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Time stood still for a few minutes around me. What just happened? He set a date between us without my permission and kissed my forehead. Who did he think he was to do that?
Christy tugged on my arm. “What are you going to do?”
If Vlad really wanted dinner with me, he should have asked like a proper gentleman and not order it like he owned me. “I’m definitely not going.”
“You said you weren’t going,” Christy stated, looking through the section of my walk-in closet with black dinner dresses. “What changed.”
Nothing changed. I’d really considered not showing up, but when Vlad sent me the address for dinner, I had a second thought. Rather than ignore him, I needed to make it clear to him I had no interest whatsoever in him. Otherwise, he would think I was just playing hard to get.
Which I wasn’t.
I liked him, maybe a little too much for my own sanity. But he belonged to the mafia—a world where cruelty and bloodshed was the highlight of their existence. Everything about him was dangerous.
He was dangerous to my well-being as well.
“I need to tell him off and make him understand I don’t like him,” I muttered, scrutinizing the dress draped over my frame in the mirror. “What do you think of this?”
Christy slouched in the plush black ottoman, narrowing her eyes. “For someone aiming to tell a guy off, you’re picking the boldest dress in your collection.”
“It’s not about that,” I defended. “It’s just a dress.”
It was just a strapless dress, with a plunge neck-line and a slit that ran from my left hip to my foot, showing off the outline of my curves and ass and a big chunk of my cleavage. Still, it was just a dress. I definitely wasn’t wearing it to seduce Vlad or anything like that.
“That’s what you want to believe,” she retorted with a sigh. “Seriously, Mari. Do you like this Vlad guy? Seems like you do.”
Caught off guard, I hesitated, knowing I couldn’t deceive Christy. “I’m... I’m a little attracted to him. But I won’t let it get to me.”
“Girl, he seemed into you too. Telling him off might just make him chase you more,” Christy observed, her tone measured.
Was it wrong that a part of me wanted him to pursue me further?
“I can’t let that happen,” I responded, my voice wavering. “You know who he is and how dangerous guys in the mafia are. I can’t let myself waver just because I’m infatuated.
Christy huffed. She didn’t believe me, but I was grateful when she didn’t push the topic any further.
She rose from her seat, eyeing the dresses hanging in my closet. “Alright, let’s pick something that says ‘I’m here, but I’m not interested’.”
We spent the next few minutes scouring the closet for an appropriate dress. Christy picked out a navy blue gown that was elegant yet held an air of reserved sophistication. It was a far cry from the daring nature of the previous dress—a bit more conservative and classier.
“This might do the trick,” Christy suggested, holding up the dress against me. “It’s classy, but it sends a clear message.”
I studied my reflection in the mirror, nodding in agreement. “You’re right. It’s perfect. Thanks, Christy.”
I changed into the dress and put on a little bit of makeup, Christy helped me straighten my hair, then we picked out a silver heel sandal and a silver designer purse to go with it.
With a final glance in the mirror, I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the evening ahead. As much as I wanted to deny it, Vlad had an undeniable pull on me—a magnetism that I needed to resist, no matter how tempting it felt to let it draw me in.
If I stood any chance at trying to resist him, it had to be in this dinner.
“You look beautiful, girlfriend.” Christy scanned me from head to toe, her eyes gleaming. “I don’t think he can resist you tonight.”
“He better.” Though I didn’t think even I would survive tonight without giving into the deep longing and desire burning inside me.
A powerful engine sound reverberated through the street as I stepped outside my apartment building, drawing my attention. I looked up to see a stunning black sports car approaching. The car glided to a stop in front of me, and my breath caught as Vlad stepped out.
He looked impeccable in a well-fitted, dark gray suit. It was the first time I’d seen him in a suit and my God, he looked mouth-watering handsome.
His dark hair fell over his shoulders, his fingers cladded by his signature signet rings. A faint smile graced his lips as our eyes met. My heart skipped a beat as he held the passenger door open with a gallant gesture.
