that moment, he knew fear. Four against two wouldn’t have been bad odds if he'd had Ivan or Yuri or Nikolai at his side but Benny? She was barely five feet tall and had no idea how to handle herself in a street fight. Add to that his injured arm and they were fucked.
But he'd die before he let anyone harm his Benny.
Wincing, he reached back for the gun he'd tucked into the waistband of his jeans. In the fight with Carl, it had been dislodged. He glanced around but couldn't see it. The shadows were heavy in this area and the smoke now rolling from the door made it difficult to see.
"Where the hell is Johnny?"
Dimitri lifted his gaze to the guy holding the knife. He tried to gauge the situation. "He's gone. I sent him out of the country."
"Liar."
"It's true. He's out of here. You'll never see him again."
"That's not what he said." The guy gestured to Carl. "He promised us Johnny was here, in the apartment." He turned his attention to the man stalking Benny and spoke to him in rapid-fire Spanish.
Dimitri didn't catch everything he said but his Spanish was good enough for him to understand most of it. "NO! You're not taking her back into that apartment to look for Johnny. He isn't here. He's gone."
"Pinche guero, you don't tell me what to do." The knife-wielding gangbanger stepped forward to stab him and Dimitri took advantage of the opening.
Using his wounded arm, he blocked the knife blade. He hissed as the steel sliced his skin, but years of training and conditioning and the experiences of war suppressed the pain and panic a normal person would have felt at being cut.
No, Dimitri embraced the battle-hardened instincts he'd honed in Spetsnaz. If these bastards thought they were going to hurt Benny, they had another thing coming.
*
I fought the panic surging through me and tried to breathe as the menacing thug inched up the stairs. Down on the ground, Dimitri faced three men, all of them probably armed and ready to kill him. I wanted to scream for help but no one would hear us. Every building in the vicinity was totally empty. We were on our own.
There was screaming from down below as Dimitri swiped the bottle of lighter fluid from one of the men and sprayed him in the face with it. Clawing at his eyes and shrieking in pain, the man fell to his knees. The other two rushed Dimitri. Already bleeding and injured, he moved sluggishly but valiantly.
Certain Dimitri was going to die if I didn't help him, I dug deep and pushed away the terror trying to grip my belly. The man coming toward me looked so damn smug. His overconfidence was my only advantage. Adrenaline surged through my veins as I quickly gripped the railings on either side of me. With as much force as I could muster, I slammed both feet into the man's chest. He grunted and tipped backward. His eyes widened with fright as he lost his balance.