Page 5 of Hunt Me (Dmitriyev Bratva #1)

“Just remember, even angels often dip their wings in the waters of the forbidden.” I’d never been so forward in my life. That wasn’t my personality, yet around a man so possessive, I hungered to break free of the studious girl who’d spent all her time doing research and writing white papers.

The girl who’d foregone dating to work two jobs. The girl who’d been careless about her appearance, spending almost her entire college career in comfortable sweats.

The slight ping of the elevator reaching its destination broke the near trance he was attempting to place me in. I wasn’t buying his charm.

He backed away once the elevator doors were opened, waiting until I left the confined space. As we walked into the small bar, I instantly knew the space was reserved for high rollers. Almost every resort had at least one.

His bypass of the hostess was another reminder he owned the resort as well as several others.

The table was in the back near a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the Vegas strip.

Perhaps he thought he could impress me, but I knew the seedier side of the city, shadows imprisoning thousands of dirty little secrets.

There were several groups of people inside, perfect Barbie doll women clinging to older men. They were boisterous and loud, their laughter and conversations filtering throughout the bar.

“Champagne?” he asked, while already nodding toward a waitress. She didn’t wait for my answer, immediately scurrying away.

“Why not,” I told him. He was playing the gentleman, holding my chair until I eased onto the soft cushion. “I see you’re the kind of man used to getting everything he wants.”

“Is there anything wrong with knowing the most important things in life and ensuring they’re obtained?” As he sat down, I noticed he swept the room, his lips curling as if frustrated with the other guests.

“Not at all. Unless of course the thing or person is unobtainable.”

“Everything can be obtained for the right price.”

“No, not everything.” The same intense hum continued vibrating through me. “Some people aren’t impressed by money or luxurious things.”

“Then what are they impressed by?”

The quickness with which the waitress had reappeared was impressive.

After placing two tall crystal flutes on the table, she backed away.

She seemed nervous, her hands shaking as she tried to open the bottle, her struggle immediately terrifying her.

My guess was the poor girl was used to being yelled at when she made a misstep.

I hated holier than thou people almost as much as lecherous men with octopus hands.

I was surprised that instead of acting annoyed and accusing the poor girl of incompetence, he took the bottle from her hand.

He even offered an encouraging smile. “A little trick of the trade I learned a long time ago. You don’t twist the cork.

You twist the bottle. Keep one hand over the top and the leverage you have holding the bottle makes it almost foolproof. ”

The pop was minimal and the girl opened her eyes wide, a tiny nervous laugh escaping. “That’s amazing. Oh, I’m sorry, sir. I’m new on the job. Thank you for helping.”

“No apologies needed and good luck on your new opportunity. Ecstasy is lucky to have you.” As soon as he placed the bottle in her hands, he returned his attention to me, the smile remaining.

As she filled the glasses, no longer a nervous puddle of energy, I leaned forward on the table. “You asked what impressed some women. The answer is easy. Acts of kindness and generosity.”

He also leaned forward, furrowing his brows as he did. “Does that include you?”

“Yes, it does. As my mother always told me. You can catch a lot more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.”

His laugh was more boisterous than I would have thought. “I’ve never heard the expression before. I’ll keep that in mind.” He lifted the flute, waiting until I did the same. “A toast.”

“What are we toasting to?” The way his nostrils flared created a heated pool between my legs.

“To a new friendship.”

I hesitated before allowing the glasses to touch. “To new friendships. With no strings attached.”

“No strings.”

When our glasses touched, so did our fingers and we both felt the instant crackle of electricity. I was stunned by how intense the vibrations were, my mouth suddenly dry.

As I pulled away, his eyes became hooded. “I hope I don’t frighten you.”

I tried to laugh it off. “No, you don’t. I’m not the kind of woman who frightens easily.” But he did, only not in the way he was thinking. I was fearful I’d find myself embroiled in something I’d possibly regret. Yet the nagging voice inside me had already pinpointed the truth of my life.

I hadn’t really been living at all. One night of excitement wouldn’t confirm my place in hell.

During the next few minutes, the conversation was light. I found the man engaging, completely unlike what I’d anticipated. He was attentive when I spoke, interesting in asking questions and laughing when appropriate.

That’s why I found myself enjoying spending time with him even more than I’d believed I would. What troubled me was just how attracted I was, the hard throb in my pussy continuous.

Not once did we talk about family or my friendship with his sister. He was genuinely interested in what I had to say.

I felt comfortable around him, almost as if we were old friends spending the night catching up.

I’d never laughed so much or been so animated.

His charm was not only in his accent or the way his eyes pierced mine, but in his willingness to provide me with information, including his favorite pizza topping.

I’d also learned he hadn’t been to a movie theater in years and was eclectic in his tastes in music, including Rachmaninoff concertos and Disturbed, the latter happening to be my favorite metal band.

After two glasses of champagne, I was feeling light and perhaps a little too giddy, laughing freely at his attempt to make jokes.

“I’m curious. What did you say to the man who gripped your shoulder earlier?” he asked.

“Sometimes it’s necessary to put the fear of God into men who refuse to take no for an answer.

” I was also being much bolder than I usually was.

My friends were always telling me I was far too timid for my own good and should put myself out there.

Especially for men. How many blind dates had my sister set me up with in the past?

So many my head had begun to swirl like the poor girl in The Exorcist .

Las Vegas might have its share of beautiful men, but the city also had its share of duds with a capital D.

“And just how did you do that?” He sat back in the seat, completely comfortable in his own skin.

Meanwhile, I was bunched up at the table, losing a high heel and trying not to slide my bare foot under the hem of his trouser leg.

When I was nervous, I usually crossed one leg over the other, jiggling my foot. Tonight was no exception.

The nervous energy drifting into every dark corner of my body remained electrifying as well as confusing.

He had another smirk on his face as he waited, his only movement running his finger around the rim of his glass.

Was he purposely trying to keep my attention since that’s the way he’d grabbed it before?

“I simply told Mr. Handsy that it was much better going through life with his dick remaining attached to his body.”

My words and admittance surprised him. His laughter was as boisterous as the groups of people around us.

“Did you really?”

I lifted my glass, wincing from the heat crossing my jaw. “Liquid courage. He was far too hungry and I was far too annoyed.” The truth was the strange man had been frighteningly insistent I go with him. I was thankful Mikhail had intervened.

“What do you think he hungered for?” he asked, his brows knitting together.

“I think it was obvious what he’d selected on his all you can eat menu.

A dance followed by a trip to his room with a little smashing of lips and hanky-panky.

Sadly, he was so drunk I doubt he’d have been able to perform.

Even if his dick was larger or stiffer than a wet noodle, there is nothing worse than a man who doesn’t understand or care about what a woman wants.

From my experience, most men simply want what they want without regard to their partner. ”

“Don’t you know generalizations are not always accurate?”

Shrugging, I tipped back my glass. “Not always, but usually. What did you say to him? He seemed frightened by the encounter.”

Mikhail took a deep breath, the darkness in his eyes conveying his dangerous appeal. “I simply reminded him that no woman should ever be treated with disrespect.”

“Hmmm… I guess I should feel grateful he listened to you.”

“He had no other choice. You have me curious. What does this unknown and unsatisfied woman crave?” He took the opportunity to refill the glasses. At least I’d splurged for an Uber instead of driving.

I tingled from the way he was looking at me, devouring me with his eyes.

“She prefers a man who takes control, engaging in rough and tumble actions versus my being told to lie still while he gets off for two minutes, pumping his load then rolling over.”

What are you doing? Are you crazy?

I knew I was playing with fire, but for once, I felt alive, my skin crackling with electricity while my pussy continued to throb.

“Ah. Should I take that as an experienced answer?”

Other than with my girlfriends, I’d never talked so openly with anything regarding sex. Perhaps because I hadn’t felt close enough to trust anyone I’d dated. Why I felt I could be completely open with the man was beyond me, but it was intensely exciting.

“Unfortunately, yes.”