Sasha: The Wallflower (The Wallflower Series Book 1) (3 page)

Normally, she would have adamantly refused but the pain in her feet, after having worked ten hours straight with little to no break, was thankful for the ride. The wise voice in her head told her not to do it, but she found herself walking toward the car before eventually taking a seat on the leather interior. His car had the fresh-off-the-market smell to it. Inhaling deeply, she turned to him.

“Thank you for the ride. The bus would have taken forever.”

Dmitri said nothing as he drove away from the curve into traffic.

He stopped at a red light and glanced over at her. “My office building is close to the diner. I was on my way home when I saw you standing at the bus stop.”

“What is it that you do?”

Dmitri chuckled at her question. “You are quite adamant about finding out my chosen career path, aren’t you?” He watched as she shyly looked away from him. A grin still in place, he finally said, “I am a senior advertising and marketing executive at a PR firm. Not exactly what you were expecting was it?”

Sasha shrugged her shoulders. Playing with the strap of her purse, she glanced at him before quickly reverting her gaze once more. “That is quite a mouthful. Actually I had no real prior expectations. Judging from the way you carry yourself, I was pretty sure it was an important position.”

Dmitri only shrugged.

Noticing the way he was going to her apartment, she quickly interjected. “Oh, you should make a turn here to your left. It’s a short cut.”

There was a moment of silence between them. Sasha sat going over their kitchen conversation once more. She glanced at him as he drove, taking in his angular features. Her mind automatically brought up the memory of his lips settling softly against her own before she shoved herself away from him. She wondered what it would have felt like if she hadn’t moved, if she had allowed him to kiss her intimately with no reservations or thought of how she was betraying her friend, Teagan. It hadn’t been her first kiss. But it had been the only one that created such a strong desire for more.

Dmitri’s thoughts were not as pure as he drove Sasha to her apartment. Even though he was thinking of their kitchen encounter as well, he felt more frustration at the memory than anything else. Even now, the tiny taste he had received only helped to create a stronger desire for her. A desire he knew would not be as easily fulfilled as with his previous encounters. Sasha was different, innocent. If they were to progress to a more intimate relationship, she would more than likely think more of it than he would. And, to be honest, he didn’t want the hassle of having to force her to move on from him.

But, at the same time, he was torn. His lust was unwavering and more potent than with any other woman he had ever met or been with. He didn’t know if he could stop himself if the opportunity was presented.

In an effort to stray from these thoughts, Dmitri spoke, “How often do you work at Al’s Diner?”

“I’m part-time but that may change in the future.”

At this, he looked at her curiously, “Why? Are you moving?”

She shrugged her shoulders and looked out the window, seeing the streetlights pass by. “I may,” she said softly.

Dmitri didn’t know how he felt with this new information. A part of him felt relieved, it would help for him to no longer see her. Maybe then his interest would wane. But, at the same time, he felt a mysterious sense of loss if she were to move.

“Would you leave Boston or just relocate within the area?”

Sasha looked back at him. “I have no idea right now. But I think a new start would be beneficial for me.” She paused, swallowing nervously. “I don’t feel…very happy here.” Sasha didn’t know why she revealed this to him but, somehow, she felt comfortable telling him. If she were to reveal this to any of her friends they would more than likely laugh it off or completely ignore it. Sasha knew to a certain extent the friendships she had with them meant more to her than it did to them. The inequality was something she had grown used to in order to avoid loneliness. But, perhaps, it was time for her to move on and find a new niche. A new start sounded very enticing once she graduated with her Master’s degree.

Dmitri stopped at a red light and looked at her intensely. “Running away is not the answer, Sasha.”

“I’m not running away from anything. I’m just trying to look for a place that I-”

“Sasha, I hate to say this but I really think you need to hear it. You need to grow up and face the people that are making you unhappy. You allow them to walk all over you; I’ve seen it myself that night at the restaurant with Faye and the barbeque with Jaelynn.”

Her fists tightened in her lap as she listened to him say the things she thought on many occasions. “I-I don’t think I could stand to be alone again,” she mumbled mostly to herself.

Catching her whisper, Dmitri asked, “What do you mean?”

Sasha didn’t respond. Instead, she watched as he turned into her apartment complex. As he parked, she gathered her things and opened the door. “Thank you, Dmitri.”

Not liking the depressive tone in her voice, Dmitri left the vehicle as well, locking the door as he followed her to her apartment. Sasha looked back at him with a raised brow. “What are you doing?”

“Well…I live across town. Would you mind if I came in and rested a little bit before getting on the road again?”

Knowing that Teagan wouldn’t be home ‘til late tonight, Sasha opened the door with her key and allowed him in. Dmitri looked around at the small surroundings, noting the colorful array of furniture. It seemed to be more an expression of Teagan’s loud personality than Sasha’s quiet shyness.

“Teagan won’t be here until later tonight, in case you were expecting her.”

Dmitri shook his head as he plopped himself down on the loveseat. A small flat screen television was hinged on the wall. He felt Sasha take the seat next to him. He turned to her, smiling inwardly at the way she was hunched as far away from him as the couch allowed.

“Relax, Sasha. I only came to rest my eyes a little bit.”

She nodded, ringing her hands in her lap.

Feeling the need to tease her, “Do you remember what happened in Jaelynn’s kitchen?” When she didn’t respond beyond a light flush upon her cheeks, he continued. “Well, I remember it.” He scooted closer to her, reaching for her hands. He grasped them in his own, stroking the soft skin of her palm and whispered, “I want more…don’t you?”

Sasha’s eyes widened and she shook her head, jumping up from the couch and tearing her hands from his grasp. “No, Dmitri! Why do you keep doing this? How can you have a clear conscience when you know I’m friends with the girl you’re dating? She’s m-my roommate for Christ’s sake!”

Dmitri groaned and stood up to stand in front of her. He looked down at Sasha and palmed her tiny shoulders in his large hands, bringing her closer. “I’m not dating or seeing Teagan, anymore. So what’s preventing us from having a little fun? You said yourself that you weren’t happy.” He shook her slightly.

Before she had a chance to protest again, Dmitri pulled her up slightly to the tips of her toes and bent down to place his lips firmly upon hers. He almost groaned at the pleasure that coursed through him the moment they touched. He felt her shiver under his touch and lean in closer. A cocky grin spread across his lips at this. Wanting to hear her voice her enjoyment, he stepped closer to her, allowing their bodies to touch more intimately. Enjoying the feel of her breasts pressed against his chest, he pulled her even closer by moving his hands from her shoulders to her lower back.

Sasha couldn’t control the goose bumps that spread across her skin. Her hands were smashed between their chests but they soon held onto his shirt in a desperate need for more intimacy as he gently spread her lips with his tongue. A loud moan rang from her; she felt like she would faint from the pleasure of it. Dmitri’s tongue explored the inside of her mouth, swiping at the inside of her cheeks and caressing her tongue. More moans encompassed the living room.

She soon felt his hands, which rested on her lower back, slowly slide further down before aggressively grasping her ass. Sasha gasped but then reached up with both her hands to encircle his thick neck, pulling herself up his body. Dmitri helped her get closer, lifting her up so she could wrap her legs around his waist.

Not letting go of her ass, Dmitri walked them to the nearest wall, slamming her against the surface with a heavy groan.

“Damn, Sasha.” He gently bit her lip. “I knew you would like this.”

Sasha ignored him, instead reaching out to take his lips once more. Dmitri felt her desperation for his touch in the way her fingers clawed at the back of his neck and hair. He enjoyed her display of passion and subsequently pressed her down upon his growing erection.

“Dmitri!” Sasha gasped against his mouth.

“It’s okay, baby. I got you!” He began to slide her against his erection. Dmitri released her mouth and made his way to the crook of her neck, nuzzling her. “You feel so good against me, baby,” he whispered. “I can’t wait to be inside you.”

At this, Sasha pushed as much space between them as was possible since she was pressed against the wall and wrapped around his waist. “W-wait. I-I can’t, I’m not ready.”

Dmitri felt as if cold water had been washed over him as she said that. He couldn’t control his outrage as he yelled, “What?”

Sasha flinched at the volume of his voice but didn’t back down. “I’m sorry but I-I’m not ready for that just yet.” She looked down at his chest as she mumbled, “Please put me down.”

Dmitri purposely slid her down his body, directly against his erection. He smiled in appreciation at the shiver that ran through her body when his cock slid directly against her groin. “Do you feel that, Sasha? How can we stop? It’s all for you, baby.”

Sasha shook her head and pushed him away. “You only just stopped dating my friend. Before we do anything I have to let her know about my feelings.” She pressed her shaking hands against her flushed cheeks and looked up at him. “I don’t even know why you want me. I-I’m not-”

Dmitri immediately pressed his lips against hers before she could continue. With little space between them he stated authoritatively, “I want you. Don’t doubt that.” He grabbed her hand from her cheek and pressed it against his still erect cock. “Do you feel this, Sasha?”

Her breathing quickened and she bit back a moan. Sasha nodded her head.

“I haven’t been thinking of Teagan, Sasha. Only you.”

She pulled her hand back forcefully and pressed her back against the wall, continuing to look up at him. The desire in his eyes was evident, as well as the slight pink flush on his cheeks. Just like her, his breathing was quick and harsh; they both were overcome with a desire that caused perspiration to dot their skin. It took every part of her not to jump in his arms and grind against his erection once again. But she couldn’t stop thinking of her relationship with Teagan. It was more important than a brief night with a man who was not in search of a serious relationship.

“I won’t. You only want one night, Dmitri. I-I’m not that type of woman. Unlike you, I am looking for something serious.”

Dmitri felt like tearing his hair out in frustration. ‘I’m in for a serious night of blue balls,’ he thought to himself. He stepped away from her and sat down on the couch. “Sasha, I know you want me just as much as I want you. Why can’t we just spend one night of fulfillment? Once we do, I-we …can return to normal. Don’t you want that?”

“This isn’t something I think is just lust.” Realization kicked in as she looked at him with new light. “But that’s what you think this is, isn’t it? You only want to sleep with me and then throw me out…You just want to use me.”

Unwanted tears began to well within her eyes. “Somehow, I’m not worthy of a relationship but I’m good enough to fuck.”

Dmitri frowned at her. He knew what she said was true, had thought it himself on many occasions, but he didn’t like to hear her say it to him. It seemed so crude coming from her lips. Standing up once again, he walked toward her. Towering over her, he said, “I’ll be truthful. You are not my type.”

Noting the hurt that washed over her features, he quickly continued, “But I am attracted to you. I don’t know why, but I have been from the moment I walked in and saw you sitting with Teagan and the rest of your friends. You were the first one I noticed. Sasha, I don’t want to hurt you. That is not and has never been my intent. But I don’t want you to think me desiring you is a sign that I want something serious.”

Sasha barely recognized her own movements, but she realized what she did as she saw his face abruptly turn. Her hand mark was evident on his cheek. Not waiting for his response she said in a clear strong voice, “I want you to leave, Dmitri. And I don’t want to see you again. You call out my friends for not caring about me and tell me to realize my worth but then you treat me as if somehow I’m not worthy.”

Her hands fisted at her sides as she kept eye contact with him. His dark eyes had grown cold and the frown on his face had deepened to a hateful grimace. “I won’t allow someone like you to take my virginity, something I value, as if it were nothing. You don’t deserve it because you are a self-centered, arrogant, superficial asshole! All you care about is that the person you deem worthy enough to be on your arm publicly is equally as beautiful as you. Well, I’ve got news for you, Dmitri. No amount of physical attractiveness or wealth will ever hide the ugliness in your heart.”