Kidnapped to love

chapter 35

Dimitri sat beside Crystal on the edge of her bed, gently lifting her arm to examine the burn that still marked her skin. His brows furrowed in concern as he ran his fingers lightly over the red patch.

"You should’ve said no," he muttered, shaking his head.

"How come I, your mom announced out of the blue that I’ll learn to be your perfect girlfriend , why you lied?"she asked

Dimitri raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a playful smile. "I didn’t lie. you are my girlfriend"

Crystal laughed softly, leaning back against her pillows. "In your dreams"

He smirked, shifting closer to her, the playful tension between them thickening. "Then what are we, doll?" His voice dropped to a lower tone as he leaned in, his face now mere inches from hers.

"Anything but boyfriend girlfriend" she shot back, turning her head to avoid his intense gaze, though her heart betrayed her by beating a little faster.

Dimitri’s smirk deepened as he watched her, enjoying the way she was trying so hard to play it cool. "Anything, huh?" he murmured, taking her arm again to apply more ointment. His touch was gentle, but his closeness made Crystal’s pulse quicken.

"So, what else has my mom been teaching you?" he asked, eyes gleaming mischievously.

Crystal huffed. "Oh, she’s been teaching me everything. How to cook, how to clean, how to take care of you, tie your tie when you go to work… all that boring stuff." She rolled her eyes dramatically. "She’s basically planning to turn me into your personal assistant."

Dimitri chuckled, his voice warm. "Sounds like she’s preparing you for more than just being a girlfriend."

Crystal leaned back further, sighing. "Yeah, babies left. Maybe she’ll teach me that too. How to make them…" Her words trailed off as she realized what she had said, her eyes widening in shock. The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted it. Her cheeks turned a deep shade of red.

Dimitri blinked, then burst into laughter. "Oh, really?" He leaned closer, his laughter softening to a low, teasing chuckle. "Well, if you need a teacher for that one, I’m right here."

Crystal closed her eyes in embarrassment, pressing her hands to her face. "Shut up, Dimitri!" she groaned, her voice muffled.

Dimitri pulled her hands away from her face and tilted her chin up so she’d look at him. His smile was playful, his gaze intense. "No need to be shy, doll. I’m a great teacher."

She tried to push him back, flustered, but he didn’t budge. Instead, he pulled her a little closer, his breath brushing her ear as he whispered, "Shall we start those classes today?"

Crystal’s heart skipped a beat at how close he was, her pulse pounding in her ears. She shoved him harder this time, her face still burning. "Shameless!" she exclaimed, half-laughing, half-embarrassed. "Can’t you pretend you didn’t hear that?"

Dimitri leaned back, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Why would I pretend when it was so much fun making you blush?"

"You’re impossible," Crystal grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest, though the fluttering in her stomach made it impossible for her to be truly mad at him.

He gave her a teasing look, his eyes scanning her face, clearly noticing the way her breathing had quickened.  he said, leaning in again, his face close to hers, "you should’ve thought before saying that. But now it’s too late."

Crystal’s heart raced as he inched even closer. She could feel the warmth of his body next to hers, the teasing glint in his eyes making her head spin. She could barely manage to speak as she turned her face away again. "Dimitri… stop teasing me."

But her voice wavered, and Dimitri noticed. He chuckled softly, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear as he whispered, "Your heart’s beating pretty fast, doll."

Crystal’s breath hitched. "No, it’s not," she lied, though her shaky voice gave her away.

Dimitri grinned, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear as he leaned in even closer, his lips dangerously close to her cheek. "Liar."

Her heart fluttered at his closeness, and for a moment, she thought she might melt into the sheets. She bit her lip, trying to hold back a smile, her eyes squeezing shut as she tried to regain control of herself.

But Dimitri wasn’t done. "You can deny it all you want, but I know the truth." His voice was a low murmur now, dripping with flirtation. "You can’t resist me, can you?"

Crystal opened her eyes, glaring at him through her embarrassment. "I can resist you just fine," she said, though her shaky breath and flushed cheeks told a different story.

Dimitri chuckled again, his lips barely brushing against her skin before he pulled back slightly, locking eyes with her. "Sure, doll. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

Crystal’s heart raced even faster, her skin tingling from the almost-kiss. She pushed him away once more, trying to regain her composure. "You’re unbelievable," she muttered, though her lips twitched into a reluctant smile.

Dimitri just smirked, leaning back with a satisfied expression, knowing exactly the effect he had on her. "And you love it," he teased.

Crystal shook her head, her heart still racing, but she couldn’t deny the warmth spreading through her chest. Maybe, just maybe, she did.