Dimitri's Moon (12 page)

She smiled as his eyes darkened with pleasure.

“You didn’t wear a bra?” he asked.

“No.” Her fingers reached for the first of five buttons on her capris and toed off her shoes. Button two, then three, then four. His eyes roved over her and in them she could read his growing impatience in them.

“Landi,” he growled, his hands fisting at his sides.

“Take off your shirt, Dimitri. I want to see you.”

The shark shirt hit the floor before her words faded. And as she always had when looking at him, her mouth grew dry. That same amazing chest she could never forget was right before her. So hard. So perfect.

“Landi,” he rumbled dangerously. “I want you naked.”

She undid the final button and pushed down her pants. His groan filled the room.

“Look at you,” he uttered on a long drawn out breath. “So fuckin’ hot and wearing nothing but a green thong.”

Dimitri stepped closer. Her eyes roamed over his body. She could see the rapid pulse in his throat, the hard ridge of his cock along his right leg. Blue jeans and shoes were all he wore, and her heart tripled in speed at his sexy, dangerous look.

“Love me, Dimitri,” she mumbled as she captured his gaze.

His strong arms closed around her, pressing their bodies tight against one another. Callused palms moved across her bare back and seconds before his mouth covered hers, he whispered, “
Gia panta,
Landi
. Gia panta.
”

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Landi rang the doorbell and smiled as her father opened it.

“Ilanderae,” he said with a mix of pleasure and relief.

“Hello, Papa.” She stepped into his waiting arms, the familiar comfort surrounding her. “How are you?”

“Fine. We’re all fine. Come on in, baby girl. Let me get your bags.”

She followed him in, carrying the gift bags for her sisters. Soon she was in her mother’s arms and shortly thereafter hugging her sisters.

“Chandra,” she said. “It’s so good to see you.”

Her sister flashed a huge smile. “I’m not Chandra, I’m Shandra.

You always get us mixed up!”

Throwing her hands in the air, Landi sighed dramatically. “Man, I thought I had it right this time.” She winked at her parents and said to the other sister, “Chandra, you like kitties, right?”

“No, silly!” Shandra laughed. “I like kitties. Chandra likes puppies.”

Landi pretended to be blown away by that bit of information.

“Okay, let me get this straight.” She pointed at Shandra. “You’re not Chandra and you like kitties.” Her sister nodded happily.

“Alrighty, then, that means this bag is for you and this other one is for you, Chandra.” Her sisters squealed as they ran to the living room with their bags after giving her a kiss on each cheek. She stood in the doorway to the living room and watched her sisters eagerly go through their gift bags.

“They miss you so much when you’re gone,” her mother said.

“I miss them too. I’ve just been very busy.”

“I know, Landi. It wasn’t a criticism. Are you sure you’ll be okay with them for ten days?”

“We’ll be fine, Mama. You two go and have a vacation. Have a wonderful time.”

Five days later as Landi lay in bed, she rolled to her side and glanced at the clock. 2:00 a.m. She was exhausted. The fact her parents did this day in and day out blew her mind. Very attractive and very innocent, her sisters had endless energy.

Reaching out, she picked up her phone and flipped through her address book until she found the number she sought. She shifted against the cotton sheets as it rang and rang. Disappointment swarmed 82

Aliyah Burke

her as she heard a recorded voice apologizing for missing the call. She hung up without leaving a message.

Landi pulled the comforter up to her ears and prayed for sleep.

Slumber remained elusive. Still, she started when her phone vibrated and then played the C Major scale with piano keys.

“Hello?” she said without checking the display.

“Is everything okay, baby?” Dimitri’s deep soothing voice immediately calmed her nerves.

“I didn’t wake you, did I?” she asked.

“Not at all. I was in the shower when you called. Why didn’t you leave a message? Is everything okay?”

“I just…I just…”

“I miss you, too, baby,” he crooned in her ear.

The first tear leaked out and ran down over the bridge of her nose. “I wish you were with me, Dimitri.”

“What’s going on?” His concern was obvious.

“Nothing.” She wiped away the tears and closed her eyes. “I didn’t mean to—”

“If you say bother me, the next time we meet, I’m gonna turn you over my knee and spank that perfect ass of yours.”

A tremor of longing shot through her. Imagining his work-roughened hands caressing her skin gave her goose bumps. Without conscious thought, her free hand dipped between her spread thighs.

Landi wasn’t aware she’d made any noise until Dimitri spoke again, his voice thick with passion.

“Are you touching yourself, Landi? I heard your sexy moan.”

“Yes,” she admitted.

“Pretend I’m there, baby. Play with that clit of mine. Make small circles over it.”

Her body burned and she opened her legs further. “Dimitri,”

she moaned.

“Do as I say, Landi. Move faster. Slid two fingers deep inside that hot pussy and use the heel of your palm to keep my clit happy.”

The flames rose within her and began to spread throughout her entire body. Her mind conjured Dimitri’s masculine scent. Her nipples tightened.

“I’m suckling on your breasts, rolling those exquisite nipples around in my mouth. Tugging. Nipping.”

Her pulse skyrocketed. She was so close. Her wrist plunged her fingers in and out of her pussy. “Dimitri,” she begged.

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83

“Cum for me, Landi. Cum all over my cock as I fuck you,” he growled.

That did it. She bit her lip to keep her scream muffled, hips arching as she exploded in to a million tiny pieces. Her body quaked as she melted back into the mattress.

“D—”she panted.

“Sleep now,
selini
. I’m on my way to work. I’ll call you when I’m done.”

Even as his words reached her, she felt the presence of the sandman. “Okay,” she muttered.

“
S’agapo
, Landi.” He disconnected the call.

With a deep sigh, Landi burrowed into the bed, ready, finally for sleep.

Landi pushed the cart out of the store. She was grocery shopping so her mom wouldn’t have to immediately after returning home.

She’d given her sisters a short list of items for which they were responsible. Her sisters grabbed them as they passed by the shelves. Landi was very proud of them; they’d done very well, staying close and listening to her.

“Mom and Dad are coming home tonight, right, Landi?”

“Sure are, Chandra. We’ll make that cake to welcome them back and eat it after dinner.”

Chandra clapped with glee and danced around her and Shandra. “Mommy’s coming home! Mommy’s coming home!” she chanted as she spun.

After shopping, Landi stopped at her father’s Expedition and opened the back. Her sisters helped her load the vehicle.

“Well, well, I see the retards have a new sitter today.” A nasally voice came from behind. “And a lot better-looking one.”

Aghast, Landi whirled to see two men leering at her as well as her sisters. Her eyes narrowed. “Get in the vehicle and buckle up,” she said without taking her eyes off the men. The fading light gave them an ominous appearance. Landi was so relieved when her sisters did as she told them.

“Now, now. Why’d you do that? We’d love to have some fun with all of ya.”

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Bile rose in her throat. “Leave us alone.” Landi closed up the Expedition and locked it.

“I bet those tardos are virgins. I’mma enjoy poppin’ them cher-ries.”

Her anger rushed to the surface and Landi had to bite back her response. It was
her
job to protect her sisters. Egging on the men before her wouldn’t help with that. Swallowing back her rage and fear, Landi stood tall and shot an icy look at them.

“Don’t even think about it. Leave us alone.”

A menacing chuckle came from one man as he fondled himself.

“Who’s gonna stop us, darlin’? You?”

Landi bit back a sob of relief and disbelief as a deep voice said,

“Me.”

Dimitri stepped out of the night’s increasing shadows and put himself between the men and Landi. “Get in your car and go,” he ordered without taking his eyes off the two before him.”

Anger rolled off him in waves. He longed to break both of these men for even allowing those thoughts to enter their minds. His body only slightly relaxed as he felt Landi move away. One of the men took a step forward, only to stop when Dimitri speared him with his gaze.

A vehicle started; Dimitri rolled his shoulders and said, “You two
ever
bother her or her family again, I swear they’ll never be able to find, much less reassemble, all the pieces I’ll blow your bastard asses into.”

The taller of the two stepped closer. “Back off, man.”

Eyes narrowing, Dimitri diminished more of the distance between him and the others. “You’re so tough when facing women. Let’s find out how good you are when faced with a man who is
so
looking to kick your ass.”

The guy visibly blanched but he didn’t back down, an ugly sneer crossing his face. “There’s two of us. I know karate and I’ll beat the shit out of you. Or,
now
do you want to back off?”

Dimitri could hear the thread of hope in the man’s voice. “Nope.

I’m not going anywhere.”

“Two to one,” the other guy jeered, “not very good odds.”

Lifting his shoulder, Dimitri commented, “I know. Have any more guys you can ask to come help you two out?”

Their expressions were comical, but he wasn’t in the mood to laugh. Before they knew it was coming, Dimitri grabbed their hands
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85

and hit a pressure point with each thumb, rendering each man immobile.

“Why don’t we try this again,” he growled. “I know you can’t speak but you can listen. That woman you were harassing will
never
be approached again, nor her family. If she tells me she’s caught the slightest glimpse of you, I
will
find you. And trust me, I’m very good at that. But I’m even better at making bombs. You’ll never know it’s there until it blows up in your face.” He released them and watched their knees crumble. “Pray you don’t see any of them again.”

Dimitri headed for his rental and drove off toward Landi’s house. He parked in the driveway and went to the steps. Halfway there, a taxi pulled up to stop at the end of the driveway. He stopped halted and watched an attractive couple get out. The cabbie placed luggage on the walk before driving off. The man and woman looked at him strangely. Dimitri knew they were Landi’s parents; he could see the resemblance.

The front door opened and he looked up at the house to see Landi burst through. She hurdled the three steps and launched herself into his arms.

“Oh, my God,” she babbled. “I was so scared, Dimitri. I thought they were going to hurt my sisters. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

Dimitri wrapped his arms around her and squeezed lightly.

“Baby? Landi, hon,” he said between the kisses she placed on his lips.

“Your parents.”

She stopped kissing him and looked over his shoulder. At that moment, twin cries of “Mama! Papa!” filled the night air. Dimitri sent Landi an encouraging grin before placing her on her feet.

Dimitri turned and faced the couple behind him. The man walked toward them and Dimitri took a deep breath, preparing to meet his, hopefully, future father-in-law.

“Welcome back, Papa.” Landi hugged her father and kissed his cheek.

“And who is this?” he asked, pointing at Dimitri.

“This is my,” Dimitri caught her brief hesitation before she continued, “good friend, Dimitri Melonakos. Dimitri, this is my father, Calvin Nycks.”

Immediately offering his hand, Dimitri said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

Brown eyes were shrewd. “Nice firm handshake. I like that in a man.”

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“And who is this?” Landi’s mom stepped up while the twins took the luggage inside.

“My name is Dimitri Melonakos, ma’am,” he said, bowing over her extended hand and brushing a light kiss over it. “It’s an honor to meet you.” He wasn’t positive, but Dimitri was pretty sure he saw a blush creep over her oval face.

“Sheba Nycks.” One finely plucked brow arched and she asked,

“Aren’t you going to say how much like sisters my daughter and I appear?”

“I suspect you hear that all of the time, ma’am.”

“So, you don’t think so?”

His mouth curved up on one side before he said, “I think you’re both very beautiful and one day Landi will carry herself with the same assurance and confidence you do.”

A grin crossed Sheba’s face. “I like you, young man.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” Landi narrowed her eyes at him and he winked in return.

“Staying for dinner?” Calvin asked.

Dimitri hesitated with his answer as he deferred to Landi.

“Yes,” Landi said, sliding her arm through his. “I have to take it out of the oven.”

“Let’s go, then,” Sheba said and headed to where her other daughters were poking their head out of the house.

Inside, Dimitri leaned against the beige countertop and watched Landi finish preparing dinner. Cooking wasn’t something he normally equated with Landi, but he loved it. He’d met her two sisters and found them to be utterly charming.

“What are you doing here, Dimitri?” She wiped her hands on the towel over her shoulder and came to stand in front of him.

“I felt you needed me, so I put in a leave chit, hopped a flight, and here I am. Are you sure you’re okay from earlier?” Her hands shook and he pulled her into his chest. “I wanted to kill them.”