Involuntary

Chapter Ten

Elena was discussing adoptions with Bill in the front waiting room with the door opened with a clang. Dmitrei strode through and she put a hand to her forehead as she realized he was coming straight for Bill, who was currently holding an adoption application.

"Do you do home studies?" he asked giving her a look with his dull green eyes that he seemed to think was flirtatious. "I wouldn't mind having you over. Let you tell me if my place is right for a dog."

She frowned, "I mean, we don't typically, but--"

"I told you, you aren't adopting," Dmitrei roared and Elena gasped as the man was hauled off his feet, literally dragged to the door and tossed out on the sidewalk. They all watched as Bill clambered to his feet, fuming and stormed away from the shelter. He got in his expensive car and drove away without a word. It all happened in seconds, and the waiting room was dead silent. Dmitrei let out an angry breath, staring at the place where the man had been, then turned on his heel and paced back in with the cages as if nothing had happened.

Oh, no you don't.

She chased after him, giving a look to the other workers that told them to get things moving again, to make people forget the scene that just happened.

"What was that about?" she snapped when she found him standing in front of Sebastian's cage.

Dmitrei looked over his shoulder, his blue eyes cold, "I told you he shouldn't adopt."

"And I told you that wasn't your call."

"Can you read minds?" he asked arrogantly, standing at his full intimidating height. It was odd to see him cocky with how quiet he usually was. "Maybe if you could, you could tell me what you saw in him that made you want to let him take an animal."

She sighed in frustration, clenching her hands into fists, "Of course, I can't see into everyone's minds. There is always a reason to judge people, but I need every adoption I can get. Many people aren't perfect yet can still take care of a pet."

"So that's it. You think I threw him out because he's not perfect?"

"I think it's because you're jealous," she said marching over to him. "And I'm beginning to think you're impulsive. Do you think about what you do, or just do it?"

"When I know it's right, I just do it," he said, his voice little more than a low growl. "I don't know why you're harassing me instead of thanking me for throwing out that creep."

"Thanks to you, I have to call and apologize," she said. "And hope he doesn't sue us."

Dmitrei looked stymied at that, but shook his head, "He shouldn't be anywhere near this place. Trust me on that."

She threw up her hands, "I want to trust you, Dmitrei. I really do, but you don't tell me anything. You make love to me and… ugh!"

He took her by the arms and turned her toward him. "So this is what it's really about. You are mad I left."

"I'm mad you just walk in here like nothing happened. I'm mad that I feel used. I'm mad that you didn't even text to say you got home. You don't just get to make love to a woman and hop out the window!" Her chest heaved and she tossed her hair again, looking like an angry, glorious Amazon.

Her words struck him. "We didn't make love. All the way."

Her face went stormy, her gray eyes darkening to the shade of angry rainclouds, "Oh, I see. You stopped it midway so you wouldn't have to feel guilty." She started to stride away, but he caught her gently around the waist, pulling her against him.