The Emperor (The Tarot Club 2)

But as soon as I exhaled, the moment was lost, and suddenly I was all too aware of time pressing its palm against the small of my back, urging me to hurry.

We stepped over the wax covered floor and into the bedroom when my responsibilities towards Ravi itched at my memory. Dimitri might be more than happy to forego his pain medication, but I doubted Ravi would.

The soft white towel pressed against my body as I dashed towards the door.

“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?”

I glanced back at Dimitri, momentarily admiring the way his chinos hugged his package - the way those delicious vees dipped beneath the waistband of his pants.

“To check on Ravi.” My voice sounded breathless even to my ears, and I knew that it was due to my perusal of him.

“Not like that, you aren’t.” Dimitri’s grunt held a finality to it, and while I wanted to argue with him on this, I decided to relent - allowed him to win this round.

I huffed my annoyance as I slung a t-shirt over my head, meticulously slipping into a pair of panties and some shorts before barging out of the room.

My breath came out in small puffs as I willed myself to come down from the high that was Dimitri. He was intoxicating - destructively so.

Ravi was still asleep, and I watched the rise and fall of his chest as he seemed to embrace the slumber - unlike Dimitri, who seemed to fight the healing process tooth and nail, as if he could speed it along by sheer will alone. I didn’t know why I was surprised that he had woken when Ravi didn’t.

I administered Ravi’s medication while he slept blissfully through the whole process. I envied him - I envied his ability to seemingly welcome the darkness of sleep - to embrace it, even. Dimitri and I didn’t seem able to do that - instead, we embraced one another. I would never admit it, but those nights that were half-dream, half-desire, were my favourite kind. It allowed me to give into Dimitri in ways I didn’t know I craved.

When I returned to our room, Dimitri was already fully dressed, a frown marred his face as he glared at his phone, as if the device itself were somehow an affront to him. I felt my lips crack into the sliver of a smile, his expression reminding me so much of the first time we had met.

“Stepen will be here shortly to collect and distribute the protection bracelets you made.” His gaze clashed with mine, and I felt my heart stutter under the weight of his gaze.

Dimitri’s tightly woven control snapped back in place, his need to lead as much a part of him as his will to breathe, and the last icy grip of panic that had clutched me for the past few days dissipated as I took him in. I hadn’t known how badly I needed to see him like this - to know that he was truly okay. I closed the distance between us in a few paces, my palms sliding up against his jaw as I tugged his face towards mine, allowing my tongue to dance against his, reassuring me in a way that I seemed to need more and more.

Dimitri groaned against me, and even when we heard a discreet cough sound from the doorway, he seemed unwilling to let go - unwilling to release his lips from mine.

“I see that you’re up and moving, against my orders.” Doctor Benson drawled from behind us, and I flinched at the accusatory note in his tone. I was supposed to be looking after Dimitri - helping him heal, not mauling him.

As I tried to pull away from Dimitri, his fingers dug in the small of my back, resisting my attempt. Finally, he bit down on my bottom lip in a show of dominance before finally releasing me, and I was left to face Doctor Benson with my arousal scribbled across my face. I knew that my breathing was erratic - my nipples firm, and I didn’t miss the way the good doctor’s eyes skated across my chest.

“Good morning, Benson.” Dimitri stepped towards the doctor, shielding me from his view, no doubt noticing Benson’s slight perusal of my chest.

“As always, we appreciate your dedication to the Bratva in looking after myself and my men.”

Benson grunted noncommittally, and I didn’t miss the fact that this was very much a pissing contest - the Doctor and the Pakhan.

“Has he taken his pain medication today?” Even though he couldn’t see me, Benson lobbied the question in my direction.

“Not yet.” I answered smoothly, keeping my voice even as I refused to betray even a hint of the guilt I felt. I stepped out from behind Dimitri, bringing my body stationary next to his.

His gaze was filled with disapproval, and I watched Dimitri’s jaw clench in anger and frustration.

“Am I cleared to move around and run things?” His voice was soft and low, but only an idiot would miss the threat laced in Dimitri’s words.

“Would it make even the slightest difference if I said no?” Benson pushed back, refusing to cower under Dimitri’s gaze. I had to give it to him, the doctor had a backbone of steel.

“No.” Dimitri did not mince his words, telling Benson exactly where he stood.

“In that case, you can half your pain medication.”

I nodded once in understanding.

“I still need to check on Ravi.”

Benson’s eyes slid towards mine and I nodded again. “Sure, I’ll take you to him.”