Yes, that made more sense.
Of course, he might not want to see her again after last night. The pain of disappointment that stabbed her heart at that possibility was devastating. But Pepper knew she’d have to accept that it was a very real possibility.
Although, maybe that was for the best, she told herself as she gathered up her papers and stuffed everything into a file folder to deal with later. Yes, their desire for each other was too out of control, too crazy. At least, it was on her side, she thought, grabbing her purse and slinging it over her shoulder. She loved life and loved waking up every day to find something new and exciting waiting for her. Pepper never knew what that exciting thing might be, but she eagerly waited for it every day, her excitement causing her to dance and skip and smile at the silliest thing. She loved watching people and feeling the sun on her face. She loved…life! After surviving her high school years, she and her sisters had come through that trauma feeling empowered.
At least, that’s how Pepper thought of the experience.
A half hour later, she walked up the steps of the subway, trying to smile at the late afternoon sun on her face as she emerged up onto the sidewalk. Goodness, she loved the springtime! It was as if the world was coming alive again! The flowers and the trees unfurled their loveliness! It was a magical time.
And yet, even as she admired the bright green of the new leaves, she didn’t feel the same level of excitement that she normally did. It was because she knew that she’d never see Dimitri again. She’d never feel his arms around her and…that hurt.
With her head bowed, she walked towards her building, thinking through the issues surrounding her life without Dimitri in it. She’d only known him for forty-eight hours, and yet, she still felt the sharp stab of disappointment at the thought of never seeing him again. It wasn’t fair, she grumbled as she pulled her keys out of her bag. Other women got to find the love of their lives. Why was it that she’d probably found hers and…and she’d wimped out?
“Pepper!”
The deep voice calling her name was so startling, she nearly fell down the steps. When she spotted Dimitri leaning against a sleek, black sports car, her heart immediately soared with hope!
“Dimitri!” she gasped, stepping forward, but then realized what she was doing, remembered her vow from the previous night, and halted. “What are you doing here?”
He pushed away from the car and moved towards her. He wasn’t wearing a suit. Instead, he wore a pair of dark slacks and an almost-casual shirt. It wasn’t a dress shirt for him, but on another man, it probably constituted something they’d be very proud to wear to an important meeting.
“We’re going to talk,” he told her, wrapping his fingers firmly around her upper arm and leading her towards her building.
“Oh.” Talk? Talking was good, right? “Okay.”
She walked up the narrow stairs of her building to her loft and pulled her keys out. She fumbled a bit, but she eventually got the door open and stepped inside, dumping her bag on her big, wooden kitchen table.
“What happened to my jacket?” he asked.
Pepper spun around, her mouth falling open in horror as she watched him pick up his now rumpled jacket to inspect.
“Oh, umm….”
“It looks like someone…” He stopped and looked at her, his eyes sharpening on her expression.
“I’m sorry!” she blurted, rushing towards him and trying to take the jacket from his hands. “I’ll have it laundered and pressed.” But he lifted it out of her reach.
His voice was deep and husky as he asked, “Did you sleep in my jacket last night, Pepper?”
Pepper bit her lip, not wanting to answer him. That would reveal too much and she didn’t want him to know how desperately sad she’d been last night. It had been about two o’clock in the morning and she still hadn’t fallen asleep. Finally, in desperation, she’d gotten out of bed and slipped her arms into the sleeves of the jacket he’d taken off last night, then curled back into bed with his scent surrounding her. She’d immediately fallen into a deep sleep.
For a long moment, she tried to come up with a reasonable explanation. But he knew! Honesty was the only option. “Yes,” she finally admitted.
Pepper had anticipated anger because the expensive jacket really was a rumpled mess. Instead, he tossed the jacket over a chair, and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against his hard, muscular chest.
“Pepper!” he groaned, one of his hands diving into her hair.
For a long moment, she allowed herself the luxury of being in his arms, of feeling his strength, and that incredible warmth, breathing in the wonderful, masculine scent of him.
But slowly, because that aching burn was starting to sneak into her body, she pulled away and backed up several steps.
“I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see you again.”
Dimitri watched her, stifling the urge to pull her back into his arms. She was right, it was better that they talk first, sex afterward.
“I wasn’t sure if I was going to come back,” he admitted honestly. He registered the hurt in her eyes and muttered an expletive in Greek under his breath. Running a hand through his hair, he turned and started pacing. “Pepper, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, looking down and he felt like the sunshine had gone behind a cloud now that he couldn’t see the bright blue of her eyes. “No, you’re right. I appreciate your honesty.” She pressed her lips together and moved
