“Inna.”
“I’m doing the touching. You talk.” I tightened my grip just enough to watch his eyes close for one unguarded second. He didn’t try reaching for me again. “You still haven’t answered.”
His head lowered toward mine, forehead almost touching mine, and I leaned back before he could settle there. He stopped himself, breathing slower now, heavier too. His body argued against the conversation, even while I kept insisting on it.
“Our father wanted me to take over the family business,” he said. His hand drifted toward me again, and I pushed it away before it reached me. “He hated Rodion.”
“So that’s where it started.” I slowed my hand, and his eyes dropped to it before returning to my face. “Why? Rodion looks like someone who could run the world and enjoy it.”
His throat moved when he swallowed. “He was dying of kidney disease.” The curse left him rough. “Fuck, Inna.”
His hand moved again.
“Don’t,” I warned him, stepping back until his hand hit the wall behind me instead. I wrapped my hand around him again, firmer this time, feeling him grow heavier against my palm. “Didyou try taking it from him? Did you go against Rodion?”
“No.”
“Then why does he hate you? Why does he hate Roman?”
His hand found my hip before I stopped him this time. He pushed me back against the wall, his body closing the last bit of space between us.
I pulled my hand away from him and flattened my palm against his chest. “If you won’t talk, then you aren’t touching me.”
“Inna.” He reached for me again when I tried slipping sideways.
“You won’t force me, will you?” I held his gaze and let him see I understood exactly what I was doing.
His hands dropped. “What do you want?”
“Exactly what I said.”
He exhaled heavily. “Okay.”
“Promise me.”
“Yes.” He sounded like he despised this conversation and wanted it at the same time.
My hand moved back over his underwear, tracing him. “Why does Rodion hate you?”
His eyes closed briefly. “Trust issues.”
I slid my hand inside his underwear, and a low sound left his throat. I already knew there was history there before he confirmed it. Nobody carried that level of cold without something underneath it.
“Can we have dinner with them tomorrow?” My hand kept its slow pace, stroking him while I looked up at him. “I know it’s complicated, but we’re planning Grandma’s birthday surprise.” I tilted my head slightly. “Dmitri.”
“I’ll arrange it.” He leaned toward my mouth, aiming for a kiss. I turned my head away, and he cursed under his breath. “Inna.” His eyes dropped to my lips, something dark and heated movingbehind them. “Kiss me.”
“We aren’t kissing today.”
His hand rose to the back of my head, fingers sliding into my hair as he held me in place and tried again for my mouth. I kept my lips closed, refusing to give him what he wanted.
“Fuck.” His voice roughened. His other hand moved between my thighs, and I pressed my legs together immediately.
I pulled my hand away from him and stepped sideways. “We’re done here.”
“Like hell we are.” He blocked my path instantly.
“Dmitri, stop.” I pushed against his chest.
