Dimitri jerked at the sound of his brother’s voice, the surprise and shock yanking his attention toward the door. In the confusion, he loosened his grip on Natasha, who wasn’t holding on to him. But when he shot out a hand to grab her, he hadn’t counted on her own balance kicking in, and his attempt to catch her turned into a shove. She stumbled backward, eyes wide in shock.
Oh shit. She thought he’d pushed her. “Natasha, I’m—”
“Mitya, you home?” Nik’s shout interrupted his apology, and Natasha nearly tripped over her pointe shoes as she scrambled to gather her computer equipment.
Dimitri ground his teeth and ran his hands through his hair. His brother had theworstfucking timing. “It’s just Nikolai,” he said, following her out. “I didn’t mean—”
“Yeah. Okay.” Natasha’s voice was breathy as she darted through the center of the house that held the main living space, running away from him before he could explain.
From the front door, Nikolai gave them a puzzled look, and Dimitri could guess how it seemed. Him in nothing but sweatpants, Natasha in shorts and a leotard, arms full of tech, her point shoes slapping the floor as she hurried back to her room—fuck, toNik’sroom. Where he probably expected to stay.
A grin split Nik’s face. “Oh, hey, Natasha. Nice to see you.”
“Hey, Nik.” She ducked her head and sent him a wave.
Dimitri stuck his hands on his hips to keep from throwing something. Nik and Natasha knew each other from the times Nik had filled in as an extra onThe Dance Off—and from a few mornings where they’d crossed paths in this very house. While it was nice not to have to make awkward introductions, something about their easy greeting set him on edge. “We were dancing.”
Nik raised his eyebrows and pressed his lips together to hide a grin. “Oh yeah?”
“Gotta get ready for work.” With a polite nod, Natasha locked herself in the bedroom.
Nik shouldered his duffel bag. “I’m going to resist making a Goldilocks joke,” he said in a stage whisper. “But just barely.”
“Zatknis.”Scowling, Dimitri padded barefoot into the kitchen. He needed coffee if he was going to get himself under control and deal with his baby brother. He switched to Russian for the conversation, in case Natasha could hear them. “What are you doing here?”
“Unexpected break in the schedule. Figured I’d come back for a few days rather than stick around in Kansas. Didn’t realize you’d given away my room.” Nik dumped his bags next to the bar stools at the kitchen counter, then hopped onto one of them. “You know what? I can’t resist.” In a high, singsong voice, he said in English, “Someone’s been sleeping inmybed!”
Dimitri threw a dishtowel at his face.“Durak.”
Nik caught it and switched back to Russian and his real voice. “The real question is, why isn’t she inyourbed? Hey, make me some, too.”
Dimitri grumbled, but got down the cups and ground the beans.
Silence stretched between them, making Dimitri’s shoulder blades itch. He could feel his brother watching, judging, just waiting for the moment to make another joke.
He wasn’t in the mood for Nik’s teasing. He was tired, horny, and—thanks to Nik’s timing—no closer to deciphering Natasha’s mysteries or convincing her to abandon her “no sex” rule.
In the quiet, the sound of the bedroom door opening was loud, and they both looked up. A second later, Natasha paused in the arched kitchen doorway. She had changed into yoga pants, sneakers, and a loose off-the-shoulder top in bright green. Her face was bare of makeup, but her cheeks were flushed. She looked amazing.
“You’re making espresso?” she asked, sniffing the air.
“Yeah, I was making you some.” Dimitri ignored his brother’s dirty look. It was worth it to see the small smile curving Natasha’s lips.
“Actually, I was hoping to make café con leche,” she said. “Gina doesn’t like it, so I got out of the habit of drinking it, but you have such a great espresso machine . . .”
“Make me some?” Nik pleaded.
She winked at him. “I got you.”
Dimitri moved out of the way, watching her work at the counter. Her movements were precise and economical, yet everything was done with grace. She made the espresso shots and poured them into tiny cups, then steamed the milk with the wand he never used, adding sugar as it heated. The whirring sound of the wand filled the room.
Nik pitched his voice over it. “Where are you off to, Tash?”
She kept her eyes on the task at hand as she answered. “I have a few Pilates classes to teach, and two auditions.”
Nik’s eyebrows popped up, and Dimitri realized his had done the same. “Auditions for what?” Nik asked.
“A couple TV spots,” she said, shrugging. “Nothing big. Just trying to fill up my summer with work, you know?”
