Dimitri's Moon (19 page)

His heart skipped a few beats. Slicing his gaze to the woman beside him, Dimitri gave Mara a smile. “I understand, thank you.” He ended the call and placed the phone back on the clip.

“Anything important?” Her syrupy voice slid along his skin.

She rotated in the double chaise to drape her body against his.

Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, Dimitri leaned forward and brushed a kiss along her cheek. “Not at all. I’m going to get a drink; be right back.” Unwrapping her body from his, he got to his feet and walked to the bar.

“Your usual, sir?” A man with intense gray eyes asked.

“Yes, please,” Dimitri said as he sat easily on a stool.

Ross whipped up a cocktail for him. Dimitri kept an eye on the woman he was with as she stood and shucked off the scrap of material passing as a skirt, removed her heels, and dove gracefully into the water. He glanced back when the drink settled beside him.

“Thank you,” Dimitri mentioned as he slid a bill across the bar and walked off, drink in hand. There was no need to look back; the men had worked together long enough so mere actions portrayed what they wanted…or needed. And in this case, Dimitri needed to get to Ilanderae Nycks before everything was blown.

128

Aliyah Burke

Giving himself a strong mental shake, Dimitri took a long drink of his mojito. As he sat down on the edge of the chaise, Mara lifted herself from the pool. Water ran off her toned body and she drew many appreciative stares. Her deep blue eyes met his and without hesitation, he rose and walked to her with towel in hand.

“
Obrigada
. Water’s great,” she cooed as she took the offered towel and patted her face and arms.

“You’re welcome, and I’m glad to hear that,” he agreed with a smile. “Let’s grab a bite to eat.” Together, they walked back to the chaise.

“Wonderful.” She dried her legs and tugged her skirt back on, then bent over to fasten her shoes. Tossing the towel carelessly onto the empty chaise, Mara stared at him expectantly.

Dimitri offered his arm and together they headed for a vacant table. His mind was not on his companion, but rather on the news he’d received over the phone. He missed Landi. No matter how beautiful Rio was, he would much rather be with Landi. Holding her. Kissing her.

Loving her.

But they were here to eliminate the threat on an American ambassador before he was assassinated. Dimitri had been in Rio for the past five days under the guise of taking a vacation. According to the intel, the woman beside him was linked to the supposed group who had planned the hit. Personally, he believed the assassin was Mara. Her cool and collected demeanor along with some mannerisms he’d seen hinted at it to him.

Holding her chair, Dimitri smiled again as Mara slipped into her seat. He sat beside her and didn’t refuse her reach for his hand. Fingers intertwined, they waited for the waiter. His expression barely changed as their server approached—a tall black man he knew very well.

“
Boa tarde,
” the waiter said. “What can I get you two today?”

Dimitri went first, knowing Mara always liked to look over the menu longer. When she finally got around to ordering, a shiver ran up his spine. Glancing around casually, Dimitri realized why. Ilanderae Nycks had arrived. Picking up his drink, he took a slow sip as he ate up the vision she presented like a hungry wolf feeding on meat.

Landi wore one of her own creations; he recognized it from a pre-show practice run he’d attended with her. It was simple dress, but she made stunning. The color was a frothy blue-green that complemented her skin with perfection. Her shoes matched, of course; and on her face were a pair of mirrored sunglasses. His heart had sped up at
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the sight of her, then stuttered a bit when Jason pointed in his direction while he spoke to Landi. Because of her glasses, Dimitri couldn’t read her expression. Her head turned his way and she shook her head before she sat in her seat. It left him staring at her bared back.

“Hey,” Mara said, grabbing his attention.

“Yes?”

“Have you decided what we’re doing this evening?”

Dimitri licked his lips and smiled as he stared into Mara’s blue eyes, wishing with everything within him they were Landi’s brown ones. “Whatever you wish.”

Landi longed to throw a tantrum, puke, and fly into the rage threatening to consume her. When she’d followed Jason’s finger, her gaze landed upon Dimitri holding hands with a very attractive brunette.

“Are you
sure
that’s not him, Landi?” Jason asked, fury evident in his tone. “It looks just like him to me.”

With a sigh, Landi opened her mouth to respond when a shadow fell over them. She looked up into the eyes of their waiter.

“Ms. Nycks, excuse the interruption. Can you come with me for a moment please? The manager would like a word with you.”

Jason frowned even as Landi nodded. “Jase, will you order for me? I’ll be right back.” Without waiting for an answer, she followed the waiter.

“This way please, ma’am.”

Landi trailed after her escort to the manager’s room. He knocked before opening the door, indicating she should proceed through alone.

The moment she entered, the door closed behind her. The manager had the back of the chair toward her and when he spun around, her heart leapt to her throat.
Holy shit! I know him!
Legs a bit weak, she perched upon the edge of the nearest chair.

Before her in the white leather chair sat Dimitri’s commanding officer, Scott “Harrier” Leighton.

“Ms. Nycks,” he began. “I need to know if you’re going to be a problem or not.” His tone was nothing but business and there was very little warmth in his stare. This was a man who’d seen too much. Despite the warm tropical air flowing through the open windows, Landi still shivered.

“Ms. Nycks?”

130

Aliyah Burke

“A problem what? I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”

Scott leaned forward and rested powerful forearms on the desk.

“I don’t have time for games. Will you blow Merlin’s cover? Or can you accept seeing him with another woman?”

Landi narrowed her eyes. “So it
is
him! And what is he doing that calls for him to be with that leggy brunette?”
Are
these guys covering
for one another?
She stared at his hand and there was no wedding ring.

There was no tan line from one, either. Her temper flared.

“Stopping an assassination,” Scott stated bluntly. “If you can’t pretend not to know him—”

Landi jerked to her feet. “Trust me; I don’t have a problem ignoring people I’ve no intention of speaking to.” She glared at him. “Or the hired help.”

Shoving her glasses on, she shouldered her bag and marched out the door, head held high. Her temper had calmed considerably by the time she reached Jason. He waited with their food and she smiled at him as she sat. Landi waved off his question and said, “It was nothing.

Just a question about work. Let’s eat.” Jason’s expression told her he didn’t totally believe it; but thankfully, he turned the topic to something else entirely.

After lunch, Landi changed and went off on her own. This was her one afternoon to herself. No meetings, no conference calls, just time for her to be alone and gather her thoughts. She smiled slightly as she walked through the
Floresta da Tijuca
, or Tijuca Forest as it was known in English. A mountainous, man-cultivated rainforest in the middle of a thriving city, it was the largest urban forest in the world. This place was absolutely incredible and she loved everything it had to offer.

This was her absolute favorite place to visit while in Rio. Every time she came to this city, she made time for a visit. The beach was nice, yes, but this urban-locked rainforest took her breath away. She wandered without purpose or a specific destination in mind. Coming to a bench, Landi sat down for a brief rest while the sounds of nature filled her. She was a city girl, true, but this place…held some magical pull to her.

“Hello, Landi,” a hushed voice said from behind her.

She jumped slightly with surprise before turning on the seat.

Leaning against a thick tree trunk stood none other than Dimitri Androcles Melonakos. Her heart skipped a few beats as she took in his attire. His powerful body dressed in a silver-gray tee, his biceps
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strained the sleeves. A pair of faded blue jeans completed his look.

Golden eyes stared at her from behind thick black lashes.

“Dimitri,” she murmured as if she weren’t sure he was real.

“
Selini
,” he returned in the same low tone.

Everything within her longed to run to him and jump into his arms, but her mind couldn’t forget the words Scott Leighton said to her.

Ignoring the cries of her soul, Landi faced front and tried to control the rapid beating of her heart. It didn’t work, especially when a warm, gentle touch skimmed along the back of her neck. Clenching her teeth, Landi bit back a whimper of longing as every synapse in her body responded to the simple contact.

“Lovely afternoon,” he commented as he sat beside her. He put his foot on the bench and tied his shoe.

“Yes, it is.” Landi kept her gaze on the trail before her.
I have to
get out of here.
Rising abruptly, she barely glanced at him before saying,

“Enjoy your day.” Then she walked off without looking back. Tears stung her eyes. It was painful to be so close to him and walk away.

Closing her eyes briefly, Landi headed toward Cascatinha Waterfall. Playing her mp3 player, she maneuvered the trail closed to vehicles. She wasn’t stupid or totally relaxed in her guard. Still, no matter how many times she’d been to this forest and enjoyed all it offered, as she came to the breathless view of the waterfall. It was so beautiful. As great as her love of Central Park was, it still paled in comparison to how standing before this made her feel.

Moving to the side, she relaxed on the soft ground and watched tourists and visitors snap picture after picture. Contentment sank into her bones.

Dimitri watched from a short distance as Landi enjoyed the ma-jestic view before her. She wore white capris and a pink shirt. Her canvas shoes matched the hue of her top. Pushing away from the tree he currently leaned against, he moved through the shadows toward her. His gaze took in everything around them; and by the time he was behind her, Dimitri was content they were safe.

“Why’d you walk away, Landi?” he asked gently as he crouched beside her. Dimitri watched her slight flinch. She must have not believed he’d follow her here.

“What do you want?” she questioned as her hands tugged her earphones out of her ears. She stopped the music and waited, keeping her gaze on the children running around nearby.

132

Aliyah Burke

“For starters, I’d like you to look at me.” He sighed deeply when she turned her head, the mirrored rectangular sunglasses obscuring her eyes. Reaching out with one hand, he removed the frames and folded them gently. “I meant without glasses, Landi.”

The amount of pain she tried unsuccessfully to hide struck him.

With the hand holding her glasses, he tucked a wavy, silken strand of hair behind her ear. “Will you let me explain?” His body responded as her tongue snuck out to slide across her lower lip.

“There’s nothing to explain,” she said with a shrug. “You’re here doing what’s necessary to get the job done.”

Her face turned away, but he captured her chin and brought their eyes back together. “You know I love you, Landi,” he said with all honesty in his soul.

“I know your woman may not like the scent of another woman on you.” Fire raged in her eyes for a brief second.

Taking her hand, Dimitri pulled her to her feet and led them to a secluded place. Before Landi could say anything, he kissed her. Dropping her sunglasses onto the grass, he wrapped his arms tightly around her as he devoured her. Her hesitation lasted for a mere second before she met his fire with her own. Her nails dug into the flesh of his triceps as her tongue dueled with his. His cock throbbed against his boxers and he thrust against her. Landi’s low moan filled his ears, her hips mimicking his actions. Desire for her raced through him. In that moment, Dimitri didn’t care about anything but the angel in his arms.

Lowering them to the soft ground, Dimitri lessened the intensity of the kiss. “Landi,” he murmured in Greek. “I’ve missed you.”

Her hands fumbled with the button on his jeans. Urgency moved over him as her small hand wrapped around him. He shuddered when Landi slowly began fisting him.

“Landi,” he mumbled, “wait a sec.”

“Now, Dimitri,” she ordered. “Please, I need you!”

It took him mere seconds to remove her shorts, rip off her panties, and slide home in her wet hot core.

“Shit!” he said on a groan as she held him tightly. Her low moan of pleasure echoed his statement. It had been so long since he’d been with her. This was coming home. Being with Landi made the world right again.

Back and forth he moved. His mouth covered to muffle her noises. In the background the roar of the waterfall, faded conversations, and laughter reached them. He didn’t care. Harder and deeper he
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thrust. Landi accepted everything he gave and more. As if they’d never been apart, they made love in perfect tandem. He pushed, she arched.

Landi’s small body began to tense beneath him and he knew she was close. Resting his hands beside her ears, he began to move faster, knowing just what Landi craved.

Her breaths came in short pants and he groaned when she dug her fingers into him. He loved the feel of her nails in his skin. Her tight pussy clamped hard around his cock as he pistoned in and out of her.

When her muscles milked him, he erupted deep within her, his tongue matching the pace of his thrusts.

For a moment they lay there, breathing hard, hearts pounding erratically. Dimitri pushed back and looked at her, taking in the flushed skin, swollen lips, and contented smile. Brushing a kiss against her mouth, he pulled out of her. Not a sound was spoken as they put their clothes back in order. When Landi started to rise, he thwarted her action by grabbing her and rolling her beneath him.