Page 9 of Sin in My Inbox (Sexting Spark #1)

"Don't mention it." Esther winked playfully. "But in exchange, you have to tell me—who's the date?"

"It's not a date—" I stammered, trying to deny it.

"Oh, please!" Esther gave me an 'I see right through you' look. "Look at you yesterday, and your glow today—all rosy-cheeked. You're definitely in love! No wonder you mysteriously disappeared for so long yesterday. Spill it! Who is he?"

She left me speechless, so I just deflected.

That day at work was torture.

I mechanically cleaned rooms while constantly checking my watch. Time seemed to deliberately slow down—every minute felt like a century. Usually, I felt like there weren't enough hours in the day, wishing for 48-hour days, but today every second was agony .

"Avery, what's wrong with you today?" Mark leaned over from behind the bar, asking with concern, his handsome face showing worry.

"You've been distracted since this morning.

Did Jimmy give you too much hell yesterday?

" He set down the glass he was polishing, his brown eyes focused on me with genuine care.

As the hotel's bartender, Mark always carried this warm, approachable energy.

His brown hair was slightly wavy, his features were sharp, and when he smiled, he had this comforting charm.

He always quietly helped me with work when Jimmy was throwing fits, or handed me a glass of warm water when I was dizzy with exhaustion. He was a gentle, thoughtful guy.

"It's nothing. I just didn't sleep well." I quickly shook my head, giving him a reassuring smile.

Mark's concern touched me. But today, my distraction wasn't because of Jimmy's harassment—it was because of the upcoming gala and Dmitri. Just thinking about him made my heart feel like something was squeezing it tight, all tangled up and unable to calm down.

Finally, it was time to punch the clock.

I practically sprinted to the locker room, hastily changing out of my uniform. Then, like a thief, I snuck into room 302.

Closing the door, I leaned against the cool wood, trying to calm my racing breath. The room still seemed to hold traces of yesterday's intimate atmosphere, making my cheeks warm slightly. Then I carefully retrieved that neatly folded red gown from its hidden corner.

God, it was beautiful.

I quickly showered and pinned my hair up in what I hoped was an elegant chignon. Unfortunately, my skills were seriously limited—after struggling for ages, I could barely get it to stay put, with several unruly strands falling loose.

Then I finally put on the elaborate gown, but the zipper stuck halfway up my back, refusing to budge.

I broke into a light sweat, quietly cursing.

"Damn it, what the hell..." The red dress hung loose and awkwardly on my body, exposing my shoulders.

I twisted around trying to adjust it, completely oblivious to what was happening at the door .

Suddenly, a low chuckle came from the doorway.

I jerked around in shock to see Dmitri leaning against the doorframe, wearing a perfectly tailored black tuxedo that outlined his imposing figure—handsome enough to steal your breath.

His golden hair was styled immaculately, a simple diamond brooch glinting coldly at his chest. He radiated this cold, dangerous charm, like a panther in the dark—elegant but with a lethal presence.

His ice-blue eyes locked onto me, a teasing smile playing at his lips.

"Dmitri," my face burned like it was on fire. Looking down at my half-open dress, I was so embarrassed I wanted to crawl into a hole. "I-the zipper's stuck..."

His leather shoes made barely audible sounds on the thick carpet, but they hit my nerves like drumbeats.

He walked toward me slowly, deliberately. Expensive cologne mixed with his own crisp scent wound around me as he got closer. My back pressed against the cold vanity mirror—nowhere left to retreat.

"Looks like," he finally stopped in front of me, his voice deep and rich, "you need my help?" His gaze fell unabashedly on my stuck zipper, that look carrying an electric current as it swept over my exposed shoulder blades.

He reached out, his hand sliding slowly, suggestively from my neck down along my spine. My body trembled uncontrollably under his touch, a wave of weakness washing over me.

"So," he bent his head, his warm lips almost touching my ear, "how will you repay me?"

Fuck! This man was sexy enough to drive me insane.

Fine. A surge of courage shot straight to my head.

I suddenly turned around, no longer avoiding his gaze, staring straight into those playful eyes.

My arms shot up, forcefully wrapping around his neck, my fingertips digging into his perfectly styled hair.

At the same time, I stood on my tiptoes and crushed my lips against his.

Dmitri's body went rigid, like my sudden boldness had shocked him.

But just for an instant—then he took control, intensifying the kiss with dominant force.

His lips were scorching and commanding, carrying irresistible pressure as his tongue breached my defenses, conquering and claiming my breath like he was taking territory.

My brain went completely blank, all air stolen away.

My body felt drained of strength, so weak I could barely stand.

I could only clutch his tuxedo, gasping like I was suffocating.

He finally pulled back slightly, our foreheads touching. He chuckled low, his voice husky and dangerous. "That's decent payback." One hand supported my weak waist while the other reached behind me, slowly pulling up that stuck zipper.

"Beautiful." He looked me over with satisfaction, then pulled me into his arms without argument.

"Just stop it..." I tried to push him away shyly.

"Let me hold you for a minute." His voice came from above my head, carrying a barely detectable huskiness. "I haven't seen you all day. I was going crazy."

Those words had magic power, instantly melting my defenses. I snuggled obediently in his arms, letting his strong arms encircle me. His clean, attractive cologne scent wrapped around me gently, bringing this strange sense of security.

"Good girl," he released me, pulling a deep blue velvet jewelry box from inside his tuxedo jacket. "You're missing one thing."

He opened the box to reveal an exquisite ruby necklace lying inside.

"This is too much." I instinctively stepped back. "I can't accept this."

"Don't move." He walked behind me, fastening the necklace around my neck without argument. The moment the cool gems touched my skin, I shivered slightly.

"Perfect match."

I looked at myself in the mirror, hardly recognizing the woman staring back. Was this really me—wearing this gorgeous gown, with rubies sparkling at my throat and ears? The same drab hotel maid, Avery?

"Let's go." Dmitri extended his hand, palm warm and strong. "Let everyone see how beautiful my date is."

We walked out of the room side by side, but Esther's ill-fitting heels immediately began torturing me mercilessly. With every step, my feet slid around in the too-big shoes. I had to move like I was on stilts, extremely carefully, every nerve tense, terrified I'd make a fool of myself in public.

Dmitri quickly noticed something was wrong. Watching my limping, clumsy gait, amusement flashed in his eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I blushed, trying to stay composed. "The shoes are just a little..."

Before I could finish, right at the staircase landing, I lost my balance and stumbled. That damn disobedient heel slipped right off my foot, clattering onto the polished marble floor with a sharp, embarrassing sound.

Dmitri couldn't hold back anymore and burst into low laughter. The sound was deep and pleasant, but it made me want to disappear on the spot.

"Sorry." I frantically bent to retrieve the shoe. "I think I grabbed my big sister's shoes by mistake."

Oh God, even I didn't believe that lame excuse!

He walked over, bent down to pick up the fallen shoe, weighed it casually in front of me, then walked straight to a nearby decorative ceramic trash bin and dropped it in without hesitation.

"Dmitri!" I cried out. "What are you doing?"

"I'll buy your sister ten new pairs." He turned and walked toward me, then scooped me up in his arms before I could react.

"Where are you taking me?" I panicked, clutching his neck and squirming to get down.

"You'll find out soon enough," he said, carrying me with long strides. "Stop wiggling."

I was held securely in his arms, feeling the warmth from his chest and his steady, strong heartbeat.

He walked step by step into the lobby. I immediately buried my face deep in his solid chest, not showing even a glimpse of myself.

My nose touched his warm shirt fabric as I kept my eyes tightly shut, silently praying no one would recognize me, terrified that those prying gazes would tear apart my carefully woven disguise .

Under everyone's shocked and curious stares, Dmitri's steps remained steady and confident. Just like that, he carried me brazenly through the Aisley Resort lobby, pushing open the heavy glass doors, leaving behind a chorus of whispers and murmurs.

I stopped asking where he was taking me. All I knew was that my heart was completely willing to follow him.