ELI
I couldn't hide my excitement. After giving Adam and Lian the full tour of my ridiculously luxurious room, which they both couldn't stop marveling at. we finally headed downstairs to the dining hall. Lian was snapping photos of the chandeliers like he was a tourist, and Adam… well, he was still quiet, though his eyes trailed me a little too much. But I brushed it off. Tonight was about fun, friendship, and food. And okay, maybe a little showing off too.
Before I could sit down, I told them to wait while I ran upstairs…to Damir's room.
His scent hit me the moment I stepped in. That warm, masculine cologne that never failed to make me feel giddy. I opened his wardrobe and picked out one of his expensive suit trousers, the navy silk one with golden stitching on the sides. Slipping into them made me feel like I was wrapped in him. The pants hung a little loose at the waist, but on my hips, it hugged just enough to tease.
By the time I got back downstairs, the food was already set out on the table…..grilled meats, creamy mashed potatoes, salads I would never touch, and a cake I hoped was just for me. I slid into my seat right as the front doors opened again.
Damir.
He walked in, fresh from whatever mafia-like business he had to attend to, looking like a god in a black trench coat. My eyes lit up immediately. He didn't speak, he just walked up to me and handed me a sleek branded bag.
I blinked. "What's this?"
"Open it, baby," he said, voice deep and smooth.
I tore the bag open and gasped. My heart stopped.
The sneakers. The exclusive, limited-edition designer sneakers I'd been pouting over since last week. They were the kind that sold out in minutes. The ones I left opened on his iPad screen every single night, hoping he'd notice. And he did.
"Damir!" I squealed, jumping up and planting kisses all over his face. "You got them! You actually got them!"
He chuckled, brushing my hair back from my face. "Anything for you."
I dragged him to the seat beside me, pulling his arm around my waist like I always do. Lian and Adam were watching us with expressions ranging from awe to disbelief, but I didn't care. Damir sat, leaned close, and I leaned closer.
The dinner began with all the sparkle of expensive cutlery and a dozen dishes I couldn't pronounce. Lian started chatting immediately about the mansion architecture, and I knew he was being dramatic, but he was funny so it worked. Adam was more reserved. He stared at Damir a lot, then at me, then at our interlocked hands.
That's when Damir's other side kicked in.
"So," Damir began, voice smooth but firm, his eyes directly on Adam, "Eli tells me you're American. What brings you to Russia?"
Adam shifted. "Uh, my dad's company moved here. We've been here for almost a year."
Damir nodded slowly, sipping from his wine glass. "And you like it here?"
Adam hesitated, probably sensing the tension. "Yeah. It's… different. Cold."
"Hmm," Damir hummed. "And how long have you known Eli?"
I nudged him under the table. "Damir…"
"It's a simple question."
Lian laughed. "He's just being protective. You should see how he hovers whenever Eli's even talking to someone in class. It's kind of adorable."
Damir didn't laugh. He stared at Adam with unreadable eyes. Adam, to his credit, didn't back down.
"We just met this week. He's… kind of unforgettable."
Damir's jaw twitched. I could feel the possessiveness radiating off him like heat.
I quickly kissed his cheek. "Babe, don't scare him off. He's nice. He's helping with our project."
He gave me a look. The kind that said "we'll talk about this later" but for now he let it go. Instead, he pulled me onto his lap in the middle of dinner, completely unbothered by our guests.
"You're spoiling me," I whispered, brushing my nose against his.
"That's the point," he murmured.
And just like that, dinner continued. The tension dulled, the laughter came back, and I felt it again…that insane, overwhelming warmth that came from being loved, desired, protected.