Page 27 of Sin in My Inbox (Sexting Spark #1)

Avery

It was another foggy morning, and I dragged my exhausted body through the employee entrance. All week, every time I closed my eyes, Dmitri's face haunted me, impossible to shake.

This was my first time falling for someone. And my first taste of the pain that comes with it.

I knew I was a mess. Pale, hollow-eyed, moving through my shifts like a zombie. Even the simplest tasks felt like a struggle. I nearly dropped the damn tray a couple times today.

Esther came over from the front desk, eyeing me with concern. "Jesus, Avery, you look like hell. What's going on?"

I shook my head stiffly, dodging her gaze. I didn't know how to explain the mess in my head—the humiliation of being treated like a plaything, the anger from being misunderstood, and that aching need for Dmitri that wouldn't quit. Yeah, even pissed off and hurt, I couldn't stop missing him.

"Nothing. Just didn't sleep well," I mumbled, forcing a weak smile as I shuffled through some papers .

Esther clearly wasn't buying it, but she didn't push.

Then I heard those familiar footsteps behind me.

I didn't need to turn around to know it was Mark.

Ever since our last awkward conversation got cut short, he'd stopped hiding his feelings.

He'd hover around me, even after Jimmy chewed him out a few times. He just didn't care.

"Avery." Mark's face was flushed, his voice tight with rare nerves.

I glanced down and saw two movie tickets clutched in his hand. I already knew where this was going.

"I'm getting transferred tomorrow. To the Cloudtop branch, assistant manager." He took a deep breath and held out the tickets. "So, before I go, tonight, wanna catch a movie with me? Maybe, you know, we could give it a shot."

Esther gave his shoulder a playful nudge. "Hey, man, way to go! You finally said it!"

I took the tickets mechanically, my fingers lingering on the glossy paper.

Mark bolted before I could say a word. My eyes followed his retreating figure, a tangle of emotions twisting in my chest. The tickets felt heavy as hell in my hand.

I stared at them, but all I could see was a pair of icy blue eyes.

Esther's encouraging chatter faded into background noise.

Mark was a good guy. Kind, thoughtful, safe. With him, I wouldn't have to worry about being controlled or having my world turned upside down. He'd be a solid boyfriend, offering a normal, steady life.

But I couldn't ignore the shadow lingering in my heart.

After my shift, I found Mark in the break room, flipping through a magazine he clearly wasn't reading, sneaking glances at me.

"Mark." I sat across from him, sliding the tickets back across the table.

His face fell, but he forced a smile. "Was I reading too much into this?"

I looked at him, serious. "I'm just dealing with some complicated stuff right now. And you're about to start a new chapter—new job, new life."

"That's exactly why we should seize the moment, right?" Mark leaned forward, his eyes earnest .

I shook my head gently. "Mark, you're a great guy. Seriously, any girl would be lucky to have you. But that girl's not me. Not right now."

He went quiet for a long moment, then gave a bitter smile. "Got it, Avery."

I held his gaze. "I'm sorry, Mark. Really."

He stood, pulling me into a warm, platonic hug. "Avery, you don't owe me an apology. Just remember—you're worth cherishing. Worth loving right."

The hug was pure, comforting, with no ulterior motives—just a friend looking out for another. I hugged him back, gratitude flooding me.

As the sun set, Mark insisted on walking me out, and knowing this might be our last moment together, I couldn't say no. We stepped out of the employee exit side by side, soaking in the final minutes of each other's company. His easy smile actually got me to relax for once.

Until a pair of polished black shoes appeared in my line of sight, planted firmly on the sidewalk a few steps away.

My heart seized, nearly choking me. I snapped my head up.

It was him.

Those deep, piercing eyes locked onto mine, swirling with complicated emotions. A chill shot up from my feet.

Dmitri Belov.

He stood by a sleek black Bentley, the last rays of golden sunlight outlining his towering frame. His black coat made his shoulders look even broader, the air around him heavy, oppressive. No bodyguards, no arrogance—just him, standing like a silent statue.

I gripped my backpack strap, nails digging into my palm, hoping the sting would snap me back to reality.

Walk away, Avery. Get the hell out of here. Away from this dangerous man.

But my feet betrayed me, rooted to the spot.

I stared at him. He stared back. The air felt thick, the distant hum of traffic barely audible.

He started toward me, each step deliberate, pounding in time with my racing heart. He stopped about a yard away—close enough for me to see the bloodshot edges of his eyes, the stubble creeping along his jaw.

He looked thinner.

"You look thinner," his voice echoed my thoughts, low and rough.

I fought to keep my tone steady. "Yeah, because I'm tired. Too tired for your explanations or excuses."

"Avery?" Mark's voice cut in, wary as he sized up Dmitri. "Who's this guy?"

I sighed, at a loss. What was I supposed to say? Oh, Mark, that dangerous boss you've heard about? Yeah, this is him.

Dmitri's gaze shifted to Mark, turning ice-cold. He scanned him like he was sizing up a piece of merchandise, a venomous smirk tugging at his lips. "This is your new pick, huh?"

"No, he's—" I started, but Dmitri closed the distance, grabbing my wrist without hesitation.

"He better not be. Come with me." His tone left no room for argument, his grip tight enough to bruise.

"Let her go!" Mark stepped forward, trying to pry Dmitri's hand off. "How could you manhandle her like that?"

Dmitri shot him a look, like he was staring down an insignificant bug. He didn't let go—instead, he pulled me closer.

"How could I?" Dmitri's low chuckle dripped with menace. "She's mine. Always."

Mark squared up, his voice shaking but defiant. "She clearly doesn't want to be with you! Look at her—she's scared of you!"

Dmitri's eyes darkened, and he released my wrist, turning to face Mark fully. They were about the same height, but Dmitri's presence made Mark take an instinctive step back.

"Listen, kid," Dmitri's voice was a low growl, straight from the depths of hell, "I don't wanna deal with you here. But if you keep pushing…"

I knew in that moment, as the hotel's owner, Dmitri could crush Mark's new promotion like it was nothing .

No. I couldn't let him hurt Mark.

"Enough, Dmitri!" My voice finally broke through. "Stop throwing threats at people!"

Dmitri opened the car door. "Then you'd better come with me."

My feet felt glued to the ground. My brain screamed at me to run, to get as far away from this dangerous man as possible. He was just like my late father—a controlling, bloodstained bastard. I shouldn't have anything to do with guys like him.

But then I heard his voice.

Soft, stripped of all its usual dominance, almost broken.

"Please."

My head snapped up, and I met those icy blue eyes. For the first time, beneath the frost, I saw something rare—vulnerability. Like a dying beast letting out one last, desperate plea. In that moment, all my defenses, my logic, the walls I'd built to protect myself—they shattered.

I gave in. I walked to the open car door and slid inside. The door clicked shut behind me, sealing me into a world with just him and me.

Mark stood frozen, fists clenched, as I made my choice.

I glanced back at him, guilt heavy in my eyes. "I'm sorry, Mark."

Dmitri turned to Mark, his gaze sharp and victorious, a final warning. Then he slid into the driver's seat.

He didn't start the car right away. Instead, he leaned over. My body tensed, wary. But he just reached for my seatbelt, clicking it into place. His fingers brushed my coat, a fleeting warmth that sent a jolt through me, stealing my breath.

That lingering heat, mixed with his faint, familiar scent, wrapped around my senses like a vine.

I had to admit—my body missed him.

The city's neon lights flashed by outside, and I stared out the window, trying to hide the longing and conflict in my eyes. Reality was reality. The gap between us—age, status, worlds—felt impossible .

"You remember the first time we met?" Dmitri's voice broke the silence, soft in the confined space of the car.

I didn't answer, still pissed about how he'd used Mark to strong-arm me.

He gave a self-deprecating chuckle. "Thought it was just a game. I figured I was the player, calling all the shots. Then you walked away, and I realized—I'm the damn prey, caught in your trap."

I whipped my head around, our eyes colliding in the heavy air.

He held my gaze, his voice low. "I'm sorry, Ella. For everything."

An apology? From Dmitri? His eyes were sincere, his tone softer than I'd ever heard. In just a week, he seemed different. I sucked in a breath, looking away before my walls crumbled completely.

The car left the noisy city behind, skyscrapers fading into sparse streetlights and thickening darkness. Eventually, we stopped by a wide, open lake. The engine cut off, and the world went still.

"We're here."

I stepped out, facing a vast lake that stretched out like a sheet of inky silk, reflecting a sky full of stars.

Dmitri got out and stood beside me, silent, just taking in the view with me. His presence was still commanding, but here, under the open sky, it felt comforting, not oppressive.

"It's beautiful," I said, genuinely awed.

After a long pause, he spoke. "This place is my escape. When shit gets heavy, or I can't breathe, I come here. Don't know why, but I wanted you to see it."

I turned to him. The night softened his sharp features, but those ice-blue eyes, catching the starlight, stood out clearer than ever.

A soft click broke the quiet.

The trunk popped open behind him. I glanced over instinctively.